Assembling or upgrading a computer is a solution to a problem with several inputs, and the result should satisfy all the “Wishlist” as much as possible and meet all the “mogelki” so as not to deplete the family budget. Well, let's start talking about the parts that make up any computer, from the basics, from the basis, from the mother of our systems. As you understand, today we will talk about how to choose a motherboard, which model can be the best purchase, what you can save on without overpaying for unnecessary functions. Today is the first part, and we will look at the lower and middle price range, leaving the models "for overclocking" and games for next time.
Criterias of choice
As always, we are dancing from the traditional item of Russian life, “from the stove”, for which we will choose the “folk” socket 1151, for which manufacturers have released a huge number of motherboards. With such a choice, sometimes the eyes really “run up”. We have to figure out how the fees differ, and for what the manufacturer wants to take this or that amount from us, and what to give for this amount.
Armed with knowledge, we will distribute all the boards into several classes. Naturally, this division is conditional, and does not mean at all that only dull performance, suitable only for office use, can be expected from a motherboard from the budget segment.
Not at all. Even ready-made system blocks from well-known manufacturers, moreover, positioned as gaming ones, are often equipped with motherboards based on the H110 chipset, which seem to be hardly suitable for this.
And yet, in terms of functionality and, most importantly, expansion options, motherboards differ. How they differ and depending on the purpose for which they are selected. If you are interested in the possibility of overclocking the processor and memory, this is one class of devices. If the computer being assembled will have to work in normal mode until it is replaced / upgraded in the form in which it is bought, then what is the point of overpaying for redundant functions?
I will not limit the form factor either. ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX, Mini-STX and others - we'll leave everything and consider it. The only thing that we will leave out of the brackets is the preferences of a particular brand, the quality of service.
Budget motherboards
Models fall into this section not so much by price, but by their capabilities. Agree, the H110 chipset cannot be attributed to top solutions. This is typically a budget option for building systems with rather limited expansion and configuration options.
At the same time, such motherboards perform their work no worse than more expensive models, and within the limits of their capabilities, they work as they should. So let's see what's on sale right now. Let's go in ascending order.
ASRock H110M-DGS R3.0
One of the cheapest models, the price of which is around 3000 rubles. Has PCI-E x16 slots, 1 PCI-E x1 slot, 4 SATA3 slots, 2 slots for DDR4-2133 memory. A typical budget option with, however, a radiator is used for cooling.
R3.0 means that this is the 3rd revision of the board, and it should already support 7th generation Kaby Lake processors out of the box. If an earlier board came across, then that's okay too. In extreme cases, you will have to update the BIOS.
The board has a microATX form factor. The 8-pin CPU power connector is located close to the socket, which can cause problems when installing bulky coolers. It may not be possible to lay the cable qualitatively and neatly. Naturally, there is no talk of using two video cards. Moreover, there is only DVI for connecting a monitor.
MSI H110M PRO-D
In fact, it is a direct analogue of the previous one, the cost, if different, is 100-200 rubles in one direction or another, depending on the store. Of the differences - 2 PCI-E x1 slots, 6 power phases, 2 USB 3.1 slots and, perhaps, that's all. A slightly larger size allowed the board to be laid out more traditionally, placing the connectors for connecting drives along the bottom edge.
In general, this is a more than worthy choice for a minimum of money, and the board shows excellent performance. If you are ready to put up with DVI-only, no M.2, only two memory slots, and don't plan to install a large number of additional devices, then this board is definitely a bargain.
ASUS H110M-R/C/SI
At a price of about 3300 rubles. differs from those listed, perhaps, only by the presence of HDMI. There are no more benefits. So, if only DVI is not enough to connect a monitor, then in this case there is the whole "zoo" - VGA, DVI, HDMI. An overpayment of a couple of hundred rubles for the wide possibility of connecting a monitor is fully justified.
Of the features, it is worth mentioning the unsuccessful arrangement of contacts for connecting front audio connectors. They are located right in front of the PCI-E x16 slot, and the installed video card covers these pins. Yes, and one of the SATA stands out from the row, being a little deeper in the board.
MSI H110M PRO-VD (PLUS)
Unremarkable "mothers" at a price of just over 3300 rubles. At the same time, the PLUS version differs from the usual one in a smaller number of USB ports on the back wall (4 versus 6) and the presence of two full-fledged PS / 2 together with one combined one. Here is such a plus.
USB version 3.1 is used. DVI and VGA are used to connect the monitor. There are 4 SATA, 2 memory slots, 1 PCI-E x16 and 2 PCI-E x1.
In the rest - normal boards, if there are no cheaper alternatives, then you can take it.
ASUS H110M-CS
An incomprehensible fee, or rather, the price of it. For 3800 rubles. everything is offered the same as in the case of the cheapest ASRock H110M-DGS R3.0. The difference is in the presence of a second PCI-E x1 slot and the replacement of DVI with the already archaic VGA. For what to overpay, for a brand?
MSI H110M ECO
The price is just over 3800 rubles. seems overpriced, although compared to the previous one, it is somewhat compensated by the presence of VGA, DVI, HDMI, as well as the use of a network controller on an Intel chip, which is a little faster than solutions based on Realtek chips.
The board provides ample opportunities for energy saving. It is possible to manually turn off unused elements (fans, lights, etc.). There is also an automatic mode in which you can set up to 3 energy saving profiles. while using a high-quality element base.
Otherwise, there are no clear arguments in favor of this fee, as well as reasons to overpay. There are no advantages over cheaper alternatives.
MSI H110M Gaming
For a beautiful name, belonging to gaming boards and for red connectors, the manufacturer wants 700 rubles more than for the previous, "environmentally friendly" version. You will have to pay for external attractiveness.
True, there will be not 4 USB connectors on the rear panel (which is not enough in our times), but 6, and 4 of them are versions 3.1. Otherwise, it is an analogue of the previous one, functionally not having any advantages.
MSI H110M GRENADE
Price - about 4700 rubles. It differs from most of the previous ones by the presence of an Intel network chip, an M.2 connector on the PCI-E bus and USB Type-C. Is it worth all the overpayment - you decide. The presence of M.2 to install an SSD under the operating system can be useful when assembling compact computers.
