How to choose a motherboard for your computer?

As processor counts as the heart and brain of your computer, which performs calculations, so the motherboard is a skeleton, without which it would be impossible his work. These are all components are mounted to the motherboard, and it is responsible for the exchange of information between them.

Buy cheap motherboard can on that website, but remember, poorly chosen model can reduce computer performance or even cause undesired operation.

On the motherboard are:

• CPU
• RAM
• slot for expansion cards (PCI)
• slots for hard disks and drives
• power connector

As seen, connected to it almost all the necessary components. Without it, it can not have had an affair, but, Consequently, operating system and software actions.

What to Look For?

Types of motherboards

Материнская плата из-за своих довольно крупных размеров должна быть адаптирован к размеру корпуса. standard:

• ATX - standard, created 1995 year. Размеры платы составляют 305×244 мм.

• microATX - it is a smaller number of PCI slots, однако благодаря этому плата более компактная, а ее размеры составляют 244×244 мм.

• miniITX – размеры 170×170 мм.

• nanoITX – размеры 120×120 мм.

• picoITX – это наименьшая материнская плата из доступных– 100×72 мм

see also: How to choose a graphics card, NVidia or AMD, what's better?

workmanship

Stable operation of the computer depends first and foremost on a good motherboard, which will not fail at the most unexpected moment. It must be made of high quality materials, as, eg, coil with a ferrite core. In the more expensive manufacturers continents rely on solid capacitors, which are durable and less prone to crashes. High quality performance is required in the computer players, and overclockers.

CPU socket

Motherboard does not serve each processor model. This is true not only of different manufacturers, but also to different families of the same company. Therefore, before the motherboard selection is necessary to select a specific CPU model, because the port type must match the computing unit. The most popular is:

– для AMD:

• a) Socket AM2+, eg, Phenom X4, Phenom II. Supports dual-channel DDR3-SDRAM and HyperTransport 3
• b) Socket AM3 - eg Phenom X6, Athlon X4, supports dual-channel DDR3-SDRAM and HyperTransport 3
• c) Socket AM3+ – для установки процессоров на базе архитектуры Bulldozer.
• d) Socket FM2 - allows the processors based on Trinity architecture
• e) Socket FM2+ и – для установки процессоров серии FX

– для Intel:

• but) Larga 775 - eg, Pentium 4, Celeron, Core 2 Duo
• b) Larga 1156 - Intel Core i3 processors, i5, i7 и Core 2 Duo
• c) Larga 1155 - Intel Core i3 processors, i5, i7 (Sandy Bridge и Ivy Bridge)
• d) Larga 2011 - Intel Core i7 processors (Sandy Bridge-E и Ivy Bridge-E)
• e) Larga 1150 – Intel Core i3, i5, i7 (Haswell и Broadwell)

worth knowing! To increase the computing power of the computer, you can choose a motherboard on which there is the possibility of installing two processors. To do this, the motherboard must have at its equipping two slots. This is the, but, solutions often server, требующие особого финансового вложения.

chipset

the so-called chip set can be identified in the construction of any motherboard, which is responsible for its performance and data transfer between the various components of a computer. The chipset comprises two microcircuits: north bridge and south. produce their:

• Intel
• AMD
• nVidia
• SiS
• VIA

the, which will be selected, It depends on individual preferences. costs, but, see all kinds of tests, reviews or regular users reviews, and on their basis to select the appropriate model.

connectors, interfaces and equipment

On the motherboard you can find the following connectors:

• SATA II / III - ports for connecting hard drives and optical drives. It is best to choose ports, using a new standard, which provide higher bandwidth (to 6 Gb / s).
• slot memory - to choose a model from a minimum 4 гнездами для оперативной памяти, whereby it will be possible to further expand. The last type of memory DDR3, providing a lower power consumption and higher throughput. Для использования в домашних и офисных условиях достаточно вариант подешевле DDR2.
• PCI-Express - their number depends on the destination. The tire is mainly used to connect other devices, in particular graphics cards.
• USB 2.0/3.0- is to choose the motherboard board, which have at least 6 ports because of the wide use and versatility. Via USB, you can connect not only USB flash drive or external hard drive, but also the mouse, keyboard, printer or phone. As is the case with SATA, it is best to choose the already standard, for best transmission results.
• FireWire - is used for connecting cameras. Still, it is a port normally used (though not so often, like before) due to the high speed file transfer.
• RJ-45 – сетевой разъем для подключения Интернета через кабель.
• HDMI - supports Audi / high-quality video signal.. a digital interface.
• eSATA - interface to connect an external hard drive. Characterized faster data transmission, than USB-port.
• S / PDIF optical output It allows you to transfer digital signals between two devices without having to convert it to an analog version.
• audio panel - it consists of the main connector: headphone and microphone.

