Building your own PC is not an easy task. It is important to pay attention to every detail of the system. But most users do not think about how to choose a motherboard or power supply. They are putting all their energy into buying a processor and video card. All this leads to the fact that the components may be unbalanced or, even worse, incompatible.
Importance
Dealing with how to choose a motherboard for your computer is a must. All other elements of the system are connected to this platform. It affects the operating time and stability of the PC.
Besides the fact that all devices must be compatible with it, it should provide an opportunity to improve the system in the future. Therefore, it is very important to look to the future when choosing a motherboard, as technologies develop, and game computers are updated every 1-2 years.
Motherboard
Motherboards can be not only in the computer, but also in other devices. But since we are considering just the PC system, we will not delve into third-party topics and consider the components of the computer board.
The motherboard has basic fixed parts. These include:
- socket for installing the processor ;
- slots for RAM;
- north and south bridges;
- boot ROM;
- various expansion slots;
- interfaces and controllers of peripheral devices.
To make the system unit complete, a power supply and cooling system are connected to the motherboard.
The choice
How to choose a motherboard? There are many parameters that should be followed when buying this device. This includes:
- manufacturer;
- cost;
- form factor;
- socket
- chipset;
- memory;
- slots and connectors;
- electronic components;
- power schemes;
- cooling systems;
- equipment and much more.
In order not to make a mistake in choosing a platform, it is important to consider each of these points in more detail and understand which element is responsible for what.
Manufacturer and price
Not always this option is the key in the matter of how to choose a motherboard. This is due to the fact that not all users follow the release of platforms. They do not know who is the sales leader, which company is focused on the production of budget or gaming motherboards. Therefore, in this case, it is more often oriented precisely on cost.
But you can still get the big picture and point out the leading manufacturers. It is not easy to name the leader, but most experienced users will agree that Asus is one of the best. It produces mid and high level boards. The quality of the materials is always good, but the cost is sometimes overpriced.
Asus practically does not work with entry-level platforms, and if you release them, then overpaying for the brand is definitely not worth it. But if you look closely at the models of the middle segment, then, perhaps, it makes sense to pay extra to get a really high-quality and durable device.
MSI has also proven itself well. This is one of the best manufacturers that keeps a balance of functionality and value in any segment.
Entry-level motherboards are best obtained from Gigabyte and ASRock. The latest manufacturer is a subsidiary of Asus. Both companies have proven themselves in the development of low-cost solutions for working PCs.
Many people ask which motherboard to choose for Intel. In addition to the manufacturers described above, it is worth paying attention to Intel itself. The corporation produces stable and high-quality platforms based on its own chipset. The only drawback is that they are less functional and more expensive, therefore they are more often popular in the corporate sector.
Chipset
The next important factor is the choice of chipset. In general, this is a paramount parameter on which the whole system depends. When the user decides to build the system on his own, he must immediately decide: he will give preference to Intel or AMD.
You need to immediately decide on this, since you will have to select the processor, and, accordingly, the socket.
Intel Chipset
If the choice fell on Intel, you will have to figure out four main chipsets. For example, if you don’t know which gaming motherboard to choose , take a look at models with the B250 / H270 and Z270 chipsets. The latter is also a great option for professional systems. If you need a corporate computer, then Q270 is suitable, and for cool powerful PCs - X99 / X299.
If you intend to purchase an 8th generation processor, then you need to pay attention to the B350 / H370 and Z370, for medium and powerful systems, respectively.
For an average multimedia or gaming PC, a B250 / H270 or an 8th generation analogue is suitable. If you are going to experiment and change the processor multiplier, you will have to take a more expensive model with Z270 and Z370 chipsets.
AMD Chipset
AMD also easily separated all of its motherboards by index. For an office or multimedia PC, you need to choose the A320 chipset. The game system can be assembled based on the B350 chipset. Fans of experimenting are provided with the X370 platform.
The first option is the simplest, because it does not even have the ability to overclock the processor. But the gaming version of the chipset can cope with this task. X370 is good in that in addition to overclocking, it allows you to install multiple video cards on the board.
Form factor
The next important aspect is the form factor of the system platform. Specialists call the dimensions of the device. In addition to the rather unusual forms of factors, there are three main ones: ATX, MicroATX (mATX) and Mini-ITX.
ATX is the most common full-size platform format that is considered the best for PCs. Since it is the largest among all, it can fit many devices. For example, if you do not know which motherboard to choose for a gaming computer, then definitely pay attention to the dimensions of ATX.
