How to choose a motherboard for an intel processor. Which motherboards are better

I think everyone knows that the motherboard is considered the connecting link in the design of the system unit. Therefore, some criteria need to be taken into account. How to choose the right inexpensive and good motherboard can be found in this article. Or watch a special video that I have selected for you. Here is a summary of the article below:

• Main Components
• How to choose a motherboard manufacturer
• Form factor selection
• Chipset selection
• PCI-Express and memory slot
• External connectors
• Supporting Features

Video instructions on how to choose a motherboard

Main Components

To better understand its structure, I propose to consider its structure using a specific example. As a sample, let's take one of the highest quality models - Sapphire Pure Z77K. Of course, in order to examine in detail the main elements of the part, you can take any model. But we will focus on this one.

In the picture, the numbers indicate not only the main components of the motherboard, but also elements that are characteristic only of overclocking options.

• Number (1) indicates the processor socket, which is the main element of the device. It is important to ensure that the processor socket is absolutely compatible with the socket. The number (0) indicates a “double” radiator, which is responsible for the elements of the built-in power converters graphics core, processor and CPU VTT, namely for their cooling. Such radiators are found only in motherboards for overclocking. On ordinary ones there is no cooling element at all.
• The number (2) indicates PCI-Express slots. The printed circuit board contains three such X16 slots version 3.0. Such connectors are needed to install one or more video cards. More old version slot - 2.0 is numbered (3).
• The number (14) indicates PCI-E X1 slots. They are intended for installation of devices that require large bandwidth tires. One X1 line is enough for this. Examples of such devices are TV tuners, various controllers, audio and others.
• Number (4) is the chipset. It is located behind the cooling radiator. Connectors numbered (5) are needed for installing DDR3 RAM. They are usually painted black or blue. The slots are designed for installing memory modules, which significantly increases operating efficiency. Number (6) is the CMOS battery that powers the BIOS CMOS memory chip. This way the chip does not lose its settings after the computer turns off.
• (8) and (12) are 24-pin and 8-pin connectors. The first is the main 24-pin power connector. It is through it that most of the components are powered.
• Numbers (9) and (10) indicate SATA 3 (6 Gb/s) and SATA 2 connectors. They are located on its edge and are intended for connecting devices on the side for stands. Manufactured in the style of an overclocking connector. The SATA 2 connector is needed for connecting hard disk, drives and various SSD drives. Conventional models contain connectors located at the front and offset to the center. Therefore, it is convenient to use them within the system unit of a “non-overclocking” system.
• The number (11) indicates a non-standard element - a POST code indicator. It shows the processor temperature, but with slight inaccuracies.

• The rear panel with external connectors is shown as number (13). This panel has connectors that are needed to connect various peripheral devices, keyboard, mouse, headphones, speakers and many other add-ons.

So we have dealt with the main components, now we will analyze the individual blocks, and also consider the parameters that need to be taken into account when purchasing.

Which company to choose a motherboard

With this choice, oddly enough, it is not necessary to take into account its performance. You need to rely on trust in the manufacturer. The most famous companies are MSI, Gigabyte, Biostar, Intel, ASRock and Asus. And the sample that we are considering today is also worthy of attention. It happens that some models have an inconvenient layout or the supplied kit from a particular manufacturer is not wide enough. There are still flaws that some users would not like to see. But such shortcomings do not give grounds to write off motherboard manufacturers. Ultimately, their equipment from all manufacturers is not always the same, so it is impossible to say which company to choose or which is the best.

My advice to you is to take this one:

• which suits you at a price
• convenient location
• With good reviews on major portals

Chipsets come from AMD and Intel, so the functions of the devices are very similar. The only thing worth noting is reviews from real customers and detailed reviews motherboards. This way you can at least somehow decide on the variety of products.

Form factor selection

A properly selected form factor will help avoid many problems in the future. Most popular form factors:

• ATX - full size
• Micro-ATX - stripped down version

The form factor determines the future expandability of the system. Micro-ATX usually has a small number of PCI-E and PCI expansion slots for video cards and other devices. Often such models are equipped with only two slots for installing memory modules. This fact greatly limits the expandability of RAM. And not only in terms of quantity, but also in terms of convenience. The main advantage of Micro-ATX is low price. Choosing from two standards, we can safely say that Micro-ATX is a budget option for office and home systems.

The size of the board is also very important. The ATX form factor is larger in size. It is necessary to take into account the compatibility of the case and motherboard in size!

How to decide on the motherboard socket

After choosing a processor, you need to choose the right motherboard. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the socket. It is this that ensures compatibility between the motherboard and processor. So, for a processor with an LGA 1155 socket, only the motherboard is suitable LGA board 1155. Supported sockets and processor can be found on the official websites of manufacturers, but for AMD it is AM3 or AM3+.

Chipset selection

The chipset is the connecting link between the entire system. This component largely determines the capabilities of the motherboard. It has always been believed that a chipset is a set of system logic chips consisting of a south and north bridge. But now the ideas are a little different.

Particularly popular chipsets are the seventh series of Intel and the 900th AMD. Nvidia is famous for its small range of chipsets, but no less popular.

Intel's 7th series differs from the standard chipset because it only consists of a northbridge. But this does not affect the functionality of the motherboard in any way, because some controllers are transferred to the processor. This can be understood using the example of a PCI-Express 3.0 bus controller and a DDR3 memory controller. The North Bridge in this case received control of SATA, USB, PCI-Express. The block diagram of the Z77 chipset clearly shows what the elements are tied to and on which buses:

Z, H and B represent the positioning of the chipset for market segments.

Chipsets from AMD have two chips, it has 990X, 990FX and 970 northbridges and an SB950 northbridge.

The 990FX gives the chipset support for 42 PCI-Express lanes. Therefore, four video cards can be connected on the lines in a Cross Fire combination. But not everyone needs such opportunities. The remaining two northbridges support 26 lines, but the loss is not noticeable.

Supporting Features

Additional functions include those that are not always necessary. For the average user they are not very popular:

• ESATA - some models have an interface for connecting removable drives. Very useful for owners of external drives.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module for wireless network and data transfer. They significantly increase the functionality of the motherboard.
• Thunderbolt - provides data transfer at a speed of 10 Gb/sec and connection of peripheral devices. Transfers data several times faster than USB 2.0, USB 3.0. Today only a few people need it, but in the future it will become more popular.
• Additional buttons and indicators for overclocking, proprietary technologies and manufacturer elements.

Rating of the best motherboards of the year

As you may have noticed, choosing a motherboard is not an easy task. Based on the listed parameters, you need to choose an option that would suit you both in terms of cost and functionality. Of course, the motherboard parameters are individual for each user. But still, for greater convenience, you can see the rating of the best motherboards for 2015-2016. Focusing on the main parameters and the most the best models, can be done for real right choice. Below is a video on this difficult topic for a better understanding.