system integrated

Provided a few cards, Integrated with motherboard, благодаря чему менее требовательные пользователи сохраняют полную функциональность без необходимости обеспечивания возможности увеличения производительности оборудования. They include:

• sound card - suitable for most home computers. Depending on the model it can handle the type of sound 5.1 or in more advanced surround 7.1
• LAN card – в эпоху Интернета это основное оборудование панелей материнских плат.
• Integrated Graphics - performance does not sin, but it works on computers of office and home media centers.

BIOS

Yes, really, Most regular users rarely run the BIOS to change settings. However, you should know, What functions can I find in it, and that all boards are equipped with this system,.

In the basic version, and, Consequently, are standard, inexpensive motherboards, there are features, on, first of all:

• power management
• downloading
• Date and Time Settings

However, many models also monitors parameters such, as:

• CPU temperature
• voltage
• chickenpox rotation speed
• operation of the cooling system.

Of course, BIOS is much more extended, and the more specialized motherboard (eg, for players or real enthusiasts), the more advanced features are available, allowing work to disperse the individual components.

note! but, BIOS-is not the only possibility. On the market there was a successor to the old and popular system, called EFI (UEFI), which provides a simple interface, support of the majority of motherboards, as well as perform a fast start-up computer.

Access to the settings by using Windows

Многие производители поддерживают топ-модели материнских плат предлагая программное обеспечение доступное на уровне операционной системы. Thereby, Even less experienced users can simple and intuitive way to manage the performance of individual components.

Power Supply

When buying a motherboard you should pay attention to what type of food provided designers. The motherboards for desktop computers and universal office, probably, 20-pin connector is used bydet, 24-contact, in the case of more advanced boards.

Cooling

On many models, especially cheap, You can find small heatsinks, которые на самом деле служат украшением внешнего вида, and are not intended to actually lower the temperature. So people, who are going to overclock the components and change the motherboard settings should pay attention to the cooling system, which should be effective in practice, and not only in theory. Before buying should read reviews from other owners of this model to determine the potential and the actual cost of the motherboard.

Supplements

Fans of technology and computer geeks are not forgotten group producers. It is for these companies are making additions, which should extend the functionality of the motherboard or support services:

• ЖК-дисплей – позволяет контролировать параметры материнки и компонентов
• LEDs - easier diagnostics
• automatic acceleration - like, eg, Turbo Key.

fate

Each, at least, to a certain degree, can determine, which will be used for the purchased computer. With this information,, easier to find the motherboard model, adapted to the needs of the user, and the power and performance of other components.

Motherboard for Gamers

Это современное оборудование должно гарантировать эффективный поток информации, support for different technologies, as well as the strength and the workmanship. The motherboard must have:

• powerful chipset
• the possibility of distillation
• a very efficient cooling system
• standart ATX
• BIOS rich additional functions / settings

The motherboard for the office computer

Its main features is:

• support to 4 GB RAM (It may be DDR2)
• built-in graphics card (VGA output or DVI)
• built-in sound card
• built-in network card 1 GB
• Energy Saving Technologies
• job stability

Motherboard for home media center

When making this type of computer, you receive the greatest number of difficulties. user expects, The car will allow him inhouse, games start, browsing the web, or work at home. Therefore, the motherboard should be universal, and its features is:

• no less 6 USB ports 2.0/3.0
• at least, 4 SATA port (hard drives and optical drive)
• support to 4-8 GB RAM
• PCI-Express slot
• built-in sound card 5.1
• built-in network card 1 GB
• energy-saving technologies

This motherboard should be to allow the computer to expand future, а также быть оборудована большим количеством портов. See Also “Ranking of the best motherboards 2015“