Best H610 Motherboards For 12th Gen Alder Lake Processors

If you’re looking to upgrade your brand new 12th generation Alder Lake processor, we’ve got some great news. The best H610 motherboards make it easy to support the required hardware to get back to doing what you do best. They provide a range of motherboards in varying price ranges and different socket types. There will certainly be one that will fit the bill, whether an entry-level board or a more professional high-end model.

The H610 chipset is not compatible with processors that are easier to overclock as they exceed their TDP or Thermal Design Power. The only Intel motherboards that support you to overclock your CPU are those based upon the Z690 chipset. However, memory overclocks options are only possible on B660 and H670 boards. The number of USB ports and connectivity options is enough in the H610 motherboards; however, it is lower than the premium options. And lastly, this particular chipset does not support RAID configurations which usually translates into slower storage performance depending on how many drives you connect to your computer.

H610 motherboards lack the Intel vPro platform, which should not concern most users as it is helpful for enterprise workspaces. Overall, these motherboards are excellent for handling the newest hardware with minimal modifications. You can expect solid performance from these motherboards owing to their design and hardware support. Besides that, they are pretty basic when comparing the specifications and offers. But if you need something in mid-tier boards under budget, you should look at these best Z270, Z370, and Z390 motherboards.

Best H610 Motherboards in 2022

  1. Gigabyte H610M S2H
  2. Gigabyte H610M HD3P
  3. ASUS Prime H610M-A D4-CSM
  4. ASRock H610M-HDV/M.2
  5. MSI PRO H610M-G

Selecting the right H610 motherboard is challenging due to the lack of availability and fewer options. However, you can still get your hands on the best options according to your requirements. We have put together the list of top H610 motherboards by carefully reviewing and testing each product. Let’s take a deep dive and find out the best choice you can buy for the H610 motherboards.

1. Gigabyte H610M S2H DDR4

The Best Budget H610 Motherboard

Gigabyte H610M S2H

Features

  • Intel LGA 1700 Socket for Alder Lake processors
  • Dual-Channel DDR4 compliance
  • Excellent networking capabilities due to 2.5GbE LAN
  • Hybrid VRM design with 6+1+1
  • High-end dynamic audio

Reasons to Buy

  • Excellent power design for peak performance
  • Affordable pricing
  • High-speed memory support
  • Smart fan technology keeps temperature controlled

Reasons to Avoid

  • Lacks integrated WiFi support
  • Should have DDR5 RAM support

Gigabyte H610M S2H DDR4 is an excellent motherboard that’s well-loved by gigabyte fans, and it deserves to be. The Alder Lake CPUs are the most recent processors from Intel, which means their successor will not be available for quite a while. The H610M board does best by sumping up every drop of processing power from the Alder Lake chipset. So if you’re looking for the best budget H610 motherboard, there’s no other way to get it than with H610M by Gigabyte.

The 6+1+1 Phases Hybrid Digital VRM Power Design from Gigabyte makes it possible for your video card to run at peak performance consistently. The solid capacitors keep the voltage consistent and flowing smoothly to your GPU, which helps to enhance its response time during gameplay. This technology minimizes power fluctuation and enhances the lifespan of your video card with the help of a more durable design made possible by the increased amount of metal included in the connectors between your components.

The Gigabyte H610M S2H is much like any other board in the H610 series regarding memory capacity and setup since we come across many with dual DIMM slots on offer. Dual-channel technology can run 64 GB of RAM @ 3200 MHz. In terms of CPU upgrade modes, there are two exclusive modes designed to simultaneously optimize frame rates while maintaining efficiency according to your specific needs. You can deactivate all efficiency cores instead of keeping a few on hand, so you’ll be able to proceed with maximizing those frames during gameplay.

The Gigabyte H610M DDR4 feature Intel’s Gigabit Ethernet, managed by an I219-V controller. As such, you can enjoy lower ping times without sacrificing networking speed. It equates to the ultimate gaming experience for solo and multiplayer games. No matter what game genre you choose, this board supports the Realtek 7.1 Channel HD Audio codec to reduce distortion while offering crystal clear commentary in games like Grand Theft Auto V or The Sims 4.

Gigabyte’s in-house software lets you set up an array of options that will tailor the fan speed depending on how hot your system gets. You can customize these settings according to your preference. For example, having fewer fans higher up in temperature and vice versa, manually tweak them by underlining where a certain speed kicks in. Gigabyte has incorporated their Smart Fan Control technologies, thus offering a dual curve mode capable of monitoring any changes in activity as long as there are sufficient thermal readings available.