Best motherboard socket 1150 (2016)

• MSI Z87 XPOWER
• MSI B85-G43 GAMING - the most best buy
• ASUS B85M-E - inexpensive and good motherboard for an average computer
• MSI B85-G43 - price-quality
• ASUS VANGUARD B85
• GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming GT - recommended for gamers

Best motherboard socket 1155 (2016)

• ASRock B75 Pro3-M - the best purchase of the year
• GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2PV (rev. 2.2
• ASUS H61M-G
• ASRock H61M-VG4
• MSI H61M-P20 (G3)
• GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2PV (rev. 2.0)

Best socket motherboard 2011 (2016)

• ASUS P9X79-E WS (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16) - the coolest purchase
• Asus Rampage IV Extreme (s2011, X79, PCI-Ex 16)
• ASUS P9X79 WS (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16) — best ratio price-performance
• MSI X79A-GD65 (8D) (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16)

Best motherboard 2011-3 (2016)

• ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME/U3.1 - best buy
• Asus X99-Deluxe
• MSI X99A SLI PLUS - the best choice price-quality
• GIGABYTE GA-X99-UD3 (rev. 1.0)
• ASRock X99 Extreme4

The most powerful motherboard for a gamer with two processors - Asus Z9PE-D8 WS (2 x LGA2011, Intel C602, PCI-Ex16)

When assembling a PC on their own, few people think abouthow to choose a motherboard. This component, along with the power supply, does not directly affect system performance. Therefore, many users do not take into account the main nuances. IN ready-made solutions, presented by various collectors (domestic and global) - no one is in a hurry to pay attention to this module either. Wanting to attract customers at a low price, such computers are often equipped with budget motherboards equipped with a minimal set of interfaces.

How to choose a motherboard for a computerto get the highest possible performance, leave a reserve of potential for the future, but not overpay - and our material will tell you. To ensure that the selection process does not cause difficulties even for a beginner who is comfortable with hardware, all the nuances are described step by step.

Computer motherboard: how to choose

Stage 1: Form factor

Standardization is a great blessing in the modern world. Those times when each computer hardware manufacturer developed its own standards and interfaces will seem savage and hoary to the modern user. For about 20 years now, the ATX standard has reigned in the PC market, which strictly describes the principles of computer layout, regulates power supply circuits and determines the format of this equipment.

Before, how to choose a motherboard, you need to decide: it is selected for a specific case, or it will be purchased after choosing the board. In the latter case, there are no special restrictions, and this subtitle need not be read.

Selection of format taking into account the type of case

If you like a certain case model, or the motherboard is purchased to upgrade an existing PC, then the “tower” imposes some restrictions. Big Tower and Full Tower cases (such as some gaming models) support all formats of motherboards for regular (non-server) computers. Midi Tower (most home PCs are in this format) are compatible with ATX-sized motherboards, and usually there are no problems with them either.

Mini Tower, as well as HTPCs and other compact computers that are designed to save space on the desktop or act as a home multimedia center require the use of compact motherboards. Which motherboard to choose for them depends on the manufacturer. Typically Mini- ATX boards differ from full-size ones in height (28.4 cm versus 30.5) and width (24.4 versus 20.8).

How to choose a Micro-ATX motherboard

Micro-ATX motherboards are components suitable for a compact system builder, but special care must be taken when selecting them. Often sellers mark with this designation two types that are completely different in size: Micro-ATX and Flex-ATX. Both have almost the same height (24.4 vs 22.9 cm), but differ in width (24.4 vs 19.1 cm). Most flex format boards are designated by sellers as “micro”, while square boards are often incompatible with small PCs!

There is also an ITX format, which differs from ATX in a slightly different arrangement of external connectors and a smaller size.Which motherboard to choose(ITX or ATX) – depends on the case. When upgrading a media center, it is advisable to arm yourself with a ruler and measure the values, comparing them with standards on the same “ Wikipedia "so as not to make a mistake.

Stage 2: CPU socket

4 SATA ports are the minimum for a modern PC. One of them will be busy system SSD, second - hard drive for storing files. Another slot may be required when installing an optical drive ( DVDs are gradually becoming a thing of the past, but they have not yet completely lost their relevance). It is advisable to leave the fourth connector in reserve in case of an upgrade, if you need another HDD.

Stage 5: expansion slots

Almost all modern motherboards are equipped with a full-size PCI-E x16 slot for installing a video card. Only ultra-compact ITX boards may be deprived of it, since they are designed to use a CPU with integrated graphics (for example, Intel Atom or AMD A-series).

If in the future it is planned to build a configuration of two video cards, there should also be 2 corresponding slots. In this case, hardware support is required from the MP chipset SLI technology or CrossFire (depending on the graphics card manufacturer).

Read more about this: And

In addition to video cards, PCI-E slots (reduced to x1 or x4 size) can be used for TV tuners, sound cards, high-speed SSDs with the appropriate interface, as well as other expansion cards. Although the older PCI is falling out of use, devices on this bus are still found.

From left to right: PCI-E x16, PCI-E x1, PCI, PCI-E x16, 2 PCI and again PCI-E x16

If you plan to install a video card with a dual-slot cooling system (and this is the case for most gaming models), it is important to consider that expansion slots adjacent to PCI-E x16 may not be available.

Stage 6: USB

The USB interface is the most popular of all wired data transfer standards in everyday life. It is used to connect keyboards, mice and other peripherals, removable drives, photo-video cameras, smartphones, tablets, webcams and many other devices. All motherboards for home PCs are equipped with USB ports; the only difference is in the supported generation of this protocol and the number of connectors. On the rear panel you can find from 2 to 10 (and even 12) such sockets, but most of them belong to the outdated 2.0 generation. More modern USB 3s are blue or red (instead of black), and are in the minority.

4 USB 2.0 are black, USB 3.0 are blue

External USB ports are clearly visible in the photo, and counting them is not difficult. Another thing is the internal connectors designed to output ports to the front panel of the PC. And there can be from 2 to 12 or more (on specialized boards). If the PC case has USB3 sockets on the front, then beforehow to choose a motherboard, you need to make sure that there is an internal contact block on the board. And if in addition to them you plan to use additional panel installed in the drive slot - then there must be at least two USB3 headers on the MP.

2 USB3 headers on board

Stage 7: Cooling and Cooler Compatibility

To improve heat removal from power circuits, the south bridge and other critical components, manufacturers use compact (and sometimes not so compact) radiators. Their presence is good, especially if you plan to experiment with overclocking, or if you plan to use your computer intensively. When choosing, preference should be given to models with cooled elements.

