It is important to approach the choice of the motherboard with all responsibility, since it is one of the main elements connecting the components of the computer. Even the mouse and keyboard are connected to the motherboard connectors, not to mention the organization of communication with the main components of the PC. The motherboard must be compatible with the processor, so you should choose them either together, or select one of the devices for the other. In addition, it will not be superfluous to take care of a further upgrade in advance if it is planned in the future. Often, the assembly of a computer begins with the purchase of a processor and a video card. In this case, the motherboard is selected appropriate, for example, when you purchase an Intel CPU with the K index, that is, for overclocking, the motherboard chipset must have an Z index that supports this feature. Certain boards are suitable for each processor model, and it's not just the manufacturer and socket. There are exceptions when, with a suitable connector, device interaction is not provided. When buying a motherboard, a lot of parameters are decisive, including sockets (a socket for the processor that determines which model can be installed), chipsets, form factor (dimensions also matter), interfaces (number and type of connectors), memory slots and others the nuances. , which are the main component of the motherboard, in what their functions are expressed, and also which chipset is better to choose in this or that case. This element of the motherboard can also be purchased separately, if circumstances so require.
The right choice of motherboard chipset in 20148.
The chipset of the PC or laptop motherboard is a chipset, its purpose is to ensure the smooth operation of all components, including the processor, video card, hard drives, memory cards and other peripheral devices. In the motherboard’s architecture in its classic design, there are a south and north bridge (relevant for AMD platforms, Intel integrated the lion's share of the north bridge functions in the CPU), slots for installing the RAM (DDR4, DDR3). The north bridge connects the processor with a graphics adapter, a memory card and a south bridge; the functioning parameters of the system bus, operative and video controller also depend on it. Despite the fact that in a modern assembly, computer performance does not depend on the chipset, since the north bridge has migrated to processors to increase the speed of data exchange and reliability, the role of the south bridge should also not be underestimated. The functionality of the motherboard depends on it, thanks to it, communication with the periphery is provided.
Often, a cooling chip is placed in the appendage to the north bridge, since overload can cause it to overheat. The south bridge fails for other reasons, for example, a shorted USB port, contact with a faulty drive, etc. It is not necessary to change the entire board. If the motherboard is from a number of top-end ones, it makes sense to change only the chipset, with budget options, such actions are inappropriate. The main manufacturers of chipsets are Intel and AMD, familiar to everyone on processors. They account for the largest market share. NVidea, more familiar with its video cards, was also involved in the production, the role of other manufacturers is not so significant.
How to choose a chipset
The main condition for a successful acquisition is the complete compatibility of the components, therefore, when deciding on which chipset to select the motherboard, you need to consider the processor model that is installed or planned for installation. Initially, having decided on the platform, Intel or AMD, we proceed to the choice of CPU. Since the processor and the motherboard go in close interconnection, we select them simultaneously or under each other. The question is which manufacturer is better, in this case is incorrect, therefore, there will be no answer to it, we will consider the chipsets of both AMD and Intel. Both corporations produce quality products and have long established themselves in the market.
In cases where the CPU is already available, the range of options narrows. If the choice is most often predetermined with the platform, then you will have to carefully read the remaining parameters of the board to ensure that the acquisition meets the requirements. So, the cost of a top model does not make any sense if the computer is used in the office or at home with minimal use of resources, so first of all it is worth deciding what tasks the board is selected for, the same applies to the processor or other components involved in the assembly. It is not good if a device with great potential does not use even half of its capabilities, and you need to take into account the material side of the issue, because you have to pay for power and additional functionality. Since all the elements go together, they must be in harmony for better joint functioning.
Top motherboards are built on the Z chipset, but this does not mean at all that you need to chase devices from the first lines of the rating. After all, the compatibility of the elements and the expediency of the purchase are more important. You can determine which chipset of the motherboard will be better by looking at the processor parameters, a decisive factor is also a clear idea of \u200b\u200bwhat tasks the computer is used for. Having marked the goals, we begin the selection. In general terms, it looks like this:
- For an office or home computer (provided that it is not a gamer’s computer), a budget assembly is suitable, because it is simply unnecessary to equip the device with high-power components. The board that interacts with the CPU with an integrated graphics core is quite suitable for working in conjunction with the same processor. For a budget assembly, the H110 or H310 chipset is the best choice. You should not expect much functionality from motherboards on chipsets of this level, but this does not at all mean that they are bad;
- If a user works with graphics more seriously, for example, uses graphic applications, plays games with average system requirements, an additional video card is purchased, then there is no need for a graphics chipset, it only needs to support the functioning of the installed video adapter. Motherboards based on the B 150, B 250 chipsets are suitable for an average power assembly.
The assortment of boards on mid-level chip sets is quite wide. Here you can find models with decent equipment both among representatives of Intel and AMD;
- For a powerful computer, which is professionally working with graphics, demanding programs, heavy games are launched, a high-performance processor is selected, as well as an appropriate board that also supports several video cards. The Z 270 or Z 170 chipsets are ideal for overclocking an operative processor. For some boards on the Z170 there is a modified BIOS, due to which it is possible to overclock processors that do not have the K index on the bus (relevant for Skylake 6th generation). Overclockers will find a suitable motherboard model for themselves among the assortment of motherboards with older chipsets. Such motherboards have the best equipment, so finding a copy with an integrated Wi-fi or Bluetooth module (if necessary) or other additional goodies in this category of models is not difficult. By the way, if the board and the processor do not support overclocking, this does not mean that a computer with such equipment will not be a gaming one. For a gaming computer on Intel chipsets Z370, H370, B360 are suitable.
