Best Budget AM3 Motherboards in 2023: AM3/AM3+ Options

AMD AM3 motherboards have been released by various manufacturers since 2009.

Therefore, consumers have already managed to get acquainted with both successful samples and completely failed ones. Some models continue to enjoy success. So here we are reviewing the best budget am3 motherboards and am3+ motherboard in 2023. It is worth finding out which PC components do their job well especially the motherboard is what pc is built upon.

list of best Budget Am3 Motherboards in 2021

Best Budget Am3 Motherboard	Price
GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2 R2	Check Price at Amazon
GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 R2	Check Price at Amazon
ASRock 970M Pro3	Check Price at Amazon
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3	Check Price at Amazon
ASUS M5A78L-M LE/USB3	Check Price at Amazon
ASUS M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3	Check Price at Amazon
ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0	Check Price at Amazon
ASRock 760GM-HDV	Check Price at Amazon
ASRock 985GM-GS3 FX	Check Price at Amazon

Features and Advantages AM3/AM3+ Motherboard

AMD has released the socket with a number of significant changes. In practice, they allowed the product to increase productivity.

Another major feature is support for six-core CPU models .

1. AM3 is focused on installing DDR3 standard RAM modules.
2. Suitable for installation in AM3 + motherboards.
3. It is the basis for AMD chips with an integrated graphics accelerator (FM1, FM2).
4. Suitable for Septron, Athlon II, Phenom II, Opteron family processors.
5. The presence of an integrated dual-channel microcontroller for random access memory. Dual-channel operation at 1066 MHz or 1333 MHz.

How to choose Best Budget Am3 Motherboard and AM3+ motherbaord?

1. Pay attention to the chipset . This is a set of microcircuits that are responsible for the joint operation of PC elements (for example, data storage devices, central processor). The best option is AMD 760G or higher.
2. For processor compatibility . The motherboard and processor must have the same socket. It is good if it is designed for installing Phenom II, Athlon II and so on.
3. By the number of memory slots . It’s great if there is an opportunity to increase this volume. The gold standard is a 4-slot board. But it will work with two 8 GB or more.
4. The number of interface connectors . A prerequisite is the ability to connect the necessary elements without piling up adapters and splitters. The solution is six USB connectors on the back, but at least two of them are 3.0 (portable hard drives). Also good are SATA, SSD, Wi-Fi, PCL-e connectors in the right amount.
5. On the possibility of “overclocking” . It’s good if the motherboard is capable of increasing performance without any hurdles. But such a function should not harm the central elements.

Best Budget Am3 Motherboards

GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2 R2

This motherboard is made by trusted manufacturer GIGABYTE who only offers quality PC products.

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The model has support for AMD processors AM3 + series FX and AM3 Phenom ™ II, Athlon ™ II. It has 2 slots for DDR3 and DIMMs with a maximum capacity of 16 GB.

Integrated ATI Radeon HD3000 (DX10) graphics core. Drives are connected via SATA.

The total number of connectors is 6, and their bandwidth is 3 Gb / s. There are 1 PCI-E x16 expansion slot and 1 PCI-E x1 expansion slot.

Distinctive features an anti-noise screen, high-end audio components, double-locking connectors, new generation printed circuit boards, as well as protection against humidity, electrostatic interference, high temperatures, voltage drops.

Characteristics :

• chipset – AMD 760G;
• system – BIOS Award;
• sound – Realtek ALC887 HDA;
• network adapter – Realtek GbE, speed – 1000 Mbps.

pros

• there is a possibility of “overclocking”;
• performance;
• availability of necessary connectors;
• various protection systems;
• negligible load on the processor.

Minuses

• cooling system;
• minimum of RAM.

Check also Dual Socket Motherboard Are They Needed For Gaming

GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 R2

Best Budget Am3 Motherboard. Another quality product from GIGABYTE, but more advanced. The board is suitable for creating regular assemblies or installing additional components.

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Supports AMD processors AM3 + series FX and AM3 Phenom ™ II, Athlon ™ II.