There are also cases when the benefit of additional radiators turns into unpleasant nuances. If a massive tower cooler, like the Noctua NH-D14, is installed on the PC, then the standard MP cooling system (in particular, its protruding elements) may interfere with the installation of the radiator. The same goes for video cards or memory sticks on tightly packed Flex-ATX boards.

Before, how to choose a motherboard, it is worth considering the need for additional cooling. Cases equipped with backlighting, transparent walls and other modding elements are often equipped with auxiliary fans. They require connection to 3-pin connectors on the board, so if fans are needed, the MP should have a supply of 2-4 such connectors.

On-board fan header

Which motherboard to choose in 2016

The question is which motherboard to choose in 2016year, cannot have a definite answer in principle. It is highly individual, and the choice is determined based on the needs of the individual user. For a gaming PC it will be one, for an office PC it will be another, for a multimedia PC it will be a third. We can only note in general terms what it should bemotherboard, how to chooseit according to your budget and tasks, so as not to make a mistake.

• Don't chase the cheap. Saving several hundred rubles at the cost of giving up the necessary functions is an irrational choice. It is advisable to decide on all the described parameters (socket, memory type and number of slots, list of interfaces), and only then look for the one that fits the budget from the options that meet the criteria.
• For a new PC - functionality first, and then dimensions. When assembling a new PC, you must immediately select best option motherboards, and only then look for a compatible case. Trying to collect gaming system on the chassis of a compact media center will lead to the fact that the reliability of such an assembly will be low (due to the close layout and constant overheating).
• It's also not worth overpaying.Choosing a motherboard with the prefixes “Game”, “Ultra”, “Top”, “Super”, “Ultimate”, etc., designed for “geeks”, for a multimedia or office PC is just as irrational as buying a cheap Flex -ATX MP for Intel Core i7-6700k, which is planned to be overclocked. If there is a performance gain, it will be at the level of a couple of percent, and money will be paid for unused functionality, such as 3 PCI-E x16 slots or advanced CPU overclocking options.

Which motherboard to choose: A selection of 10 models

To make choosing a motherboard easier, we have collected for you a number of good motherboards for specific purposes:

For Gaming PC Full-size ATX boards equipped with full functionality should be considered. If the budget does not limit the build on Intel, you can choose Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 (for processors on socket 2011) or MSI Z170A GAMING M7 (1151). If the amount is limited, the GIGABYTE GA-B150-HD3 DDR3 is suitable for an inexpensive gaming PC.

On AMD, if performance is most important, you should look towards ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0. If you want to save money without sacrificing quality - GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P. Both boards are equipped with socket AM3+ and support FX series processors. But you shouldn’t ignore FM2+, the top APU models for which also claim to be gaming. For A-series processors, the optimal choice is GIGABYTE GA-F2A88X-D3H.

For office PC Gaming capabilities are not as important as accessibility, stability and silence. Therefore, the optimal choice here would be Micro-ATX and Flex-ATX boards, since the rule “the fewer nodes in the system, the higher its reliability” is also relevant here. For an office computer on Intel optimal choice motherboard - MSI H170M PRO-VDH D3. Among its “trump cards” it is worth noting 4 USB3 ports on the rear panel, support for the latest Core processors 6000 series, as well as 4 memory slots and the presence of all three (VGA, DVI and HDMI) connectors for connecting a monitor. On AMD, a board based on the FM2+ socket ASUS A88XM-A, which has similar capabilities, would be a good choice for the office.

Multimedia PC often used in conjunction with a TV and/or home theater system, so it requires a compact case. To avoid noise, you need to use energy-efficient components that do not require powerful cooling. On Intel it will be suitable for this purpose

Hello friends! If you don’t very often have to choose a motherboard in a store and you are interested in how to do it correctly, then read our detailed instructions, written in an engaging way.

From our article you will learn literally everything about existing motherboards, and most importantly, much of what even the sellers themselves don’t know, or maybe worse, they know but are keeping silent!

At the beginning of the article, we publish an interesting letter from our reader who made a number of mistakes when choosing a motherboard. Let's learn from other people's mistakes!

How to choose a motherboard

Hello admin! Tell how to choose a motherboard and which manufacturer, I don’t want to be mistaken, because the motherboard is the main board on the computer and we will connect all the other components to it. In my life I bought a computer three times and despite the fact that I myself have an education in the field information technologies I made the wrong choice of motherboard all three times. I’ll tell you my story briefly, you can laugh, I won’t be offended!

The first time (it was 11 years ago) I regretted the money and decided choose motherboard without a SATA connector and a year later I realized that my computer was old, since the IDE interface was rapidly becoming outdated, and the new hard drives SATA drives there was no way to connect to it. In addition, I chose the wrong motherboard manufacturer, now it has completely disappeared, and the motherboard failed a year and a half after purchase.

I bought my second computer in 2005, I was advised to buy it from motherboard, which had a connector for connecting AGP 8x video cards (it was supposedly cheaper and more practical), and again after about a year I realized that I had made a mistake, video cards with an AGP interface began to disappear and were soon replaced by video cards everywhere PCI Express. My AGP video card burned out after two years and I had to look for and buy the same one at exorbitant prices.

When choosing a third computer, I also made a mistake, because, and besides, I chose a motherboard with two PCI connectors located so poorly that it was impossible to connect a discrete sound card and TV tuner to them over time; the discrete video card kept getting in the way. In addition, when choosing a motherboard, I completely forgot about my old IDE hard drives and bought a motherboard without an IDE connector, but on these old ones hard drives half my life, I then had to buy this special one, which I also had to throw away, since it did not fit into the inconveniently located PCI connector, I still found a way out.

And just recently I had to choose a motherboard for the fourth time in my life. The first thing that was offered to me in a computer supermarket was the ASUS P8Z77-V PRO motherboard, but I’m in no hurry to buy, I want to consult with you.

Firstly, the price is 7,000 rubles, and for what! For three PCI Express slots, but I don’t need all of them, because I have one video card.

And most importantly, my powerful 2 GB video card cannot be installed in the first dark blue PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot; it is hampered by a beautiful aluminum radiator cooling the Intel Z77 Express chip on the motherboard.

It is in the first dark blue PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot that all 16 lanes from the processor will be available. I will have to install the video card in the second light PCI Express 3.0 x8 slot, and only 8 lanes from the processor are available in it.

No, I understand that if I insert a video card into the middle PCI Express 3.0 x8 slot, the performance loss will be only 5%, but there is still this loss. About the third black PCI Express 2.0 x4 slot I’m generally silent, only 4 lines from the processor are available to it, the question arises as to why it is needed at all, unless there’s nothing to rip me off for.

