You may want to build your PC or purchase a pre-built PC; one aspect will serve as its cornerstone. The motherboard is that aspect, and it’s a vital piece of a PC’s components. It determines many other components you can select from, and a few other choices, such as the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) you will use in your new PC. These determine the type of motherboard you can select. After choosing a CPU, the next component in your build will typically be a motherboard that complements the PC setup.
What is a Motherboard?
A motherboard is a printed circuit board (PCB) that serves as a foundation for multiple components like the Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), memory, and storage by providing various connectors. Most modern computers, including mobile phones, tablet devices, laptops, and desktop computers, use motherboards to connect everything. The only ones you will buy yourself are those designed for desktop PCs.
Choosing the Right Motherboard for your PC
You may need to ensure that the motherboard you choose fits your requirements. If you fully understand you will never want to build your PC further than the current configuration, you can select a motherboard that gives you precisely what you require to get started. However, if you think you may wish to upgrade your PC later, ensure your motherboard can support your needs as they continue to expand.
Below are the top aspects you need to consider when choosing a motherboard:
1. Form Factor in the motherboard
The form factor of a motherboard includes several essential characteristics such as size, location of the mounting holes, and other factors that dictate whether the board will match the particular PC casing. For a start, one needs to understand motherboard form factors. The most important thing is the PC size you want to build or buy, how many components you would like to customize, then choose the motherboard size that meets your requirements.
2. Expansion options of the motherboard
How do I choose a motherboard? You should also consider the motherboard expansion options. The motherboard, as explained above, connects various components of the computer such as graphics processors, sound cards, network interface cards, disk drives, and many others. As a result, you must consider the ports for expansion. There are numerous expansion ports available these days. Simply consider PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) ports. PCIe is a major port and is used to link the majority of components. The PCIe slots come in four different sizes. The most frequently used is the PCIe 3.0. The size and the bandwidth of the connections are determined by the different sizes. There is a need to make sure that there are enough expansion slots that fit your current and future needs.
3. The CPU
What characteristics make a great motherboard? One of them is the CPU. Because the CPU connector on any given motherboard is only used with a chip line created specifically for it, the CPU you intend to connect with the motherboard will constrict your choices available. The CPU and motherboard must be compatible. We have just two processor manufacturers: Intel and AMD. Although, it may appear evident that Intel and AMD processors are attached to function on motherboards devoted to each manufacturer. Then you should be aware that not every Intel CPU is compatible with all Intel-based motherboards. So is the AMD processor. The main point is that processors are not generally compatible with older or newer sockets.
4. The GPU
All PCs try to find a way to transmit information in a human-readable visual format on the screen through the help of a GPU or graphics card. You should ensure that the motherboard is capable of supporting the type of GPU needed for the intended use. You could use some Intel Core CPUs with integrated GPUs if you need low-powered GPUs that are perfect for typical productivity tasks. If you require a more powerful GPU, you may need to get an additional GPU.
5. The RAM
RAM is another important part you should consider when choosing a motherboard. When your computer is turned on and running, your CPU gathers information somewhere, which is RAM. The amount of RAM required for your PC is determined by how you intend to use it. RAM nowadays is installed on motherboards via a rectangular slot – dual in-line memory modules (DIMM). The amount of DIMM slots on the motherboard determines how much RAM can be added ranging from 2 to 8 slots. When selecting a motherboard, ensure that there are enough slots to support all of the RAM you intend to configure and that you purchase the fastest RAM available.
6. Storage
When the power is turned off, the operating system, software, and data must be stored somewhere, which is the storage. That means you must select between HDD and SSD. SATA 3.0 HDD and SSD are available, and the motherboard may include various SATA ports. NVM Express or NVMe integrated via a PCIe bus is becoming increasingly prevalent. This more recent protocol offers improved throughput, lower energy consumption, reduced latency, and other benefits.
7. Connectivity
DIMM slots, PCIe, and storage connections are just a few of the parts that can be attached to the motherboard. Nowadays, motherboards can support a wide range of connections, so you should take into account your requirements when selecting a motherboard. Furthermore, some connections are directly on the motherboard and inside the frame, and are occasionally used to connect ports on the top, side, or back of the frame. As a result, you must also take into account the ports supported by the frame and ensure that your motherboard has the necessary connectivity.
8. Budget
It all comes down to your budget. Everyone desires high-end devices. However, not everyone can always afford them. If you do not intend to use your system for heavy tasks, you can save by buying a motherboard with fewer capabilities. If you want a gaming motherboard but have a limited budget, look for a board that provides just enough features for the hardware without going overboard.
Conclusion
The features above are critical to consider when deciding on the best type of motherboard for yourself. You should keep in mind the features when shopping for a motherboard.