As for the remaining software included with the motherboard, Gigabyte has designed a new user-friendly interface within their BIOS for more convenient use when tweaking system settings during the initial setup. Also included is Gigabyte’s App Center is also included, which pairs with the BIOS, one unified app containing all of Gigabyte’s helpful motherboard applications and drivers to update your software whenever necessary to access the most up-to-date utilities available.

Gigabyte has squeezed out the performance while remaining budget friendly with their H610M S2H DDR4. With all the features you’re used to seeing in high-end boards, Gigabyte still gave the H610M DDR4 an edge over the best H610 motherboards by adding more than just affordability. It is why we believe they shouldn’t just arguably take first place on our coveted list this year but also will remain a top choice for most enthusiasts.


2. Gigabyte H610M HD3P

Best Overclocking H610 Motherboard

Gigabyte H610M HD3P

Features

  • Hybrid Phase 6+2+1 VRM design
  • Dual-channel 2DIMMs DDR5 memory
  • Intel GbE LAN with cFosSpeed software
  • High-quality Audio Noise Guard
  • Anti Sulphur resistance design

Reasons to Buy

  • Programmable DDR5 RAM
  • More expansion slots
  • Excellent Smart Fan 6 utility
  • Controlled thermals

Reasons to Avoid

  • Lacks integrated WiFi
  • Slightly expensive
  • Lacks RGB headers

Gigabyte H610M HD3P is perfect for enthusiasts who want beastly performance while using the Alder Lake processor. The motherboard predominantly comes with the 4x PCIe slots while choosing several Graphics outputs. The Smart Fan 6 software and the optimized hybrid core provide a substantial thermal control and performance boost. One of the best things to praise Gigabyte H610M is its DDR5 memory, which is not common for the H610 motherboards.

The 6+2+1 Hybrid Power Design on the Gigabyte MOSFETs helps lower the energy consumed while providing top-notch performance and power delivery to the motherboard. The 8-pin connector is used for the CPU to draw in as little power as wasted energy. It uses a 24-pin ATX main connector for the motherboard power, providing good performance and power management combination. The solidly connected pins on both ends also help prolong durability for a longer lifespan.

The Gigabyte H610M H3DP DDR5 name suggests that it supports DDR5 RAM modules, clocked at a maximum rated speed of 4800MHz. It provides users with access to over 64GB of RAM. It creates dual-channel memory when combined with the two DIMM slots. The memory is then enabled to be re-programmed by the PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit) Secure Mode being unlocked, which will allow users to control the voltage of native DDR5 memory.

For storage, Gigabyte mixes and matches a variety of interfaces. A single M.2 slot supports SSDs, some of the fastest hard drives. There are also two additional SATA connectors to use with traditional hard drives. In all, Gigabyte uses 12 slots to support the hardware, and the I/O includes USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 2.0 ports, and internal USB header connections that support up to three displays at once (which should be enough for anyone), including D-Sub, DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort options.

Furthermore, Gigabyte has decided to go with Realtek’s 7.1 channel codec in the audio department of its H610M HD3P DDR5 motherboard while it is not only high-definition but also High Definition Audio. It helps deliver sound quality so crisp and realistic. Fortified with Gigabyte’s very own ear care, Audio Noise Guard ensure that your ears will only receive absolutely nothing but pristine sound.

Gigabyte H610M HD3P lacks integrated WiFi, which can hinder performance if you rely mostly on wireless connectivity for the internet. However, the inclusion of Intel’s Gigabit Ethernet with the I219-V controller is an interesting addition that we have seen in other competitors, too, in this H610 series motherboards. The cFosSoeed helos to deliver ultimate performance by accelerating the network bandwidth for the games. It helps set the bandwidth by prioritizing the apps depending on their importance.

The Smart Fan 6 function on Gigabyte 610M HD3P is phenomenal as it adjusts the fan speed according to usage. If you opt for gaming, the fan speed automatically increases while remaining normal for day-to-day tasks. The fan curve is also precise, indicating that the things on the motherboard work accurately. The Gigabyte Hybrid Core Optimization technology lets you prioritize the gaming performance and activate/deactivate the efficiency cores of the CPU for more optimized performance and productivity.

Overall, the Gigabyte HD3P DDR5 motherboard is excellent for the Alder Lake chipset. It has DDR5 memory clocking at 4800 MHz with overclocking potential. You get an improved audio experience with the Audio Noise Guard protecting your ears from the noise. If you are upgrading the motherboard for more power while performing overclocking, 610M HD3P by Gigabyte is the best overclocking H610 motherboard in 2022.