See what the GPU-Z.0.7.7 utility shows if you install a video card GeForce GTX 560 PCI interface Express 2.0 x16 into the first slot of the PCI Express 3.0 x16 specification.

If you install a video card in the second slot of the PCI Express 3.0 x8 specification, the video card starts working according to a completely old specification PCI-E 16x 1.1. I won’t even experiment with the third PCI Express 2.0 x4 slot, since everything is already clear.

Admin Note: I know my mother's ASUS board P8Z77-V PRO and I want to say that everything our reader says is true, but I doubt that it was impossible to install the video card in the first PCI Express x16 slot. I often installed various video cards on this motherboard and there were no problems. I would like to know the model of our reader’s video card.

Secondly, the presence of USB 3.0 ports, up to 4 ports, but again I can get by with two.

Thirdly, 2 SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors, but again I don’t need two, since I have one 3TB hard drive.

There are also 4 SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports, but why do I need so many, I only have one hard drive and, as I already noted, SATA interface 6.0 Gbps. In addition, all SATA connectors are inconveniently placed on the motherboard, but this is my personal opinion.

Fourthly, the presence of a branded Wi-Fi adapter 802.11 b/g/n, but I don’t need it either, so I have a router.

Conclusion: most likely I don’t need such a motherboard or am I still thinking incorrectly and missing something and misunderstanding?

The second motherboard offered to me is P8Z77-V LX2. Inexpensive price of 2900 rubles, everything you need is present on the motherboard: SATA 6 Gbit/s and SATA 3 Gbit/s connectors, many ports USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and so on, but again this is what confuses, firstly there is no interface panel DVI video output is enough, there is only VGA.

Additional processor power is presented in the form of a 4-pin ATX12V power connector instead of an 8-pin one, this is quite strange, because the socket (the seat for the processor) on the motherboard is LGA1155 and, accordingly, I have an Intel Core i7 processor! Is such cut-off food enough for him? I googled about this issue, people say it’s not scary, but oh well.

And there’s another problem with the PCI Express connector! The first PCI Express x16 complies with specification 3.0, but my video card again does not fit into it due to the heatsink of the south bridge, and the second specification 2.0 and only 4 lanes from the processor are available in it, well, this is very little for my powerful video card. It seems to me that this is an obvious loss of productivity.

The video card does not fit into the PCI Express connector, the latch does not snap into place, and the south bridge heatsink is in the way.

Admin Note: In fact, not every video card can be installed in the first PCI Express x16 slot on this motherboard; the south bridge heatsink will interfere with it.

In short, I feel, admin, that you are giving me a headache, just like the consultants I talked to in the store, but I still hope for your help.

As we can see, friends, choosing a motherboard for your computer is relatively difficult, since you need to know many nuances

Therefore, I choose the motherboard at the very end, when the computer configuration is already known. To make this easier, let’s divide the selection process into a number of specific questions.

Motherboard developers

The developers of motherboards, or, more accurately, chipsets or chipsets, are the same well-known corporations that develop processors. These are Intel and AMD. You can find old motherboards with NVidia, VIA, SiS, Ali chipsets. But they are not used in new motherboards, since the development department NVidia chipsets acquired by AMD and now produces logic sets under its own brand, while the VIA, SiS, Ali chipsets were not very successful and could not withstand the competition.

On which chipset developer (Intel or AMD) you choose a motherboard depends solely on what processor you have chosen.

What is a chipset (logic set)

The chipset or logic set is the main integrated circuit of the motherboard. This is a kind of processor that connects and controls all devices on the board: central processor, memory, video card, hard drives, expansion cards, external and internal connectors, etc. The performance of the motherboard and, accordingly, the entire computer depends on how powerful and modern the chipset is.

Previously, the motherboard chipset had a classic layout in the form of the so-called north and south bridge. These were two separate integrated circuits, which received their name from their location on the board.

North Bridge was located higher on the board, like north on the geographical map of the world, and was responsible for the fastest components of the system: processor, memory and video card, with which it is connected by the so-called buses (copper tracks) of the motherboard. The Northbridge is the fastest, most loaded and, accordingly, hottest component of the motherboard. It requires some cooling.

South Bridge located below the northern one, closer to such more slow devices How: HDD, slots for expansion cards, USB connectors, the operation of which was regulated through the associated buses on the motherboard. The south bridge is not as powerful as the north bridge, it usually did not heat up very much and did not have or had weaker cooling.

Over time, technology developed and developers came to combine these two microcircuits into one, which was responsible for everything at once and, traditionally, was called the north bridge, as it was more important. This made it possible to save on the production of chipsets and, accordingly, motherboards, but was used mainly in cheaper boards, while more powerful and expensive ones still used two full-fledged bridges.

Chipsets of powerful modern motherboards, thanks to advanced technologies and a more refined manufacturing process, they only have a north bridge. However, in some models, you can still find the classic separation.

Chipset classification

Motherboard chipsets, as well as other system components, are divided into classes depending on power and functionality, which is reflected in the price.

They are installed on the same inexpensive motherboards, have low performance and are designed for weak office or home computers.

Mid-range chipsets are installed on mid-price motherboards and are designed for more powerful office or home computers.

Chipsets high level installed on more expensive motherboards and designed for home multimedia or professional computers.

The top, most powerful chipsets are installed on very expensive motherboards and are intended for powerful gaming PCs, wealthy enthusiasts and PCs used for professional and scientific purposes.

Chipsets of modern motherboards

Like many components, motherboard chipsets are marked according to the principle: the higher the digital value of the marking, the higher class it belongs to.

Modern motherboards have the following series (or lines) of chipsets.

Modern Intel chipsets

B, Q– business series of chipsets with support for special security technologies and remote control for the corporate sector

H, P, Z– consumer series of chipsets for office and home PCs

X– top series of chipsets for powerful gaming and professional PCs

Modern AMD chipsets

760 – old series of entry-level chipsets

970 – old series of high-end chipsets

990 – old series of top chipsets

A55– a new series of entry-level chipsets

A75, A78– a new series of mid-range chipsets

A85, A88– new series of high-end chipsets

Based on the chipset, you can roughly determine the class of the motherboard and whether it is suitable for its intended purpose for your PC, but the choice can only be made based on the characteristics of a specific motherboard.

How do chipsets differ?

All chipsets, regardless of manufacturer, differ in such parameters as:

Supported processors

Type and frequency of supported memory

Bus frequency and bandwidth

Availability of built-in sound (audio codec)

Availability of built-in network card

Type and number of supported connectors for connecting storage devices (SATA, IDE)

Type and number of supported connectors for connecting video cards (PCI-E)

Type and number of supported slots for connecting expansion cards (PCI)

Type and number of supported connectors for connecting USB devices

Other parameters and technologies

You can find out information about any chipset on the developer’s website or by entering its markings in Google, but I repeat that usually this is not required to select a motherboard, since firstly, all the important parameters are indicated in the motherboard’s specifications on the manufacturer’s website, and secondly Secondly, a specific motherboard may not use all the capabilities of a particular chipset or, conversely, correct its shortcomings with its own solutions.