Top Intel and AMD Motherboard Chipsets
As mentioned above, the concept of "the best chipset" is very arbitrary. The best choice will always be the most suitable option for a particular assembly. Nevertheless, Intel assigned chipsets for motherboards with the Z index at the top of the food chain, as a rule (although not always), equipped with great functionality, so they will be headed by the rating.
Intel Chipsets
In addition to letter marking, the chipsets are divided into series (the 300th, 200th, 100th series are relevant today). 300th adapted for the eighth generation of processors, 200th suitable for the seventh and sixth, 100th - for Intel Core, Pentium and Celeron. Z, H, B, Q indices indicate the categories of chipsets (Z - gaming with overclocking, H - functional mainstream chipsets, B - for office or home, Q - for business).
300
We’ll start the list of Intel chipsets from the top. Motherboards equipped with precisely these chipsets shine today in ratings.
- Z370 / 390. The difference between the chipsets is not so great. The Z370 chipset is a pioneer in the series, one of the best, but despite the possibility of overclocking, there is no functionality inherent in subsequent instances of the 300th (to compare the same H370 with the new USB1 Gen 2 and wireless network support). The new Z390 is a slightly more modernized analogue of the Z370 with the same PCI-Express and USB-drive configurations, but with the addition of USB 3.1 Gen 2 and Intel Wireless-AC MAC;
- Q As with Z-chipsets, the use of several video cards is supported, but there is no possibility of overclocking. It is adapted to business needs, so you can’t count on the assortment of motherboards with its participation;
- The H370, which is located a step below, is very similar to its brother Z370, and although it does not have overclocking capabilities, the PCI-Express and USB channels are slightly smaller, the H370 is superior to USB1 Gen 2 and supports Wi-fi and Bluetooth 5.0. If the mainland is not purchased for overclocking purposes, then this chipset should be paid attention to when assembling a productive computer;
- B360 is not such a sophisticated chipset as the one discussed above, but it is not as limited in functionality as the H310, it has a dual-channel memory controller, USB1 Gen 2, supports bus version 3.0, and also allows you to use a graphics core integrated into modern Intel processors;
- H310 is a budget version of the series with a minimum set of functions for undemanding users. The chipset does not support the PCI-Express bus version 3.0, like the other representatives of the series, there is a second one with lower bandwidth. The situation is exactly the same with the DMI version, the memory controller is single-channel, and in general many possibilities are cut down.
100 and 200
A strong difference between the series can not be traced, although the 200th and more modernized.
- X299 is worth special attention, it is designed for the line of high-performance CPUs Kaby Lake-X and Skylake-X without integrated graphics and supports overclocking;
- Z170 / 270. Like other Z-index carriers, the chipsets are ideal for overclocking processors and are equipped with good functionality;
- H170 / 270. With boards equipped with H chips, the user has much more options than using B, while there is no overclocking on such motherboards;
- B150 / 250 is the middle ground between the budget option and the gaming one. The motherboards on these chipsets are installed at an average power assembly sufficient to perform various everyday tasks on a PC;
- H110 has limited functionality, and is great for budget builds, because acquiring an expensive motherboard with many features is unreasonable, for example, in the case of office work, etc.
Chipsets with the Q index are not too different from H, while they have a certain set of corporate goodies. In all Intel series, a certain structure can be traced, ranking the models taking into account their inherent twists. The announced X399 chipset (the name echoes the AMD model for the Ryzen Theadripper CPU) may soon become the cherry on the Intel cake.
AMD Chipsets
The company offers two options for the configuration of chipsets - chipsets, where the south and north bridges coexist in one set and exist separately from each other. The combined variations are oriented for processors with new AM4 and TR4 sockets, a separate configuration is used for earlier sockets.
TR4 processors
Under the powerful AMD Ryzen Theadripper CPUs, the company released the X399 chipset. A significant proportion of the controllers now migrated to the processor, which allowed to increase performance and reliability (it is no secret that the processor cools better). The equipment includes 4-channel RAM, connecting devices via NVMe and other utilities. Overclocking is supported.
AM4 processors
The chipsets for AM4 also have a combined version, and the lion's share of the controllers moved to the processor, only the peripherals remained for the chipset.
- X470 - a new top-end chipset, which is a more modernized version of the X370. The chipset is perfect for gamers, overclockers. Among the features are overclocking, support for multiple video cards, booting from NVMe RAID, etc. In addition, the X470 supports AMD StoreMI technology, which allows you to combine hard drives into one volume and move frequently used files to SSDs automatically .;
- The B350 is a more modest representative of the chipsets for the motherboards of gaming computers, while also providing the ability to overclock and work with multiple video cards;
- The A320 is an option for "workhorses" operating with one video adapter. Overclocking is not supported in this case, but the capabilities of the chipset are quite enough to solve pressing problems.
For motherboards of a small form factor, X300 chipsets (an analog of the gaming X370) and A300 (an analog of the A320) are produced. The difference is the reduced support for connection interfaces.
AM3 + processors
Chipsets for AM3 + sockets are available in the "north and south bridge" configuration.
- The 990FX and 990X chips are designed for gaming platforms, support overclocking and OverDrive control, no integrated graphics. 990FX supports 4 video cards, 990X - two;
- With similar characteristics, there is also an AMD 970 chipset, but it supports one video adapter;
- The 980G with integrated graphics is ideal for office and low-power home PCs without a connected graphics card. It will be possible to play in not too demanding games, if the processor power allows, one slot for a video card is available.
