The motherboard is an irreplaceable multifunctional "basis" of a personal computer, which ensures the operability of the rest of the system components: RAM, video card, processor, hard drives. The choice of the motherboard depends on the compatibility of the future assembly, and the overall performance, and even potential savings. For example, if you buy a processor with no chance of overclocking, why take an expensive "base" with a gaming chipset? The same is the case with RAM - if the strips are already limited in frequency, why pay more? Therefore, it is important to feel the balance and understand the details even before contacting the online store for a purchase.
Choosing the right hardware often starts with sorting by price, motherboard manufacturer, and gaming segment. But, as practice suggests, neither the first, nor the second, nor even the third indicator determines the level of quality, does not guarantee stable operation for ten years and does not increase performance (still, the rest of the details are responsible for this - the processor, video cards, RAM). It is worth starting your acquaintance with the segment with completely different characteristics and parameters:
- Form Factor The classic of the genre is ATX. The size of the board is 305x244 mm. From the offered interfaces, slots and connectors, you can easily assemble office computers that can work with documents and a browser, and powerful professional PCs that can cope with any workload - from graphics processing to games in 4K resolution. Of the advantages of ATX - an impressive variety, the presence of both expensive and cheap models, compatibility with almost any equipment. Of the minuses - dimensions. For multimedia platforms, ATX is definitely not suitable. But Micro-ATX - with ease. The dimensions are noticeably smaller - 244x244 mm, the interfaces are practically the same, and there is no need to allocate a lot of space under the table. The E-ATX solution deserves a special mention - flagship models with advanced technologies and focus on premium markets. Size - 305x330 mm. Attention! The size of the case also depends on the choice of the form factor, and if there is not enough space in the room, it is worth stopping at the Micro-ATX option.
- Socket. The "socket" responsible for the health of the processor. It is more important not to find the characteristics of the motherboard with a strong desire. Before buying the "base" directly, you will have to figure out what process will be used in the assembly (it is important to know the manufacturer - AMD or INTEL and the model name), and for what purposes. If you first choose a motherboard with a specific socket, then the further choice of processors will be limited, and therefore you need to act exactly the opposite - first the processor, then studying the characteristics, and after selecting the platform. It is important to remember that sometimes you can save on the current purchase, but with a reserve for the future.
- Chipset. A parameter indicating the number and type of supported interfaces (for connecting hard drives, USB ports), and at the same time suggesting whether overclocking is possible (this characteristic is especially important on Intel processors, where the necessary settings are made directly into the BIOS, greatly simplifying life for beginners, is not yet familiar with the abnormal increase in equipment power). Chipsets also divide the motherboards available on the shelves by cost. The initial options do not allow overclocking the processor, connecting a dozen SSD drives, and sometimes prohibiting the operation of RAM in dual-channel mode. But the older chipsets and Wi-Fi adapters are equipped, and the Bluetooth signal is received, and with two or three video cards in the SLI and Crossfire format it works without any problems. Which chipset should I use when buying? Depends on the wallet and the desired functionality. Most likely, it is worth stopping at some averaged version, but with the support of official overclocking - in fact, this is how the groundwork for the near future appears, right?
- Memory slots. RAM helps the central processor not to process the same actions ten thousand times a day, but to take the result of the work done directly from RAM. This approach saves a lot of time and greatly reduces the CPU load. Therefore, it is important to get enough RAM in advance. As practice suggests, 4 slots capable of operating in dual-channel mode are the standard of the 2018/2019 season.
- Interfaces and connectors. It is important to understand the SATA connectors (support for the version operating at 6 Gb / s is required) and SATA Express, the presence of USB 3.0 and PCI-e x16. The rest of the elements already belong to either pampering or the premium segment. Such as Wi-Fi adapters, HDMI (and why, if the same interface is available on a video card?).
Choosing for office and study
Which motherboards are best for office and study? Those based on cheap chipsets for Intel and AMD work on common sockets, to which it is easy to find both cheap and expensive processors "for growth" and are assembled in the mATX or ATX form factor for a standard case. If you also choose a company, then you should pay attention to ASROCK and ASUS - you will definitely not be able to miscalculate.
