Assembling your own PC is not an easy task. It is important to carefully consider every detail of the system. But most users do not think about how to choose a motherboard or power supply. They throw all their energy into buying a processor and video card. All this leads to the fact that components can be unbalanced or, even worse, incompatible.
Importance
Understanding how to choose a motherboard for a computer is a must. All other elements of the system are connected to this platform. It affects the service life and stability of the PC.
In addition to being compatible with all devices, 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 technology develops, and gaming computers are updated every 1-2 years.
Motherboard
Motherboards can be not only in a computer, but also in other devices. But since we are considering exactly the PC system, we will not delve into third-party topics and consider the components of the computer board.
The motherboard has major non-removable parts. These include:
- connector for ;
- slots for RAM;
- north and south bridges;
- boot ROM;
- various expansion slots;
- interfaces and controllers of peripheral devices.
In order for the system unit to be complete, a power supply and a cooling system are connected to the motherboard.
Choice
How to choose a motherboard? There are many parameters to consider when purchasing this device. This includes:
- manufacturer;
- price;
- 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
This option is not always the key to the question 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 focused on the cost.
But still, you can get a general picture and point to the leading manufacturers. It is not easy to name a leader, but most experienced users will agree that Asus is one of the best. It manufactures mid to high end boards. The quality of materials is always good, but the cost is sometimes too high.
Asus practically does not work with entry-level platforms, and if they release them, then the overpayment for the brand is definitely not worth it. But if you look closely at the models of the middle segment, then it may make sense to pay extra to get a really high-quality and durable device.
Entry-level motherboards work best with Gigabyte and ASRock. The last manufacturer is a subsidiary of Asus. Both companies have a proven track record of developing low cost solutions for work 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, so they are more 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 entire system as a whole depends. When a user decides to assemble the system on his own, he must immediately decide whether he will give preference to Intel or AMD.
You need to decide on this right away, since you will have to select the processor further, and, accordingly, the socket.
Chipset from Intel
If the choice fell on Intel, then you will have to figure out the four main chipsets. For example, if you don't know which gaming motherboard to choose, take a look at models with B250/H270 and Z270 chipsets. The latter is also a great option for professional systems. If you need a corporate computer, then the Q270 is suitable, and for cool powerful PCs, the X99 / X299.
If you are going to buy 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, the B250/H270 or equivalent 8th generation will do. 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.
Chipset from AMD
AMD has also easily separated all of its motherboards by index. For an office or multimedia PC, you need to choose the A320 chipset. The gaming system can be assembled based on the B350 chipset. Those who like to experiment are provided with the X370 platform.
The first option is the easiest, because it does not even have the ability to overclock the processor. But the gaming version of the chipset can cope with this task. The X370 is good because, in addition to overclocking, it allows you to install several video cards on the board.
Form factor
The next important aspect is the form factor of the system platform. Experts so call the dimensions of the device. In addition to the rather unusual form factors, there are three main ones: ATX, MicroATX (mATX) and Mini-ITX.
ATX is the most common full size platform format and is considered the best for PC. Since it is the largest of all, many devices can fit on it. For example, if you do not know which motherboard to choose for, then you should definitely pay attention to the ATX dimensions.
MicroATX also often becomes a platform for a gaming system. But this is a reduced platform format, which also has fewer connectors. Can be installed in both a full-size chassis and a compact chassis.
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 are wondering how to choose a motherboard for a processor. If you have already given preference to one of the companies, Intel or AMD, you will have to opt for one of the processors. Otherwise, you will not be able to pick up the platform, because the processor socket data is needed.
What is socket? This is a connector format for connecting the chip to the platform. The motherboard must have the same connector as the processor that will be installed on it.
The manufacturer very often experiments with processor sockets. They change from year to year and acquire 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 extra spending.
Now all available sockets of Intel or AMD processors can be divided into obsolete, obsolete and modern. If we are talking about Intel, then outdated and obsolete are: Socket 478, 775, 2011, 1150. But the new ones are: Socket 1151, 1151 version 2, and 2066.
Among the most modern are AM4 and TR4. But they have already become obsolete and obsolete: AM1, AM2, and others.
Memory
Memory slots also affect the choice of motherboard. If we talk about the compact MicroATX form factor, then there are rarely 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 the RAM, then free slots will be very useful.
It is also worth paying attention to the type of memory module. Modern platforms already support the DDR4 type. More budget versions can work with high speeds, up to 2666 MHz. But the middle and high class motherboards boast speeds up to 3.6 GHz.
To choose, it is not necessary to spend money on platforms that support 3 GHz speeds. 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 speed of the memory, the more difficult it is for the processor to cope with it. The best option is DDR4 memory with a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
video card
The connectors for connecting a graphics adapter are universal on almost every motherboard. All modern platforms are equipped with a PCI-Express interface. It happens that several such slots are placed on the platform, which means that several graphics adapters can be installed on it at once. Some experts believe that in this case it is better to purchase a more powerful video card than a few average ones.
Expansion slots can also be occupied by other devices, for example, by installing a solid state drive or a 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 3. The latest motherboards also received an M.2 slot, which is needed to connect the latest generation of SSDs. We'll have to take a closer look at the power connector of 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 graphics 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, by those who want to record music.
Among other integrated devices, there is also a network card, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For everyday use, the standard settings 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 some specific devices, then you will have to study the list of available interface panel connectors.
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 multiple 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 types and their cooling.
- Compatibility of the board 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.
- Price.
If the user does not want to buy asics, but is ready to assemble a computer for mining on his own, he will have to thoroughly understand all the components. Manufacturers quickly picked up the whole story with cryptocurrencies and began producing special devices for their mining.
ASRock showed itself in this matter. It has released platform models that are optimized for the most efficient use of the mind. Although other companies do not lag behind this manufacturer: Asus, MSI, Gigabyte.
conclusions
Choosing a motherboard is easy if you understand its tasks and capabilities. The main thing is to decide on the chipset, choose the processor, and hence the socket. After dealing with the required amount and type of RAM, and finally, resolve 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.
