A motherboard is an integral part of a computer system because it allows various other components to function smoothly.
However, this part is also complex and relatively expensive.
The utility of a motherboard, therefore, justifies its high cost.
If you want to understand why motherboards are so expensive, you’ve come to the right place.
Why Are Motherboards So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)
Here are the top ten reasons motherboards are so expensive:
1. It Is An Essential Component Of A Computer
A motherboard is an essential part of a computer system that connects various other components.
For instance, it allows the CPU and other parts to work in harmony.
This is why the piece is integral in helping a computer device function properly.
If your computer’s motherboard fails, the device will not turn on, and you will have to get a technician’s help.
These features make this part vital and contribute to its costs.
This is because manufacturers understand the importance of these components.
Besides, brands also know that consumers don’t shy away from paying for necessary things.
After all, an immediate solution for a failed motherboard is to get a new one.
Computer parts are also generally more expensive than other technical tools.
You should also remember that the prices of motherboards vary from one model to another.
High-end versions will require you to pay more due to superior materials.
Therefore, it is necessary to understand that a motherboard’s cost is affected by its market importance.
2. Better Connectivity
Motherboards have better performance and connectivity than other computer parts.
It has excellent PCI-Express ports to improve user experience.
The component also has a high number of SATA and USB ports.
The primary feature of a high-end motherboard is that it has high-quality ports.
The generation and speed of these components also affect the performance of the part.
Due to this, high-end motherboards tend to have higher and better connectivity.
These features make advanced motherboards expensive regardless of the manufacturing company.
All the helpful features of this part require better construction materials, so the overall production cost of a motherboard increases.
Typically, a company charges high prices when the production cost is greater than average.
This is to cover the gap and make profits instead of losses.
You must consider the features of a motherboard to understand its worth and high price.
3. System Clock Function
Another thing that increases the demand for a motherboard is that it can function as a system clock.
This is mainly due to the small quartz crystal on the motherboard.
It enables the part to ensure all other components are in synchrony.
The system clock dispatches a signal after a specific time interval to tell other components when they have to work.
It also signals the part about when they should be resting.
This allows the different elements to carry out tasks without interruptions.
This clock model allows the motherboard to have high functionality and lets the part increase user flexibility by controlling the different tasks.
The feature improves a motherboard’s working ability and adds to its price.
After all, companies charge higher for an essential product with flexible features and multiple benefits.
Consumers also don’t refuse to pay more for valuable items as they would rather spend more for something that will last a long time, rather than buying a cheap product that could break apart within a few months.
4. Chip Shortage
An essential component of a motherboard is the BIOS chip located on the ROM.
This part provides necessary instructions for the device to work and offers settings for booting a computer.
You should also remember your device will not start without a BIOS chip.
The motherboard also has a CMOS chip that maintains the computer system’s configurations.
This is regardless of whether the device is turned on or off.
This chip also helps you preserve multiple information pieces about different tasks.
Unfortunately, the industry has been suffering from a chip shortage for the past two years.
This is why it is difficult for companies to produce motherboards while keeping costs low.
Brands have to pay more for the chips due to the shortage.
As a result, the higher cost also falls on the consumer.
The chip shortage is another factor that adds to the price of motherboards.
Since the production method is complex and more expensive, companies make up for it by charging high prices.
5. COVID-19
Since 2020, COVID-19 has been affecting industries in various countries.
Many companies and startups have shut down due to lockdowns.
The supply chain has also reduced significantly, negatively affecting the production of motherboards.
You must remember that manufacturing a computer system and its parts is not as easy as it seems.
The whole process involves various steps, and it takes months to develop a new product.
Materials have to be transported from different warehouses, and a lot of manpower is needed to assemble all the parts.
However, COVID-19 is negatively impacting the production methods due to warehouse lockdowns.
The virus has also led to a shortage of labor, materials, chips, and much more.
This is why companies have increased the prices of motherboards.
It is difficult to cover the labor and production costs of the part without raising its prices.
This is another reason shops will charge you more for getting a new motherboard.
6. Premium Materials
You must remember that motherboards these days are made using multiple premium materials.
For instance, you may encounter parts made of glass-filled polymers.
The recent models also contain the Intel chipset, which is relatively complex.
Due to the new materials and chipset, recent motherboards are smaller.
This is why their manufacturing procedure is more complex and requires more money so you can enjoy higher reliability by purchasing a motherboard made of high-end materials.