How to choose a motherboard for games
The situation in the gaming segment is simpler - AM4 and LGA 1151_v2 (not to be confused with the standard 1151!) Are suitable sockets, the chipset must support overclocking, and the memory slots must reach the number “4”, and even work in dual-channel mode. You no longer have to choose the rest of the motherboard indicators - manufacturers will match the parameters described above with the necessary interfaces and technologies.
Which motherboard company to choose
ASUS, Gigabyte and MSI are the top three. The listed brands represent models both in the "basic configuration" for office assemblies, and in the "maximum" for gaming PCs with a bunch of additional functions. Most likely, it is worth keeping somewhere close, not forgetting to look at the characteristics of competitors, such as ASROCK (a subsidiary of ASUS), Zotac and Biostar.
You can also look at articles on topics and
I think everyone knows that the motherboard is considered the connecting link in the design of the system unit. Therefore, you need to consider some criteria. How to choose the right inexpensive and good motherboard can be found in this article. Or watch a special video that I have selected for you. Here is a summary of the article below:
- Main components
- How to choose a motherboard manufacturer
- Choosing a form factor
- Chipset selection
- PCI-Express and memory slot
- External connectors
- Assistive capabilities
Video instruction on how to choose a motherboard
Main components
To better understand its structure, I propose to consider its structure with a specific example. Let's take one of the highest quality models - Sapphire Pure Z77K as a sample. Of course, in order to consider in detail the main elements of the part, you can take any model. But we will focus on this one.
In the picture, the numbers indicate not only the main components of the motherboard, but the elements that are characteristic only of overclocking options.
- The number (1) is the processor socket, which is the main element of the device. It is important to ensure that the processor socket is absolutely socket compatible. The number (0) indicates a "double" heatsink responsible for the elements of the power converters of the integrated graphics core, processor and CPU VTT, namely, for their cooling. Such heatsinks are found only in overclocking motherboards. No cooling element is needed on conventional ones.
- Number (2) indicates PCI-Express slots. The printed circuit board contains three such X16 slots version 3.0. These connectors are needed to install one or more video cards. The older version of the slot - 2.0 is numbered (3).
- Number (14) indicates PCI-E X1 slots. They are intended for installation of devices that require high bus bandwidth. One line X1 is enough for this. An example of such devices are TV tuners, various controllers, audio and others.
- The number (4) is the chipset. It is located behind the cooling radiator. Slots numbered (5) are required to install DDR3 RAM. They are usually colored black or blue. Slots are intended for installing memory modules, which significantly increases operating efficiency. Number (6) is the CMOS battery that powers the BIOS CMOS chip. So the microcircuit does not lose its settings after the computer is turned off.
- (8) and (12) are 24-pin and 8-pin connectors. The first is the main 24-pin power connector. It is through it that most of the components are powered.
- The numbers (9) and (10) indicate the SATA 3 (6 Gb / s) and SATA 2 connectors. They are located on the edge of the connector and are intended for connecting devices to the side for stands. Made in the style of an overclocking connector. A SATA 2 connector is needed to connect a hard drive, drives, and various SSD drives. Regular models have connectors that are front-facing and off-center. Therefore, it is convenient to use them within the system unit of a "non-overclocking" system.
- Number (11) indicates a non-standard element - an indicator of POST codes. It shows the temperature of the processor, but with minor inaccuracies.
- The rear panel with external connectors is shown at (13). This panel has connectors that are needed to connect various peripherals, keyboard, mouse, headphones, speakers and many other add-ons.
So we figured out the main components, now we will analyze the individual blocks, and also consider the parameters that must be taken into account when buying.
Which company to choose a motherboard
With this choice, oddly enough, it is not necessary to take into account its performance. You need to rely on the trust in the manufacturer. The most famous companies are MSI, Gigabyte, Biostar, Intel, ASRock and Asus. And the sample that we are considering today is also worthy of attention. It happens that some models have an awkward layout or the supplied kit from a manufacturer is not wide enough. All the same, flaws come across that some users would not like to see. But such shortcomings do not give reason to write off motherboard manufacturers from the accounts. Ultimately, all manufacturers' equipment is not always the same, so it is impossible to say which company to choose or which is the best.