FM2 + processors
Chipsets for FM2 + and similar sockets are suitable for work in conjunction with hybrid processors A-series and Athlon.
- A88X provide overclocking capabilities, support the connection of two video cards, RAID functionality (it is advisable to use it with AMD A8 - A6);
- A78 also has an arsenal for overclocking, supports one video adapter (it is better to use the A6 - A4 rulers on the CPU);
- A58 and more advanced brother A68H. Both chipsets support dual graphics (increasing the performance of the graphics system is achieved through the use of hybrid processors in conjunction with some graphics adapters from AMD).
Summary
Considering the modern market, it should be taken into account that Intel processors of the Coffee Lake generation are only compatible with the new 300 chips and the LGA1151v2 socket, while the new AMD processors, including the second generation Ryzen, are compatible with AM4. Chipsets from Intel, labeled Z or X, allow you to overclock the car, while others do not, even with a processor with a free multiplier, suggesting similar manipulations with its frequency. With AMD, overclocking can be performed on the motherboard with the chipset X or B.
When the basis is completely different goals and the waste of money is not justified or the crucial role is played by a very limited budget for the assembly, you can get by and not particularly outstanding motherboards. By the way, among them you can find interesting specimens with a good set of interfaces and connectors.
Hello dear readers, today I will help you choose the most important part in the computer. We will choose the motherboard, and everyone will choose the best for himself.
How to choose a motherboard for your computer
Once I wrote an article about it recently, but I wrote its first iron in the rubric for my own reasons. Now I want to correct myself and write about one of the important details - motherboard.
There are a large number of motherboard manufacturers, the main ones are Asus and Gigabyte. For me, let’s say Asus is better, because in my practice there were fewer problems with them. So how to choose the best?
How to choose a motherboard
Now we will see how they differ and everyone will choose for themselves best motherboard.
First of all, you need to decide for what purpose your computer, gaming or office.
If you use a computer for games, then you should take a motherboard with support for modern connectors. For games, it is better to put two video cards of the same manufacturers, this will give a big performance boost. And also so that there are more than 2 slots for RAM. And in general, you need to take a full-length one, because in most cases, the channel width is the most, it is a pity that many do not understand this and do not pay attention to the motherboard. After all, having put all the cool parts, they will not work completely, on the saved motherboard. At the moment, I would recommend Asus z-87 pro! I took the z87-a and regretted saving 1t ...
If you need a computer for the office, then you can save on a video card, take a motherboard with an integrated video card (modern motherboards have a powerful (relatively) integrated video) and focus on the processor and RAM for comfortable operation, as well as put it on.
Now we’ll get a little farther away from the topic and consider what the motherboard consists of, so that it is better to assimilate the material and that you come to the store as an advanced user 🙂
1. A socket for connecting a CPU (processor).
- This is where the processor is installed.
2. Chipset Southbridge.
- Serves for connecting and controlling RAM and a video card. Connection in the form of a bridge. The better the chipset, the more expensive the motherboard.
3. Northbridge chipset.
- Serves for connecting and controlling Ethernet, audio, hard disk, PCI bus, PCI-Express and USB.
4. RAM slot. Channel 1
- RAM is responsible for the temporary storage of data, the larger the amount of RAM, the faster the information will reach the processor.
5. RAM slot. Channel 2
6. RAM slot. Channel 3
7. Serial ATA connector.
The SATA connector is usually hard drives and CD-DVD-ROMs.
8. PCI-Express connection slot.
The most popular devices are network card and. And just about anything with a PCI-Express slot.
9. PCI slot.
Usually a video card is connected.
10. Power Connector - 24-pin ATX Power.
11. Power Connector - 8-pin ATX-12v Power.
12. Connecting audio to the front panel.
13. Floppy connection socket.
14. USB connector for the front panel or optional equipment, such as a card reader.
15. Connector for connecting the front panel buttons (power, reset, HDD loading indicator).
On the motherboard, there are other microcircuits responsible for a certain job, but this is already in-depth knowledge, they will not be useful to you.
What to look for when choosing a motherboard?
Now in more detail, what you should pay attention to choosing motherboard.
1. The chipset. As you can see in the figure there is a north and a south. The better it is, the more expensive the motherboard. On some motherboards, the northern chipset and FSB are not installed.
To choose a chipset, it is better to look at the latest changes on the official websites of AMD and Intel. For example, Intel Z77.
Also vary support for ATI Crossfire and NVIDIA SLI.
If SLI then the video card must support SLI, if Crossfire then, accordingly, there must be support for Crossfire.
2. Socket. Socket for installing the processor. On the motherboard is usually written, for example LGA1155. For the processor to come up, you need to know which socket your processor is suitable for.
Size 3. Or a form factor. The larger the size, the more connectors there will be on the motherboard.
and its capabilities. Now the form factor is mainly ATX, LX, WTX, microATX.
4. Embedded devices. Now almost all motherboards have a built-in network and sound card.
If a graphics card is built into the motherboard, then such a computer is more suitable for the office.
Also see how many SATA connectors you have, they can come in handy if you want to connect another hard drive or some SATA device.
5. Connectors for RAM. Now mainly used memory with a DD3 connector. You can not insert into the connector DD3, DD2, they have different forms of circuits. Accordingly, the more connectors the better, in the future it will be possible to upgrade. It is desirable that the connectors be in different colors, so that it is clear which ones to connect to, but this is not the most important thing. Also see that they are further from the video card connector, otherwise RAM may interfere with a large video card.
Also see what frequency the connectors support and how much memory you can set.
What does the motherboard look like in the price list?
