How to choose a PC motherboard?

The first thing you should pay attention to is the Socket, which is also a socket for installing a processor. Not so long ago we talked about processors (the material can be read here). Before moving on to choosing a motherboard, we strongly recommend choosing a processor. Each model is designed to be installed in its own unique connector, each motherboard has, usually, only one such connector, respectively, these devices are largely selected “for each other”.

If the issue with the processor has already been resolved, then you can safely check the box next to the desired Socket in our selection in the column on the side. This will significantly reduce the number of goods.

Do not also forget that some "motherboards" have an integrated processor, like these models. You should pay attention to them if you need to assemble a simple office computer — especially if you need several of them. But for a modern home computer, this may not be the best solution.

For what purposes do you choose a motherboard?

To begin with, let's define the tasks in which a personal computer should help. As you can see from the column of our selection, we divided all the motherboards on the market into 4 categories, depending on the direction.

Server motherboards are often equipped with two or more sockets for CPUs. The model in the photo is Asus Z9PA-D8

So, if we are talking about a classic home or office computer for web surfing, working with documents, watching movies and listening to music, as well as running not too demanding games, then you should take a closer look at the solutions in this category. Frankly, this is the most common type of motherboard, so the price ranges from a small $30 to over $600. The level of characteristics of the future computer — from the initial to the average.

With gaming motherboards, everything is much more complicated. They cost more, look more aggressive, and the functionality is much wider. They often have a good head start for overclocking in the future, support for SLI and Crossfire modes, an advanced chipset and a huge number of ports on the rear panel. If you are going to build a really high-quality and fast gaming machine, you will have to fork out at least $150-200.

Server motherboards are a different story. These are the only motherboards that allow you to install two or more processors, as well as up to 256 GB of RAM. Such solutions provide enormous computing power, which in domestic use will be absolutely unclaimed. We will not dwell on them.

Form Factor or Motherboard Dimensions

Most popular form factors: ATX and micro-ATX

The form factor is a world standard that determines the dimensions of the board, the location of the interfaces, the place of attachment to the case, etc. It directly determines whether we can install the board in a specific case or not. The selection for this parameter is at the very end of our selection in the column on the side, since it minimally affects the capabilities of the motherboard itself. But it is worth deciding on this as soon as possible — this will further reduce the range of goods.

If you already have a computer case, then you should first look at the boards of the appropriate size. If there is no case, select the form factor, and then select the case you like from this catalog.

The most common are the ATX variants (305x244mm) and its smaller micro-ATX version (244x244mm). Micro-ATX is equipped with 4 expansion slots for connecting additional cards (graphics card, sound or network card, etc.) and can serve as an excellent solution for office PCs.

ATX motherboards are very popular among gaming and home users, they have an increased number of expansion slots, as well as the necessary free space for arranging a good cooling system. We recommend choosing this option, especially if you are building your first computer.

Choosing a chipset or what is a “logic set”

Comparison of different chipsets from Intel

A chipset (also called a system logic set) is a set of chips that are the connecting centre between RAM, a graphics card, and a processor. Often, for one Socket, a manufacturer releases motherboards with a different set of logic. The more modern the chipset, the more advanced the list of support for modern technologies, usually.

The most popular and often installed on modern motherboards for Intel processors are the H77 and Z77 chipsets. In fact, the difference between them can be noticed rather by a fan of modern computer games or an overclocker. The H77 is a junior model that only provides GPU overclocking, while the big brother Z77 has CPU and RAM overclocking capabilities, and also supports SLI and Crossfire modes.

As for solutions for AMD processors, the situation is the same. For example, AMD 970, unlike older models AMD 990FX and AMD 990X, does not support multiple video cards in SLI/Crossfire mode.

Type of RAM and number of slots

DDR3 is the most common and supported by all modern motherboard memory type

With the type of memory for today, everything is very clear. All modern motherboards support DDR3, which differs from its predecessor DDR2 in increased data transfer speed. If you already have a DDR2 memory stick, then installing it in a modern motherboard will also fail, because. the new standard is not backwards compatible. But even in this case, buying a motherboard that can only work with DDR2 just for the sake of this memory is not the best solution.

The maximum amount of one stick of RAM is 8 GB. This is enough to perform any everyday tasks, as well as most resource-intensive calculations, 3D modeling and modern games. Based on this, we can say that the user can easily get by with a minimum number of RAM slots, which is two.