ASRock H110M-STX
Mini-STX form factor board for building very compact systems. The cost is about 5200 rubles. The layout is specific, in which the connectors are located not only on the rear edge of the board, but also on the front. Of the features - support for processors with a TDP of up to 65 W, the use of an Intel network chip, SO-DIMM DDR4 memory modules. There is USB Type-C, 2 SATA3. You can use VGA, HDMI, or DisplayPort to connect a monitor.
2 M.2 connectors installed:
- Key E (Socket 1) - for installing Wi-fi or Bluetooth modules.
- Key M (Socket 3) - for installing SSD drives on the PCIe Gen3 x4 2280 bus.
Please note that this board does not support M.2 drives running on the SATA bus, only PCIe!
An external 19 V power supply is used.
ASUS H110T
Form factor - Thin Mini-ITX. Price - about 5300 rubles. Of the differences from the previous model - the presence of two gigabit network interfaces (based on Intel and Realtek chips), the absence of USB Type-C, support for M.2 SSDs in sizes 2242/2260. Lack of support for the most popular 2280 SSD size may negate the use of this slot.
To connect the monitor, you can use HDMI, DisplayPort. Memory - laptop, SO-DIMM.
Other options
Naturally, these are not all models. I have listed only those that, in my opinion, may be of some interest. For about the same cost, you can find other options that do not differ in almost anything. So, the cheapest models can be competed with, for example, Gigabyte GA-H110M-S2, but at the same or slightly higher (50-100 rubles) cost, there are no advantages. The whole difference comes down to the number of power phases and layout.
MSI H110M PRO-VH is a typical competitor to the MSI H110M PRO-VD (PLUS) models, and differs only in the presence of HDMI, for which you will have to pay about 60 rubles.
You can pay a few hundred rubles extra if you really need an HDMI, M.2 connector, or you have equipment connected via outdated COM or LPT interfaces.
Many board models, in fact, have several modifications that differ in the installed interfaces, primarily for connecting a monitor. So, ASRock's simplest H110M-DGS R3.0 has only DVI, and H110M-DVS R3.0 also has VGA. True, it already costs 400 rubles more. ASRock H110M-HDV is already equipped with HDMI, and for this you will have to pay another 100 rubles compared to the previous version.
Boards such as Gigabyte GA-H110-D3A, ASRock H110 Pro BTC+ and the like stand somewhat apart. Their cost is 7500 for the first and about 12700 for the second. Both of them are full-fledged ATX, and such a characteristic as the number of PCI-E x1 ports speaks about the scope of application. Gigabyte has 5 of them, and ASRock has 12. It is probably already clear that these boards are designed specifically for cryptocurrency mining.
To summarize, there is no fundamental difference between the boards. You can take any at the lowest price with the required set of installed interfaces, the choice of which, in other matters, is not so wide. They differ in the presence and quantity of USB 3.0 / 3.1, USB Type-C, M.2 connector. There are differences in the way the monitor is connected. Even the cheapest motherboard can be connected via DVI. Yes, and with HDMI, the model is only 300 rubles more expensive.
I would not pay much attention to the difference in the processor power system. Someone has only 4 phases, someone has 6. It is clear that the more of them, the better. Especially ASRock likes to save on the number of power phases. On the other hand, only she has radiators to cool these circuits. Considering that overclocking of processors is impossible, this is quite enough.
Perhaps, Mini-ITX, Mini-STX form factor models have their own specifics, but when choosing such motherboards, you most likely know why such options are needed.
Mid-Range Motherboards
Here, boards based on the B150/250, H170/270, Q170/270 chipsets will be accepted for consideration. Let me remind you that they differ from the H110 in a larger number of PCI-E lanes, the use of the 3rd generation of this interface, unlike the 2nd in the 110th chipset, a larger number of USB ports, and the ability to use already 4 DIMM slots instead of two .
The 2xx generation is not much different from the 1xx chipset generation. One of the main differences is drive support. Overclocking on these chipsets is not provided. This can only be done by increasing the frequency of the processor or memory. The use of processors with an unlocked multiplier (with the letter "K" in the marking) is not justified, since this feature cannot be used.
B150/250 chipsets are famous for office solutions, although the number of models offered is large, Q170/270 are specific products, more focused on the corporate segment, and the number of board models based on them is very small. The most popular is the H170/270, which lacks only the ability to overclock the processor by a multiplier. In the rest - one of the most functional options.
Considering all the proposed models is a thankless task. There are quite a few of them, and most of them are not much different from each other. I will focus on the most attractive options.
ASRock B150M-HDS
In fact, it is a complete analog of the ASRock B110M-HDS board, differing only in a different chipset (B150) and a price of about 250-300 rubles higher. I don’t see much point in buying, given the minimum of connectors, the lack of M.2, and even the not very good location of SATA connectors. It will be difficult to lay cables nicely and neatly.
Gigabyte GA-B150M-D2V
One of the cheapest, which already has 6 SATA connectors. The cost is about 4200 rubles. In the pros - 4 USB 3.0 on the rear wall, the presence of VGA and DVI for connecting a monitor. Of the minuses - only 2 DIMM DDR4, lack of HDMI and M.2 (although this minus is rather controversial).
For your money - a good option.
Gigabyte GA-H170M-HD3 DDR3
Pretty controversial model. Chipset - H170. On the one hand, the price is about 4200 rubles, which includes 6 SATA3, 2 SATA Express (outdated connector), support for RAID 0,1,5,10, the presence of PCI-E M.2, VGA, DVI, HDMI. On the other hand, it works with memory of the already outdated DDR3 generation, and only 2 such modules can be installed. In our times, this is rather a minus, although if other characteristics suit you, then you can take it. There will be no noticeable difference between DDR3 and DDR4. The problem is with the upgrade. The next time you replace the motherboard, this memory will no longer be usable.
If memory modules of this particular generation remain, then you can save money and use them by updating the motherboard and processor, postponing the transition to a new generation of memory for another time.
The presence of a PCI slot is also debatable. One more PCI-E would be better. In general, I would not take this motherboard, precisely because of the futility of memory.