The overall result of using premium materials is that you will have to pay more to get the part.
Another thing to note is that a motherboard connects multiple components.
This means you will have to replace those things as well when getting the motherboard.
The overall costs of replacing a motherboard are relatively higher because of these reasons.
Of course, you may find some inexpensive options on the market.
However, they are not highly reliable due to the lack of premium construction materials.
7. Better Processors
Intel Core i9-10980XE Desktop Processor 18 Cores 36 thread up to 4.8GHz Unlocked LGA2066 X299 Series 165W
Typically, you will come across two types of motherboards in the tech market.
One of them contains AMD processors, while the others have Intel processors.
Both of these components allow the motherboard to work smoothly during computer use.
However, AMD processors are prevalent in earlier models of the motherboards instead of the recent ones.
Nowadays, Intel parts are widespread due to higher quality.
This processor also allows the tool to have a better performance.
You must note that Intel processors are also more expensive because of their excellent tech design.
This is why motherboards with this item are relatively more costly than those with AMD processors.
You will have to consider the brand when choosing a motherboard.
Brands that sell motherboards with Intel processors are also more well-reputed.
Therefore, you should expect to pay high when getting such an item.
8. High Demand
The pandemic affected the supply chain of computer parts such as motherboards.
This is mainly due to a shortage of parts because of warehouse lockdowns and labor loss.
However, the pandemic has also increased the demand for motherboards.
Many people use high-end computers for gaming and remote work purposes.
This is why computer hardware has become more popular on the market.
Another reason behind the high demand is the increase in cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum.
Some currencies rely on high-end graphics cards for mining at profitable rates.
This can be easily achieved by getting an excellent motherboard.
However, that is becoming relatively complex because of the shortage.
These things add to the demand for motherboards as professionals and PC gaming experts have a high demand for them.
The general rule of thumb is that companies raise prices when a product is in high demand and short in the market.
Unfortunately, motherboards fall in both categories causing them to be very expensive.
9. Gaming Worth
Most gamers and stock market traders around the world still use desktop computers with CPUs instead of laptops.
This is mainly because the device works faster than the latest tools.
The computer models also have better performance and storage for fulfilling gaming needs.
A laptop cannot fulfill the demands of most gamers and stock market traders these days.
As more and more people are indulging in gaming and the stock market, the demand for motherboards is also increasing.
Typically, such devices are more prone to failure because of parts issues.
Besides, replacing a motherboard is better than getting the old one fixed.
This is because of the high chances of failure reoccurrence in an older motherboard.
Gaming also ensures that monitor computers don’t go out of trend.
Therefore, motherboards are still being produced due to this reason.
As the demand increases, the parts’ prices also rise.
The important thing is that gamers invest a lot in computers and motherboards without worrying about finances.
The companies also know that gaming consumers are willing to pay high for computer parts.
This is why they keep the prices high to maximize their profits by providing an essential piece at a greater cost.
Many devices and motherboards are also being designed specifically for gaming customers.
10. Brand Popularity
ASUS Prime B450M-A II AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000, 3rd/2nd/1st Gen Ryzen Micro ATX Motherboard (128GB DDR4, 4400 O.C.), NVMe, HDMI 2.0b/DVI/D-Sub, USB 3.2 Gen 2, BIOS Flashback, and Aura Sync)
Many manufacturers create motherboards to help computer users and gamers.
Some brands have also been operating for more than a decade, and new companies are now producing high-quality motherboards.
The best part is that most of them are well-reputed and continue to increase in popularity.
This is why their products are in more demand.
ASUS is one of the top brands of computers, laptops, and motherboards.
Gigabyte is another company famous for producing good quality products.
You must also remember that these brands have other characteristic features that set them apart.
For instance, you may come across RGB logos or overclocking software.
The direct result of brand popularity is that some motherboards are more expensive.
Because of this, companies selling similar products at a low price have to increase the amount to make profits.
After all, there is tough competition in the tech market as every company and startup is trying to survive.
Popular brands also use additional features to improve the user experience.
However, installing some features requires more materials and tech skills.
This is another reason that contributes to the high prices of motherboards.
Is it Worth Getting Expensive Motherboards?
GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS MASTER (LGA 1700/ Intel Z690/ ATX/ DDR5/ Quad M.2/ PCIe 5.0/ USB 3.2 Gen2X2 Type-C/ Intel WiFi 6E/ AQUANTIA 10GbE LAN/ Intel Thunderbolt 4/ Gaming Motherboard)
While motherboards are expensive, many of the features they come with justify their high price.
However, at the end of the day, the final decision depends on your needs and budget.
You may come across a lower-end model that may fulfill your requirements.
However, it is best to invest in an expensive motherboard if you’re a gamer or professional.
The primary feature that makes expensive motherboards worth it is that they have more USB ports.
This means you can enjoy higher connectivity when using the device.
This also gives you more storage and room for drives.
These features contribute towards improving your computer’s performance significantly.
Another benefit of getting an expensive motherboard is that it comes with better components and construction materials.
This is why the part is less susceptible to wearing out and failing so you can enjoy high durability and make the purchase price worth it.
It will also help you save money in the long-term because of less frequent replacements.
These are the top features that make expensive motherboards worth buying.
If your performance and connectivity needs are high, you should consider investing in a costly model.
It will be worth it if you require high-end features frequently.
Does A Motherboard Affect Gaming?
Many gamers invest in high-end computers and motherboards to enjoy excellent graphics, faster loading times, and much more.
Typically, the motherboard does not affect the performance directly.
This is because it does not have an impact on a computer’s specifications.
However, the motherboard connects various parts, such as the CPU and GPU.
It also allows these components to have better speed and generation.
This is the reason a motherboard will usually have a direct effect on a computer.
These connection components improve your experience by allowing these parts to have high performance.
When the components work better with high performance, they also affect the computer’s speed and graphics.
This is one of the reasons motherboards play a huge importance in gaming.
Expensive models also come with extensive features that provide better overall performance.
A motherboard with high-end features and excellent durability helps you save money.
The best part is you can use that money to improve other aspects of your gaming device and experience.
For instance, you can invest in high-end headphones or ergonomic keyboards, etc.
How Much Should I Pay For A Motherboard?
ASUS ROG Strix B450-F Gaming II AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000, 3rd Gen Ryzen ATX Gaming Motherboard (8+4 Power Stages, HDMI 2.0b/DP,2 x PCIe 3.0 x16, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, BIOS Flashback, 256Mb BIOS Flash ROM
The average cost of a motherboard lies between $120 and $300.
Typically, the price depends on the brand and features of the item.
Motherboards can be inexpensive if they are made with a low-quality processor.
A cheap processor can still fulfill your low-tech needs, e.g., regular computer usage for office work or writing.
If your needs are relatively high, you should invest in an expensive model.
For example, you can expect to pay an average cost of $133 when buying an ASRock board.
MSI motherboards cost around $175 while Gigabyte items are around $221.
ASUS is the most expensive and reliable motherboard brand, and you will end up paying an average price of $255 for these motherboards.
You may expect to come across other models that have a higher cost too.
The manufacturing process and features play an integral role in the price of a motherboard that’s why ASUS’s models are quite expensive.
Remember that some models can also go up to $500 if they are packed with high-quality features.
Be sure to check specifications to understand whether a motherboard is worth the money or not.
Should I Get A Cheap Motherboard?
The primary aspect of purchasing anything new is understanding your needs.
Weigh the pros and cons of getting a cheap part vs. an expensive one when buying a motherboard.
Comparing the features will help you choose the model that will provide you with the best value for money.
A cheap motherboard is typically designed to fulfill the needs of a basic computer.
Unfortunately, this means you may not get maximum benefits when using the device for work or gaming.
Besides, cheap motherboards also lack handy features that improve user experience.
For instance, overclocking support is prevalent in an expensive motherboard only.
This is a feature that lets you operate a processor at a higher frequency than the provided rating.
Typically, you should avoid overclocking to prevent damage to your device.
It is easy to avoid overclocking with expensive motherboards because they have high support to tackle the issue.
Meanwhile, cheap tools lack this feature and are more susceptible.
This is why they fail more often than the expensive models.
Be sure to consider these factors when deciding.
Conclusion
Motherboards are quite expensive these days for various reasons.
This significant computer part is costly because it enables your device to turn on and has a complex design.
Manufacturing a motherboard requires more materials and labor than other computer parts.
In addition, unforeseen factors such as the chip shortage, pandemic, excessive demand, and other factors can also contribute to the high cost of motherboards.
If you’re planning to buy a motherboard, keep all these factors in mind before making a purchase.
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