The figure below is an example of a chipset diagram that reflects the technologies it supports and the buses through which it is connected to system components.

Motherboard Manufacturers

Motherboards are made by many manufacturers. At the same time, they use chipsets from two main developers - Intel and AMD. In practice, there are several well-established manufacturers. Reliable motherboard manufacturers include the following companies: ASUS, Gigabyte, Intel, MSI. Also, brands such as AsRock and Biostar can be considered as a compromise option in terms of price/quality ratio.

For example, AsRock was acquired by ASUS and is its division, initially positioned as a budget brand, but has now acquired all lines of motherboards from budget to high-end gaming. At the same time with more affordable prices. I would not recommend purchasing motherboards from little-known brands that are represented in our country by only a few models: 3Q, EliteGroup (ECS), Fujitsu, Supermicro, Tyan, Zotac.

Guarantee

Keep in mind that the motherboard is not the most reliable component of the system and, unlike the video card, it can be problematic to replace it, since they quickly become outdated and it can be difficult to find a replacement, and purchasing a more modern model may entail replacing other system components (processor, memory). Therefore, the motherboard should be as reliable as possible and preferably have a sufficient warranty of 24-36 months.

The first signs of imminent failure of the motherboard are that the computer turns on every once in a while, reboots itself or turns off, slows down, and capacitors swell.

Purpose of motherboards

Based on their purpose, motherboards can be divided into:

For office– the most inexpensive models for simple tasks, on which the appropriate components are installed (weak processors with integrated video, small amount of memory).

For home multimedia PCs– the most popular models in the mid-price range, which are equipped with mid-range processors and video cards.

For games– fast motherboards on which powerful processors and video cards are installed (from 1 to 4).

For the corporate segment– with support for special security technologies, remote control, an expanded set of ports, etc.

For professionals and enthusiasts– top-end, very expensive motherboards on which you can install the most powerful components (top-end processor, 4 video cards, 32-64 GB of RAM, 6-12 drives, etc.).

It is imperative to consider how powerful the components will be installed on the motherboard. If you install a powerful processor and/or video card on a cheap motherboard, then firstly they will not be able to work at full capacity, since the performance of the chipset will not be enough, and secondly, this motherboard will not withstand such a load for a long time and will fail. And vice versa, if you install on a fast motherboard weak processor and/or a video card, then it will be money thrown away.

Processor socket (slot)

Processor sockets on motherboards correspond to processor sockets. The processor socket, or as it is also called Socket, is the connection point between the processor and the motherboard. Processor sockets for each manufacturer and line of processors are different and they are marked either by the number of pins in the socket or by the marking of the line of processors.

The technological process is currently moving very quickly, processors are changing, processor sockets are changing. If you are collecting new computer, do not use motherboards and processors with outdated sockets, because if problems arise or you want to improve these components in a year or two, it will be difficult for you to find a replacement for them.

Obsolete Intel processor slots are marked: LGA 775

Modern Intel processor slots are marked: LGA 1150, LGA 1155, LGA 2011

Obsolete AMD processor slots are marked: AM3, AM3+, FM1

Modern AMD processor slots are marked: FM2, FM2+, FX

All you need to know about the slots is that they must be the same on the processor and motherboard, otherwise the processor simply will not install.

In addition, here is a remark from one of the readers of our site that processors with sockets AM2+, AM3, AM3+ can be installed in the AM2 processor socket. Thanks to this, you can significantly increase PC performance by installing a more powerful processor without replacing the motherboard.

Supported processors

The processor socket and supported processors are not the same thing. Each motherboard is designed for specific processor models. However, after the motherboard is released into production, new processor models appear that it was not originally designed for. In most cases, a processor with the same socket as on the motherboard will work on it, but not always.

On the website of each manufacturer there is a list of processors supported by a particular motherboard. After the release of the motherboard, this list is supplemented for some time with new models of supported processors that have been found to be compatible and verified through testing by the motherboard manufacturer. Often compatibility issues are resolved by releasing new version firmware (BIOS) of the motherboard. Before buying a motherboard, make sure that your processor is on this list, otherwise there is no guarantee that the system will work normally.

If you replace the processor on an old motherboard, the required model may not be in the list of compatible processors. However, this processor will probably work on this board. Try searching the Internet for reviews from those who have already tried installing this processor on the same motherboard. Agree with the seller to take the processor for testing, or bring the system unit to him. Be sure to stitch latest version BIOS from the motherboard manufacturer's website. But keep in mind one important nuance: the processor may not be on the compatibility list for the reason that the motherboard's power supply circuit cannot provide the power required by the processor. In this case, there is a risk of early failure of the motherboard. The thermal package "TDP" of the processor should not exceed that of the motherboard.

Memory connectors (slots)

Inexpensive motherboards often have only 2 slots for installing memory modules. In principle, for the configurations in which they are used, this may be quite sufficient. However, if you install two memory modules on such a motherboard, then to increase its capacity in the future you will have to completely replace it, since there will be nowhere to insert additional modules. If you install one module during assembly, then in the future you can install another one in the remaining free slot. But when using one module, memory performance is lost due to the fact that it will not work in dual-channel mode.

Motherboards in the mid-range and higher price ranges usually have 4 memory slots. This not only allows you to install more memory, but also easily add memory in the future without losing performance due to the use of dual-channel mode.

The most expensive (for example, gaming) motherboards can have 6 slots for installing memory modules and support three-channel operation.

Type, size and frequency of supported memory

Older motherboards used DDR, DDR2 and older types of memory. DDR2 memory can still be found in computer stores and use it to increase its volume in an old PC. DDR memory can only be purchased used. The most popular type of memory today is DDR3 memory, and DDR4 memory will soon begin to hit the markets. The same principle applies here as with processor slots - buy motherboards that support the most modern type of memory to ensure system expandability and maintainability in the next few years. Today it is still DDR3.

Each motherboard has a limit on the maximum amount of memory module that can be installed in the slot. Plus there is a limit on the total amount of memory supported.

The motherboard can support RAM of different frequencies. The most common memory frequencies today are: 1333, 1666, 1800, 2000 MHz, and there are higher ones. But here it comes down to the processor, since most modern processors support memory with a frequency of up to 1666 MHz. Memory modules with this frequency today are optimal in terms of price/performance ratio. The letters “OC” after the memory frequency in the motherboard marking mean that it supports the specified frequency in the processor overclocking mode (for example, DDR3 2000 MHz (OC)).

