Building a budget Intel system around the LGA 1700 socket does not mean accepting poor quality or limited features. This guide compares the best motherboards under £100 that support Intel's 12th and 13th generation processors, from the Pentium range through to the Core i9. Since 2023, the LGA 1700 market has matured significantly, with manufacturers releasing competitive entry-level and mid-range boards that offer solid VRM delivery, modern connectivity, and genuine value. Whether you are upgrading from an older platform or building your first PC, these boards balance performance, reliability, and cost.
Quick Verdict
Best Overall: ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 offers excellent AM4 compatibility and solid feature set for the price.
Best Value: ASRock A520M-HDV delivers essential specifications at the lowest cost, ideal for budget Ryzen builds.
The ASRock A520M-HDV is the gateway into AMD Ryzen building on a strict budget. This micro-ATX board supports the full range of AM4 processors, from budget Ryzen 3 chips through to high-end Ryzen 9 models, making it a versatile foundation for several years of upgrades. The A520 chipset is intentionally entry-level, but that does not mean it lacks capability. You get two DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 64GB of memory, a single M.2 slot for NVMe storage, and SATA connectivity for traditional drives. The board includes triple video outputs: VGA, DVI, and HDMI, allowing you to use older monitors or integrate with existing setups without hunting for adapters. Storage connectivity is straightforward with standard SATA 3 ports and USB 3.1 headers for front panel connectivity. The power delivery is basic but adequate for entry-level processors; do not expect to push a Ryzen 9 5900X to extreme overclocks, but for stock clocks and modest tuning on Ryzen 3 or Ryzen 5 parts, the board handles the job. Build quality is typical ASRock budget fare: solid capacitors, stable bios, and reliable operation out of the box. The lack of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is expected at this price point. For anyone building a basic office machine, light gaming, or media center system on a shoestring, the A520M-HDV delivers enough features to be genuinely useful rather than a stripped-down liability. Setup is hassle-free, and bios updates are straightforward. This is the board you buy when budget is the absolute priority and you want a board that will not fail you.
Pros
- Lowest price point for a fully functional AM4 board
- Triple video output options (VGA, DVI, HDMI) support legacy displays
- Full AM4 socket support for processor upgrades from Ryzen 3 to Ryzen 9
Cons
- A520 chipset lacks advanced features like PCIe 4.0 NVMe support
- Minimal VRM means overclocking headroom is very limited
- Single M.2 slot reduces future storage expansion flexibility
The ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 sits one tier above the A520M-HDV and brings meaningful improvements for a modest additional outlay. The B450 chipset underpins one of AMD's most successful platform generations, offering substantially better performance and feature support than the entry-level A520. Like its budget sibling, this micro-ATX board fits compact cases and supports the entire AM4 socket range, but the extra VRM phases mean you can safely push Ryzen 5 and lower Ryzen 7 chips to respectable overclocks without thermal or stability worries. You still get two DDR4 slots, one M.2 socket, and triple video outputs, maintaining compatibility with legacy displays. The bios is more mature and feature-rich, with more granular overclocking controls and better processor compatibility across multiple generations. For storage, SATA 3 and USB 3.1 connectivity mirror the A520M-HDV, but the B450 chipset has seen years of optimization in the bios, so expect smoother operation and fewer quirks. The board remains fanless, keeping your system silent. Power delivery is still entry-level, but adequate for Ryzen 5 5600X and similar mid-range processors running at respectable speeds. Many builders choose the B450M-HDV R4.0 over its A520 counterpart because the modest cost difference translates to noticeably better stability and upgrade options. If you plan to keep your system for three to four years and potentially add a faster processor, the B450 platform justifies the extra investment. This is the smarter buy for anyone willing to spend just a little more for greater longevity and flexibility.
Pros
- B450 chipset offers superior VRM for safe overclocking on mid-range Ryzen parts
- Mature bios platform with proven stability across multiple Ryzen generations
- Better value than A520M-HDV when considering performance-per-pound over time
Cons
- Still lacks PCIe 4.0 NVMe and other advanced connectivity features
- Single M.2 slot limits future storage expansion options
- Not suitable for extreme overclocking or top-tier Ryzen processors
Buying Guide
Choosing the right budget motherboard requires understanding what matters for your use case and what you can safely skip. The chipset determines your processor compatibility and feature set. AM4 remains the best value platform for budget builders, with genuine options from Ryzen 3 entry-level chips through to Ryzen 9 flagships. DDR4 support is standard at this price tier, and two memory slots suffice for most users, though higher-end builds benefit from four slots. M.2 NVMe storage is nearly universal now, but single M.2 boards limit future expansion; if you plan to add more drives, factor this into your decision. Video outputs matter if you own older displays without HDMI, so triple outputs (VGA, DVI, HDMI) provide useful redundancy. VRM phase count directly affects overclocking headroom: entry-level boards manage light tweaks on mid-range processors, but do not expect to push top-tier chips hard. Bios maturity and support duration vary; boards from established chipset generations like B450 have years of proven stability and regular updates, whereas newer or lower-tier platforms may see fewer improvements. Power consumption is minimal across budget boards, so energy efficiency is not a differentiator. Form factor matters if space is tight: micro-ATX boards fit smaller cases, but four-slot expansion is impossible. Consider your upgrade path honestly. Spending an extra £15 to £20 on a board with better VRM or newer chipset often pays dividends in stability and longevity. Budget does not mean buying blind; read user reviews for specific models and check bios update frequency to gauge manufacturer commitment.
For builders with a strict budget of under £100, the ASRock B450M-HDV R4.0 emerges as the clear winner. It delivers the best balance of features, performance, and longevity without forcing painful compromises. The B450 chipset, improved VRM, and mature bios platform justify the modest price premium over entry-level A520 boards. If you are building a basic office or media system and truly cannot stretch beyond £50, the ASRock A520M-HDV is a capable fallback, but the B450M-HDV R4.0 is the smarter long-term investment. Both boards offer solid construction, reliable operation, and genuine upgrade paths, making them excellent foundations for budget-conscious PC builders.
