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What to look for in a Motherboard

Forum Motherboards & Memory : General Motherboard - What to look for in a Motherboard

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spikyyy   09-04-2008 at 12:52:36 PM

Ok, so I'm planning on building my first computer from scratch. My only previous experience with computers were with prebuilt systems so I have no problems with installing/changing memory, PSU, HD, GFX card, OS etc but when it comes to the motherboard, i'm completely lost...

I just dont know what to look for in a motherboard, there are like 50 types of Chipsets(what is a chipset?) and all this crazy gibberish. I think if someone explained it to me clearly just once I will really appreciate it.

So.. What is there to look for in a Motherboard? And what makes a good/bad motherboard?
So far i've summed it up to:
-Amount of PCI slots
-RAM Memory slots and expandability

I'm so lost when it comes to motherboards its like i'm learning to use the computer all over again. :(


Message edited by spikyyy on 09-04-2008 at 12:55:17 PM
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tim851   09-04-2008 at 02:44:25 PM
- 0 +

I'm sorry, but I doubt anybody is gonna answer that "question", because it would be a 3 page article.

You're in luck though, because 10 years ago, choosing the right mainboard was like rocket science. Today it's become much more convenient. There are no really bad mainboards out there anymore (except the occasional black sheep). Even cheapo brands like Asrock or Biostar build solid hardware.

So just look at the CPU you have (or want) and that settles the socket. Then look around for the features you want. All good online shops list the tech spechs of mainboards, stuff like what CPUs are supported (important!), how much RAM and what kind, number of PCI(-Express) Slots, USB ports, LAN, audio, onboard graphics, etc...

You should know, what you want in features. If you don't know what something is, chances are, you won't need it. If there's more than one board that matches your desires (and there will be), pick the cheapest one. That's how I do it. You can do an additional Google search to find some reviews and make sure, you won't get a black sheep.

As for the chipset: current chipsets only really differ in features offered. Some have varying generic features (number of usb ports, what kind of audio and LAN used...), or special features (onboard graphics, RAID functionality) and some have unique features (SLI, Crossfire). Nobody's gonna take the time to explain them all to you, so if in doubt, use Google.

Good luck!

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to tim851
IH8U   09-04-2008 at 03:11:02 PM
- 0 +

Stay away from MSI (boards are nothing but overpriced trash).

Do you want to OC?
Type of RAM used (DDR3 is expensive now, and DDR2 800 is dirt cheap)
PCI-X slots
SATA inputs (average is 4-6, but some have more)
Crossfire, SLI, or Standard 1 slot?
Intel, AMD, or N-Force chipset (determines SLI, or X-Fire)
What CPU? (AMD or Intel)
USB Ports
Audio
ATX, ITX, or mATX
Onboard Graphics, or not
# of LAN ports
# of processors (Server MB, or enthusiast)
RAID, or no

Reply to IH8U
evongugg   09-04-2008 at 03:12:01 PM
- 0 +

Welcome to the forums!

Intel is better than AMD right now.
If you want Crossfire get X38/X48 chipset. If you want SLI get the 750i/780i chipset, otherwise get a P35/P45 motherboard.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
spikyyy   09-04-2008 at 03:30:03 PM
- 0 +

tim851 wrote :

I'm sorry, but I doubt anybody is gonna answer that "question", because it would be a 3 page article.

You're in luck though, because 10 years ago, choosing the right mainboard was like rocket science. Today it's become much more convenient. There are no really bad mainboards out there anymore (except the occasional black sheep). Even cheapo brands like Asrock or Biostar build solid hardware.

So just look at the CPU you have (or want) and that settles the socket. Then look around for the features you want. All good online shops list the tech spechs of mainboards, stuff like what CPUs are supported (important!), how much RAM and what kind, number of PCI(-Express) Slots, USB ports, LAN, audio, onboard graphics, etc...

You should know, what you want in features. If you don't know what something is, chances are, you won't need it. If there's more than one board that matches your desires (and there will be), pick the cheapest one. That's how I do it. You can do an additional Google search to find some reviews and make sure, you won't get a black sheep.

As for the chipset: current chipsets only really differ in features offered. Some have varying generic features (number of usb ports, what kind of audio and LAN used...), or special features (onboard graphics, RAID functionality) and some have unique features (SLI, Crossfire). Nobody's gonna take the time to explain them all to you, so if in doubt, use Google.

Good luck!



Thanks for the information, but what kind of "Features" can there in a motherboard? I mean, up until now I always thought it just a thing plug all your components into? Now it has its own features?

So a motherboard will only support either AMD or Intel but not both... interesting..

I was thinking of going with the HD 4870. According to evongugg there are different boards for different video cards as well? Is the x38/x48 chipset the same as P35/P45 but with the possibility of adding crossfire in the future?

Also, what is a good amount of PCI-E slots?(They're the slightly longer ones right?) 2? more? I don't think I've ever seen a motherboard with more than 2 PCI-E slots.(I haven't seen many)

Are the onboard graphics you mentioned the same as the crappy integrated shared graphics(cards?) I see on like every pre-built pc?

-OC? Sure but if i can avoid it that would be great.
-RAM, are the DDR3 ones compatible with DDR2 memory so I can just future-proof it?
-SATA inputs? I'll probably need 1, maybe 2 at most. Never really needed more than 2 harddrives especially since 1tb+ HD's are out now.
-Crossfire?Sure, I'll probably be using crossfire in the future, when the 4870's go slightly out of date or something.
-AMD/Intel? When I first bought this PC, AMD's were the rage, but I guess i'll be getting a E8500 or something. (I have no idea what N-Force is)
-USB Ports? Not too important, at least 4 for mouse,keyboard, etc
-Audio? I think i can stick with onboard ones or a cheap card right? Its not like i'm going to be watching movies with crazy expensive surround sound or anything. Probably just 2 speakers or a headset.
-I have no idea what ATX, ITX, or mATX is.
-onboard graphics=integrated crap? no thanks
-LAN card.huh?
-# of processors(cpu?) obviously 1
-RAID? its just using 2 harddrives seem like 1 right? do you get any better peformance from using this?


Message edited by spikyyy on 09-04-2008 at 03:52:05 PM
Reply to spikyyy
IH8U   09-04-2008 at 03:47:58 PM
- 0 +

If you are planning to crossfire, 2 or more PCI express 16/2.0 slots are needed (and a board that supports crossfire).

Reply to IH8U
spikyyy   09-04-2008 at 04:23:34 PM
- 0 +

Or should I just scrap everything and go for
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] 0379087904

 

I'm guessing its SLI compatible because it has 2 PCI-E x16 slots. But i'll have to ask them about that.

 

I think this would be cheaper than putting together a computer from scratch because I wouldn't have to buy an OS.( I still haven't "bought" it yet, it always came with the computers)

 

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 190$
Radeon 4870 300$
4gb Memory 80-100$
PSU 80-100$
Mobo 200-300$
HD 80-100$
+OS 200$
etc
thats already well over 1300$+ tax

 

Only problem I have with it is Vista, I have Vista on my laptop, recently upgraded it to 4gb memory and it still sucks compared to my AMD 3500+ 1gb desktop. Is there any reason I shouldn't go with the pre-made?
Tho I just saw that they come with a 680i mobo, is that really outdated?


Message edited by spikyyy on 09-04-2008 at 04:27:18 PM
Reply to spikyyy
evongugg   09-05-2008 at 02:35:59 PM
- 0 +

The power supply in that Dell is probably a 300W.
To do SLI you would have to buy the video cards a new power supply.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
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