Connectors (slots) for installing video cards

Old motherboards had an AGP connector for installing video cards, but they were completely and hopelessly outdated and have long since disappeared from sale.

All modern motherboards have a PCI Express (PCI-E) slot for installing video cards. This connector has 3 revisions (PCI-E v.1, v.2 and v.3), which differ in bus bandwidth (data transfer speed between the motherboard and video card). All these revisions are compatible, and I do not focus on them. In addition, depending on the bandwidth, the connectors are also marked as x4, x8, x16. All motherboards on sale today have a PCI-E v3 x16 connector.

Mid- and high-end motherboards can have from 1 to 4 PCI-E slots and, accordingly, several video cards can be installed on them in SLI mode (for NVidia video cards) or CrossFire (for AMD video cards). In this case, cheaper motherboards can only support multiple video cards at a reduced bus speed (for example: x8+x8 or x4+x4+x4). Expensive gaming video cards can support paired operating mode x16+x16 or x8+x8+x8+x8, which can increase the performance of the video system when installing several powerful video cards.

Older motherboard models may support either SLI or CrossFire mode. But already many modern models can work in both modes.

Also pay attention to the distance between PCI-E slots. This may determine what form factor of video card you can install (dual-slot or single-slot). In addition, in a configuration with several video cards, they may overlap connectors for expansion cards, into which you may want to install a good sound card or Wi-Fi adapter card. If you don't plan to install multiple video cards, you may not need a motherboard with 4 PCI-E slots.

Main system bus

Basic throughput system bus HT (Hyper Transport), and previously FSB (Front System Bus) is characterized mainly by the speed of data exchange between the processor and RAM. Typically, the system performance is not limited by the motherboard bus, since it is designed for the fastest processor existing at the time of its development and the fastest RAM, and with a reserve. However, if you want to save money now by buying a not the most expensive processor so that in a year or two, when prices fall, you can exchange it for a more powerful one, then it is advisable not to buy a motherboard with a bus of the outgoing generation. This parameter is not so relevant today, so it is rarely mentioned in price lists and product catalogs. This can be found on the motherboard manufacturer's website. Modern motherboards have a bus bandwidth of 5200 Mb/s (5.2 Gb/s) and higher; their past generation had a bus of 1000-2000 Mb/s (1-2 Gb/s).

Built-in (integrated) video

In older motherboards with an integrated video card, the video chip was soldered on the board itself. Modern motherboards do not have this chip, since many modern processors already have a video core. In any case, the built-in video does not have its own separate memory and uses the computer's RAM for its work. Motherboards with an integrated video card have connectors for connecting a monitor and/or TV. On older motherboards this is a VGA connector, on new ones it is DVI and HDMI.

The description of a motherboard with integrated video usually contains either the model of the video chip (in older models) or a prefix like “int. video" (for new ones), meaning that it supports processors with a video core and has the appropriate connectors.

An integrated video card is optional for a computer with a separate (discrete) video card and in this case, usually no attention is paid to it, but it can help out if the main video card fails, especially if it goes to service center to another city to conduct a warranty examination.

A modern video card integrated into the processor is quite enough for all office, multimedia tasks and simple games. But if you plan to install modern games, then you will need a full-fledged discrete video card.

Built-in (integrated) sound

Old motherboards had a built-in AC’97 sound card (audio codec), which, like integrated video, was soldered directly on the motherboard in the form of a separate chip and used computer resources, such as the processor and RAM, for its work. At the same time, the sound quality left much to be desired and hurt the ears so much that even non-audiophiles preferred to purchase a separate discrete sound card (for example, from the very popular manufacturer Creative Sound).

All modern motherboards have an HDA (High Definition Audio) class audio codec, which is already included in the chipset. This audio codec produces sound quality comparable to budget discrete sound cards and its sound depends more on the quality of the connected acoustic system (speakers). But if you want to purchase a multi-channel Hi-Fi audio system, then it is better to get a professional sound card.

Motherboards usually have 3 or 6 3.5 mm jacks for connecting audio devices, one of which is always used to connect a microphone. If the motherboard has only 3 3.5 mm jacks, then you can only connect a 2.0 (stereo) or 2.1 (2 channels and subwoofer) speaker system to it. If there are 6 sockets - a speaker system from 2.0 to 7.1 (7 channels and a subwoofer).

The motherboard can also have digital audio outputs - coaxial (in old boards) and optical (in new ones). More expensive Acustic systems can support such connections. At the same time, there is practically no sound distortion when transmitting a signal from the sound card to the speakers. Such systems are preferred by music lovers or professional musicians.

Built-in (integrated) LAN card

The network card is also soldered into separate chips (on old boards) or is part of the chipset (on new ones) and uses the computer’s resources. Almost all modern motherboards have a network card with a data transfer rate of 1000 Mb/s (1 Gb/s). If the network card on an old or cheap motherboard has a speed of 100 Mb/s, then this is quite enough even for the most fast internet, but not enough for frequent exchange of large amounts of data (10 GB or more) between home computers.

In any case, when buying a computer, it is better to purchase a separate network card. It is not expensive ($5-10) and will save your motherboard in the event of a high-voltage breakdown on the part of the provider. This often happens during a thunderstorm.

The motherboard with a built-in network card has an RJ-45 connector. There are motherboards with two network cards. In this case, they have two such connectors.

Support various media

Modern motherboards are fully compatible SATA2 (3 Gb/s) and SATA3 (6 Gb/s) connectors for connecting various storage media: hard drives(HDD), optical drives(ODD), fast solid state drives (SSD).

IDE connector for connecting old-type drives is obsolete and is not available on all modern motherboards. You may only need it if you have good disc large volume or you are very limited in funds and want to install an old DVD drive.

Modern HDD and ODD have interface connectors SATA2 or SATA3 and for them this is not important, since their speed is limited by mechanics (up to 150 Mb/s), while the interface allows you to transfer data at a speed an order of magnitude higher.

Modern SSDs The drives have a SATA3 interface and can be connected to SATA2 connectors, but sometimes there are compatibility problems and speed drops. In this case, it is still advisable to have SATA3 connectors on the motherboard.

Modern HDDs 3 GB or more are not supported by motherboards with classic BIOS. In this case, the system simply does not see the entire disk volume. If you plan to use hard disks such a volume, then your motherboard must support the UEFI interface.

Connectors for expansion cards

Older motherboards used PCI slots to accommodate expansion cards. Such a connector may be needed if you have such boards, for example, professional sound card or TV tuner.

Modern motherboards use PCI Express slots to install expansion cards: PCI-E 1x, 2x, 4x, and PCI slots are almost history.