MSI B250M PRO-VD
A motherboard based on a fresh B250 chipset for 4400 rubles, and one of the cheapest on it. The asset is a PCIe M.2 connector, 4 USB 3.1 on the rear wall, the ability to connect 6 SATA drives. The lack of HDMI (there are only VGA and DVI), and there are only two memory slots can be disappointing. Otherwise, it's a good option at an attractive price on a good chipset.
ASRock B250M-HDV
Direct competitor of the previous model. It differs by a slightly higher price (about 4500 rubles), the presence of HDMI and a gigabit network card based on an Intel chip. True, USB is only version 3.0, no 3.1 and Type-C. In my opinion, the option is slightly preferable than the MSI model, if there are no complaints about the lack of the newfangled Type-C and USB 3.0 is quite enough.
A decent motherboard for the money.
ASUS H170M-E D3
An even more controversial option than the Gigabyte GA-H170M-HD3 DDR3. The cost is about 4600 rubles. The same DDR3 memory, although there are 4 slots for installing RAM modules. At the same time, only 4 SATA3, although with support for RAID 0,1,5,10, there is M.2.
I have no arguments in favor of this model. If you definitely need RAID, then there is a slightly cheaper Gigabyte, in which you can also connect more drives for 2 drives. The only, although controversial, plus is 4 memory slots, and even then, there is a Gigabyte GA-H170M-D3H DDR3, which also has 4 DIMMs and the same price. The model has become obsolete and is not interesting for purchase.
ASUS B150M-A/M.2
Quite a controversial option, primarily due to not the most recent chipset. Judge for yourself. After all, for 4800 rubles. there are 4 connectors for DDR4, and HDMI, and 6 SATA, and M.2, and USB 3.1 Type-C. In the minuses - the lack of RAID, the limitation of the memory frequency to 2133 MHz. If you need M.2 and Type-C is useful, then it makes sense to include this board in the list of candidates for purchase. It's not expensive, but it has everything you need. At the same time, almost everything the same can be found on a more recent chipset and for about the same money.
An alternative is the Gigabyte GA-B250M-DS3H, which costs about 200 rubles. larger, offers a more recent chipset, but no Type-C. The ASUS PRIME B250M-A costs about the same with the same specifications and the same price.
There is also the already mentioned ASRock B250M-HDV, which has everything that this model has, but with a more recent chipset. True, this ASUS has 4 slots for installing memory, unlike the B250M-HDV, but the price is slightly higher.
Another alternative is MSI B250M PRO-VDH, which has everything the same as this Asus, but the chipset is more recent.
MSI B250M BAZOOKA (PRO)
The cost is about 5300 rubles, the chipset is B250. What advantages does it have over ASUS PRIME B250M-A? None. All the same. In this case, the determining factor is the cost of one or another model at the moment. Whichever is cheaper, take it.
The PRO version differs from the usual one by the installed heatsink on the processor batteries.
MSI B150M NIGHT ELF
The cost is about 5500 rubles. A similarly equipped board can be found cheaper. What is the overpayment for then? For backlighting, an Intel network card and beautiful heatsinks.
With the characteristics, however, everything is in order. There are also 6 SATA, 4 slots for memory modules, and 2 PCI-E x16, and an Intel network chip. DVI is installed for monitor connection.
For aesthetics, if the case has a glass wall, a very good option. For those who are more concerned not with how the board looks, but with how it works, spending money is not justified.
ASUS STRIX B250G GAMING
Prepare 6200 rubles. For what? For beautiful heatsinks, an Intel network card, 2 M.2 connectors, HDMI, the SupremeFX audio chip, which is used in more advanced motherboards from this manufacturer. Is the sound better than when using a Realtek audio chip? I do not think.
Otherwise, it is much more attractive than the previous model, at least thanks to a newer chipset, the presence of M.2.
ASRock H270M Pro4
One of the cheapest motherboards based on the H270 chipset. The cost is about 6200 rubles. There are 6 SATA3 with support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, 2 M.2 connectors, both running on the PCIe bus, with one M.2 supporting SSDs of this form factor running on the SATA bus. The second M.2 is PCIe drives only.
There is also HDMI c DVI, USB Type-C is also installed. Processor power supply - 6-phase. In general, a very "packed" model on a fresh chipset and for reasonable money. It can be compared with the previous model. Although there are no beautiful heatsinks and the word "GAMING" in the name, the performance is by no means worse, and even better.
I advise you to take a look. If multiplier overclocking is not needed, this is probably one of the best options. Similar in characteristics to the MSI H270M BAZOOKA for about 300 rubles. more expensive. In this case, only one M.2.
There is a modification of this board with a slightly different layout - the H270 Pro4 model, although it is already about 400 rubles more expensive. But there is also ASRock B250M Pro4, a slightly simplified version based on a simpler chipset, devoid of RAID. But it costs 800-1000 rubles. cheaper.
ASRock Fatal1ty B250M Performance
The cost is about 6350 rubles. The board is beautiful, made in red and black colors, in which the memory slots and heatsinks are painted. Metal connector for video card.
There is everything that should be in such boards - HDMI, Type-C, M.2, a network card from Intel, 6 SATA, DVI-D, HDMI, VGA, 4 slots for memory modules.
Well, the big name in the title. Whether all this is worth the overpayment is up to you. (Hint: the ASRock B250M Pro4 has everything the same, but without prettiness, for about 5200 rubles).
MSI B250M MORTAR ARCTIC
The cost is about 6600 rubles. The board is of interest primarily to modders who assemble a system unit in white colors. According to the characteristics - no difference with cheaper competitors.
Gigabyte GA-H270-HD3
A full-fledged ATX board with three PCI-E x16 slots, two PCI-E x1 and two PCI, since the chipset has enough lanes to install such a number of expansion slots. And for all this you will have to pay about 6700 rubles.
Among other characteristics - 4 slots for DDR4 memory, 6 SATA, which can be combined into RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, there is PCI-E M.2, an Intel network controller. You can use VGA, DVI, or HDMI to connect a monitor. No, except perhaps Type-C. The rest is a very sophisticated model. It will come in handy for those who really need all these features.
