If a CPU is the brain, a Motherboard is the heart of any PC. And while there are several first-timers who can get the CPU selection right, picking a motherboard is something I have seen many get wrong, more often than not.
From standard memory slots to productivity-enhancing expansion slots, the right motherboard has everything you need to get the final PC build right.
As a professional PC builder with 5+ years of experience and 100+ builds, I now know each and every important paramount to choosing the right Motherboard. So, in this guide, you’ll learn:
- Factors to consider when choosing
- What makes a motherboard ‘Good’
- Some pro tips from my experience
Contents
How To Choose a Motherboard for Your PC?
Here are some of the essential factors you must consider before going motherboard shopping:
1. Platform Selection
Before selecting a motherboard, it is important to get the right platform. Confused as to what a motherboard platform is?
Well, it is the combination of the chipset, CPU socket, and other parts relevant to the processor you plan on getting. Also, the CPU is only a small part of the motherboard platform, which can be either Intel or AMD.
When it comes to features, Intel is better for content creation and other productive tasks. What makes them effective is the single-threaded CPU performance.
Hence, the Intel platform makes a lot of sense if you want to set up a PC for rendering and video editing. Plus, you can access Optane memory support and Thunderbolt port access with these platforms.
Coming to AMD, you can consider getting one if you focus more on playing games. This means AMD platforms are better at handling complex gameplay mechanics and realistic physics.
Also, AMD easily handle multi-threaded tasks and are often less expansive than the Intel variants.
If you’re on a tight budget, AMD might make more sense. However, Intel is definitely better if you plan on using the setup’s rendering capabilities — something relevant to 3D modeling.
2. Form Factor
The layout and physical size of the motherboard are the deciding factors. The right size helps you choose the right type of PC case.
Also, the motherboard size determines the expansion slots you would eventually get. Hence, it is not wrong to state that the Motherboard form factor is often directly related to the purpose of your build.
Coming to the types, based on the form factor, there are quite a few options to choose from. You can go with the ATX form factor as the most common choice of motherboard. These variants measure 12-inch x 9.6-inch, boast the most ports and slots, and mostly cater to gamers and power users.
Next, the Micro-ATX motherboard variants measure 9.6 inches x 9.6 inches. They are affordable and meant for basic to mid-range workstations. Also, you can get a smaller computer case if you plan on using them.
And finally, there are Mini-ITX motherboards for compact and home-theater PC builds. Read my dedicated article comparing mini ITX, Micro ATX, and ATX for more details.
The focus should be on purpose and then the budget. For instance, if you are a gamer or a 3D artist, ATX motherboards make sense. Standard home-office and workstation PCs are better off with Micro-ATX versions, whereas basic home-use PCs can use the mini-ITX builds.
3. Socket Compatibility
Before buying a motherboard, it is necessary to check for socket compatibility. This means that the processor you want to use should be compatible with the socket housed by the motherboard.
The processor socket is the interface between the CPU and the motherboard for the unversed. Choosing the wrong socket means your processor will not work with the motherboard. Plus, you might even end up damaging the build.
As for socket compatibility, you must check if the processor-motherboard selection aligns with the following socket variants. These include LGA, PGA, TR4, AM4, SP3, G34, FCLGA, and the near obsolete BGA sockets.
Here is a table to help you understand the sockets, supported CPU variants, and real chipset examples:
LGA 1151 | Intel Core i3 to i7, Celeron, and Pentium | Intel B250, H370, Q370, Z390, and many more. |
---|---|---|
LGA 1200 | Intel Core i3-i9, Celeron, and Pentium | Intel B460, H410, W480, Z590, and more. |
LGA 2066 | Intel Core i7-i9 X-series | Intel X299 |
PGA 988 | Intel Core i3-i7 (only mobile variants) | Mobile Intel QM57, QS57, and more |
PGA 1151 | Intel Core 6th and 7th gen chipsets | Intel 100-200 series |
TR4 | AMD Ryzen Threadripper and Threadripper Pro | AMD X399 |
AM4 | AMD Ryzen, Ryzen Pro, Athlon, A-series, and FX series | AMD A320, X470M, and more |
SP3 | AMD Epyc and Ryzen Threadripper Pro | AMD WRX80, C621, and more |
G34 | AMD Opteron | AMD SR5690, SR5650, and more |
FCLGA | Intel Core X-series | Intel X299 |
BGA | Intel Core and Atom | Permanently attached CPUs |
Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list but a few socket examples with relevant chipsets.
4. Expansion Slots
A good set of expansion slots is what makes a good motherboard. These slots are meant to amplify the existing capabilities of your PC by offering adding features. If you are a video editor, a 3D modeling professional, or even a gamer, these slots might make a lot of sense to you.
Coming to the types, you can pick a motherboard with PCI or even PCI Express slots. While the former takes care of sound, video capture, and network cards, PCIe cards can be a handful for connecting high-bandwidth peripherals.
These include SSDs, graphics cards, and more. In case you are into specifics, there are motherboards with PCIe 1x, PCIe 4x, and PCIe 16x slots. More dated expansion slots like AGP and ISA also exist but aren’t usually found on the latest motherboards.
