How to Choose a Motherboard

When choosing a motherboard for both gaming rigs and general-purpose computing PCs, there are various variables to consider. The most important consideration is the processor type, but there are several other factors to consider to choose the best gaming motherboard. This includes the number and type of expansion slots, the amount of RAM it can support, the number of PCI-E slots it can offer, network adapters, chipsets, the presence of integrated GPU features, and most crucially, the choice of appropriate form factor, which comes in three sizes: ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX, to construct a full-potential gaming rig or editing machine with a compact PC case.

Although desktop PC cases adhere to certain parameters of motherboards from length to width, the design criteria are universal worldwide, it is up to you to select a motherboard that will fit in your computer case. If you ask, laptops have different motherboards than conventional computers and typically feature unique form factor that is specific for their hardware rather than universal components, which is the reason they have restricted upgrades and have limited dimensions to match the compact chassis requirements.

What To Consider When Choosing A Motherboard?

When you are choosing a Motherboard, there are many things to consider. You need to make sure that the motherboard is compatible with the other components in your computer. The processor, the amount of memory, and the type of graphics card and CPU all need to be compatible with the motherboard.

You also need to consider how you will use your computer. If you are going to be using a lot of graphics-intensive programs, you will need a good graphics card. If you are going to be using a lot of software that requires a lot of processing power, you will need a fast processor and more memory.

Though certain builds will require more than a processor, RAM, and storage. You should also think about how much expansion you may want in the future. Some motherboards have more PCI slots than others. If you plan on adding additional components, later on, you will want a motherboard with more PCI slots.

Motherboard Form Factor (Four Types)

Motherboard Form Factor
Motherboard Form Factor

There are several aspects to consider when shopping for the best motherboard. The first decision you need to make is what form factor the motherboard will be. You can choose the ideal size of the motherboard from these three standard types, including, E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX.

1- E-ATX Motherboards

E-ATX motherboards are a newer, larger form factor that is becoming more popular in high-end gaming PC builds. However, both EATX and ATX are motherboard common sizing for modern PC cases. When we consider EATX motherboards, they provide more space with additional expansion slots, more PCI-e ports, and more RAM slots than standard ATX motherboards, allowing PC builders to accommodate more powerful components and work well with either a water block or a custom cooling solution.

For some reason, the EATX naming scheme is Extended Advanced Technology eXtended, which counts extended twice. If your budget allows, going with an EATX is recommended for big builds. They consume slightly more power, making them an excellent choice for high-end gaming systems. However, E-ATX motherboards are not as common as standard ATX boards because they are slightly more expensive.

If you have the space in your PC case and want the best performance possible, they can be a great option. Also, if you change your mind in the future, an ATX board will fit in an eATX motherboard tray. The dimensions that come with an EATX (Extended ATX) motherboard are 12 x 13 inches (305 x 330 mm), making them suitable for heavy-duty gaming rigs as well as server functions. If a powerful gaming PC is your dream, an EATX board is preferable to an ATX for several reasons.

We compared ATX vs EATX for differences and benefits and discovered that EATX has better functionality with 4-8 PCI-e x 16 ports and have room for extra 6-8 RAM slots. In comparison, a standard ATX board can support 2-4 PCI-e x 16 ports and up to 4 RAM slots, which is sufficient for compact gaming PC builds.

2- ATX Motherboards

Advanced Technology Extended (motherboard type) is the most popular type of motherboard for desktop computers. It was designed by Intel in 1995 and has become the standard for desktop computers. The ATX motherboard is a rectangular board that is about 12 inches wide and 9 inches long. It has a number of connectors on the back that allow it to be connected to the computer case, power supply, and other components.

The ATX motherboard supports a variety of different processors and provides a number of slots that can be used to install expansion cards. It also has connectors for attaching hard drives, optical drives, and other devices.

3- Micro ATX Motherboards

Micro ATX motherboards are one of the smallest form factors in the computing world. These motherboards are designed for small form factor cases and typically have fewer features than full-size ATX motherboards. Despite their smaller size, micro ATX motherboards can still support a wide range of processors and memory configurations. They also offer a number of ports and connectors, which makes them a popular choice for home and office PCs.