For example, you will be put together a trial computer package and in the price list there will be such a motherboard. Consider what each parameter means.
ASUS P8Z77-V Intel Z77, 1xLGA1155, 4xDDR3 DIMM, 3xPCI-E x16, built-in sound: HDA, 7.1, Ethernet: 1000 Mbps, ATX, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0
Asus - manufacturer.
P P8Z77-V - model of the motherboard.
Intel Z77 - the name of the chipset.
1xLGA1155 - one socket connector and the name of the socket.
4xDDR3 DIMM - 4 slots for DD3 RAM.
3xPCI-E x16 - 3 PCI Express slots (x16 data transfer speed, the more the faster).
Built-in sound: HDA - Built-in sound card with HDA sound.
there are also DSP, AC’97 and Digital Signal Processor.
Of course, the built-in sound cards give out not the best sound, but for ordinary speakers it will do. If you need good sound, for good speakers, it is better to read an article about. There, by the way, you can download a program to test your sound card.
7.1 CH -7.1 system connection support. Seven speakers, one subwoofer.
Ethernet: 1000 Mbps -built-in network card with the ability to transfer data up to 1 GB / sec.
ATX Form Factor -motherboard size.
DVI - Support for connecting a monitor with a video card through a DVI connector. There is also a D-sub. DVI is newer.
HDMI - High-Definition Multimedia Interface - also a connector for high-frequency media transmission.
Displayport - the connector that should replace DVI and HDMI connectors.
USB 3.0 - A very important factor, since devices supporting such USB will transfer this data much faster than usual, and the difference is very big.
That's all, now I think choose the best motherboard for yourself you will not be difficult, the main thing is to sit and carefully read the characteristics. Believe me, there’s nothing complicated, the main thing is attentiveness 🙂 For example, knowing the characteristics I need, I select in the Yandex market what I advise you.
You can safely say that the motherboard is the heart of your computer. Without this detail, the PC will not work, no matter what you do. We all know that in many cases the system unit is assembled on its own, because this is the only way to get the computer that will fully satisfy your needs. Let's take a closer look at how to choose a motherboard. To do this is not as difficult as it may seem, only you need to understand a bit about everything.
Some general information
A motherboard, aka “mother”, “motherboard” or “mother”, is the main part of a computer. It is to it that all other parts and boards are connected. From this we can draw a simple conclusion that the main task of the motherboard is to ensure the coordinated and integrated work of all the components of the system unit. Let's talk about which parameters are the most important. One of those is considered the number of slots for RAM (RAM). It is desirable that there should be at least three to four. In this case, you can install from 4 to 32 gigabytes of RAM.
But before you even buy anything, you need to decide on the processor. Today, Intel and AMD are considered the most popular. When buying a motherboard, pay attention to which socket it is designed for. If the socket is intended for the AMD processor, then it will have a special marking (AM, S, FM). Intel sockets are designated by LGA. If you do not know which motherboard to choose - AMD or Intel, then stop at a more efficient processor. This solution will be the most optimal in terms of PC performance.
What is the "north bridge" for?
A set of system logic is the basis of any motherboard. In everyday life, this term sounds like a "chipset." In fact, this is a set of microcircuits that are designed for coordination and joint operation of the system as a whole. Most often, two main microcircuits are used, called "north" and "south" bridges. The first is designed to provide basic computer nodes. This includes a processor, RAM, graphics card. It should be noted that it is the "North Bridge" that is responsible for the operation of the motherboard bus and RAM. A video card is connected to this part of the system logic. Modern motherboards in this area are equipped with integrated graphics processors.
Functions Performed by the Southbridge
The South Bridge is designed to directly connect I / O devices that we encounter every day. This is a mouse, keyboard, webcam, hard drive, network and audio cards. In fact, all additional equipment that does not require high throughput (high processing speed) are connected to the "south bridge". By the way, the above scheme is a classic solution. Some modern motherboards have a slightly different circuit. The "North Bridge" is more complex, it performs some of the functions of the "South". The latter is made somewhat simplified. So which motherboard to choose, you ask? One that has an advanced chipset.
Option for office and study
It is worth noting immediately that such a solution will cost significantly less than buying a game card. The fact is that the chipset is not so productive here, and the integrated graphics processor is almost always absent. The number of slots for RAM is usually limited to several slots, and it is unlikely that anything more is needed to perform office tasks. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the throughput will be much lower, the same applies to the bus.
In all respects, the performance of the office motherboard will be slightly lower than the gaming one for obvious reasons. But there is one “but.” "South Bridge" in this case is more powerful. This is due to the fact that there is a need to connect a large amount of equipment. It can be just 2-3 printers or scanners, a lot of flash cards or external hard drives. All this will require many USB connectors. The location and size of the card does not matter, they are limited only by the configuration of the system unit. Now you need to understand how to choose a motherboard to perform everyday simple tasks. This can be, for example, work in Word, Excel and other office programs.
Which is better to choose a motherboard for games
In fact, this is the exact opposite of the above option. The "North Bridge" here must be very powerful and have high bandwidth. Moreover, the processor bus integrates with the motherboard bus. This is the only way to achieve maximum performance and high smoothness. The number of slots for RAM is preferably at least 4. So, over time, you can insert an additional bar if you feel a lack of RAM. The bus frequency should be as large as possible, but, again, all this must be coordinated with the processor.