Against its background, the ASUS H170-PLUS D3 chamber looks strange, which at the same cost has DDR3 memory, only 4 SATA, USB 3.0 instead of version 3.1 from Gigabyte. Do you have any arguments in favor of this Asus? I have no.
ASUS B150 PRO GAMING/AURA
The cost is about 7500 rubles. Compared to the Gigabyte GA-H270-HD3 does not offer anything new. Moreover, it lacks RAID support, there is no USB 3.1, and the chipset of the old series.
True, beautiful lighting and painted radiators. The SupremeFX sound subsystem is used, there are 6 SATA, M.2, an Intel network controller, there is USB Type-C. For modders - it's the most, and the proprietary Aura lighting system is just to help. For boring pragmatists - unnecessary buns, for which it is not clear why they have to pay.
Gigabyte GA-H270-Gaming 3
Estimated price - about 9000 rubles. Belongs to the game series of boards, which, in fact, follows from the name. It has everything that should be to build a very productive gaming computer.
There are 6 SATA3 with support for RAID 0, 1, 10, 5, and 2 M.2 connectors, and 4 slots for DDR4-2400 memory, and USB 3.1, and Type-C, and DVI with HDMI. By the way, there is also support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 10. Among the features is the use of a network gigabit controller Killer E2500 from Rivet Networks. Naturally, everything is in newfangled lighting. Form factor - full ATX.
MSI H270 GAMING PRO CARBON
This is one of the most expensive boards. Its cost is about 9300 rubles. The H270 chipset provides support for DDR4-2400 memory, 4 memory slots, 6 SATA3 installed, 2 M.2 connectors. There are all modern interface connectors, including USB Type-C. An Intel based network card is used.
Naturally, it was not without customizable backlighting, installing a metal connector for the first PCI-E x16. The radiators are marked with logos and inscriptions.
This board is fundamentally no different from cheaper analogues. In this case, the choice is based more on the aesthetic qualities of the product, rather than on the characteristics that can be found in motherboards at a lower price.
MSI B250M PRO OPT BOOST
The characteristics of the board practically do not differ from the MSI B250M BAZOOKA described above, and unlike the latter, there is no Type-C port, and a combined PS / 2 is also installed. At the same time, the price of the board is about 7900 rubles. The difference with a bazooka is about 2500 rubles. For what? And for the 16 GB Intel Optane module that comes with the kit (the letters OPT in the name are for a reason).
Moreover, the cost of such a caching module, if you buy it separately, is about 1000 more than the difference in the cost of these two boards. Isn’t it a good reason to buy a motherboard and, in addition to it, a completely fresh Intel Optane, which will allow you to do without buying an SSD, but get the speed of a hard drive almost like a solid state one?
Other options
As in the case of budget motherboards, a large number of other models remain behind the scenes, which literally do not differ from those listed, but have a higher price. There are sure to be a number of motherboards that will meet the required specifications, and choose the one that is simply cheaper.
For example, the ASRock B250M-HDV has HDMI, which is not available in the similar ASUS PRIME B250M-K, while it is also slightly cheaper. Sense then in purchase of this ASUS model?
So, the above MSI H270 GAMING PRO CARBON is far from the only one oriented to use in gaming computers. Moreover, it is one of the most expensive in this segment. There are ASRock B250 Gaming K4 (8200 rubles), ASUS ROG STRIX B250I GAMING (8200 rubles), ASUS STRIX H270F GAMING (9100 rubles) and a number of others. Which one to choose is a matter of taste and financial capabilities.
On the other hand, if we compare the top (in this collection) MSI H270 GAMING PRO CARBON and the cheapest on the same ASRock H270M Pro4 chipset, which is about 3000 rubles. cheaper, then we'll see what, in fact, is included in this difference. The boards are identical in terms of functionality, except for the lack of RAID in MSI and the presence of 2 more USB 3.0 on the rear wall, as well as an S/PDIF output.
On the other hand, MSI is equipped with a backlight (where would it be without it now), beautiful heatsinks, a rather spectacular appearance in general, and gold-plated audio connectors. It turns out that the increase in cost includes only all this beauty. Is she worth it?
Conclusion. How to choose the right motherboard
How to choose the best option from all the variety of offers? It's hard to give a definitive answer. For starters - I would not "bother" about the manufacturer. Only a few companies are engaged in the release, they are trustworthy and, frankly, the products of which differ little from each other. I would not consider exotics like Biostar or Colorful.
The next step is to decide on the main characteristics. What processor are you planning to use? If from the latest (at the moment) generation of Kaby Lake, then I see no reason to save money and consider models based on 100-family chipsets. With the exception of H110, if a budget system is being assembled and the goal is maximum savings. The 200 chipset family supports DDR4-2400 memory, has more PCI-Express lanes, which gives more options for system expansion.
Moreover, the savings may turn out to be minimal, and the chosen mother on the old chipset may no longer have any prospects. Likewise with memory. Even if there are DDR3 sticks left, it's not entirely wise to save money and keep using them with a new motherboard. Since we are talking about an upgrade, you will have to part with DDR3 that has honestly served its purpose and switch to DDR4.
Naturally, when buying a motherboard based on chipsets without the letter "Z", i.e. without the possibility of overclocking by changing the multiplier, the use of processors with an unlocked multiplier (for example, I7-7700K) is not implied. Such a bundle, of course, will work, but why overpay for an “unlocked” processor if you can’t use it?
As you can see, there are models that may differ from each other by the presence or absence of just one connector, for example, HDMI. Do you need it, do you plan to use it? If yes, then there are no questions, if your monitor works fine from DVI, then is it really so important that the selected “mother” also has HDMI?
Now about the interfaces for connecting external devices. All models have USB 2.0 and 3.0, some have more connectors with the old version of USB, some have more USB 3.0. Many offer USB 3.1, and sometimes Type-C is also present. You need it - look for a model with such a connector, no - well, do not pay attention.
Having determined the list of required characteristics, select suitable models. Is it worth taking the most expensive one? Well, if only for the sake of having a backlight, an unusual color of the textolite, metal connectors for a memory / video card, or some similar “buns”. It will work exactly the same as a cheaper analogue.
