How To Select The Best Motherboard

In order to get the best motherboard you can, it is important to consider what you need in a computer. If the CPU is the brains of the computer, then you can consider the motherboard to be the nervous system. It is the main connection point for all other components in the system. There are a few things that you should take into consideration when selecting the best motherboard for your computer...

 

• CPU – The Processor
• The Motherboard's Socket
• Chipset
• Bus Speed
• System Memory
• Peripherals – i.e. Mouse, Printer etc…

 

Check out a Motherboard diagram...

 

Select Your CPU

The first thing to consider when selecting the best motherboard for your computer is which CPU you will be using. Intel and AMD CPU’s both require different motherboards. This is because of the socket type that each CPU uses.

You also need to keep in mind the processor speed. You will have to make sure that your motherboard supports the CPU you have selected. When you purchase a motherboard make sure you take note which processors the motherboard supports.

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Sockets

There are quite a few different socket types that are in use today and it can get somewhat confusing. I have outlined which sockets go with which CPU. It is important that you match up your motherboard with the correct CPU.

It used to be that all processors had the same number of pins and would fit nicely into the motherboard's socket. As CPU’s advance however, they need more and more pins, both for new features, and to provide more power to the CPU. The latest processors are getting away from pins on the CPU, and are putting them on the socket itself. This allows for easier installation – simply place the CPU on the pins in the right orientation, lock it down, and you’re good to go.

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The socket allows the CPU to communicate with other components of the motherboard through the…

Chipsets

The chipset is what controls all the communication between the CPU, the computer’s memory, and the local bus (Not the big yellow kind). A fast chipset is what allows efficient data transfers, and advanced power management features. It’s not something you want to skimp on, but here again, a lot is driven by the CPU you select.

The chipset consists of 2 major parts. The northbridge and the southbridge.

The northbridge connects to the processor through what is called the Front Side Bus (FSB). This allows the CPU to communicate with the system RAM, AGP slot (for older graphics cards) and the PCI-E slot for newer graphics cards. The northbridge also allows the CPU to communicate with the southbridge.

The southbridge, being that it is further from the CPU then the northbridge, is slower. It handles communications to components such the USB ports, the SATA connections, and the PCI slots.

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Bus Speed

The bus is simply a circuit that connects one part of the motherboard to another. Bus speed is measured in MHz, and it determines the speed at which the components communicate, and how much data can move across the bus.

The one we are concerned with here is the Front Side Bus. It is the circuit that connects the CPU to the northbridge.

FSB speeds currently range from 166 to 1666 MHz. The higher the better, but also the more expensive your motherboard will be. This is an important part of selecting the best motherboard for your computer, as the FSB will affect the computer's performance. The faster the bus speed, the faster your computer will operate, to a point. Keep in mind that generally, the computer will operate at the speed of the slowest component.

Memory

I have a whole section devoted to memory, but wanted to touch on it briefly, as it will affect your motherboard decision. You should decide how much memory you want in your system. Keep in mind that the 32 bit versions of Windows XP and Vista can only handle 4GB of memory. The 64 bit versions however, can technically handle up to 16 Exabytes of RAM (that’s 1000000000GB), but motherboards usually will restrict to 32GB.

For most of today's computers, 2GB of RAM will be plenty unless you are a gamer, or work a lot with video and graphics editing. When selecting the best motherboard for your computer, keep in mind that all motherboards today will come with at least 2 memory slots, most with 4. If you are going to use more than 2GB of RAM, then you want to make sure you have 4 slots on the board you select.

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Peripherals

The number and type of peripherals that you need to connect to your PC should also be taken into account. Most peripherals today connect through USB ports, and they can add up quickly. Once you hook in your Keyboard, Mouse, and Printer, you have already used up 3 of the USB slots.

Most motherboards will come with at least 4 USB slots on the back panel and will usually have at least 2 more that will connect to the USB ports on the computer case. If you are adding different cards to your computer, such as a sound card, graphics card, or wireless network card, make sure you have enough PCI slots onboard. When selecting the best motherboard for your computer, keep in mind other items that will connect to your computer such as...

• digital camera
• flash drive
• external drive

Detailed Information on Back Panel Connections

 

Motherboard Recommendations

Here are my recommendations of the best motherboard for your computer.

 

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Motherboard Odds And Ends

These are things that you will not take into account when selecting the best motherboard for your computer, but are still important to know.

BIOS

The BIOS is what allows your computer to boot up. It starts up the process by initiating communications with the different components. Before you start building, you should read the detailed BIOS information, but for now, just be aware that the BIOS comes preloaded on the motherboard.

Learn More About Computer BIOS...

 

Battery

This little battery looks a lot like a large watch battery. It provides a tiny bit of power to the CMOS so that the BIOS settings are not lost.

You’ll know it's time to change the battery when you notice that your computer is not keeping the correct time anymore. These batteries usually last 3 to 5 years or so. They are inexpensive and easy to change, so don't worry about it until you need one.

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