3. ASUS Prime H610M-A D4-CSM

Best Designed H610 Motherboard

ASUS Prime H610M-A D4-CSM

Features

  • Ultra-fast PCIe 4.0 connectivity
  • IT endpoint management through ASUS Control Center Expert
  • ASUS Corporate Stable mode
  • Innovative moisture resistant technology
  • ASUS self recovering BIOS

Reasons to Buy

  • Good thermal cooling
  • Sturdy and reliable build quality
  • Core display with Q-LED technology
  • Innovative RGB headers

Reasons to Avoid

  • Lacks DDR5 support
  • Lacks built-in WiFi

The Asus Prime H610M-A D4 is the best-designed H610 motherboard with an ATX form factor, a specialized socket for Alder Lake CPUs, and a PCIe 4.0 slot that works perfectly with active cooling solutions. It can fit any graphics card you can imagine. While there are many other perks associated with this powerhouse of a motherboard, such as supremely advanced heat dissipation options accompanied by customizations galore, its superior performance is evident simply by looking at it.

Let’s take a quick look at Asus’s Digi+ VRM system, which provides users with real-time control over the amount of voltage distributed to provide the best performance while keeping energy consumption low. You can use their Energy Processing Unit (EPU) in conjunction with their ‘Away’ mode to make sure your PC uses as little energy as possible when it’s not in use, so you don’t have to worry about your electric bill getting too high.

Moving ahead considering the I/O, Asus Prime H610M-A D4 offers some prime features that include two USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. From Nvidia to Radeon GPU, users can hook up their cards to the PCI Express 4.0 x16 slot protected by Asus’s SafeSlot core technology. It includes a strengthened design boasting 1.6x greater retention and 1.3x higher shearing resistance than standard expansion slots.

Asus outfitted the Prime H610M-A D4 with two M.2 slots, which nicely aligns with your SSDs at a theoretical maximum of 32 Gbps data transfer speed. It has a PCIe 3.0 slot to expand your options as far as drives are concerned. The motherboard also has four SATA III ports, so you won’t have to compromise on your storage. It’s worth noting that it possesses onboard resettable fuses, too, if you accidentally overload them with electricity beyond the point of protecting your system. They’ll keep you from suffering any overcurrent damage.

Asus hasn’t included a wireless network adapter, so you’ll need to plug in the ethernet cable to utilize the WiFi capabilities. It provides a Key E slot for wireless networking, and you have to purchase the hardware separately. Out of the box, it has an Intel Gigabit Ethernet connection. Asus has supplemented that with its own ‘LANGuard,’ which uses advanced signal-coupling technology to ensure that your internet connection is as steady as possible.

Great news for audiophiles, ASUS ensured that they listen to the songs and audio with higher bitrate and perfect sound quality. They ensured to create a set up with a Realtek 7.1 Surround Sound HD codec and 24 Bit 192 kHz playback, making it, so you don’t have to compromise on sound quality. It provides an excellent sounding audio setup with premium audio capacitors coupled with Asus’s own “Audio Shielding” and dedicated audio PCB layers to ensure top-notch audio quality.

With all the complex technical jargon removed, the Asus Prime H610M-A D4 gives you everything you’d need in a motherboard. It is among the best H610 motherboards with a Q-LED Core Display, and built-in addressable Gen 2 RGB Headers are just icing on the cake. You’ll also love the thermal control it offers as well. If you’re okay with communicating via LAN or don’t mind purchasing a WiFi module separately, choosing to stick with DDR4 RAM, this motherboard has it all.


4. ASRock H610M-HDV/M.2

Best Cheap H610 Motherboard

ASRock H610M-HDVM.2

Features

  • Ultra-fast USB 3.2 Gen1 connectivity
  • Multiple graphics output options
  • High-speed DDR4 memory
  • 6 Phase Power Design

Reasons to Buy

  • Cool aesthetics and build quality
  • Good memory capacity
  • Two Audio codecs offer clear and crispy sound
  • Good performance in budget price

Reasons to Avoid

  • Only one M.2 slot for SSDs
  • Lacks high speed 3.2 Gen2 USB ports
  • Lacks built-in WiFi

ASRock is known to bring affordable gaming motherboards, and they’re back with their latest release, the ASRock H610M-HDV/M.2. It is the best cheap H610 motherboard that hopes to give users top value for their money if they have the 12th generation Intel processor by combining great performance with new and exciting features. One impressive thing about this product is that it comes in a Micro ATX form factor which helps many gamers save space for their other peripherals and get a clean look.

