> Motherboards used to be $100, $200 for the high end. Now they want $300+

Entry level motherboards are still $100.

$300+ is a very high end motherboard.

The existence of very high end products is confusing because it can give the impression that you have to buy a $300 motherboard because it exists. If you compare features side by side you're rarely missing anything important for the entry level motherboards.

Some people really want the best of the best and feel the need to buy motherboards with Thunderbolt 4 and other future-proofing measures just in case they might need them, but it's premium and luxury territory.