Choosing the Best Motherboard
This article will help you choose the best motherboard for your gaming computer. The motherboard is one of the most important components in any computer, it can make or break a system.
We will look at the various factors you should take into account when choosing your gaming motherboard, to ensure that you choose the best motherboard for your needs.
If you think of the processor as the brain of a computer, then the motherboard could be described as the central nervous system, responsible for relaying information between all the internal components. In other words, it’s the hub of the computer, where all other components connect to. Since the motherboard is so crucial to your system, buying the best motherboard you can afford is a good investment.
Select Your CPU First
Before choosing your motherboard, you should have already chosen your CPU. If you haven’t already done so, see the
best cpu guide. A motherboard will generally only support one type of processor, such as a Pentium 4 or Athlon 64. Different CPUs have connectors that vary physically from one another. So you can’t accidentally plug in the wrong processor into the wrong motherboard.
Also, take note that many motherboards will only support up to a certain speed of a certain processor model. In this case, the maximum processor speed allowed would be quoted in the motherboard specifications. So, when buying the best motherboard for you, be sure to check whether it will support the speed of your CPU.
Check the CPU Socket Type
To be sure that your processor is compatible with a particular motherboard, you need to check the socket type. The socket type is basically the processor interface for your CPU. For example, if you have a Pentium 4 processor the socket type will usually be either Socket 423 or Socket 478. So you would check the motherboard to see whether it supports this type of socket.
What Memory and Drive Format?
The motherboard you choose will dictate the type and amount of RAM you can have. You will want to get either DDR SDRAM or RDRAM, and at least 1 Gig worth, for good gaming performance. So ensure your motherboard will support this type and amount of memory. Find the
best computer memory with this memory buying guide. Motherboards also have different types of connections for your hard drive. Common drive formats are ATA and SATA. For more information on selecting the right hard drive for you, see the
best hard drive guide.
PCI Slots and USB Ports
The PCI slots on a motherboard are there to accommodate add-on cards such as a sound card, Ethernet card, or modem. Make sure you have enough PCI slots for your needs. You should also consider the number of USB ports you need, and whether you need a Firewire port (used for video capturing and editing).
AGP or PCI Express Graphics Card?
When choosing the best motherboard for your needs, you need to think ahead and decide on what type of Graphics Card you will be using. Reason being, there are two different ways to connect a Graphics Card to a motherboard, through an AGP slot or a PCI Express slot. AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) has been the standard for a long time, but now the new PCI Express technology is slowly taking over the scene, as it is much faster than AGP. See the
gaming video card guide for more detailed information on this.
Built-in Video, Sound, or Networking
Some motherboards come with built-in video, sound, or networking capabilities. This can save you time and money because you won’t have to buy the separate cards for these functions. If you want decent quality graphics you will definitely need to avoid on-board video and get a separate graphics card. On-board video simply doesn’t cut it for the good 3D games. On the other hand, getting on-board sound is a much more appealing option. You can get decent quality sound with it, and most people won’t notice the difference between on-board sound and a separate sound card for basic audio functions such as listening to music and playing games. But, if you’re into producing music or you want the very best sound quality from your games, you will want to invest in a separate sound card. See the
best sound card guide for more information.
Plan to Upgrade
Choosing the best motherboard for your needs should also include you looking to the future. Will you want to upgrade in the near future? Make sure your motherboard will allow you to upgrade, whether it be more RAM, or a new graphics card. If you plan to upgrade your processor, be sure your motherboard will support a faster processor.
Conclusion
The motherboard is such a crucial component to your gaming computer. You should consider all the features that are important to you, and buy the best motherboard you can afford. Some well-known and trusted motherboard manufacturers are ASUS, ABIT, MSI, XFX, EVGA, Intel, and Gigabyte amongst others.