Two RAM slots on the H610M-HDV/M.2 allow you to install DDR4 memory at speeds of up to 3200 MHz. However, it is worth mentioning that the H610 motherboard does not officially support overclocking. Therefore any attempt would be futile as it will damage your hardware if anything catastrophic happens during the process. Considering the RAM size, ASRock offers 64 GB of the RAM collectively for better performance for playing intense games and tasks.

Storage concerns are yet another thing set aside by ASRock as they have decided, with the H610M/HDV-M.2, to incorporate just a solitary M.2 slot for your SSDs. It is where you’d normally expect to see at least 2 SSD slots, but ASRock has branded it as an “Ultra M.2 slot” that can support M.2 SSDs having a SATA III interface. Meanwhile, the motherboard comes equipped with 4 SATA 3 ports so that users can connect conventional 2.5″ and 3.5″ storage media to provide additional support for the storage requirements.

The ASRock H610M-HDV/M.2 supports three of the most popular connectivity options for graphics card connectivity: DVI-D, DisplayPort, and HDMI. Adding additional monitors is common for gamers to want the best possible monitor setup, which allows a three monitor display. A total of 9 USB ports ensures enough connectivity points, so no user will ever be left short of any.

Moreover, we have got the latest exclusive Intel LAN with ASRock, upgraded to give the best networking speed with lower CPU utilization and enhanced stability to deliver an eloquent gaming experience. Besides this gigabit LAN, we feel disappointed that there is no built-in WiFi module in H610M-HDV/M.2. However, an M.2 Key-E slot comes with the boards to install a WiFi module.

Although packed with spaces for all your drives and expansion cards, there’s still room for interesting features like the Realtek ALC887 and ALC897 audio codecs. These provide your media files surround sound thanks to their 7.1 channel High Definition Audio outputs. It is perfect if you want to watch movies on a Blu-ray drive or listen to your music collection on your headset. The sound quality is excellent for an elevated gaming experience.

It is hard to argue against the versatility of what ASRock has created with the H610M-HDV/M.2 motherboard, which boasts a total of 9 USB ports, with Intel’s trademarked Gigabit LAN technology. This board puts this chipset in a Micro ATX form factor and gives users an option between any two Realtek Audio Codecs at no charge. This flexibility and customizability for a price make it worthy of recognition as one of the best value motherboards around.


5. MSI PRO H610M-G DDR4

Best Overall H610 Motherboard

MSI PRO H610M-G DDR4

Features

  • 2 DDR4 memory slots to support 64GB
  • Supports Dual Channel, Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory
  • Support up to PCIe 4.0 x16 slots
  • HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort for the maximum resolution

Reasons to Buy

  • Comes with a reasonable number of ports
  • Highly customization software
  • Excellent build quality
  • Comes with a core and memory boost

Reasons to Avoid

  • Thermal performance may seem insufficient
  • Lacks built-in Bluetooth and WiFi
  • Only one M.2 slot

MSI has been in the motherboards industry for quite a while. They have produced many high-performance budget motherboards in recent times. The MSI Pro H610M-G DDR4 is another example of performance and hardware sold by MSI. It comes with proprietary software while providing the best piece of the solution for reliable boot modification. The micro-ATX form factor and combination of white/black color give the motherboard a classy look and blend well with the surrounding hardware.

The MSI Pro H610M-G DDR4 is a great motherboard with a 24-pin main power connector and an 8-pin ATX 12V power connector. With this power supply, MSI incorporates the Core Boost technology to reduce wasted energy and improve stability while ensuring the extreme precision desired with high-end CPUs. The motherboard’s four debug LEDs will indicate potential problems with lighting patterns on the motherboard. It’s nice software to have that can prevent users from repeatedly opening their case to see if there are any issues.

The MSI Pro H610M-G DDR4 memory supports 64 GB max. of DDR4 RAM and can reach a top speed of 3200 MHz. It is possible with dual-channel memory in two separate DIMM slots. MSI chose these features specifically for increased stability, compatibility, and gaming performance! The components present on this PCB are isolated from each other for the best data signals, so you don’t have to worry about any incompatibilities or interruptions during your high-intensity sessions.