If you plan to use expansion cards (sound card, network card, etc.), then pay attention to the presence of the required type of connectors on the motherboard and that they do not overlap when installing video cards.

External connectors

The picture below shows the external connectors of an old, simple motherboard.

The picture below shows the external connectors of a modern motherboard.

Internal connectors

The image below shows the main internal connectors and elements of the motherboard that you need to pay attention to when choosing a motherboard.

Wireless technologies

Some modern motherboards may have built-in wireless adapters: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. They may be needed if this motherboard is planned to be used to assemble a multimedia center in a compact case. In other cases, you can use a separate wireless controller board, since such functionality “out of the box” greatly affects the price.

Form factor (size) of motherboard

Motherboards have the following standard form factors (sizes):

ATX– the most common full-size format of the motherboard (305 × 244 mm), is optimal for a desktop computer, since the dimensions of the board allow not much savings and it is convenient to distribute and place all the elements on it; it is installed in most cases for desktop PCs.

Mini-ATX– a very common stripped-down motherboard format (284 × 208 mm), typical of budget motherboards, usually has fewer connectors (for example, only 2 memory slots), installed in most cases for desktop PCs and smaller cases of the same format.

Micro-ATX– a slightly less common smaller format of the motherboard (244 × 244 mm), used primarily for assembling multimedia centers and can have built-in wireless adapters, installed in special cases for multimedia centers.

There are other less common formats: Mini-ITX, EATX, XL-ATX, Thin Mini-ITX. They all differ in size and are usually matched to an already defined body.

Electronic components

Cheap motherboards always use the appropriate element base (for example, Chinese electrolytic capacitors).

More expensive boards may have more electronic components High Quality(for example, Japanese solid capacitors). If this is so, then the manufacturer always tries to emphasize this with a marketing slogan like: Solid Caps (solid-state capacitors), Super Alloy Power (reliable power system), Military Standard (military standard), etc. In any case, such motherboards are more reliable and durable.

Processor power supply

The power supply of the processor determines how powerful the processor can be powered by the motherboard. Cheap boards have a 3-4 phase processor power supply, mid-range ones have 5-6 phases, gaming motherboards have 8 or more processor power phases. This information can be found on the motherboard manufacturer's website.

Cooling system

Inexpensive motherboards usually have a small aluminum heatsink on the mosfets (transistors) of the processor power circuit and a small heatsink on the northbridge. And, with a little ventilation of the case, this is usually enough for them, since such systems do not use powerful processors and video cards.

Old motherboards often also had a small high-speed fan on the northbridge radiator, which over time began to howl loudly.

Mid-range motherboards usually have either larger radiators or heatpipe cooling systems, which is preferable, but still requires air circulation inside the case.

Cooling systems for powerful motherboards are usually built on heat pipes and have even higher requirements for organizing case ventilation.

You should pay attention to the size and location of these heatsinks, as if they are too tall and located close to the motherboard slots, they may interfere with the installation of a long video card or a powerful processor cooler.

Additional equipment

The additional package of any motherboard includes: a plug on the case for the rear panel of connectors, 2-4 SATA interface cables, a disk with drivers and a user manual. Usually this is enough, but not always. There are times when I bought everything, brought it, started assembling it, and suddenly discovered that some kind of cable or adapter was missing. Check the motherboard configuration on the manufacturer's website.

Included with more expensive motherboards and the so-called Deluxe versions of cheaper ones, there is a lot of all sorts of junk: 6 SATA cables, brackets with external Wire Fire, USB connectors, etc. Usually all this is lying around idle and it is better to overpay for a good motherboard than for such a “generous” add-on.

Motherboard firmware (BIOS and UEFI)

Gradually, all motherboards are moving from classic BIOS firmware to the UEFI interface, which has many additional functions, in particular support for disks larger than 2 TB, installation of multiple operating systems on one disk, etc. It is better not to pull the cat by the tail and immediately take a motherboard with UEFI support, so that later there will be no problems with new devices and operating systems.

Supported operating systems and drivers

Modern motherboards usually support all popular operating systems (OS). For any motherboard to work, you need a set of special firmware, called drivers, which are required for the chipset and everything integrated into it electronic components. New models often no longer have drivers for older operating systems (Windows XP, 7). In addition, after some time (1-2 years) the release of drivers for newly emerging operating systems is discontinued. For cheaper motherboards this support period is very short (about 1 year), for more expensive ones it is longer (up to 3 years). In addition, the same applies to firmware updates (BIOS or UEFI) and after a while you may not be able to install, for example, a new processor or drive on such a motherboard.

Additional software

Popular motherboard manufacturers (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte) have many special programs, which increase their functionality. For example, they change power consumption modes, fan speeds, and allow you to monitor various parameters work of the system, do better sound etc. Although I don’t often use such utilities, the programs ASUS I really like them and only thanks to them would I buy a motherboard from this company again, but otherwise the quality of their motherboards in the middle and high price range is very good, although they are a little more expensive. If we are talking about purchasing a cheap motherboard for an office computer, then this is all useless and I would advise not to overpay for the brand in this case.

3. Sort the remaining motherboards by price.

4. View all items in order, starting with the cheapest ones.

5. Having reached a position that meets all the main parameters, go to the manufacturer’s website and clarify all other parameters.

6. Carefully look at the photo of the motherboard on the manufacturer’s website from all available angles. Pay attention to the number and location of various connectors, the size and location of radiators (so that they do not interfere with the installation of other components: video card and processor cooler).

7. Look at several other suitable and similar motherboards in price, perhaps they will have a better configuration.

This way you will choose the optimal motherboard in terms of price/quality/functionality ratio.

Summary

Summarizing all the information from this article, I want to summarize what you need to pay attention to when choosing a motherboard for both a new and an old PC.

15. Availability of wireless technologies (if necessary).

16. Warranty period for the motherboard.

17. Additional equipment (to buy more if something is missing).

• 1. Interaction between motherboard and processor
• 2. Socket selection
• 3. Bus frequency
• 4. Chipset
• 5. Manufacturers
• 6. “Gaming” or “non-gaming” board
• 7. Memory
• 8. Board Form Factor
• 9. Number of interfaces and connectors
• 10. CPU overclocking

The motherboard is the connecting link of all other computer devices, and therefore the question of how to choose the right motherboard is far from idle. The stability of the PC and its longevity depend on the choice of motherboard, and we don’t want to find ourselves in the situation of needing frequent, expensive selections and upgrades of hardware, do we?

In this material we will tell you what types of motherboards there are, what parameters you should pay attention to first of all, how to choose a motherboard so that it fits the processor, and so on. First of all, you should ask yourself the question: in which PC will the motherboard be located - office, gaming or mixed-purpose (home).