Take my advice to you:
- which suits you for the price
- convenient location
- with good reviews on major portals
Chipsets come from AMD and Intel, so the features are very similar. The only things to notice are real customer reviews and detailed reviews of motherboards. So you can at least somehow determine the variety of products.
Choosing a form factor
The right form factor will help you avoid many problems in the future. Most popular form factors:
- ATX - full size
- Micro-ATX - a stripped-down option
The form factor determines the future expandability of the system. Micro-ATX usually has a small number of PCI-E and PCI expansion slots for graphics cards and other devices. Often these models are equipped with only two slots for installing memory modules. This fact severely limits the expandability of RAM. And not only in quantitative terms, but also in terms of convenience. The main advantage of Micro-ATX is its low price. Choosing from two standards, we can safely say that Micro-ATX is a budget option for office and home systems.
The size of the board is also very important. The ATX form factor is larger. It is imperative to take into account the compatibility of the case and the motherboard in size!
How to determine the motherboard socket
After choosing a processor, you need to choose the right motherboard. The first step is to pay attention to the socket. It is he who ensures the compatibility of the motherboard and processor. So, for a processor with an LGA 1155 socket, only an LGA 1155 motherboard is suitable. Supported sockets and a processor can be viewed on the manufacturers' official websites, but for AMD it is AM3 or AM3 +.
Chipset selection
The chipset is the link in the interaction of the entire system. This component largely determines the capabilities of the motherboard. It has always been thought that a chipset is a set of system logic chips consisting of a south and north bridge. But now the views are slightly different.
Particularly popular chipsets are the 7th Intel series and the AMD 900th. Nvidia is famous for its small assortment of chipsets, but not less popular.
Intel's 7th series differs from the standard representation of chipsets because they only consist of a northbridge. But this does not affect the functionality of the motherboard in any way, because some controllers have been transferred to the processor. This can be understood by the example of a PCI-Express 3.0 bus controller and a DDR3 memory controller. In this case, the North Bridge received SATA, USB, PCI-Express control. The block diagram of the Z77 chipset clearly shows what the elements are attached to and on which buses:
Z, H and B represent the positioning of the chipset for market segments.
Chipsets from AMD have two microcircuits, it has north bridges 990X, 990FX and 970 and north bridge SB950.
The 990FX gives the chipset support for 42 PCI-Express lanes. Therefore, four video cards can be connected to the lines in the Cross Fire bundle. But not everyone needs such opportunities. The other two north bridges support 26 lines, but this loss is not noticeable.
Assistive capabilities
Additional functions include those that are not always necessary. For the average user, they are not very much in demand:
- ESATA - in some models there is an interface for connecting removable drives. Very useful for owners of external drives.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module for wireless networking and data transmission. They greatly enhance the functionality of the motherboard.
- Thunderbolt - Provides 10 Gb / s data transfer and peripheral connectivity. Transfers data several times faster than USB 2.0, USB 3.0. Today it is needed by units, but in the future it will become more popular.
- Additional buttons and indicators for overclocking, proprietary technologies and manufacturer elements.
Rating of the best motherboards of the year
As you can see, choosing a motherboard is not an easy task. Based on the listed parameters, you need to choose an option that would suit you both in cost and in functionality. Of course, the parameters of the motherboard are individual for each user. But still, for more convenience, you can see the rating of the best motherboards for 2015-2016. Guided by the basic parameters and the best models, you can make a truly right choice. Below is a video on this difficult topic for a better understanding.