When it comes to narrowing down on motherboards based on expansion slots, your only focus should be on the purpose of the build. For instance, a PCIe x16 slot should immediately come to mind for a gaming motherboard as it can fit in a high-end GPU.
For video editing, you should focus more on the number of PCIe slots rather than the nature of the same. Your focus should also be on the compatibility and speed of the slots. For instance, if you want to pair an ultra-fast SSD with PCIe 4.0, you must get a compatible PCIe 4.0 loaded motherboard to use the SSDs capabilities best.
5. Power Delivery
It is important to select a motherboard with a strong power delivery system, as it determines the performance of other components and even the choice of PSU.
As you connect graphics cards and processors to the motherboard, the power delivery mechanism must be top-notch; that way, chipsets, and GPUs will keep getting power without any hindrance whatsoever.
If you prefer looking at the specifics, you might want to choose between an analog and a digital power delivery system. A digital delivery system is usually preferred as it offers more control.
And finally, if you have plans to build a high-end PC, the power delivery mechanism associated with the motherboard should be on your priority list. Also, if you have plans of overclocking the CPU over time, the power delivery system of the motherboard becomes all the more crucial.
6. RAM Compatibility
You must check if a motherboard can support the same amount of RAM. Do check for standard DDR4 slots with 288 pins to ensure RAM compatibility. It is also important to check for the number of RAM slots if upgradability is on your mind.
Coming to the choices, you can opt for dual-channel or even quad-channel motherboards, each with two or four slots for pairing RAM modules. The more complex your build gets, the more channels the selected motherboard must have.
TL;DR
- The choice of Motherboard is entirely on your purpose (first) and budget (second).
- The processor, RAM module, storage, and everything else are based on your motherboard choice.
- You can choose between ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards.
- Processor socket compatibility is an important consideration. The most common motherboard sockets are LGA, TR4, AM4, and PGA.
- Check for the RAM slots, storage slots, USB slots, and power delivery systems. These include checking for M.2, SATA, DDR4, and other relevant slots.
- MSI, ASRock, Gigabyte, and ASUS are the top motherboard brands.
- Expansion slots like PCI and PCIe are necessary.
Pro Tips
While I discussed what to look for in a motherboard, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Type of storage slots in play. It is advisable to see if both M.2 and SATA slots are in play. Also, check for RAID configuration, allowing you to pair in multiple storage drives.
- Check for all the functional ports, including USB, DisplayPort, and HDMI. Having these will cover your basic PC needs at all times.
- Check if the motherboard has high-end audio components if you are into sound engineering, gaming, or streaming. These include audio amplifiers and even top-of-the-line audio capacitors.
- Always opt for a motherboard that has an interactive BIOS.
- And finally, if you are a brand person, take a pick after considering the likes of Gigabyte, ASRock, MSI, and ASUS.
Here is a quick brand-specific checklist to help you make an informed decision:
- MSI: Key strengths include overclocking support and built-in wireless connectivity. They are quite durable and also make room for RGB lighting. Example: MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge Wi-Fi.
- ASRock: They make the best budget-friendly motherboards and are known for their ease of usage. Example: ASRock B450M Steel Legend.
- Gigabyte: They offer excellent value for money, Type-C support, Thunderbolt 4 compatibility, and extreme durability. Example: Gigabyte Z590 AORUS Master.
- ASUS: Best suited for gamers and highly stable. Example: ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding motherboard types, the options include ATX, Mini-ATX, and Micro-ATX. There is also an E-ATX variant, measuring 12 inches x 13 inches, which is suitable for massive workstations and desktops.
Yes, motherboards usually come with screws. Apart from screws, they also come with SATA cables, M.2 screws, an I/O shield, and even a Wi-Fi antenna in some cases. And while standoffs or plastic pillars for avoiding short circuits usually come with computer cases, some motherboard manufacturers also offer them as a bundle.
A motherboard works as a standard MCB for every other PC part — CPU, a storage module, RAM, GPU, and adapters. The motherboard even connects to the PSU and delivers power to some or all of these components, helping the run as desired.
Yes, the motherboard matters, as without it, you will not have any slot to insert the processor, RAM, and even the storage drive (s). The motherboard fits into the PC case and offers the base layer for all your PC installations.
You should focus on getting the right CPU, preferably from AMD, an adequate number of RAM slots, M.2 and RAID-compatible storage slots, several expansion slots, and space for a high-speed network adapter.
If you can locate a CMOS RAM on the motherboard, expect it to store insights relevant to the motherboard BIOS, data/time, and the PC configuration details.
You should decide on the purpose and budget. Once done, you can go into the specifics like the processor socket compatibility, power delivery, form factor, number of expansion slots, and other factors to zero in on the right option.
Yes, once you install a new motherboard and even a new processor, you are better off installing the Windows 10 OS all over again. The reason here is the change in the overall hardware configuration, which might make the OS on the storage drive unstable. Plus, you might need different drivers.
Conclusion
Overall, selecting the right motherboard is beyond crucial. It is the part that determines your machine’s stability, upgradability, and performance.
And while the information covered in the previous sections should set your motherboard purchases straight, you should go about picking the RAM and storage modules next, assuming that you have already zeroed in on the processor, while checking for the motherboard.
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