The motherboard is the main binding link within the framework of the computer block.
That is why it is very important when buying be able to highlight from a large assortment of motherboards that is suitable for your tasks and will satisfy all your requirements. In this article, we generally consider the main items to pay attention to when choosing a motherboard.
For convenience and quick transition, brief content:
Motherboard and its main components
To better navigate in the main components and further visualize for yourself what we will choose - I propose to get acquainted with the layout of the motherboard elements on a specific example. For the sample, we took a very original Sapphire Pure Z77K motherboard (original, because Sapphire), which is also an overclock-oriented overclocking. In fact, for the task of visual consideration of the main elements of the motherboard, it absolutely does not matter the model nor positioning. Therefore, we turn to the consideration of this motherboard:
Click on the picture to enlarge
Here, the numbers are allocated main components, but also affected some rather specific elements inherent in only acceleration motherboards.
(1) Processor socket - One of the main elements of the motherboard. The processor is installed in the socket and it is very important that processor socket which he was focused, was compatible with a socket on the motherboard.
Under the number (0) Was specified "double" radiatorwhich is responsible for cooling the elements of the processor power converters, a built-in graphics core and CPU VTT. Similar radiators are often found only in motherboards for overclocking. Ordinary motherboards are supplied without this cooling element.
(2) PCI-Express Slots . On the printing board of this motherboard, we see 3 PCI-Express X16 slots Version 3.0, these connectors are designed to install video cards (or one or several in SLI and Cross Fire modes). This also includes the number (3) - it's the same pCI-Express X16 slot, but already older version 2.0. Between PCI-E x16 slots, under the number (14) Posted slots PCI-E X1. These extension connectors are designed to install devices that do not require high tire bandwidth; They are quite enough of the same line X1. Such devices can be attributed TV tuners, Audio and network cards, various controllers and many others.
Under the number (4) We are specified chipset (In this case, Intel Z77), which is hidden under the coolant radiator. A set of system logic contains various controllers and is a link between the control of part of the components and the processor.
(5) Connectors for installation rAM DDR3. These connectors are painted in black and blue, to install memory modules in two-channel operation mode, which allows you to slightly increase the efficiency of their work.
(6) CMOS memory battery. This battery feeds the chip BIOS CMOSSo that it does not lose their settings after turning off the computer.
(8) , (12) 24-PIN and 8-PIN connectors respectively. 24-PIN is the main 24-pin power connector through which most of the motherboard components are elapsed.
Under the number (9) and (10) The connectors are indicated SATA 3 (6 Gbps) and SATA 2 respectively. They are put on the edge of the motherboard and are made in the style of the Motherboard connections for overclocking (connecting devices on the side for open stands). SATA interface Used to connect hard drives, SSD drives and drives. In ordinary motherboards, they are unfolded front and shifted closer to the center, which makes it convenient to use them within the system unit "non-accelerating" systems.
Under the number (11) A rather specific element was marked, which is found only in motherboards for enthusiasts - this pOST code indicator. It also displays the temperature of the processor, but loves to brush a little.
(13)
Rear panel motherboard with external connectors. In the connectors on this panel, a variety of peripheral devices are connected, such as mouse, keyboard, columns, headphones, as well as many others.
Now, when we went through the layout of components on the motherboard, you can proceed to the consideration of individual blocks and parameters to select the motherboard. Since this article is an introductory, then everything will be described in brief and is already much deeper discussed in individual articles. So, let's go.
Choosing a manufacturer of motherboard
The motherboard manufacturer is not a very important factor when choosing. Here is an absolutely identical situation as with selecting the manufacturer for video card - All are good and the question here is rather "religious" - who believes in what. Therefore, you can safely choose from all the no names of manufacturers such as Asus, Biostar, Asrock, Gigabyte, Intel and MSI. Even the motherboard from the unknown, in the market of motherboards, Sapphire, which we have taken to consider the main components - is a good sample. Maybe some boards are not very convenient layout, perhaps some manufacturer's package is not very extensive, and someone can have a box not so bright as I would like - but still, all this does not give us the right to identify One, like an impeccable leader and answer the question: which motherboard is better as part of the manufacturer's assessment.
All motherboards, ultimately, will be equipped with the same chipsets from AMD and Inteland will be functionally similar. The only thing, before buying, I advise you to revise the reviews of motherboards and user feedback, in order not to run into a model with unsuccessful cooling, or something else. On the choice of manufacturers of motherboards, we will not long delay, and better we will move on.
Correct form factor
Initially the right choice of form factor, will save you, in the future from many problems. At the moment, the most popular form factors of motherboards are ATX and its trimmed option - Micro-ATX.
The fact that the form factor is determined by the further expansion of the system. The Micro-ATX form factor is usually equipped with a smaller number of PCI and PCI-E extensions slots under the video card and additional devices. Also, often, such motherboards have only two connectors at their disposal for installing memory modules, which significantly limits the increasing memory of RAM, both quantitatively and relative to the issues related to convenience. But the main advantage of Micro-ATX lies in the price. Leaving the description of these two standards, it can be argued that Micro-ATX is positioned as a budget solution for compact office and home systems.
It is important for the size that just derives from the form factor. The ATX cards are much dimensioned than their "Micro Brothers", therefore, the size of the hull in the ratio with the size of the motherboard should be considered.
More regarding form factors and their features will be described in a separate article.
Choosing a motherboard socket
After you have decided on the processor, the selection of the motherboard begins. And the first choice factor should be the socket, which ensures the compatibility of the processor and the motherboard. That is, if the Intel processor was selected with the LGA 1155 socket, the motherboard should be with the LGA 1155 socket. The list of supported sockets and processors can be found on the website of the manufacturer of the motherboard.
