The Best Motherboards: A Comprehensive Guide.
Whether you’re building a new desktop computer for your gaming needs, streaming setup, or just for everyday use, one of the most important aspects is selecting a quality motherboard. A motherboard acts as the foundation that holds a variety of components together, so selecting the right one is essential to ensure all your components work together efficiently.
To help, we’ve prepared this comprehensive guide to the best motherboards on the market. We’ll take you through the different types of motherboards and the different features they have to offer, so you can make an informed decision on what’s right for you.
What is a Motherboard?
A motherboard is a printed circuit board responsible for connecting all the components in your computer. It contains various slots and sockets for connecting other internal components like the processor, memory, storage, and graphics cards. It also contains ports for connecting peripheral devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and printers.
There are a variety of different types of motherboards, ranging from ATX to micro-ATX and mini-ITX. Depending upon the type of motherboard you get, it could offer a variety of features, such as support for Crossfire or SLI, RAID, or various USB ports. It can also feature various expansion slots, such as PCI or PCIe, and audio/video ports.
Types of Motherboards
When it comes to motherboards, there are a variety of different sizes and form factors to choose from. The most common types of motherboards include:
ATX: ATX is the standardized form factor that most PCs use and chances are if you’re building a new PC you’ll have an ATX motherboard. These motherboards offer plenty of storage and cooling options so they’re great for gaming and high-end systems.
Micro-ATX: Micro-ATX is smaller than ATX and usually cheaper too. They offer fewer features but they’re small enough to fit into smaller cases, making them ideal for HTPC or LAN systems.
Mini-ITX: Mini-ITX is smaller than both ATX and mATX, however, it packs quite a punch for its size with support for powerful components and up to two PCI slots for expansion. Mini-ITX is perfect for building room friendly PCs.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Motherboard
There are several factors to consider when selecting a motherboard. Here’s a look at some:
Socket type: The type of processor socket is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a motherboard. It needs to be compatible with the processor you have/want to use.
Memory slots: Make sure you have enough memory slots for your needs. If you have/plan to have more than one memory module, make sure you have enough slots to support them.
Expansion card support: The expansion card support determines how many cards you can add, and what type of cards. If you plan to use dedicated graphics card(s) or add-on cards, make sure the motherboard you’re considering has enough slots to support them.
Storage support: The number of storage connectors on a motherboard will determine how many and type of drives you can install. If you plan to have several hard drives or an SSD array for added speed, make sure the motherboard you’re considering has enough connectors.
Other features: Beyond the basics, there are many additional features motherboards offer such as onboard audio, on-board Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, overclocking support and additional accessories.
Best Motherboards
Now that we’ve gone over the different types of motherboards and the factors to consider when selecting one, let’s take a look at some of the best motherboards currently on the market.
ASUS ROG ZENITH EXTREME
The ASUS ROG ZENITH EXTREME is one of the most feature-packed motherboards you can buy, making it ideal for overclockers and prosumers. It is based on a robust 16 phase VRM design, features a full spread of ports, and offers support for up to 8 GPUs.
Intel Dahill Creek Extreme
The Intel Dahill Creek Extreme is a powerhouse motherboard for serious overclockers. It features a robust 14 phase design along with support for multiple GPUs and a wide variety of ports for all your peripheral devices.
MSI MEG Z390 Godlike
The MSI MEG Z390 Godlike is a great choice for gamers and hardcore enthusiasts. It’s based on a strong 13 phase VRM, supports up to 4 GPUs, and has plenty of USB, Audio and Ethernet ports.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a wide range of motherboards on the market and it’s important to select the right one for your needs. By considering the different types of motherboards, the factors to consider, and the best motherboards on the market, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and build the perfect machine for your needs.
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