As for the "south bridge", it can be performed in a simplified form. Although the classic version is also suitable. It is not necessary to have 4 or more USB connectors, often 3 pieces are enough. In addition, there should be slots for connecting a keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner and some other equipment. A variant with a simplified "south bridge" is possible, but in this case the "north" will be more loaded, which can cause strong heating. But, as practice shows, with a high-quality chipset, there are no problems in the form of excess heat. Since it is necessary to choose a motherboard based on performance, the purchase will not be cheap.
About the sound controller
Often, many complain that the music does not sound as good as we would like. Reinstalling the drivers, updating the operating system, etc. begins. But sometimes the problem is a poor-quality sound controller. That is why if you like high-quality music, then pay attention to it. The decisive role is played by the number of channels. If the value is 2.0, then this indicates the support of stereo sound, 5.1 - about the audio system + subwoofer. The best sound controllers have a 7.1 channel that supports surround sound. Most often, the presence of such an advanced sound controller is necessary for complete immersion in the atmosphere when watching 3D movies.
Most motherboards are made with an integrated controller that has a 5.1 channel. As practice shows, this is quite enough for the average user. If you purchase a card for simple office tasks, then channel 2.0 is preferable, as this is a standard budget solution. Of course, it is desirable that you can connect a few additional speakers.
Which company motherboard to choose?
Fortunately, you are practically not limited by anything except your own financial capabilities. The best manufacturers today are considered such giants as Asus, Gigabyte, Intel, MSI. Most experts agree that Asus or Intel is preferable. The latter manufacturer is characterized by efficient cooling, which almost completely eliminates the failure of condensers. As for Asus, if it is a high-performance board, it is good from all sides. It is also worth highlighting a good combination of price and quality. MSI is famous for releasing motherboards with high bandwidth; these are the very best motherboards for playing modern games.
We purchase the Asus motherboard
When buying a card from this manufacturer, you can be guided by consumer reviews. For example, Asus P8H61, which is quite productive, is well suited for gaming stations. It supports processors based on Intel Core i3, i5, i7. The sound mode is surround, that is, a sound controller with 7.1 channel. Basically, all the reviews are positive. Users note high performance at an affordable price, as well as high build quality. As for the shortcomings, no significant minuses were found. The only thing is that it is impossible to connect several video cards at the same time, since this Asus model does not support this. From all of the above, we can conclude that quality is the motherboard of ASUS. Which one to choose is up to you. If these are simple tasks, then P5G-MX is suitable, but for higher goals it is better to purchase P8P67 PRO with DDR3 support and 32 gigabytes of RAM.
A little bit about cooling
Another important point is maintaining the temperature set by the manufacturer. For this, special radiators are used. It is worth paying your attention to the fact that the cause of the output of the capacitors is their bloating, which occurs due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Today resort to the most various cooling systems, for example, dry, liquid and combined. Another reason for the failure of the motherboard due to overheating is a large layer of dust, which prevents normal cooling. But it all depends on you, and the manufacturer has nothing to do with it. If you don’t know which motherboard manufacturer to choose, then give preference to those who have the least cooling problems. These are MSI, ASUS, Intel (liquid cooling).
Additional useful features
We already figured out a little how to choose a motherboard. Now I would like to say a few words about additional useful functions. These include the Wi-Fi module. If you have wireless Internet at home, then this solution is just for you. Do not forget to clarify the availability of such a module upon purchase. If laptops are often equipped with Wi-Fi, then stationary system units do not.
Another very useful feature is Bluetooth. It will be extremely useful when transferring data from a computer to a phone, while you do not need to connect any wires and install drivers. At least 4-6 fan headers that will cool the system are also desirable. In principle, this is all that a motherboard chipset should have. How to choose and what to pay attention to, we have already said. But I would like to highlight a couple of points.
Pay attention to the slots
We already figured out a little how to choose a gaming motherboard. I would also like to note something useful about modern slots. It is not recommended to buy boards with an IDE connector, SATA is more preferable. This is due to the fact that the latter has a higher data transfer rate, it reaches 6 GB / s. PCI slots are required to connect additional equipment. Often, due to the compact size of the motherboard, they are too close to each other, which makes it impossible to connect equipment in neighboring connectors. This is solved quite simply: cards with a large number of PCI slots are bought.
Some more important points
You already know how to choose the right motherboard. The most important thing is not to give preference to unknown companies that offer game copies at a ridiculous price. Most likely, this is a simple fake, which will burn out after an hour of active work under load. To prevent this from happening, ask the consultant to test the motherboard under load. There are tons of programs for this today. If the result is positive, then you can safely buy such a product. Since you need to choose a motherboard carefully, do not take rash decisions. The best manufacturers, such as Intel or Asus, offer copies of 40-50 thousand rubles.
Conclusion
So we talked about how to choose the right motherboard. As you can see, this is extremely simple. The main thing is to think it over. If the purchase is made solely to perform simple tasks and calculations, then it is irrational to purchase an expensive card with liquid cooling and a large number of coolers. On the contrary, the situation is with gaming motherboards, where the cooling quality and throughput play a decisive role. Sometimes it makes sense to consult with friends who have already assembled the system unit on their own, but you can do everything on your own, having previously gained theoretical knowledge. How to choose a good motherboard? Talk with your friends, gamers, they just understand this and will tell you no worse than any consultant.
The motherboard is an indispensable multifunctional "basis" of a personal computer that ensures the operability of the remaining components of the system: RAM, video card, processor, hard drives. The compatibility of the future assembly, overall performance, and even potential savings depend on the choice of motherboard. For example, if a processor is purchased without a chance of overclocking, why take an expensive “base” with a gaming chipset? The situation is also with RAM - if the bars are limited in frequency, why pay more? Therefore, it is important to feel the balance and understand the details before contacting the online store for a purchase.