For that matter, it is better to pay attention to the processor power supply, how many phases are used in the selected board model, and whether they have heatsinks. This is especially true if you are not going to trade on trifles and plan to install a powerful processor.
The main thing is that there is plenty to choose from, and there is something to choose from. As usual, in all the variety of motherboards there are those that will fully meet your requirements, and among them it is quite possible to choose the most affordable one.
Next time, let's look at motherboards that involve overclocking and which have a place in gaming computers.
The motherboard is rightfully considered the main component of a desktop PC. It is to it that hard drives, a video card, as well as peripheral devices are connected. If you choose the “motherboard” incorrectly, then in the future you could forget about upgrading your computer, since more powerful components simply won’t fit it. But you shouldn’t overpay either - a gaming motherboard will be meaningless if you use your computer only to work with office programs.
Main selection criteria
The motherboard is not in vain received such a name. In fact, this is a printed circuit board familiar to every radio amateur, on which there are a large number of slots and conductive channels. Through the "motherboard" RAM exchanges information with the processor and hard drive, headphones or USB drives are also connected to it. That is why, when choosing such a device, you need to focus on the components that you want to connect to it. Beware of incompatibility!
Chipset
First of all, you should pay attention to the socket. This is the name of the connector to which the processor is connected. It has several varieties, and therefore the purchase of incompatible motherboard and processor is a very common occurrence. The main difference between the socket lies in the manufacturer.
- AMD processors are supported by sockets whose names begin with S, AM or FM.
- Intel processors are placed in sockets with a name starting with LGA.
A professional should only look at the name, as he will give you a whole family of processors suitable for installation in the selected motherboard. It’s better for you to go to the official website of the manufacturer - the processors supported by the board will be indicated there. If you care about the gaming capabilities of your computer, then look for a board that supports the installation of the latest processor, released recently.
RAM
A couple of years ago, the description of this slot would have taken a couple of lines. Your only choice would be a board with standard RAM slots. DDR3. You would only have to think about the number of these slots. But at the beginning of 2015, the memory of the standard began to become widespread. DDR4. It is characterized by increased speed (frequency of operation) and, as a rule, a large volume. A motherboard with DDR4 support is required only by hardcore gamers and professionals actively involved in 3D modeling, video editing or photo editing. The average computer user will also be satisfied with the capabilities of DDR3.
PCI slots
Theoretically, the motherboard can do without a single PCI slot. But then you have to forget about connecting a video card, sound card and other additional devices. You should not buy a "motherboard" with an excessive number of such slots - the devices in them can interfere with each other due to their thickness. You should also know that budget motherboards have only one full-fledged slot designed for a video card (usually it is indicated PCI-Express 3.0 x16). If you are going to use SLI or CrossFire technology, then you will have to invest in a gaming motherboard, which can have two or even three such slots.
Hard Drive Connectors
Very cheap models of motherboards use an interface to obtain information from hard drives. SATA2. Forget about this purchase! Be sure to choose a device that has at least a couple of connectors SATA3. They will provide information exchange at a speed of 6 GB / s. In short, it fully utilizes the potential of traditional hard drives. But much more growth will be noticeable in the case of installing SSD drives. Do they seem too expensive to you now? But you do not buy a motherboard for one year, do you? And after a couple of years, solid-state drives will definitely fall in price. By the way, if you want to buy an SSD right now, we recommend that you first read our article on.
Photo: www.ixbt.com
Other motherboard specifications
When choosing a motherboard, you should pay attention to other characteristics that at first glance seem unimportant.
- First, evaluate how many USB 3.0 ports it has. How many of them are on the back panel and how many can be displayed on the front wall of the system unit. If your case has four high-speed USB connectors at once, then you need a motherboard that can provide the ability to work with all of them.
- Secondly, you should also be interested in USB 2.0 ports. In terms of speed characteristics, they are godlessly outdated, but you can always connect a card reader, mouse, keyboard and peripherals to them. Therefore, it is better to consider a motherboard with a large number of such connectors.
- Pay attention to the number of audio jacks. If the motherboard is capable of outputting sound in 5.1 or 7.1 format, then, with a high degree of probability, in the future you will not think about buying a sound card.
Form Factor
The size of the motherboard, the power connector used, and some other parameters depend on the form factor of the motherboard. The following common form factors exist: ATX, MicroATX, EATX, FlexATX, btx, mini-ITX, mBTX And DTX. When choosing a form factor, you should focus on the power supply and the existing case. An ATX board may simply not fit into a modest office PC - its size and the location of the mounts interfere. Well, to build servers, motherboards in form factors are used SSI EEB And SSI CEB.
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How do expensive models differ from ordinary ones?
You can easily find "motherboards" in stores, the cost of which is comparable to the price of very powerful processors. How do such devices differ from ordinary motherboards?
- Availability of wireless modules. Most often, gaming models receive Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chips. This allows you to abandon the cable stretching to the router.
- Two or three PCI-Express 3.0 slots. This allows you to use a bunch of multiple video cards. However, it will consume a huge amount of electricity - this should be remembered.
- The presence of a cooling system. Usually it is made according to passive technology - RAM and other modules are covered with a copper or aluminum radiator. But there are options with air or water cooling.
- Control of everything and everyone. Gaming models allow you to adjust the fan speed, processor frequency and many other parameters remotely. To do this, you do not need to enter the BIOS - just use the included remote control or install the appropriate application on your smartphone. Ideal for those who love overclocking while playing games!
- Treble support. Ordinary motherboards will not allow you to use ultra-high frequencies of RAM or processor. Only game models are capable of this. Again, this is only for overclockers looking to experiment.
- Huge number of connectors. This will help connect an unimaginable number of devices to the motherboard. Some models are even endowed with a Thunderbolt port, used in Apple technology. The USB-C connector is also gaining popularity.
The most popular manufacturers
Oddly enough, among processor manufacturers, only Intel. This company supplies boards with a non-standard form factor to store shelves. In particular, models designed for building servers have gained decent popularity. Well, ordinary users choose products GIGABYTE, ASUS, ASRock, MSI And Supermicro. This is not to say that someone's "motherboard" is better than the rest, so be sure to focus on reviews and reviews.
