If you’re serious about music production, you are probably thinking about building a custom PC. To do this, you’ll need a top audio MOBO (motherboard) with a high-quality sound card. The market is saturated with different motherboards, which can be overwhelming, even to the most technically minded. Therefore, we’re here to help with our reviews of the five best motherboards for music production.
Short on time? The top three best audio motherboards on the market in 2024 are the highly rated GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE and ASUS ProArt Z490-CREATOR 10G.
Best Motherboard For Music Production: Quick Comparison
BEST RATED |
GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE
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RUNNER UP |
ASUS ProArt Z490-CREATOR 10G
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ASUS Prime Z590-A MOBO
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ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus
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Gigabyte GA-A320M-S2H
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Top Audio Motherboards 2024: Reviews
1. GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE
Best Rated Motherboard For Music Production
The Gigabyte Z390 Designare is a high-end ATX motherboard ideal for music production.
This versatile motherboard has the LGA 1151 socket that supports all 9th and 8th Gen Intel Core processors, but unfortunately not 10th Gen.
It has a very efficient RAM size, accommodating up to 64GB of DDR4 SDRAM.
A unique feature of the Z390 is its Thunderbolt 3.0 support, which makes it a very future-proof motherboard. Along with the two Thunderbolt 3.0 ports, it has 4 Gen-1 USB 3.1, 2 Gen-2 USB 3.1, and 2 USB 2.0 ports.
This wide range of connectivity options means you can connect practically any music-related tech you may have.
Other impressive features that make the Z390 the best motherboard for music production are the advanced thermal design and Bluetooth 5.0 technology.
The thermal design includes a direct-touch heat pipe to prevent overheating and innovative fan technology with multiple temperature sensors.
In addition, the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity allows for wireless connection, yet another reason why the Z390 is a motherboard for the future.
Pros
- Thunderbolt 3.0 ports
- Bluetooth 5.0 technology
- Advanced thermal design and smart fans
- Dual-channel unbuffered DDR4
- High storage capacity
Cons
- Not compatible with 10th or 11th Gen processors
2. ASUS ProArt Z490-CREATOR 10G
Second Best Audio MOBO
It’s rare to find a motherboard tailored towards music producers rather than gamers, but the ASUS ProArt Z490-CREATOR is just that.
This audio motherboard uses the professional-grade Z490 chipset and Intel LGA1200 socket, suitable for the newest 10th and 11th Gen Intel processors.
However, the boards’ phase power 12+2 VRMs also make it ideal for i7 and i9 processors.
Other attractive features are the 128GB RAM, Thunderbolt 3.0 support, and 10G LAN, resulting in high-speed connectivity.
It also rates exceptionally high in durability. It is tested to ensure it can endure harsh conditions with unshakable stability and is equipped with SafeSlot.
An AI Cooling function continuously controls the fans to ensure the system remains at an optimal temperature.
Meanwhile, the AI Overclocking technology allows you to overclock without overheating.
Finally, the built-in sound card features a Realtek S1220A codec with 120 dB SNR and has five audio ports and one optical out.
Pros
- Specifically designed for content creation
- Supports 10th Gen Intel Core processors
- 128GB RAM size
- Thunderbolt 3.0 ports
- Excellent temperature control
Cons
- Not as robust as other motherboards
3. ASUS Prime Z590-A
Best Audio Motherboard For Intel
The ASUS Prime Z590-A has an Intel LGA 1200 socket, designed for the powerful 11th Gen Intel Core processors and 10th gen.
In addition, the AI-integrated Motherboard boasts overclocking, cooling, and noise cancelation properties.
The Z590-A has a comprehensive cooling system consisting of a VRM heatsink, PCH heatsink, hybrid fan headers, and Fan Xpert 4 utility.
What’s more, the 4+2 DrMOS power stages, ProCool sockets, alloy chokes, and durable capacitors all work together to build an enhanced power solution, delivering stable power in all situations.
The intelligent and careful wiring of this motherboard preserves signal integrity for improved overclocking and memory performance.
In addition, this future-ready technology has an array of connection points, including USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, front panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, and Thunderbolt 4 support.