Slots for RAM of different colours divide the channels set to the same memory slots will work in dual-channel mode

The standard amount for the ATX form factor is 4 slots, that is, the ability to install up to 32 GB of RAM. For lovers of extreme power, manufacturers have prepared real "monsters" equipped with 8 slots or more with support for a four-channel operation mode. Such devices allow you to install from 64 GB of memory, but when an ordinary user in his daily tasks may need such a volume, we do not undertake to say.

More attention should be paid not to the volume, but to the maximum frequency of RAM that the motherboard is able to support. The higher it is, the faster the speed of the memory. Often among low-cost motherboards there are cases when the maximum frequency is “artificially” lowered by the manufacturer. So, if the board only supports 1600 MHz (like these models), then after installing 2400 MHz RAM (for example, these brackets), the memory speed will still be 1600. For such RAM, it is better to choose a motherboard from this list.

Features / capabilities of a modern motherboard

As we have already said, the motherboard is the link for the entire computer. It installs a processor, graphics card, RAM, drives and all peripherals. In addition, each element has its own connection slot. For a processor, this is a socket, for an internal storage device, it is SATA, for a graphics card, sound card, TV tuner, built-in WI-FI adapter, a PCI slot.

Modern motherboards are equipped with PCI-E x16, PCI-E x8, PCI-E x4, PCI-E x1 slots. Each is designed to connect certain components. Usually, the upper PCI-E x16 is allocated for a discrete graphics card. What is important: after connecting a graphics card, its cooling system often blocks access to the next PCI slot or even RAM — pay attention to the location of the graphics card slot in the photos of the selected motherboard and the location of the other slots in relation to it. The free space factor is very important, especially with small form factors.

As tests show, the difference between PCI-E 2.0 and 3.0 slots is minimal or virtually non-existent

Support for PCI Express 3.0 appeared on motherboards relatively recently. The main difference from its predecessor is the increased data transfer rate. But with the naked eye, the user will not be able to notice any increase, respectively, there is no particular point in spending money on this. On the other hand, motherboards of earlier versions can also be installed in the PCI-E 3.0 slot, that is, as a purchase "for growth" this may turn out to be a good solution.

You shouldn't pin much hope on the built-in video chip, the graphics integrated into the motherboard do not differ in performance, as well as the integrated graphics of the processor. Such solutions are suitable for performing simple tasks, such as surfing the web or working with documents.

CrossFire technology from ATI allows you to connect up to 4 video cards

Boards with support for SLI/Crossfire modes are an excellent solution for avid gamers, because allows you to install multiple video cards. It is important to understand that the presence of two or more PCI-Express 16x slots in the motherboard does not always mean support for this mode. Here are all motherboards that meet this requirement.

BIOS — a set of basic software, "sewn" directly into the board. In modern models, you almost never see the usual BIOS with a blue background and white letters on it. Its place was taken by the updated UEFI BIOS, which has a clear "clickable" interface, which in appearance is a modern programme with many additional features.

What connectors should be on a modern motherboard?

Usually, most modern motherboards are equipped with a set of ports and interfaces necessary for operation, it is not worth dwelling on this issue. But let's note a few important points.

For fans of non-blocking keyboards that use a PS/2 connector, you should make sure that the corresponding connector is available on the board, because. in the latest models, it is absent or is in a single copy — either for the keyboard or for the mouse.

If the motherboard supports integrated graphics, then it will definitely have VGA, DVI and HDMI ports. Most monitors use a DVI connector for connection, which is compatible with the D-Sub (VGA) interface when using a special adapter. The HDMI interface is less commonly used by monitors, but it can be a great solution for connecting to a TV.

Modern solutions include both USB 2.0 and the newer and faster USB 3.0. Note that more and more modern technology is connected to a computer via USB: keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, player or tablet, so we pay attention to the number of available ports. Many models have more than 5 USB 2.0 ports.

Interfaces eSATA, Thunderbolt are used extremely rarely. Is it worth it to take them in the future — it's hard to say.

Let's pay attention to motherboards that have more than 3 connectors for powering coolers. A processor cooler is connected to them, as well as case fans, which improve the heat exchange of the system with the external environment, blowing out heated air and supplying colder air from the outside. The presence of numerous connectors for coolers is important for powerful systems that require efficient cooling. Three coolers are a classic: for CPU, for blowing into the case and for blowing out.

The SATA3 connector is used to connect internal drives, provides a data transfer rate of about 700 MB / s, which, by the way, is still not able to support most of the same drives. But at the same time, this interface has full backward compatibility, that is, it allows you to connect devices with a SATA2 interface. Backward compatibility is always good.