Common Buyer Mistakes
- Sales consultants are trying to impose the purchase of a motherboard equipped with only two slots for RAM. And sometimes buyers agree by buying it and a couple of 2 GB sticks. Then they are surprised that such a volume in modern realities is sorely lacking.
- Also, some consumers find that they don't need high-speed USB 3.0 ports at all. In practice, it turns out that such connectors are needed - many external hard drives, flash drives and even smartphones support this standard. Do not repeat the mistake of these people - look for a "motherboard" with USB 3.0 ports.
- Buying a game model can also cause a lot of trouble. If you have purchased the most expensive motherboard, get ready to use its potential. You will have to allocate time for overclocking and buying components of the appropriate class. Otherwise, it will be money thrown to the wind.
Assembling your own PC is not an easy task. It is important to carefully consider every detail of the system. But most users do not think about how to choose a motherboard or power supply. They throw all their energy into buying a processor and video card. All this leads to the fact that components can be unbalanced or, even worse, incompatible.
Importance
Understanding how to choose a motherboard for a computer is a must. All other elements of the system are connected to this platform. It affects the service life and stability of the PC.
In addition to being compatible with all devices, it should provide an opportunity to improve the system in the future. Therefore, it is very important to look to the future when choosing a motherboard, as technology develops, and gaming computers are updated every 1-2 years.
Motherboard
Motherboards can be not only in a computer, but also in other devices. But since we are considering exactly the PC system, we will not delve into third-party topics and consider the components of the computer board.
The motherboard has major non-removable parts. These include:
- socket for installing the processor;
- slots for RAM;
- north and south bridges;
- boot ROM;
- various expansion slots;
- interfaces and controllers of peripheral devices.
In order for the system unit to be complete, a power supply and a cooling system are connected to the motherboard.
Choice
How to choose a motherboard? There are many parameters to consider when purchasing this device. This includes:
- manufacturer;
- price;
- form factor;
- socket;
- chipset;
- memory;
- slots and connectors;
- electronic components;
- power schemes;
- cooling systems;
- equipment and much more.
In order not to make a mistake in choosing a platform, it is important to consider each of these points in more detail and understand which element is responsible for what.
Manufacturer and price
This option is not always the key to the question of how to choose a motherboard. This is due to the fact that not all users follow the release of platforms. They do not know who is the sales leader, which company is focused on the production of budget or gaming motherboards. Therefore, in this case, it is more often focused on the cost.
But still, you can get a general picture and point to the leading manufacturers. It is not easy to name a leader, but most experienced users will agree that Asus is one of the best. It manufactures mid to high end boards. The quality of materials is always good, but the cost is sometimes too high.
Asus practically does not work with entry-level platforms, and if they release them, then the overpayment for the brand is definitely not worth it. But if you look closely at the models of the middle segment, then it may make sense to pay extra to get a really high-quality and durable device.
Entry-level motherboards work best with Gigabyte and ASRock. The last manufacturer is a subsidiary of Asus. Both companies have a proven track record of developing low cost solutions for work PCs.
Many people ask which motherboard to choose for Intel. In addition to the manufacturers described above, it is worth paying attention to Intel itself. The corporation produces stable and high-quality platforms based on its own chipset. The only drawback is that they are less functional and more expensive, so they are more popular in the corporate sector.
Chipset
The next important factor is the choice of chipset. In general, this is a paramount parameter on which the entire system as a whole depends. When a user decides to assemble the system on his own, he must immediately decide whether he will give preference to Intel or AMD.
You need to decide on this right away, since you will have to select the processor further, and, accordingly, the socket.
Chipset from Intel
If the choice fell on Intel, then you will have to figure out the four main chipsets. For example, if you don't know which gaming motherboard to choose, take a look at models with B250/H270 and Z270 chipsets. The latter is also a great option for professional systems. If you need a corporate computer, then the Q270 is suitable, and for cool powerful PCs, the X99 / X299.
If you are going to buy an 8th generation processor, then you need to pay attention to the B350 / H370 and Z370, for medium and powerful systems, respectively.
For an average multimedia or gaming PC, the B250/H270 or equivalent 8th generation will do. If you are going to experiment and change the processor multiplier, you will have to take a more expensive model with Z270 and Z370 chipsets.
Chipset from AMD
AMD has also easily separated all of its motherboards by index. For an office or multimedia PC, you need to choose the A320 chipset. The gaming system can be assembled based on the B350 chipset. Those who like to experiment are provided with the X370 platform.
The first option is the easiest, because it does not even have the ability to overclock the processor. But the gaming version of the chipset can cope with this task. The X370 is good because, in addition to overclocking, it allows you to install several video cards on the board.
Form Factor
The next important aspect is the form factor of the system platform. Experts so call the dimensions of the device. In addition to the rather unusual form factors, there are three main ones: ATX, MicroATX (mATX) and Mini-ITX.
ATX is the most common full size platform format and is considered the best for PC. Since it is the largest of all, many devices can fit on it. For example, if you do not know which motherboard to choose for, then you should definitely pay attention to the ATX dimensions.
MicroATX also often becomes a platform for a gaming system. But this is a reduced platform format, which also has fewer connectors. Can be installed in both a full-size chassis and a compact chassis.
Mini-ITX is a very compact motherboard that is used to build mini PCs. Such a computer is limited in size and needs special cooling.
socket
Many are wondering how to choose a motherboard for a processor. If you have already given preference to one of the companies, Intel or AMD, you will have to opt for one of the processors. Otherwise, you will not be able to pick up the platform, because the processor socket data is needed.
What is socket? This is a connector format for connecting the chip to the platform. The motherboard must have the same connector as the processor that will be installed on it.
The manufacturer very often experiments with processor sockets. They change from year to year and acquire new modifications. Therefore, it is important to purchase a chip and a board that would have the most modern socket. Thus, you can further improve the system without extra spending.
Now all available sockets of Intel or AMD processors can be divided into obsolete, obsolete and modern. If we are talking about Intel, then outdated and obsolete are: Socket 478, 775, 2011, 1150. But the new ones are: Socket 1151, 1151 version 2, and 2066.
