Are you confused by the vast array of motherboards out there? Choosing a good
motherboard is one of the most daunting tasks when building your own computer.
All your system's components eventually connect back to the motherboard, so if
you choose an inappropriate board, your system is going to have problems.
Personally , I feel the motherboard is one
component you shouldn't scrimp on - buy the best you can afford. I've seen
many otherwise good PCs bogged down by a bad motherboard.
A typical motherboard available in the market
This article will help you choose a good
motherboard - read on to learn about the various factors to consider when
purchasing one.
What's Your Processor?
First and most important thing to consider when buying your motherboard - what
CPU or processor are you using? Motherboards are made differently, not all
motherboards will support all CPUs. What CPU you select will determine the type
of motherboard you get.
For example, if you want to use an Intel
Pentium 4 CPU, the motherboard you select must be able to support that brand and
model of CPU. The motherboards are also designed to support specific speeds for
a CPU, so make sure it can support the speed of the processor as well.
Choose Your
Chipset
What is a chipset? Well, chipsets are the main controllers on the motherboard -
they allow the CPU to interface with the various components and expansion cards
installed.
When choosing your chipset, always bear in mind the type of memory supported by
the motherboard. Make sure that the board supports the type and amount of RAM
you need. Generally, choosing a chipset that supports high speed memory will
allow your system to perform better.
Expansions
Slots and Connectors
If you intend to various peripherals to the
computer, then the number and type of expansion slots and connectors is
important. By default, most motherboards these days have USB 2.0 ports
incorporated into their design. If you do a lot of video capturing and editing,
you'll also want to have a Firewire (IEEE 1394) port. If you intend to buy
expansion cards, make sure the board comes with an ample number of PCI slots.
Do You Need to
Overclock?
If you want to overclock your CPU (though I
don't particularly encourage it) - you should ensure you get a motherboard that
supports overclocking. You'll want a motherboard that has a wide range of
adjustments to CPU settings, including CPU voltage and bus speeds.
Other Features
These days, most motherboards have a whole host of extra features loaded into
them. These can include things such as on-board Ethernet, audio, a RAID
controller or even graphics. I find such features very handy as they help you
save money - you need not buy additional expansion cards.
Conclusion
In short, make sure you do your homework when purchasing a motherboard. Go to
the motherboard manufacturer's website and read about its products. Download the
motherboard manual and see if its well documented.
At the risk of sounding
biased, I've always preferred ASUS motherboards. However, its all up to you.
Consider what features are important to you and go get your motherboard. As I
said earlier, don't scrimp on the motherboard. Its one of the most important PC
components, so get the best you can afford.
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