How To Pick The Right Motherboard For Your PC | 2021 Buying Guide
How To Pick The Right Motherboard For Your PC? A motherboard is the crucial part of your PC. It determines many of the components that you will be able to use in your system. If you plan to build your PC, the motherboard you choose will serve as the foundation. Therefore you should pick it wisely.
There are many online motherboard comparison tools available which you can use to compare the features of the motherboards. Some motherboard comparison tools even support up to five motherboards for comparison. So if you have already done some research but confused between few motherboards, you can take advantage of those Motherboard Comparison Tools.
In this article, we have broken down the motherboard selection process into a few easy steps. First, we will start with the motherboard basics, and then we will break it down component by component so that you can understand the importance of each component and Pick The Right Motherboard For You.
What is a Motherboard?
A motherboard is the main component of a computer, often referred to as the Mainboard or Mobo for short. It is a large circuit board that fits into the computer case. It holds and allows communication between many of the crucial electronic components of the computer. So, for example, there is a CPU socket. The CPU socket is a place on the motherboard where the CPU or Central Processing Unit is mounted. Next, there are the memory slots, and this is where the primary memory (RAM) modules are inserted.
There are also bus slots or expansion slots, and these are used to install various components on the motherboard. They add more capabilities to the computer, such as a video card, sound card, network card, and so on. Then there are also the SATA connectors. SATA connectors are used to attach your storage devices, such as SSDs or hard drives.
We have understood the basics of the motherboard. Now let’s break down it component by component so that you can understand each component and eventually Pick A Perfect Motherboard For You.
Processors
Performance and budget are the two main factors that come into the picture while choosing the perfect motherboard. The performance of the computer mostly depends on the Processor. Therefore we always advise you to select a CPU first and then the motherboard. Here are a few things about processors that you will need to keep in mind while purchasing the perfect CPU for your PC.
Intel or AMD, which is better?
The first decision you will need to make when choosing a motherboard is deciding whether you want to go with Intel or AMD for your CPU. Both the brands offer processor options across a wide variety of different price points and performance levels.
Once you decide which CPU family is best for you, you will need to pick a motherboard with the right socket.
Processor Socket Type
A processor socket is a mechanism through which the CPU is attached to the motherboard. Unfortunately, not every Intel motherboard ever made will work with every Intel CPU on the market. The same is applicable for AMD motherboards and CPUs. Therefore, you will need to pick a motherboard with a compatible socket for the CPU you have or want to purchase.
The most common socket you will need to know is LGA 1200 for modern Intel CPUs and AM4 for AMD CPUs.
RAM
Computer RAM (Memory) is one of the most important components in determining your system’s performance. Therefore, you will need to consider all the below-mentioned things while purchasing the memory modules to get maximum performance from your computer.
How many RAM slots do you need?
Today PCs are commonly equipped with at least 4GB of RAM. How much RAM you need for your PC depends on how you plan to use it. 8GB is typically a safe recommendation for most light users, with 16 or more GB is a good bet for heavier users.
RAM plugs into a motherboard via a rectangular DIMM ( Dual Inline Memory Module) slot. The number of DIMM ( Dual Inline Memory Module) slots in a motherboard determines how much RAM you can add, and it most commonly varies from two to eight slots.
You can add one RAM module at a time, but you will get the best performance when installing RAM in matched pairs. RAM is usually purchased in kits of two or four DIMMs. For example, if you were looking to equip your PC with 16GBs of RAM, you would typically buy a kit with two 8GB DIMMs.
RAM generation
When choosing RAM, you will see terms like DDR3 and DDR4 that indicate its generation and speed numbers like 3000, 3200, and 3600. Refer to the table below to compare the different DDR generations.
Your motherboard will support a wide range of RAM types but make sure you compare your motherboard with your RAM to ensure compatibility.
Graphics Card
Now let’s discuss Graphics Cards. Though some CPUs can output basic graphics on their own, if you want to do anything fancy like gaming, you will need a dedicated graphics card that you will connect to your motherboards PCIe slot.