Among the most modern are AM4 and TR4. But they have already become obsolete and obsolete: AM1, AM2, and others.
Memory
Memory slots also affect the choice of motherboard. If we talk about the compact MicroATX form factor, then there are rarely more than 2 slots. But full-size platforms are equipped with 4 slots.
Of course, many may not need more than two memory slots. Although if you want to further increase the RAM, then free slots will be very useful.
It is also worth paying attention to the type of memory module. Modern platforms already support the DDR4 type. More budget versions can work with high speeds, up to 2666 MHz. But the middle and high class motherboards boast speeds up to 3.6 GHz.
To choose, it is not necessary to spend money on platforms that support 3 GHz speeds. Their cost is much higher, but there is no tangible increase in gaming performance. In addition, the RAM modules themselves are not cheap. The higher the speed of the memory, the more difficult it is for the processor to cope with it. The best option is DDR4 memory with a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
video card
The connectors for connecting a graphics adapter are universal on almost every motherboard. All modern platforms are equipped with a PCI-Express interface. It happens that several such slots are placed on the platform, which means that several graphics adapters can be installed on it at once. Some experts believe that in this case it is better to purchase a more powerful video card than a few average ones.
Expansion slots can also be occupied by other devices, for example, by installing a solid state drive or a sound card.
Connectors
Slots on the system platform are often bypassed, because it is quite difficult to understand them. But this is no less important factor. To connect a hard drive, you need a universal 3. The latest motherboards also received an M.2 slot, which is needed to connect the latest generation of SSDs. We'll have to take a closer look at the power connector of the motherboard. Modern models are equipped with a 24-pin connector.
The chip can be powered by a 4 or 8 pin slot.
Integrated devices
Very often, the manufacturer places integrated devices on the platform. Some systems can work without a graphics card because the motherboard has an integrated graphics adapter. However, it is important to purchase a processor that has an integrated video core.
The platform also has an integrated sound card. Most often it is enough for any task. But there is also a slot for an additional sound card on the platform. It may be needed, for example, by those who want to record music.
Among other integrated devices, there is also a network card, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. For everyday use, the standard settings are enough.
Interface panel
Modern boards have all standard external connectors. Therefore, at this point it is not so important to pay attention. If you need to connect some specific devices, then you will have to study the list of available interface panel connectors.
Cryptocurrency mining
Which motherboard to choose for mining? If you asked this question, then you understand what is important in this process. The main thing is that the platform supports multiple video cards.
When choosing a motherboard, it is important to pay attention to:
- Number and location of PCI-E slots. It is important that their location does not interfere with the connection of several types and their cooling.
- Compatibility of the board with an inexpensive chip. In mining, processor performance is unimportant.
- Optimization for cryptocurrency mining. It is necessary that the platform does not have any extra functions that could distract the system from the main task.
- Price.
If the user does not want to buy ASICs, but is ready to assemble a computer for mining on his own, he will have to thoroughly understand all the components. Manufacturers quickly picked up the whole story with cryptocurrencies and began producing special devices for their mining.
ASRock showed itself in this matter. It has released platform models that are optimized for the most efficient use of the mind. Although other companies do not lag behind this manufacturer: Asus, MSI, Gigabyte.
conclusions
Choosing a motherboard is easy if you understand its tasks and capabilities. The main thing is to decide on the chipset, choose the processor, and hence the socket. After dealing with the required amount and type of RAM, and finally, resolve the issue with the number of video cards.
Otherwise, motherboards have a similar number of internal and external connectors, most models support an integrated video core, sound and network cards.
Not the most common problem. Most users do not change the processor until the computer is completely replaced. However, sometimes due to a breakdown or upgrade, it becomes necessary to replace the installed processor. In this case, the question arises of how to choose a processor for the motherboard. In this article, we will analyze this problem and talk about how to choose the right processor.
In order to match the processor to the motherboard, you need to find out which socket it supports. A socket is a connector on the motherboard designed to install a processor. There are different kinds of sockets. Sockets differ in size, shape and number of legs. Therefore, it is not possible to install the processor in the wrong socket.
Now the most popular are the following sockets:
- For Intel processors
- LGA 1150
- LGA 1155
- LGA 1356
- LGA 1366
- For AMD processors
If you are on a motherboard that is installed in a working computer, then you can find out the name of the socket using special programs for viewing the characteristics of the computer. The most suitable program for our case is the CPU-Z program. With this program, you can find out all the main characteristics of the processor and motherboard.
The name of the socket will be indicated on the first tab of the CPU-Z program, opposite the inscription "Package". Also, using this program, you can find out the manufacturer and model of the motherboard. To do this, go to the "Mainboard" tab.
Just because a motherboard is equipped with a particular socket does not guarantee that it will support all processors with the same socket. Some newer processors may not work. That's why in order to select a processor for the motherboard, you need to go to the website of the manufacturer of this board and view the list of supported processors. Finding the information you need is not difficult. It is enough to enter the name of the motherboard into the search engine and go to the official website of the manufacturer.
If you have a motherboard to which you need to match the processor, but the computer does not work or is not assembled at all. Then you can see the name of the motherboard on its box. If there is no box, then carefully inspect the board itself, a name should be applied to its surface.
Once you know the name of the socket and the motherboard, choosing a processor is not difficult. First, choose a processor that is equipped with the desired socket, and then check if it is supported by your motherboard.
How to choose a motherboard is the question that users most often ask when assembling a new computer. Sometimes it is chosen for an already finished PC, intending to improve its performance and increase its capabilities.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to buy a new board when the previous one breaks down. In this case, if funds allow, this situation should be used for a small upgrade.
You should choose carefully: when assembling a computer, the “motherboard” is a system-forming factor in the computer ecosystem, on which all other components will depend.
Where to begin?
Before buying a board, you should know that it is one of the most important elements of a computer. And the purchase of other components will depend on her choice - from the case, which must match in size, to the processor, memory modules and video cards.
Therefore, the motherboard should be selected only complete with other parts - or at least know their approximate characteristics. In addition, the buyer must understand for what purpose he will need the board - for work in the office, for high-performance games, or as a home multimedia center.
