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The motherboards are also designed to
support specific speeds for a CPU, so make sure it can support the speed
of the processor as well.
Choose Your Chipset
What is a chipset? Well, chipsets are the main controllers on the
motherboard - they allow the CPU to interface with the various
components and expansion cards installed.
When choosing your chipset, always bear
in mind the type of memory supported by the motherboard. Make sure that
the board supports the type and amount of RAM you need. Generally,
choosing a chipset that supports high speed memory will allow your
system to perform better.
Expansions Slots and
Connectors
If you intend to various peripherals to the computer, then the number
and type of expansion slots and connectors is important. By default,
most motherboards these days have USB 2.0 ports incorporated into their
design. If you do a lot of video capturing and editing, you'll also want
to have a Firewire (IEEE 1394) port. If you intend to buy expansion
cards, make sure the board comes with an ample number of PCI slots.
Do You Need to Overclock?
If you want to overclock your CPU (though I don't particularly encourage
it) - you should ensure you get a motherboard that supports overclocking.
You'll want a motherboard that has a wide range of adjustments to CPU
settings, including CPU voltage and bus speeds.
Other Features
These days, most motherboards have a whole host of extra features loaded
into them. These can include things such as on-board Ethernet, audio, a
RAID controller or even graphics. I find such features very handy as
they help you save money - you need not buy additional expansion cards.
Conclusion
In short, make sure you do your homework when purchasing a motherboard.
Go to the motherboard manufacturer's website and read about its
products. Download the motherboard manual and see if its well
documented.
At the risk of sounding biased, I've
always preferred ASUS motherboards. However, its all up to you. Consider
what features are important to you and go get your motherboard. As I
said earlier, don't scrimp on the motherboard. Its one of the most
important PC components, so get the best you can afford. |