Choosing the right equipment often starts with sorting by price, motherboard manufacturer and belonging to the “gaming segment”. But, as practice suggests, neither the first, nor the second, nor even the third indicator determines the quality level, does not guarantee stable operation for ten years and does not increase productivity (still, the rest of the details are responsible for this - the processor, video cards, RAM). Starting acquaintance with a segment is worth completely different characteristics and parameters:
- Form factor. The classic of the genre is ATX. Board size 305x244 mm. Of the proposed interfaces, slots and connectors, office computers capable of working with documents and a browser, and powerful professional PCs can cope with any load - from graphics processing to games in 4K resolution. Of the advantages of ATX - an impressive variety, the availability of expensive and cheap models, compatibility with almost any equipment. Of the minuses - dimensions. For multimedia platforms, ATX is definitely not suitable. But Micro-ATX - with ease. The dimensions are noticeably smaller - 244x244 mm, the interfaces are almost the same, and you won’t have to allocate a lot of space under the table. The E-ATX solution deserves special mention - flagship models with advanced technologies and focus on premium markets. Size - 305x330 mm. Attention! The size of the case depends on the choice of form factor, and if there is not enough room in the room, it is worth stopping by the Micro-ATX option.
- Socket. "Socket", responsible for the processor. More importantly, the characteristics of the motherboard can not be found with a strong desire. Before buying the “foundation” directly, you will have to figure out which process will be used in the assembly (it is important to know the manufacturer - AMD or INTEL and the model name), and for what purposes. If you first select a motherboard with a specific socket, then the further choice of processors will be limited, and therefore you need to act exactly the opposite - first the processor, then study the characteristics, and after selecting the platform. It is important to remember - sometimes you can save on your current purchase, but with a backlog for the future.
- Chipset. A parameter indicating the number and type of supported interfaces (for connecting hard drives, USB ports), and at the same time prompting whether overclocking is possible (a similar characteristic on Intel processors is especially important, where the necessary settings are made directly in the BIOS, greatly simplifying the life of newcomers, is not yet familiar with the abnormal increase in equipment capacity). Chipsets also share affordable motherboards on the shelves. The initial options do not allow you to overclock the processor, connect with a dozen SSD drives, and sometimes they prohibit the working of RAM in dual channel mode. But the older chipsets and Wi-Fi adapters are equipped, and they receive a Bluetooth signal, and it works without any problems with two or three video cards in the SLI and Crossfire format. Which chipset should I use when buying? Depends on the wallet and the desired functionality. Most likely, it’s worthwhile to dwell on some kind of averaged version, but with the support of official dispersal - this, in fact, shows a reserve for the near future, right?
- Memory slots. RAM helps the central processor not to process the same actions ten thousand times a day, but to take the result of the work done directly from RAM. With this approach, a lot of time is saved, and the CPU load is greatly reduced. Therefore, it is important to get enough RAM in advance. As practice suggests - 4 slots capable of working in dual-channel mode - the standard of the season 2018/2019.
- Interfaces and connectors. It is important to deal with SATA connectors (support for the version operating at 6 Gb / s is mandatory) and SATA Express, with the presence of USB 3.0 and PCI-e x16. The remaining elements are already related either to pampering, or to the premium segment. Such as Wi-Fi adapters, HDMI (and why, if the same interface is available on a video card?).
Choose for office and study
Which motherboards are better for office and study? Those that are based on cheap chipsets for Intel and AMD work on common sockets, which are easy to pick up for cheap and expensive processors for growth and are assembled in the mATX or ATX form factor for a standard case. If you also choose a company, then you should stop your attention on ASROCK and ASUS - it will not work out for sure.
How to choose a motherboard for games
The situation is simpler with the gaming segment - AM4 and LGA 1151_v2 (not to be confused with the standard 1151!) Are suitable for sockets, the chipset must support overclocking, and memory slots must reach the number “4”, and even work in two-channel mode. You don’t have to choose any other indicators of the motherboard - manufacturers will match the above-described parameters with the necessary interfaces and technologies.
Which company motherboard to choose
ASUS, Gigabyte and MSI are the top three. The listed brands represent models both in the “basic configuration” for office assemblies and in the “maximum” model for gaming PCs with a bunch of additional functions. Most likely, you should stay somewhere close by, not forgetting to look at the characteristics of competitors, such as ASROCK (a subsidiary of ASUS), Zotac and Biostar.
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Selection of a motherboard for an already purchased processor requires certain knowledge. First of all, it is recommended to pay attention to the characteristics of already purchased components, as it makes no sense to buy a cheap motherboard for a TOP processor and vice versa.
Initially, it is better to buy such basic components as - a system unit (case), central processor, power supply, video card. If you decide to purchase a motherboard first, you should know exactly what you want to expect from an already assembled computer.
Initially, you need to understand which brands are leading in this market and whether you can trust them. Here is a list of recommended motherboard manufacturers:
If you have already bought powerful and expensive components for a PC, then in no case do not buy a cheap motherboard. In the best case, components will not work at full capacity, lowering all performance to the level of budget PCs. At worst, they won’t work at all and will have to buy another motherboard.
Before assembling the computer, you need to decide what you want to get in the end, because it will be easier to choose a board without purchasing in advance all the main computer components. It is better to buy a high-quality central board (you should not save on this purchase, if opportunities allow) and then, based on its capabilities, select the remaining components.