MicroATX also often becomes a platform for a gaming system. But this is a reduced platform format, which also has fewer connectors. It can be installed both in a full-size chassis and in a compact case.
Mini-ITX is a very compact motherboard that is used to build mini-PCs. Such a computer is limited in size and needs special cooling.
Socket
Many people wonder how to choose a motherboard for the processor. If you have already preferred one of the companies, Intel or AMD, you will have to choose one of the processors. Otherwise, you will not be able to pick up the platform, because you need processor socket data.
What is socket? This is the slot format for connecting the chip to the platform. The motherboard should have the same socket as the processor that will be installed on it.
The manufacturer very often experiments with processor sockets. They change from year to year and gain new modifications. Therefore, it is important to purchase a chip and a board that would have the most modern socket. Thus, you can further improve the system without unnecessary expenses.
Now all available sockets of Intel or AMD processors can be divided into outdated, outdated and modern. If we are talking about Intel, then outdated and outdated are: Socket 478, 775, 2011, 1150. But the new ones are: Socket 1151, 1151 version 2, and 2066.
Among AMD sockets, the most modern are AM4 and TR4. But outdated and outdated have already become: AM1, AM2, AM3, AM3 + and others.
Memory
The choice of motherboard is also affected by memory slots. If we talk about the compact form factor MicroATX, then there is rarely when there are more than 2 slots. But full-size platforms are equipped with 4 slots.
Of course, many may not need more than two memory slots. Although if you want to further increase RAM, then free slots will be very useful.
It is also worth paying attention to the type of memory module. Modern platforms already support DDR4 type. More budget versions can work with high speeds, up to 2666 MHz. But the middle and high class motherboard boasts speeds up to 3.6 GHz.
To choose a gaming motherboard, you don’t have to spend money on platforms that support 3 GHz. Their cost is much higher, but there is no tangible increase in gaming performance. In addition, the RAM modules themselves are not cheap. The higher the memory speed, the more difficult it is for the processor to handle it. The best option is a 2.4 GHz DDR4 memory.
Video card
Connectors for connecting a graphics adapter on almost every motherboard are universal. All modern platforms are equipped with a PCI-Express interface. It happens that several such slots are placed on the platform, which means that you can install several graphic adapters on it at once. Some experts believe that in this case it is better to purchase a more powerful video card than several medium ones.
Expansion slots can also be occupied by other devices, for example, installing a solid state drive or sound card.
Connectors
Slots on the system platform are often bypassed because it is quite difficult to understand them. But this is no less important factor. To connect a hard drive, you need a universal SATA 3 interface . Recent motherboards also received the M.2 slot, which is needed to connect the latest generation of SSDs. Have to look at the power connector on the motherboard. Modern models are equipped with a 24-pin connector.
The chip can be powered by a 4 or 8-pin slot.
Integrated devices
Very often, the manufacturer places integrated devices on the platform. Some systems can work without a video card, because the motherboard has an integrated graphics adapter. However, it is important to purchase a processor that has an integrated video core.
The platform also has an integrated sound card. Most often, it is enough for any task. But there is also a slot for an additional sound card on the platform. It may be needed, for example, for those who want to record music.
Among other integrated devices there is also a network card, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For everyday use, standard parameters are enough.
Interface panel
Modern boards have all standard external connectors. Therefore, at this point it is not so important to pay attention. If you need to connect any specific devices, then you have to study the list of available connectors on the interface panel.
Cryptocurrency mining
Which motherboard to choose for mining? If you asked this question, then you understand what is important in this process. The main thing is that the platform supports several video cards.
When choosing a motherboard, it is important to pay attention to:
- Number and location of PCI-E slots. It is important that their location does not interfere with the connection of several video cards and their cooling.
- Board compatibility with an inexpensive chip. In mining, processor performance is unimportant.
- Optimization for cryptocurrency mining. It is necessary that the platform does not have any extra functions that could distract the system from the main task.
- Cost.
If the user does not want to buy asics, but is ready to independently assemble a computer for mining, you will have to thoroughly understand all the components. Manufacturers quickly picked up the whole story with cryptocurrencies and began production of special devices for their mining.
ASRock has shown itself in this business. She has released platform models that are optimized for the most efficient use of viduh. Although other companies are not far behind this manufacturer: Asus, MSI, Gigabyte.
findings
It's easy to choose a motherboard if you look at its tasks and capabilities. The main thing is to decide on the chipset, choose a processor, and therefore a socket. After you figure out the right amount and type of RAM, and finally solve the issue with the number of video cards.
Otherwise, motherboards have a similar number of internal and external connectors, most models support an integrated video core, sound and network cards.