One downside to micro ATX motherboards is that they often lack some of the features found on full-size models. For example, they may not have as many SATA ports or PCI slots. Additionally, some micro ATX motherboards do not include an onboard video chipset, which means you will need to purchase a separate graphics card if you want to play some games.

4- Mini ITX Motherboards

Smaller motherboards are nothing new, but mini ITX motherboards have been gaining in popularity in recent years. This is because they allow for a more compact form factor, which is perfect for small-form-factor builds and HTPCs. Mini ITX motherboards typically have fewer features than full-sized ATX boards, but this isn’t always a bad thing.

In fact, mini ITX motherboards can be a great choice for budget builders or those who don’t need all the bells and whistles. There are a number of different mini ITX motherboard manufacturers out there, so it’s important to do your research before making a purchase. Some of the most well-known brands include Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI.

What Is Motherboard Chipset?

Motherboard Chipset
Motherboard Chipset

A motherboard chipset is an important component of a computer motherboard. Initially, they are many numbers for certain duties. The silicon chips that aid in the regulation of data flow between the CPU and other components are active in two segments. One chipset controls the northbridge, while the other handles the southbridge functions. The northbridge chip manages connections between the CPU and memory, whereas the southbridge chip manages input and output devices like USB ports, network adapters, and audio cards.

The motherboard chipset’s role in current motherboards has evolved from that of early computers when many chipsets performed specific tasks in a single motherboard. Today’s chipsets are more complicated and perform numerous functions at once. It is critical to choose a motherboard with the most feature-rich chipset in order to maximize system performance. If you want the best mobo you can explore some reviews, this enables you to design a quicker system by combining the most recent hardware. That may include faster DDR5 RAM slots, several PCI-E 5.0 expansion ports, support for faster M.2 SSDs and SATA storage, and, of course, faster networking connections.

If you ask, where can I find such suitable and up-to-date chipset motherboards? The answer is straightforward, at dexplora, we have evaluated the most advanced motherboards; feel free to explore for optimal PC hardware, which we review from top motherboard manufacturers that have moved the motherboard chipset to the next level. The names include Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock, Intel, AMD, EVGA, and Acer.

Does A Motherboard’s Chipset Matter?

When it comes to motherboards, the chipset is one of the most important aspects to consider. This is because the chipset is responsible for all communication between the different components on the motherboard. So, does a motherboard’s chipset really matter?

For the most part, yes. The chipset determines what type of processor your computer can use, how much memory it can hold, and how many PCI slots and USB ports are available. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your computer, you’ll want to make sure that your new motherboard has a chipset that is compatible with your current processor and other components. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, some motherboards have multiple chipsets that allow for more flexibility in terms of compatibility.

Number Of RAM Slots For A Gaming Motherboard

While purchasing a new motherboard, it’s important to determine how much RAM the board can support. This is especially important if you plan on upgrading your system in the future. Most motherboards today have between two and four RAM slots.

Some high-end boards offer eight or more slots, which can be helpful for extreme gamers or power users who need to maximize their system performance. If you’re not sure how much RAM your motherboard can support, check the manufacturer’s website or consult a computer technician.

It’s also important to know the type of RAM your motherboard can handle. The most common types are DDR3 and DDR4, but there are others as well. Be sure to purchase compatible RAM sticks if you’re upgrading your system. It is a matter of fact, that editors need to choose a motherboard, that have many RAM slots to ease the rendering tasks.

Number Of SATA Ports

Most new motherboards have six SATA ports, which should be enough for most people. However, if you plan on using multiple SSDs or hard drives, then you may need more than six ports. In that case, you can either buy a motherboard with more SATA ports or use a port multiplier to increase the number of ports that are available. Port multipliers are handy devices that allow you to connect multiple drives to a single port.

