When it comes to building your own PC, you’ll find that the only thing harder than choosing which components to buy is figuring out what to do with them once you’ve bought them. You need a motherboard in order to install processor, memory and storage card slots, and connect everything together. In other words, the motherboard is where you’ll actually slot in all of your parts. The same goes for case fans, power supply cables and almost any other accessory that you might want for your PC. In this guide we’ll be explaining everything you need to know about planning out your build from start to finish. From researching different manufacturers and model numbers until you find just the right one for your needs, all the way through to how best to install and secure each piece in its final position once it’s all been put together.
What is a motherboard?
A motherboard is the central platform on which your PC will be built. On top of this, it’ll contain the processor, RAM, storage and other essential parts, such as the graphics card. Furthermore, it’ll help to route power from the power supply to the rest of the components, and will be the point where you’ll connect your monitor, keyboard and mouse. With all of these components, it’s not surprising that the motherboard is often referred to as the brain of your build. It’s the central point from which all other components of your PC are connected, and will have a huge impact on how it performs. If your motherboard doesn’t have enough ports for all your accessories, for example, you’ll quickly run out of places to plug them in. If components fail on your motherboard, as is far more likely than on your CPU, you’ll find that you can’t use your PC at all. Therefore, it’s best to do your research in advance and select a motherboard that combines all of the requirements you need.
Choosing a motherboard
There are a few factors to consider when you’re choosing a motherboard. The first, of course, is the chipset. The chipset determines the overall architecture of the motherboard, and determines how many ports and slots are available. In Intel motherboards, you’ll have an LGA 1151 socket. AMD CPUs have a FM2+ socket, and these are roughly the same size. You’ll also see some boards with an AM3+ socket, and other chipsets. From there, you’ll want to consider the number of RAM slots available on the motherboard. CPUs have their own RAM, which means that any spare RAM slots will need to be taken up with a graphics card or other peripheral. You’ll also want to consider what other features the motherboard has. For example, will the ATX form factor be compatible with your case? Is there an i/o shield included with the motherboard? These can be small features, but they can make or break a build.
Installing and connecting a motherboard
Installing a motherboard is pretty simple. You just need to make sure that all of the components are correctly oriented, and that there’s enough height clearance in the case for them. Make sure you have your motherboard facing the right way, and that you’ve got enough room at the rear of the case to mount it. You’ll want to make sure that all the RAM slots are facing the correct direction, or that there’s enough clearance between the CPU and RAM to allow for expansion cards. You’ll also want to make sure that the CPU socket is oriented correctly. It’s important that you don’t accidentally plug a CPU into the wrong socket, as this will damage the CPU and render it unusable.
Case fans
The last component you’ll need to buy is a case fan. These are usually installed on the rear of the motherboard, and are designed to draw air out of the case and away from the motherboard. While this is an important function, it’s also the weakest component of your build. Case fans are typically the primary cause of motherboard failures. As they’re not designed to withstand high levels of stress, they’re often the first components to fail on a user’s build. If your case fan isn’t working properly, it’s important to replace it.
CPU cooling
One of the most important components of your build is the CPU. While it’s unlikely that you’ll damage your CPU, it’s also unlikely that you’ll cool it sufficiently. Most CPUs are designed to operate at around 60°C, but most cases are designed to keep them at less than 50°C. If your CPU overheats, it could damage the CPU and render it useless. Overheating could also damage the motherboard and other components, such as the power supply. In order to ensure that your PC doesn’t overheat, you’ll want to make sure that your CPU is adequately cooled. There are a few ways to do this. The most common is to use a water block, which is placed directly on the CPU. These are usually more expensive than air-cooled units, but are also more effective. You might also opt for a more open-air case, which allows the CPU to run slightly cooler than the standard model.
Power supply units
As with CPUs, power supplies are designed to operate at around 60°C. However, they are also designed to safely handle anything you could throw at them. If you’re building a high-end PC, you’ll want to make sure that you buy a power supply with enough power for your build. Look for a unit that has at least 500W of power, and remember that this will require a new power supply unit. The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing your power supply is its wattage. Higher wattage units provide more power, and are designed to handle higher levels of demand. Most high-end PCs will require a high-wattage PSU, so you should make sure that you get one with the correct wattage.
Conclusion
When it comes to building your own PC, the motherboard is almost always the hardest part to buy and install correctly. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered. From choosing the right motherboard to installing it correctly, we’ve got all the information you need to get it right first time.