MSI has utilized two slots for the expansion: PCIe 4.0 x16 and PCIe x1. They come with the MSI PCIe Armor to provide additional strength and extra solder points. This way, it can support the motherboard and prevent bending when used with heavyweight GPUs. It further prevents any electromagnetic interference by shielding every point of contact. Besides the expansion, storage options include an M.2 slot capable of running SSDs with a speed potential of 32 Gbps.

There is a Key-E slot for the dedicated WiFi module on the motherboard as it does not come with integrated wireless connectivity. However, you don’t have to worry about internet connectivity when you have got Intel’s Gigabit Ethernet. It provides a faster LAN connection accompanied by the MSI LAN Manager. The prioritization of the apps is phenomenal as it automatically detects which app needs the internet connection more. Overall it is especially helpful if you don’t want latency issues in the applications.

MSI Pro H610M-G DDR4 is among the best H610 motherboards due to its Frozr AI Cooling. The technology comes built-in providing features like optimized fan speed according to the CPU and GPU tracking. It offers three modes to select between the four temperature targets for the CPU. The fan speed automatically adjusts to the desired temperature giving you the advantage of running a PC under controlled temperature conditions.

Overall, MSI Pro H610M-G is an absolute blend of performance and value. I won’t be wrong if I call it the best overall H610 motherboard among the competitors. It has all the features you can expect from any high-end motherboard while giving a sturdy architecture. The cooling mechanism and its control dynamics are outstanding, giving you a performance jump over other similar motherboards. If you want a motherboard capable of handling the graphics-intensive and high-performance tasks, you can trust MSI regarding the H610M-g board.


How We Test the H610 Motherboards?

We reviewed all of the H610 motherboards you chose, and we were shocked to learn how many essential features there are right off the bat! It helped us narrow down a selection of these boards that worked better than others and had all or near-maximum of the list.

Memory Support

Alder Lake, 12th Generation processors, support DDR4 and DDR5 RAM modules. But the problem is that both these modules have different physical structures. This structure change limits the use of DDR4 RAM on DDR5 slots or vice versa. So, all the H610 motherboards come with DDR4 slots, while the number and capacity of their slot can differ. We have narrowed the selection based on memory support and only chose the top motherboards.

Socket Type

LGA 1700 sockets come with the H610 motherboards, which are longer and bigger compared to the older counterparts. It has various pins, and its physical dimensions are different. While choosing the best H610 motherboards, we have kept in mind the pins and size of the socket. We also considered the space it takes and its manageability with the custom builds. Some sockets need mounting kits, which is a known issue for the aftermarket CPU coolers.

PCIe Support

H610 motherboard has both PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 support for faster transmission performance and intelligent operation of your system, even when under heavy load. Additionally, this motherboard supports M2 SSD storage devices, which offer fast access speeds. You can add an M2 SSD to your system without worrying about its added size interfering with your build’s aesthetics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can we overclock the H610 motherboard?

No, unfortunately, the H610 motherboard doesn’t support memory overclocking. It is currently not tested for overclocking for memory and CPU. It only supports destined memory speeds, i.e., 3200 for DDR4 and 4800 for DDR5.

Does DDR5 RAM is backward compatible?

DDR5 RAM is not backward compatible due to its physical structure. The DDR4 and DDR5 slots are different from each other, which limits their physical compatibility. However, manufacturers offer both DDR4 and DDR5 boards for user convenience.

Does the H610 support DDR4?

Yes, H610 motherboard support DDR4 RAM up to 3200 MHz. Most motherboards in this category can support up to 64GB RAM, which is more than enough for most tasks, including entry to mid-level gaming.

Are H610 motherboards better than B660 Motherboards?

H610 and B660 motherboards are compatible with the latest Alder Lake 12th generation processors. However, there is a slight difference between these two motherboards. H610 mainly targets the entry-level motherboard market, while B660 is a low to the mid-range motherboard for better performance.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an entry-level motherboard for Alder Lake 12th generation processors, the best H610 motherboards are your best bet. You can choose between various models and manufacturers depending on your preferences. We have listed the best motherboards in the article to let you choose any option according to your need.

If you face it challenging to select the best H610 motherboard, you can view the buying guide to get the idea. All the motherboards reviewed here are the best in their category. You can select them according to your requirements. If budget is not an issue, choosing the overall balanced choice can give you more power for gaming or workspace.

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Mathew Bradford

Hey! Mathew Bradford Here, A proud member of GamingExpert Team. I love playing games with new gaming gadgets. Our team is here to help you find the best gaming products, reviews of videos games and to help you decide which one is best for your. You can contact me if you need further assistance.