Best motherboard socket 1150 (2016)
- MSI Z87 XPOWER
- MSI B85-G43 GAMING is the best buy
- ASUS B85M-E is an inexpensive and good motherboard for a mid-range computer
- MSI B85-G43 - price-quality
- ASUS VANGUARD B85
- GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming GT - Recommended for Gamers
Best motherboard socket 1155 (2016)
- ASRock B75 Pro3-M Best Buy of the Year
- GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2PV (rev. 2.2
- ASUS H61M-G
- ASRock H61M-VG4
- MSI H61M-P20 (G3)
- GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2PV (rev. 2.0)
Best motherboard socket 2011 (2016)
- ASUS P9X79-E WS (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16) - the coolest buy
- Asus Rampage IV Extreme (s2011, X79, PCI-Ex 16)
- ASUS P9X79 WS (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16) - the best price-performance ratio
- MSI X79A-GD65 (8D) (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16)
Best Motherboard 2011-3 (2016)
- ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME / U3.1 Best Buy
- Asus X99-Deluxe
- MSI X99A SLI PLUS - the best choice for quality and price
- GIGABYTE GA-X99-UD3 (rev. 1.0)
- ASRock X99 Extreme4
The most powerful motherboard for a gamer with two processors - Asus Z9PE-D8 WS (2 x LGA2011, Intel C602, PCI-Ex16)
How to choose a motherboard is the question most often asked by users when assembling a new computer.
Sometimes it is chosen for a ready-made PC, intending to improve its performance and increase its capabilities.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to buy a new board if the previous one breaks down. In this case, if funds allow, this situation should be used for a small modernization.
You should choose carefully: when assembling a computer, the "motherboard" is a system-forming factor of the computer ecosystem, on which all other components will depend.
Where to begin?
Before buying a motherboard, you should know that it is one of the most important elements of a computer.
And the purchase of other components will depend on its choice - from the case, which must match in size, to the processor, memory modules and video cards.
Therefore, you should select a motherboard only complete with the rest of the parts - or at least know their approximate characteristics.
In addition, the buyer should have an idea for what purpose he will need the board - for office work, for high-performance games, or as a home multimedia center.
Board functionality
The capabilities of a motherboard are primarily related to its price - the more expensive the device, the higher its functionality.
New and expensive "motherboards" provide the ability to simultaneously install multiple graphics processors - for working with drawings and 3D-objects, or for connecting 2-3 monitors.
Budget boards provide a maximum of one video card and are often equipped with integrated graphics that are not compatible with most games, but quite suitable for working with documents, surfing the Internet, and sometimes even for watching movies in FullHD (if there is enough memory).
Choosing the size of the "motherboard"
Having started choosing a motherboard, they immediately pay attention to its dimensions. This nuance is especially important if the part is purchased for an existing system unit.
A large case can accommodate a board of any size, in which case it is worth choosing an 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 such devices are unlikely to be able to install even one powerful video card.
Processor Compatibility
Each motherboard supports a different 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 people pay attention to when buying a motherboard is slots for memory modules and support for certain types of RAM.
A high-performance computer definitely requires the ability to work with GDDR5, providing high-speed operation.
It is also desirable that the number of slots for memory strips be more than 2 - four for a gaming PC (which will allow expanding 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 accelerate the process of reading and writing 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 former depends on how many built-in storage devices can be installed on a given PC;
- PCI, the slot into which sound cards and other peripheral devices are connected.
Gaming motherboard
You can choose the right gaming motherboard knowing the following features:
- support for the latest versions of RAM;
- compatibility with the processor chosen for games (Intel Core i5 and i7, Socket AM 3+);
- the ability to install a powerful video card (it is necessary to have 1-2 PCI-E x16 slots and support for this technology in the BIOS of the motherboard).
Other characteristics of the board are not so important when choosing a device for gaming. Although it should be borne in mind that an increase in its functionality also affects the increase in cost.
The best motherboards for a computer in 2017
When deciding on the purchase of a "motherboard", many are wondering whether there is a better universal motherboard capable of performing 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 high-performance games running at maximum settings (board for an avid gamer's computer).
For study
It is not easy to determine which board is suitable for the computer of a pupil and a student.
Moreover, the user's goal may be not only to work with office programs, but also to play in their free time.