Motherboard Chipsets
How much you can connect the components to the motherboard directly depends on the chipset, whether they can work with 100% efficiency, which processor is better to choose. In fact, the chipset is something similar to the already built-in processor in the board, but which is responsible only for the most basic functions, for example, working in the BIOS.
Almost all motherboards are equipped with chipsets from two manufacturers - Intel and AMD. Depending on which processor you have chosen, you need to choose a board with a chipset from the manufacturer selected by the CPU. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the devices will be incompatible and will not work properly.
About Intel Chipsets
Compared to the red competitor, the blue ones do not have many models and varieties of chipsets. Here is a list of the most popular of them:
- H110 - Suitable for those who do not pursue performance and require a computer to only work correctly in office programs and browsers.
- B150 and H170 - there are no serious differences between them. Both are great for mid-range computers.
- Z170 - The motherboard on this chipset supports overclocking of many components, making it an excellent solution for gaming computers.
- X99 - is in demand in a professional environment that requires a lot of resources from the system (3D-modeling, video processing, game creation). Also good for gaming machines.
- Q170 - This is a chipset from the corporate sector, it is not particularly popular among ordinary users. The main emphasis is on safety and stability.
- C232 and C236 - used in data centers, allows you to process a huge amount of information. Work best with Xenon processors.
About AMD Chipsets
They are conditionally divided into two series - A and FX. The first is suitable for A-series processors, with already integrated video adapters. The second is for the FX-series CPUs that do not have an integrated graphics adapter, but compensate for this with high performance and overclocking potential.
Here is a list of the main AMD chipsets:
- A58 and A68h - very similar chipsets that are suitable for a regular office PC. Work best with AMD A4 and A6 processors.
- A78 - for multimedia computers (work in office applications, simple manipulations with graphics and video, launching “light” games, surfing the Internet). Most compatible with A6 and A8 CPUs.
- 760G - Suitable for those who need a computer as a "typewriter with Internet access." Compatible with FX-4.
- 970 - Its capabilities are enough to run modern games at minimum and medium settings, professional graphics work and simple manipulations with video and 3D objects. Compatible with FX-4, Fx-6, FX-8 and FX-9 processors. The most popular chipset for AMD processors.
- 990X and 990FX - An excellent solution for powerful gaming and semi-professional machines. Best compatibility with FX-8 and FX-9 CPUs.
About Warranties
When buying a motherboard, be sure to pay attention to the guarantees that the seller provides. On average, the warranty period can vary from 12 to 36 months. If it is less than the specified range, then it is better to refuse to purchase in this store.
The thing is that the motherboard is one of the most fragile components of a computer. And any breakdown of it will necessarily lead, at a minimum, to the replacement of this component, the maximum - you have to think about the complete replacement of part or all of the components that were installed on it. This is equivalent to replacing almost the entire computer. Therefore, in no case should you save on guarantees.
About dimensions
Also a very important parameter, especially if you are buying a motherboard for a small case. Here is a list and characteristics of the main form factors:
In addition to these form factors, there are others, but they are almost never found on the market of components for home computers.
Processor socket
This is the most important parameter when choosing both the motherboard and the processor. If the processor sockets and the motherboard are incompatible, then you will not be able to install the CPU. Sockets are constantly undergoing various modifications and changes, so it is recommended to buy models with only the most current modifications, so that in the future you can easily replace them.
Intel Sockets:
- 1151 and 2011-3 - these are the most modern types. If you prefer Intel, then try to buy a processor and motherboard with just such sockets.
- 1150 and 2011 - they are still still widely used in the market, but they have already begun to become obsolete.
- 1155 , 1156 , 775 and 478 Are outdated socket models that are still in use. Recommended for purchase only if there are no more alternatives.
AMD Sockets:
- AM3 + and FM2 + - these are the most modern sockets from the "red".
- AM1, AM2, AM3, FM1 and EM2 - are considered either completely obsolete, or already beginning to become obsolete.
About RAM
On motherboards from the budget segment and / or small form factors, there are only two slots for installing RAM modules. On standard-sized motherboards for desktop computers, there are 4-6 connectors. Motherboards for small cases or laptops have less than 4 slots. For the latter, such a solution is more common - a certain amount of RAM is already soldered into the board, and next to it there is one slot in case the user wants to expand the amount of RAM.
RAM is divided into several types, which are referred to as "DDR". The most popular and recommended for today are DDR3 and DDR4. The latter provides the fastest possible operation of the computer. Before choosing a motherboard, make sure that it supports these types of RAM.
It is also recommended to consider the possibility of increasing the amount of RAM by adding new modules. In this case, pay attention not only to the number of slots, but also to the maximum volume in GB. That is, you can buy a board with 6 connectors, but it will not support so many GB of RAM.
It is recommended to pay attention to the range of supported operating frequencies. DDR3 RAM operates at frequencies from 1333 MHz, and DDR4 2133-2400 MHz. Motherboards almost always support these frequencies. It is also important to pay attention to whether their central processor supports them.
If the CPU does not support these frequencies, then buy a card with XMP memory profiles. Otherwise, you can seriously lose RAM performance.
Place to install video cards
In motherboards of middle and high class, up to 4 connectors for graphics adapters can be present. On budget models, usually 1-2 sockets. In most cases, PCI-E x16 type connectors are used. They allow you to ensure maximum compatibility and performance between installed video adapters. The connector has several versions - 2.0, 2.1 and 3.0. The higher the version, the better the performance, but the price is correspondingly higher.
The PCI-E x16 connectors can also support other expansion cards (for example, a Wi-Fi adapter).