Pros
- Uses advanced AI technology
- A future-proof motherboard for the latest Intel processors
- High-tech cooling system
- Robust power design
Cons
- Download drivers could be easier
4. ASUS AM4 TUF Gaming X570-Plus
Best Audio Motherboard for AMD
The ASUS TUF Gaming X570-Plus is the top choice for powering AMD Ryzen 2nd and 3rd AM4 processors.
It features an AM4 socket, 570X chipset, two M.2 Drives, and AMD Store MI, giving impressive connectivity and speed with the latest Ryzen processors.
The X570-Plus motherboard uses military-grade TUF components and a ProCool socket for maximum durability, higher surge tolerance, and retention force.
It also has a comprehensive set of cooling options, including hybrid fan headers for extremely reliable stability.
The X570-Plus is designed for gaming. However, its gaming-ready features like Dr. MOS power stage, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and Aura Sync RGB lighting make it an excellent motherboard for music production.
Furthermore, the combination of high-side and low-side MOSFETs and drivers delivers the power and efficiency needed for the latest AMD processors.
Pros
- Fast and stable connectivity and performance
- Has TUF protection
- Many advanced cooling functions
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Installation could be easier
5. Gigabyte GA-A320M-S2H
Best Budget Motherboard for Music Production
The GIGABYTE GA-A320M-S2H is a fantastic low-cost alternative to the ASUS X570-Plus.
It supports AMD Ryzen 2nd & 1st gen and 7th gen A-series/Athlon processors and offers fast storage performance for PCIe and SATA interfaces.
Despite being a budget audio motherboard, the GA-A320M has valuable features for audiophiles and music producers, including high-quality audio capacitors and an audio noise guard.
This audio MOBO also utilizes a dual-channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR4 RAM, plus Smart Fan 5 technology with temperature sensors and hybrid fan headers.
Overall, this is an affordable and easy-to-use AMD motherboard. Therefore, it is ideal for those who are just getting started with music production.
However, it is a much more basic motherboard compared to the others as it doesn’t have overclocking abilities, and it only has two memory slots.
Pros
- Ideal for beginners
- Easy to set up
- High quality audio capacitors
- Smart Fan 5 technology
Cons
- Cannot overclock
- Only two memory slots
Music Production MOBO FAQ
Do You Need A Good Motherboard For Music Production?
Yes, you absolutely need a high-quality motherboard for music production purposes. A good motherboard doesn’t just produce better audio quality, but it also increases the amp power to work better with high impedance headphones.
Moreover, although many motherboards are built for gamers, they are all specifically designed to perform under heavy workloads like music production.
Which Processor Is Best For Music Production?
Many processors are excellent for music production. However, it’s important to remember that the main thing to look for in a processor for music production is speed. Therefore, we recommend AMD Ryzen 5 3600, AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, Intel Core i7 8700K, and Intel Core i3 10100.
Is AMD Or Intel Better For Music Production?
Both brands are similar in performance and speed, so it usually comes down to personal brand preference. Many AMD processors are a more affordable option, but Intel processors have the best compatibility with motherboards.
Is Core i5 Good For Music Production?
Yes, the Intel Core i5 processor works at a speed of 2.3GHz, which is very efficient for music production purposes. However, if you produce a high quantity of tracks, you’ll find the i7 to be the best for your needs.
Is 6 Cores Enough For Music Production?
The number of cores determines how many tasks a CPU can do simultaneously. Therefore, the more cores, the smoother the performance. For music production, you need a minimum of 4 cores, but 6 or 8 is ideal. 4 cores may be sufficient for now, but 6 cores is a much more future-proof option.
Final Thoughts About Best Motherboards For Audio Production
After comparing the top audio MOBOs, the best audio motherboard for music production in 2024 is the GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE audio motherboard. Alternatively, the ASUS ProArt Z490-CREATOR 10G music production motherboard is a top choice if using the newest 10th and 11th Gen Intel processors.
Dave Pearson is a Canadian musician, sound editor, and audiophile. He is also the founder and owner of the website SoundProofGeek. On SoundProofGeek, Pearson offers advice and resources on audio equipment, including how to assess and improve audio quality, how to troubleshoot and repair audio equipment, and how to improve the music listening experience.
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