Most modern motherboards and graphics cards will work together as long as you have an available PCIe slot. So your GPU selection is not as important to your motherboard choice as some other factors.
The main considerations here will be whether you are buying an especially heavy and powerful GPU. In that case, you might want to look for motherboards with reinforced PCIe slots to handle the weight. Or if you are planning to run multiple graphics cards together, which will require you to pick a board that allows for that.
Motherboard Expansion Slots
What is PCIe?
PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express.A typical full-size ATX motherboard can contain many PCIe lanes of different sizes and different speeds on each one.
What are the different sizes of PCIe expansion slots?
On the board itself, they usually come labeled somewhere near each lane, saying whether it is PCIe x1, PCIe x2, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or PCIe x16. More modern boards usually only contain PCIe x1 or PCIe x16.
The PCIe x1 slot is the smallest one which is typically used for smaller cards like USB or Wi-Fi. The PCIe x16 will be typically the longest side one. Usually, the PCIe x16 will also have little clips to help secure whatever card you have in place. Typically PCIe x16 is meant for your graphics card.
The PCIe x8 slot is very similar to the older generation PCI slot (not PCIe slots). But what do these numbers mean in the sizes of PCIe expansion slots? These are the number of lanes available for each slot. To transfer data, each lane will allow up to one bit of data per cycle.
Generations of PCIe Expansion Slots
Now let’s move on to the Generations of PCIe Expansion Slots. Since a slot can be any of the previous sizes, it also has different generational speeds from PCIe 1.0, PCIe 2.0, PCIe 3.0, PCIe 4.0, and PCIe 5.0. The PCIe 5.0 not even out on consumer boards yet.
You can probably expect the higher the generation or the higher slot capacity means, the faster the speeds. So here is a full theoretical bandwidth of each version and slot combination.
So as you see here, a standard PCIe 1.0 gen on an x4 lane can do 1 GB/Sec, but if you go to a PCIe 2.0 on the same x4 lane, you can do 2 GB/Sec. Then going all the way to PCIe 4.0, even the x1 slot gives you 2 GB/Sec than the x4 slot of the gen 1.
PCIe 4.0 has become the standard version of the connection. Talking about PCIe 5.0, AMD will support DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 in their upcoming Zen 4 microarchitecture in 2022, whereas Intel can start supporting DDR5 in 2021 itself.
PCIe Lanes
The motherboard will have to support the lanes you need physically but may have more lanes available than you can use. So, for example, if you look up a processor, check how many PCIe lanes it supports.
You will see here the Ryzen 9 3950X supports 24 PCIe lanes, whereas the Intel Core i9–9920X supports 44 PCIe lanes. Some chips can support as little as 16 PCIe lanes, typically how much you use for one graphics card, and others can support up to 64 or higher lanes.
How many PCIe lanes do you need?
Most PCI components don’t require that many lanes. Something like a USB expansion card or Wi-Fi card will only need x1 (one lane), and NVMe SSD can use up to x4, and graphics cards will be by far the heaviest users with a full x16 slot required.
Another cool thing is that even if you have a PCIe x1, PCIe x4, or PCIe x8 card, they can all be placed into a PCIe x16 slot.
SATA connector
There are also the SATA connectors, and this is where you would attach your storage devices, such as SSDs or hard drives.
Motherboards will have several of these connectors so that you can attach multiple storage drives. On some modern motherboards, you might find the M.2 slot. It is a newer slot for attaching an M.2 solid-state drive.
Your PC components will all connect to your motherboard in one way or another, most often through the PCIe or SATA interfaces.
When paying attention to connectivity options on your motherboard, you will want to make sure there are enough slots and ports for the components you want in your build.
Storage
Every PC needs somewhere to store its data, which will come in the form of a traditional hard drive or an SSD. The most common way to connect a storage drive today is through the SATA 3 connection, and that will be supported by just about any motherboard you can buy.
On the cutting edge of storage technology, you will find NVMe SSDs. It is a newer protocol that offers increased bandwidth, lower power use, lower latency, and other advantages.
NVMe SSDs come in two form factors: Cards that plug into PCIe slots and compact versions that plug into M.2 connections. If you are considering an NVMe drive, check to make sure your motherboard will support it.