In more detail with modern processor connectors, you can read the article: processor socket.
Chipset Chipset
The chipset is the linking link in the interaction of the entire system. It is a chipset in many ways the capabilities of the motherboard are determined. Chipset - This is originally a "set of chips" of system logic, which consists of the northern and southern bridge, but now it is not so unequivocal.
Today, the last chipsets of the 7th series from the Intel and the 900th series from AMD are popular, the NVIDIA is also adjacent to them, but the range in the sphere of chipsets is rather small there.
The chipsets of the seventh Intel series are such as Z77, H77, B75 and others, a little distorted the concept of "chipset", because they are not from several chips, but only from the northern bridge. This does not cut down the motherboard functionality, because part of the controllers was simply translated into the processor. Such controllers include the PCI-Express 3.0 bus controller and the DDR3 memory controller. The North Bridge was given the USB, SATA, PCI-Express control, etc. What is tied to and on what tires is clearly visible on the Z77 chipset flowchart:
Indices Z, H, B - mean positioning of a particular chipset for different segments of the market. Z77 was attributed to chipsets for overclocking lovers. H77 is an ordinary mainstream chipset with advanced functionality. B75 is a bit clipped in terms of H77 features, but for budget and office systems. There are other letter indexes, but we will not stop in detail on them.
AMD chipsets continue the tradition of chipsets into two chips and the last 900th series of this is no exception. Motherboards with this set of system logic are equipped with northern bridges 990fx, 990x 970, as well as the SB950 southern bridge.
When choosing a northern bridge for the Motherboard, AMD should also be repeated from its capabilities.
990FX is the northern bridge, which is designed to market enthusiasts. The main wonder of the chipset with this northern bridge is support for 42-lines PCI-Express. Therefore, you can connect to the 4th video cards in the Cross Fire video cards to the lines. Of this we conclude that the units of users need such opportunities, so the functional of motherboards with this chipset for most users will be redundant.
990x and 970 - a bit cut in the possibilities of the version. The main difference is again in PCI-Express lines. Both of these northern bridges support 26 lines, but this is hardly for someone. It is worth noting that 970 there is no support for SLI and Cross Fire, as a result of which it will not be interesting to users who plan to combine more than one video card in the system, but due to its reasonable price, the 970th will look very tasty for a wide audience of users limiting one video card.
In more detail about the possibilities of AMD and Intel chipsets will be described in a separate article.
Memory Slots and PCI Express
The number of connections for installing memory and PCI-Express expansion slots is an important factor when choosing a motherboard. As we have already spoken above, the number of these connectors is often determined by the form factor. Therefore, if you expect to seriously and conveniently scale the volumes of RAM, it is better to look closely to motherboards with 4 and 6 connections for the installation of RAM. This also applies to PCI-Express slots: It is silly to take the MICRO-ATX form factor motherboard, if you find it on the installation of three video cards in SLI or Cross Fire.
Also, it is very important to pay attention to the type of RAM, which supports the motherboard. Now you can still find on sale motherboards with a supported DDR2 memory type. When assembling a new system from scratch, it is better not to return to the past and take the motherboard with the DDR3 memory type.
The PCI-Express bus version is not an important factor, so it is not necessary to be so challenged for support for PCI-Express 3.0. For modern video cards, it is enough version 2.0. Yes I. back compatibility Nobody canceled various versions of this interface.
External connectors
It is quite important is the presence of certain connectors on the back of the motherboard. It is also important to their quantity. If you take into account the USB ports, then they must be, say, is not enough, since there, in most cases, the mouse is connected, the keyboard, a webcam, printer, scanner and a lot of other devices.
Attention should be paid to the audio connectors of the integrated sound card: there may be either three or six. Three connectors are enough for the standard scheme: microphone, headphones and subwoofer. If you plan to use multi-channel acoustics, then you need to look towards motherboards with 6 connectors. But even if you at the moment do not plan to purchase such acoustics, the connectors will not interfere, and for the future they can be very useful. And for office and budget systems, 3 audio connectors are enough with head.
In addition, two LAN-connections can be useful, for this, two network controllers should be disappeared on the board. But for most users of one network connector will be abound.
Additional features
Additional features include functional that is not in demand for the average user, but for some can be very useful:
- ESATA is an interface for connecting removable discs, it is not present in all motherboards and for the owners of external drives, it can become a very useful chief.
- The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module - integrated wireless network and data transmission modules, can significantly improve the functionality of the motherboard.
- ThunderBolt is a new interface for connecting peripheral devices and providing data transmission at a speed of up to 10 GB / s, which is 20 times faster than popular now USB 2.0, and 2 times faster than USB 3.0.
A very specific interface, which will require units to date, but in the future promises to gain great popularity.
- This also includes special buttons and indicators on motherboards for overclocking. It can also be various branded elements and technologies from the manufacturer.
conclusions
The choice of motherboard is not such a simple task. It is necessary on the basis of all parameters to choose this option that will be satisfactory both in the functional plan and in terms of cost. You need to be able to catch the thin line of the price / performance ratio. It should be remembered that everything is very individual and the best motherboard for your comrade may be the worst option for your needs.
But if you navigate in the basic parameters and approach the question comprehensively, the choice will be correct and fully satisfy all your expectations.
P.S. We will try to answer your questions about "What Motherboard to buy?", "What motherboard is better?" etc, in the comments to the article or on our forum.
Thanks for attention. Successful choice!