Interaction between motherboard and processor

First of all, we must decide on the architecture of our future PC, namely, decide whether we will build our entire system based on AMD or Intel.

Selecting a Socket

A socket is a type of connector in the motherboard that corresponds to the processor socket; it is this that divides all existing boards into two large categories:

• Sockets starting with AM, FM and S support AMD processors;
• Sockets starting with LGA support Intel processors.

Thus, we understand that the choice of motherboard and processor must occur simultaneously, and if you plan to use the motherboard for more than one processor generation, you will be forced to remain faithful to the previous choice of the processor manufacturer. It is also worth noting that the motherboard can be equipped with more than one socket (but of the same type), but such solutions are usually preferred for creating servers rather than PCs for personal use.

Bus frequency

At this point we are talking about the total throughput of the device; the higher the frequency, the greater the system performance, everything is obvious here. Let us remind you that the processor bus frequency must also match the motherboard bus frequency, otherwise you will waste your money. Select devices that will show the best performance when working in tandem.

Chipset

Everything is simple here, the chipset, also known as the north bridge, is a set of microcircuits contained on the motherboard and acting as a connecting link between connected devices. The most popular manufacturers include the above-mentioned AMD and Intel, as well as ATI and NVIDIA, famous for the production of video cards.

To the main modern Intel chipsets relate:

• B250/H270 – for office, multimedia and gaming PCs;
• Q270 – for the corporate sector;
• Z270 – for powerful gaming and professional PCs;
• X99/X299 – for very powerful professional PCs.

The main modern AMD chipsets include:

• A320 – for office and multimedia PCs;
• B350 – for gaming and professional PCs;
• X370 is for enthusiasts.

These chipsets have a lot of differences, but ultimately we are only interested in their intended purpose. If we select a motherboard for gaming computer, then we stop at the Z270 and B350, and so on. Selecting a motherboard knowing the final purpose of the computer being assembled will not be difficult even for a beginner.

Manufacturers

This point is important if you decide to choose a motherboard. The most expensive and most relevant in the high price segment are motherboards from ASUS. If we look through the prism of price/quality, especially if we are looking for a motherboard for gaming, then we should pay attention to the MSI brand. In the more customer-friendly segment, motherboards from Gigabyte and ASRock look good.

There are also less famous manufacturers on the motherboard market, and their names are legion, but there are no such fierce battles around motherboards as there are around processors or video cards, and therefore it is not worth overpaying solely for the name, especially since unsuccessful models are also found among market headliners. In any case, it is worth remembering that when asked how to choose a motherboard, the answer should not begin with the name of the manufacturer - it is secondary.

“Gaming” or “non-gaming” board

In fact, the motherboard is not responsible for performance in resource-intensive applications like demanding games, because this concept very ephemeral. If you insert four sticks of RAM into an expensive board and repeat this process with a cheaper one, the result will not change.

The only difference is the card’s potential when overclocking the processor; here it’s worth taking a careful look at the board’s power supply, its cooling, voltage stability during overclocking and other secondary characteristics. In general, a few words will be said about this in the conclusion.

Memory

The number of slots depends on the form factor of the motherboard, so don’t expect to fit more than two slots into a compact motherboard. Full-size motherboards can handle four slots, and sometimes more. Current memory type on this moment is DDR4, but they also differ in frequency. True, we do not recommend chasing beautiful numbers above 3000 MHz just yet, the price increase is exponential, but the performance increase is not so great

These are not all the characteristics that distinguish a good board from a weak one, but they will be enough to avoid getting into an unpleasant situation after the purchase.

Board Form Factor

The size of the board directly affects the size of your computer case, and, accordingly, the space it takes up, so there is no point in choosing the largest format - it will not necessarily be the most productive, but it will certainly be the most cumbersome.

Let's take a closer look at the available options:

E-ATX– size 305x330 mm. These boards are presented for the LGA 2011-3 connector and, as can be seen from the dimensions, can become a headache in terms of ergonomics. They are designed for top-end processors and are equipped with the most efficient cooling and power elements. If the space you occupy is not a headache for you, you can safely give them your preference.

Standard-ATX– 305x244mm. Perhaps the most widely represented format on the market, with it you will not have problems with compatibility with other devices, but, as before, the board is quite bulky and is not suitable for compact solutions.

Micro-ATX– 244x244 mm. The reduction in board height is achieved by reducing the PCI-e slots. If earlier this form factor was perceived as a budget analogue to larger boards, then with the development of electronics it became capable of implementing all the functionality of its older brothers.

Mini-iTX– 170×170 mm – an option for those who like to replace a standard computer case with something compact and stylized as a multimedia player.

Mini-STX– 140×140 mm. Memory modules from external laptops and external power supplies are already used here. You can experiment with building a PC based on this board, but most likely you will lose in performance and overpay.

Number of interfaces and connectors

Often, buyers choose a board based on the name of the manufacturer or the mythical term “gaming,” but when they come home they discover that they simply cannot connect this or that device to it. To prevent a similar incident from happening to you, we will try to briefly review all the external interfaces necessary for the motherboard.

First you need to decide how many USB outputs you will need on the rear panel to connect peripheral devices. You shouldn't chase the quantity, but a reasonable 4-6 ports should be present. It is advisable that a couple of them comply with the 3.0 standard, then you will not have any hassle connecting portable hard drives. The 3.1 format is slowly entering our lives - it would be nice to look beyond the event horizon and become concerned about its presence.

SATA is another necessary connector; high-speed SSDs work with this interface, since this connector is an integral part of any, even the most budget, motherboard.

Advice from own experience– be sure to take into account the presence of a built-in Wi-Fi adapter. There is already a router in almost every home and it is much easier to purchase a suitable board rather than go through the laborious process of laying a cable to your computer and spoil the appearance of the room.

If you are an audiophile and sound quality is important to you, pay attention to whether the integrated sound card supports 5.1 and 7.1 systems, or immediately ask to add a suitable discrete sound card to your motherboard.

PCI-express slots and their location are not so critical for gamers choosing one top-end card, but if you have other goals and want to use SLI/Crossfire technologies, then take a look at the number of ports and the comfort of their location - it will not be superfluous.

CPU overclocking

If your motherboard is the basis for overclocking the processor, then you need to immediately inquire about the previous experience of the owners of this board in order to achieve maximum results and increase performance as much as possible. If you are looking for an “overlocker” card, do not disdain reviews from reputable experts. If the same card shows decent performance in this difficult task over and over again, it is likely that it is the answer to your question of how to choose a motherboard for a computer.

I hope our article on the tricky issue of choosing a motherboard helped you, and you will never again become a victim of the cunning of sellers or your own ignorance of the issue. Be patient when analyzing the saturated motherboard market and good luck with your purchase.