There is an integrated graphics core ATI Radeon HD3000 (DX10), increasing performance. Feature Hybrid EFI technology with GIGABYTE DualBIOS.

There are 6 SATA connectors with a bandwidth of 3 Gb/s, as well as PCI-E x16 2.0 and PCI-E x1 slots .

Four USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports are required for connecting storage devices and peripherals. A unique difference is the presence of video interface ports that allow you to view high-quality YD content on a monitor and TV.

Characteristics :

• system bus – HyperTransport;
• chipset – AMD 760G;
• system – BIOS Award;
• number of slots – 4, max. memory capacity – 32 GB;
• the cooling system is passive.

pros

• combined PS / 2 port;
• there is a rear port plug;
• BIOS with emergency recovery;
• the possibility of “overclocking”;
• various protection systems.

Minuses

• poor location of the PCI-E x16 slot;
• incompatible with many types of RAM dies;
• overheating of bridges.

Take a look at Best MSI Motherboards For Gaming

ASRock 970M Pro3

Best Budget Am3+ Motherboard, the compact motherboard in the microATX form factor with an AM3 + processor socket for AMD Phenom II X6 / X4 / X3 / X2 (except 920/940), Athlon II X4 / X3 / X2 / Smpron.

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Equipped with a powerful processor power subsystem, therefore it is able to provide stable operation.

Features – the model is able to put inactive UCC cores into operation, it is equipped with four DDR3 elements for RAM with a total volume of up to 64 GB (if AMD FX-series is used).

Includes a set of six SATA3 ports, a GbE network adapter, a 7.1 Realtek ALC892 audio codec, 11 USB ports – 2 of them 3.1 Gen1 with data transfer rates up to 5 Gb / s.

Characteristics :

• system bus – HyperTransport;
• chipset – AMD 970;
• system – BIOS AMI;
• the cooling system is passive.

pros

• performance;
• good performance of RAM;
• compatibility with 8-core FX;
• number of connectors;
• the ability to install up to 3 fans;
• high overclocking potential.

Minuses

• overheating of radiators;
• thin textolite;
• memory setting.

Check also Best B450 Motherboards For Gaming

ASUS M5A78L-M LX3

Low-cost implementation of the AM3 + platform with the ASUS EPU – 4 technology (energy processor).

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The latter automatically determines the degree of system load and optimizes the operation of all components in real time.

Core Unlocker is able to activate the entire existing set of processor cores.

The motherboard can be overclocked to suit your own needs .

Additional features – Surge and ESD protection, ASUS Fan Xpert utility, EZ Flash 2 utility for no-boot BIOS updates, 8-channel High Definition Audio, 4 SATA3 connectors, 1xPCI-E x16, 1xPCI-E x1 slots , 1xPCI and 12 USB.

Characteristics :

• system bus – HyperTransport;
• chipset – AMD 760G;
• system – BIOS AMI;
• the cooling system is passive.

pros

• performance;
• stability;
• integrated video;
• compactness;
• FX support;
• number of connectors.

Minuses

• overheating of bridges;
• no DVI port.

Check it out Best Lga 1200 Motherboards For Gaming

ASUS M5A78L-M LE/USB3

Budget motherboard based on AMD 760G chipset with rich USB 3.0 interface. Endowed with the Core Unlocker function to activate all processor cores. Reliably protected from voltage surges.

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A special automatic system determines the load of the working components and stabilizes their functioning in real time.

In addition to the ASUS Fan Xpert utility, EZ Flash 2 and the eight-channel High Definition Audio codec, there are additional features in the form of ErP compatibility.

Also, the rich UBS 3.0 interface is 10 times faster and is compatible with USB 2.0.

Characteristics :

• system – BIOS AMI;
• memory – DDR3 DIMM, 1066-1866 MHz, max. volume of 16 GB;
• the cooling system is passive.

pros

• stability and performance;
• overclocking capability;
• excellent built-in sound properties;
• unlocking hidden cores;
• radiators;
• thoughtful layout.

Minuses

• fan speed is not regulated;
• failure to work during overclocking is higher than the recommended values.

ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0

A budgetary but decent sample of a motherboard with support for Socket AM3 + processors, 8-Core CPU (AMD Phenom II X6 / X4 / X3 / X2 (except 920/940), Athlon II X4 / X3 / X2, Sempron.

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Equipped with 100% solid capacitors. Supports dual channel DDR3 2100+ (OC) in 4 slots for max. memory capacity 32 GB. The model has all the necessary connectors, slots and outputs.

But not supplemented by SATA3 . It is produced in the ATX form factor. Users note the high flexibility of the case.

Rough handling may break components. If the board is not supplemented with another fan, it will stick to the PC case.

Characteristics :

• system bus – HyperTransport;
• chipset – AMD 970;
• system – BIOS AMI;
• cooling is passive.

pros

• functionality;
• many connectors;
• built-in graphical interface;
• overclocking capability;
• good control system.

Minuses

• flexibility;
• strong heating.

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ASRock 760GM-HDV

Compact board with AMD AM3 / AM3 + processor socket . Compatible with AMD Phenom ™ II X6 / X4 / X3 / X2 (except 920/940), Athlon II X4 / X3 / X2, Sempron.

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It is great for upgrading and overhauling your PC, provided it includes the listed processors.

There are two slots for installing DDR3-1066 / 1333 DIMMs with a total memory capacity of 32 GB.

The board has an integrated Radeon HD3000 core and a full range of VGA, DVI-D and HDMI ports.

If we consider network communications, then this model provides a Realtek RTL8111H GbE controller.

The Realtek ALC887 audio codec is responsible for audio playback. These characteristics are enough to improve office and home PCs.

Characteristics :

• system bus – HyperTransport;
• chipset – AMD 760G;
• system – BIOS AMI;
• cooling is passive.

pros

• stability and reliability;
• easy installation and configuration;
• performance;
• built-in graphics;
• the presence of a sufficient number of outputs.

Minuses

• no

ASRock 985GM-GS3 FX

A good variation of a motherboard with support for Socket AM3 + processors, 8-Core CPU (AMD Phenom II X6 / X4 / X3 / X2 (except 920/940), Athlon II X4 / X3 / X2, Sempron).

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Equipped with 100% solid capacitors. Supports dual-channel DDR3 1800 (OC) in 2 slots for max. memory capacity 8 GB.

Supports built-in graphics that show good performance and speed.

The board is also equipped with all the necessary connectors and slots, but there is no way to connect additional hard drives.

This model is more suitable for office and small household tasks.

It is worth noting that this is one of the best models of 2021.

Characteristics :

• system bus – HyperTransport;
• chipset – AMD 785G;
• cooling – passive;
• Internet parameters – Realtek RTL8111E 1000 Mbps.

pros

• functionality;
• many connectors;
• built-in graphical interface;
• overclocking capability;
• good control system.

Minuses

• no

ASUS M5A78L-M PLUS/USB3

Another variation of a budget micro-ATX motherboard with a great USB 3.0 interface.

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Supports AMD FX, Phenom II, Athlon II, Sempron 100 Series processors with AM3 + socket, provides excellent overclocking capabilities with low power consumption.

Works with dual-channel DDR3 DIMM, 1066-2000 MHz ECC / non-ECC type: 4 slots with max. memory 32 GB.

The energy-efficient platform automatically monitors the degree of loading of the degree and normalizes its operation.

In general, this model is similar in capabilities to ASUS M5A78L-M LE / USB3. But some differences are described in the technical specifications.

This is one of the highest quality models for 2023.

Characteristics :

• chipset – AMD 760G (780L) / SB710;
• system – BIOS AMI;
• cooling system – passive;
• Internet parameters – Realtek RTL8111H 1000 Mbps.

pros

• stability and reliability;
• good performance indicators;
• an impressive number of connectors;
• overclocking capability;
• protection against power surges;
• built-in graphics.

Minuses

• no SATA3;
• non-working PCIEх1;
• no support for 125W CPU.

Conclusion

This was our Best Budget Am3 Motherboard and Am3+ motherboard. Select the suitable option for you.