About additional fees
Expansion cards are additional devices that can be connected to the motherboard, but which are not critical to the operation of the system. For example, Wi-Fi-receiver, TV tuner. For these devices, PCI and PCI-Express slots are used, more about each:
- The first type is rapidly becoming obsolete, but is still used in budget and middle class models. It costs significantly less than its newer counterpart, but device compatibility may suffer. For example, the newest and most powerful Wi-Fi adapter will work worse or will not work at all on this connector. However, this connector has excellent compatibility with many sound cards.
- The second type is newer and has excellent compatibility with other components. They have two variations of the connector X1 and X4. Last newer. Connector types have almost no effect.
Internal Connector Information
They serve to connect important components to the motherboard inside the case. For example, to power the processor and the board itself, installation, drive.
As for the power supply of the motherboard, the older models work from a 20-pin power connector, and newer ones from a 24-pin one. Based on this, it is advisable to choose a power supply or choose a motherboard for the desired contact. However, it will not be critical if the 24-pin connector is powered by a 20-pin power supply.
The processor is powered by a similar scheme, only together with 20-24-pin connectors 4-and 8-pin are used. If you have a powerful processor that requires a lot of energy, it is recommended to buy a board and power supply with 8-pin connectors. If the processor is not too powerful, then you can completely do with 4-pin connectors.
As for connecting SSDs and HDDs, for this purpose almost all boards use SATA connectors. It is divided into two versions - SATA2 and SATA3. If an SSD drive is connected to the main board, then it is better to buy a model with a SATA3 connector. Otherwise, you will not see good performance from the SSD. Provided that an SSD connection is not planned, you can purchase a model with a SATA2-connector, thereby saving a little on the purchase.
Integrated devices
Motherboards can come with already integrated components. For example, some laptop boards come with soldered video cards and RAM modules. In all motherboards, by default, network and sound cards are integrated.
If you decide to purchase a processor along with a graphics adapter integrated into it, then make sure that the board supports their connection (usually this is written in the specifications). It is also important that the design integrates external VGA or DVI connectors that are needed to connect the monitor.
Pay attention to the built-in sound card. Most users will have enough standard codecs, such as ALC8xxx. If you plan to engage in video editing and / or sound processing, then it is better to pay attention to the boards where the adapter with the ALC1150 codec is built-in, because It provides great sound, but also costs a lot more than a standard solution.
A sound card usually has 3 to 6 3.5 mm jacks for connecting audio devices. Sometimes there are models where an optical or coaxial digital audio output is installed, but they also cost more. This output is used for professional audio equipment. For normal use of the computer (connecting speakers and headphones), only 3 sockets are enough.
Another component that is integrated into the motherboard by default is a network card, which is responsible for connecting a computer to the Internet. The standard parameters of the network board on many motherboards are the data transfer speed of about 1000 Mb / s and the network output of the RJ-45 type.
The main manufacturers of network cards are Realtek, Intel and Killer. I use the first products in the budget and mid-price categories. The latter are often applicable in expensive gaming machines, as provide excellent performance in online games, even with poor connection to the network.
The number and types of external sockets depend on the internal configuration of the board itself and its price, as more expensive models have additional outputs. List of connectors that are most common:
- USB 3.0 - it is desirable that there are at least two such outputs. Through it, a flash drive, mouse and keyboard (more or less modern models) can be connected.
- DVI or VGA - is in all boards, because with it, you can connect the computer to the monitor.
- RJ-45 is a must-have item. It is used to connect to the Internet. If the computer does not have a Wi-Fi adapter, then this is the only way to connect the machine to the network.
- HDMI - needed to connect a computer to a TV or modern monitor. Alternative DVI.
- Sound jacks - required for connecting speakers and headphones.
- Output for microphone or optional headset. Always provided for in design.
- Wi-Fi antennas - available only on models with integrated Wi-Fi-module.
- Button for resetting BIOS settings - allows you to quickly reset the BIOS settings to the factory state, without disassembling the computer case. There are only on expensive boards.
Power circuits and electronic components
When choosing a motherboard, be sure to pay attention to electronic components, as the life of the computer depends on them. On cheap models, conventional electronic capacitors and transistors are installed, without any additional protection. After 2-3 years of service, they may well oxidize and render the entire system unusable. Better choose more expensive models, for example, where solid-state capacitors of Japanese or Korean production are used. Even if they fail, the consequences will not be so catastrophic.
It is very important to pay attention to the processor power scheme. Power Distribution:
- Low power - used in budget motherboards, have a power of not more than 90 watts and no more than 4 power phases. Only low-power processors with low overclocking potential are suitable for them.
- Medium power - have no more than 6 phases and power not exceeding 120 watts. This is enough for all processors from the middle price segment and some from the high.
- High power - have more than 8 phases, work perfectly with all processors.
When choosing a motherboard for a processor, it is important to pay attention not only to whether the processor is suitable for sockets, but also to voltage. On the motherboard manufacturer’s website, you can immediately see a list of all processors that are compatible with this or that motherboard.
Budget models do not have this system at all, or they have one small heatsink that can cope only with cooling low-power processors and video cards. Oddly enough, these cards overheat less often (unless of course, you will not overclock the processor too much).
If you plan to build a good gaming computer, then pay attention to motherboards with massive copper radiator tubes. However, there is a problem - this is the size of the cooling system. Sometimes it is difficult to connect a video card and / or processor with a cooler because of too thick and tall pipes. Therefore, you must first verify everything.
When choosing a motherboard, you need to consider all the information that was indicated in the article. Otherwise, you may encounter various inconveniences and unnecessary expenses (for example, the board does not support a specific component).