Onboard Graphics Support (iGPU)

Most motherboards come with an onboard graphics card also known as ‘Integrated Graphics.’ This is a basic graphics card that is built into the motherboard. It is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card, but it is good for basic tasks like browsing the internet or watching videos. If you are planning to do more intensive tasks like gaming or video editing, you may want to consider upgrading to a dedicated graphics card.

Upgrades For Motherboard (PCIe Slots)

Your motherboard is the backbone of your computer. Literally. It is the central connection for all of your system’s internal parts. The motherboard provides the connections for your Central Processing Unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM), graphics card, hard drive, and other components.

The form and function of these connections can vary from one motherboard to the next. Most motherboards have a few standard slots that will accommodate certain types of cards and connectors. For example, most motherboards have a PCI Express x16 slot for graphics cards and a PCI Express x1 slot for add-in cards like sound or networking cards.

There are also a number of different connector types used by motherboards, including Serial ATA (SATA), USB 4.0, and the latest Thunderbolt ports. It’s important to make sure that the components you plan to use with your motherboard have compatible connectors.

BIOS, Is It Matter For Gaming Motherboards

Your computer’s motherboard contains a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). This firmware controls the most basic functions of your computer. When you first turn on your computer, the BIOS loads and tests all of your hardware, including your CPU, memory, video card, and hard drive. It then looks for a bootable operating system on your hard drive and starts it up.

The BIOS is stored in a special chip on your motherboard called a ROM (Read-Only Memory). This means that it can’t be changed once it’s been written. However, you can update the BIOS with new firmware from the manufacturer’s website. This is usually done when there are new features or fixes to be had.
If something goes wrong with your BIOS, you may not be able to start up your computer at all.

Conclusion

When choosing a motherboard there are many factors to consider. Make sure to research all of your options and choose the one that fits your needs the best. Whether you are a gamer, video editor, graphics designer, or a PC enthusiast who enjoys overclocking, there are a variety of motherboards available for everyone, ranging from simple motherboards to gaming motherboards, with prices from $50 to $1000 for the perfect PC to be your dream build.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a motherboard do?

A motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer. It holds all of the computer’s components and allows them to communicate with one another. The motherboard contains the CPU, RAM, graphics card, and other important components. It also has connectors for attaching storage devices, optical drives, and other peripherals.

What are the different types of motherboards?

The different types of motherboards are ATX, mini-ATX, micro-ATX, Flex-ATX, ITX, EATX, and XL-ATX. The most common type is the ATX motherboard. It has a rectangular shape and is about 12 inches wide. The mini-ATX motherboard is about half the size of the ATX motherboard. The micro-ATX is even smaller than the mini-ATX and usually has four expansion slots. The Flex-ATX has a flexible design that can be used in small or large cases. The ITX is even smaller than the micro-ATX and usually has one expansion slot.

How do I install a motherboard?

Installing a motherboard can seem daunting, but with the right tools and a little knowledge, it’s a fairly straightforward process. The first step is to remove the old motherboard and any other components that are in its way. Be sure to unplug all of the cords and cables from the old motherboard before removing them. Next, install the new motherboard in the same spot as the old one, making sure that all of the screws are in place. Once the motherboard is in place, reattach all of the cords and cables, making sure that they are plugged correctly. Finally, turn on your computer and check to see if everything is working properly. If not, refer to your motherboard’s manual for troubleshooting tips.

How many PCIe slots does a motherboard have?

A motherboard typically has around 16 PCIe slots. However, this number can vary depending on the make and model of the motherboard. Some motherboards have as few as 8 PCIe slots, while others have up to 24. PCIe slots are used to add expansion cards to a computer system. These cards can include video cards, network cards, and sound cards.

Robert Miller
Robert Miller has vast expertise in IT Services and Consulting and a deep understanding of technology and its possible applications. As a PC aficionado, he is always investigating new facets of technology and how they may assist the tech community. He has plenty of experience in the IT industry, making him well-equipped to deliver in-depth assessments of gaming gear and disclose their unique features, values, and performance, including both the good and bad aspects for an unbiased appraisal.