Board functionality
The capabilities of the motherboard are primarily related to its price - the more expensive the device, the higher its functionality. New and expensive "motherboards" provide the ability to install multiple GPUs at the same time - to work with drawings and 3D objects or to connect 2-3 monitors.
Budget boards run at most one graphics card and often feature integrated graphics that are not compatible with most games, but are quite suitable for working with documents, surfing the Internet, and sometimes even watching movies in FullHD (if there is enough memory).
Motherboard size selection
Starting to choose a motherboard, immediately pay attention to its dimensions. This nuance is especially important if the part is bought for an existing system unit.
A large case can accommodate a board of any size, in which case it is worth choosing the ATX form factor, which allows you to install more peripherals.
For a compact office computer or nettop, micro-ATX and mini-ITX formats are suitable, although it is unlikely that even one powerful video card can be installed on such devices.
Processor Compatibility
Each motherboard supports its own type of processor. It is important that both of these components are compatible. To do this, the characteristics of the board indicate the compatibility of its socket (slot for installing a processor) with one or more types of chipsets.
Slots for memory and peripherals
Another nuance that they pay attention to when buying a board is slots for memory modules and support for certain types of RAM.
A high-performance computer necessarily requires the ability to work with GDDR5, which provides high speed operation. It is also desirable that the number of memory slots be more than 2 - four for a gaming PC (which will allow you to expand the RAM without changing modules, but buying new ones), eight for a server or workstation.
An equally important nuance is the presence and number of connectors for peripheral devices:
- USB slots. For a modern PC, it is recommended to choose a board with USB 3.0 connectors, which speed up the process of reading and writing for media. Their number is usually 4, but on ATX motherboards it can be increased;
- PCI Express slots required for connecting video cards. Moreover, for each type of GPU it is better to use its own connector. For example, new video processors improve performance when installed in a PCI Express (PCIe) x16 slot;
- ATA and IDE, connectors for connecting hard drives. The latter option is no longer used, and the number of the first ones determines how many built-in storage devices can be installed on a given PC;
- PCI, a connector into which sound cards and other peripherals are connected.
Gaming motherboard
You can choose the right gaming motherboard, knowing the following features:
- support for the latest RAM versions;
- compatibility with the processor chosen for games (Intel Core i5 and i7, Socket AM 3+);
- the ability to install a powerful video card (1-2 PCI-E x16 slots are required and support for this technology in the BIOS of the motherboard).
Other characteristics of the board when choosing a device for games are not so important. Although it should be borne in mind that an increase in its functionality also affects the growth in cost.
The best PC boards in 2016
When deciding on the purchase of a motherboard, many are wondering if there is a better universal board that can perform any task. There are such options, but their cost will not suit every user. Therefore, it is worth choosing a specific model depending on the intended use of the computer:
- for study;
- for work;
- to run serious graphics applications;
- for modern games;
- for games with high performance running at maximum settings (board for the computer of an avid gamer).
For study
It is not easy to determine which board is suitable for a schoolchildren's and student's computer. Moreover, the goal of the user can be not only work with office programs, but also play in their free time from study.
In this case, you should choose models such as MSI H110M PRO-VH (for Intel processors) or Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-DS2 (for AMD). Their capabilities are enough to launch, for example, AutoCAD, and for gaming applications, and the cost is quite low - within 4,000 rubles.
For office
The main characteristics of the office board are energy efficiency, small size, affordable price, and reliability. It is possible that such a device will be installed on a nettop - a computer with minimal performance characteristics and, most often, with a small hard drive (or without it at all).
To date, choosing a board for the office is not particularly difficult - just buy any budget model. For example, GIGABYTE GA-F2A88XM-DS2, working with processors from AMD or MSI H81M-E33 for Intel. The price of each option is at the level of 3000 rubles.
For graphics programs
Working with graphics requires the use of a more powerful hardware component. Therefore, serious requirements are imposed on the board:
- at least 4 RAM slots;
- 2 video card slots;
- support for AM3+ and Socket 1151 (Intel) processors.
A possible option for using AMD chipsets is the MSI 970A-G43 board, which is distinguished by functionality and a relatively affordable price (from 4500 rubles).
For Intel processors, the same manufacturer MSI can offer the B150M PRO-VDH model, the cost of which starts at 5,000 rubles.
For budget gaming PC
Buying a gaming computer is most often associated with more serious expenses than when choosing an office option - such equipment will require more memory, a powerful processor, and a discrete graphics card. However, if you want to save money, you can try to reduce the total cost of the computer, starting with the motherboard.
Model MSI A78M-E45 (about 4000 rubles) is enough to run modern gaming applications with minimum or medium settings.
The board has an integrated graphics card, which in the future can be supplemented with a discrete one (even two), supports FM2 + processors and installs up to 64 GB of DDR3 RAM (more favorable in price than the latest generations of RAM).
The ASROCK B150M PRO4S/D3 model (for Intel) has approximately the same capabilities, which can be bought for 5300 rubles.
For a powerful gaming PC
To achieve maximum performance in games, a motherboard that meets fairly strict requirements will help.
The first of them is a high load, reaching almost 1000 W when all gaming devices are connected (manipulators, several video cards and monitors, a powerful processor and a powerful cooling system).
In addition, such a board requires at least 4 memory slots and an M.2 connector for SSD hard drives. The ASROCK FATAL1TY 970 PERFORMANCE/3.1 (support for AMD FX 9590 and 9370 processors) has all these characteristics, which can be called the best for games.
Although it is also suitable for any other tasks - just not every user agrees to overpay almost twice for it. The average price of such a board is in the range of 8.5-10 thousand rubles.
Results
When choosing a graphics card that is right for your needs and capabilities, it's worth considering several options with equal characteristics.
For applications that are undemanding to resources, and even more so for working exclusively with documents, models released 2-3 years ago are quite suitable - this will surely be a board with acceptable parameters and price.
For those who assemble a gaming computer, it is advisable to opt for the most modern board, which will not become obsolete for a long time, and components for which can be painlessly changed for a few more years.
Have a nice shopping!