I/O Panel
For most people, the number of USB ports will be the most relevant here. The high-end motherboards that are more focused on gaming and content creation, generally have more port options.
Audiophiles might want to pay special attention to any extra audio connections the board supports too. Always ensure that your motherboard has all the ports you need.
Motherboard Form Factor
What is the motherboard form factor?
Motherboards come in various shapes and sizes, and this is known as a form factor. In addition to its dimensions, the form factor includes the type of power supply, and the power connectors, the rear I/O panel, the mounting holes, and so on.
They come in different sizes, meaning that you can build your PC to fit into your environment. For example, if you have plenty of space, you might want to use a full-sized tower case, but if you are building a home theatre PC meant to sit beneath your living room TV, you will likely want to use a much smaller case and motherboard.
So basically, a form factor is a standard in computers that manufacturers follow to make sure that their parts are compatible with a motherboard.
Types of Motherboard Form Factors
There are many form factors of the motherboard, but most modern motherboards come in three sizes: ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX.
ATX
It is the most common form factor that is used in PCs today. ATX stands for Advanced Technology Extended. It is a non-proprietary industry specification that was created by Intel back in 1995.
ATX motherboards are 12 x 9.6 inches, and they will have either a 20 or in modern motherboards, a 24 pin power connector, and they will also have several expansion slots.
Micro ATX
It is Another version of the ATX motherboard. As its name suggests, Micro ATX motherboards are smaller than ATX boards. So it is a square design compared to the standard rectangular design of the ATX.
Micro ATX boards are 9.6 x 9.6 inches. So from top to bottom, it is about two and a half inches shorter than the standard ATX. And because it is shorter, it will have fewer expansion slots.
Micro ATX boards are cheaper than ATX boards, and they were designed to fit in smaller computer cases. And like the ATX, they will also have a 24 pin power connector.
Mini ITX
These boards are smaller than the micro ATX. The ITX form factor came out in 2001, starting with the mini ITX motherboards.
Mini ITX was designed for the ever-increasing demand for smaller space-saving computers. The ITX standard consumes less power, and because it uses less power, some versions were often cooled only by the use of heat sinks and not with fans.
VIA Technologies developed ITX, and they come in different sizes. The mini ITX is 6.7 x 6.7 inches. So it is about half the length of an ATX board, and because it is so short, it is only going to have one expansion slot, compared to ATX and micro ATX. It will only have two memory slots, where the ATX and micro ATX will have at least 4.
The mini ITX will fit into the same computer case meant for the ATX and micro ATX. And this is because all three of these boards, the mounting holes, their rear input/output panels, and their expansion slots, all line up the same.
Broadly the larger the physical size of the motherboard, the more components it will support. You can use the size of your planned PC and the components you want to install as guides to choose your motherboard form factor.
Not all motherboard cases support all form factors. Therefore, always check the product pages for both your case and your motherboard to make sure they are compatible.
Conclusion
Rounding out your motherboard selection process, you will want to think about what extra features you would like on your motherboard and how much of a premium you are willing to pay for those features.
Many modern motherboards support customizable RGB lighting, and some are specially designed to be more liquid cooling friendly. In addition, some have built-in Wi-Fi, while others have special cooling features that make them better suited for gaming and overclocking.
Motherboard product pages will give you a rundown of the notable features. So once you have determined the core of what you need in terms of compatibility with the rest of your build plans, you can let these extras, along with your price range and preferred manufacture, make your final decision.
As you decide on the right motherboard for you, you will want to make sure that it meets your needs for both today and tomorrow. For example, suppose you know that you will never want to upgrade your PC beyond its original configuration. In that case, you can choose a motherboard that provides exactly what you need to get up and running, but if you think you might want to expand your PC later, then you will want to make sure your motherboard will support your needs as they grow.
I hope this article has helped you to Pick The Right Motherboard For Your PC. If you still have any questions about this Motherboard Buying Guide 2021, let me know in the comment section.
Kevin Hendry
Originally published at https://motherboardmag.com on May 16, 2021.