In this case, you should choose such models as MSI H110M PRO-VH (for Intel processors) or Gigabyte GA-F2A78M-DS2 (for AMD).
Their capabilities are enough for launching, for example, AutoCAD, and for gaming applications, and the cost is quite low - within 4000 rubles.
For office
The main characteristics of an 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 minimum performance characteristics and, most often, with a small hard drive (or without it at all).
Today, choosing a motherboard for an 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 a more powerful hardware component. Therefore, serious requirements are imposed on the board:
- at least 4 RAM slots;
- 2 slots for a video card;
- 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 from 5000 rubles.
For a budget gaming PC
Buying a gaming computer is most often associated with more serious expenses than choosing an office option - this technique 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 quite enough to run modern gaming applications with minimal 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 the installation of 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), which can be bought for 5300 rubles, has about the same capabilities.
For a powerful gaming PC
A motherboard that meets fairly stringent requirements will help to achieve maximum performance.
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 productive cooling system).
In addition, such a board requires at least 4 memory slots and an M.2 slot for SSD hard drives.
All these characteristics are available in the ASROCK FATAL1TY 970 PERFORMANCE / 3.1 (support for AMD FX 9590 and 9370 processors), which can be called the best for gaming.
Although it is also suitable for any other tasks - just not every user will agree to overpay for it almost twice. The average price of such a board is in the range of 8.5-10 thousand rubles.
Fig. 8. Motherboard FATAL1TY 970 PERFORMANCE / 3.1
Hello dear audience. In this article, we will try to understand how a gaming motherboard differs from a regular one. Let's consider how the textolite looks like with all the key elements, what the reinforced power subsystem is used for, and what tasks are assigned to the gaming MP.
We want to say right away that the presence of LED backlighting and the huge inscription “Gaming Ultra Speed Power” does not make the board a gaming one yet, but such loud nameplates add significantly to the final cost. In most cases, it is more cost-effective to purchase an ordinary office mother, since the functionality will be practically the same, and the price will be much lower.
What kind of payment can be considered a game
To avoid confusion in the future, any MP initially does NOT affect the performance of the installed hardware. If it works normally, it will do it the same way on any motherboard. BUT if you are trying to overclock the hardware, this is a completely different matter. The purpose of the article is to show how a board is for a computer.
We, of course, can offer you to familiarize yourself with the list of the best gaming MPs of 2018, but I would like to convey the essence no less.
As it was written above, the board itself does not affect the performance, but both the possibility of components and their working potential will depend on its capabilities. In other words: you have a hypothetical Intel Core i7 8700k and 2 MP:
- MSI H310M Gaming Plus;
- MSI Z370 Gaming M5.
In the first case, we have the most budget mother, on which it is impossible to overclock anything due to the peculiarities of the chipset. Read what is a chipset here. Yes, it's pretty, it has a red and black design, and even has a reinforced PCI-E slot, but that's where the H310's advantages end. 
In contrast to it, there is the top-end Z370 chipset, which can overclock any component of the system (processor, memory, video card). Additionally, the power subsystem is reinforced here, many ports for connecting coolers, peripherals, high-speed solid-state drives and more.
Can this device be called a gaming device? Yes, because it squeezes all the juice out of the iron, which is critical to achieving optimal frame rates.
Criteria for choosing gaming boards
Always check the proposed product for compliance with the following parameters:
Socket(processor socket) - only the actual solution at the current time. In our case, these are s1151v2, 2066, AM4 and TR4. For these sockets in the coming years, stable updates will be released in the face of new processors. The rest of the connectors are already considered obsolete.
Chipset- here the algorithm is the same as in the previous case. Up-to-date platform - up-to-date sets of system logic (B350, X370, X470, X399, Z370, Z299).
RAM- DDR4 only, operating in 2-channel mode. A modern gaming board should have at least 4 slots for RAM, since the requirements for its quantity are regularly growing, and it will not be superfluous to add a couple of additional slats over time. And you have a place.
Interfaces- SATA 3, M.2 or SATA Express slots. Solid-state SSD-drives are nowhere to be found, and to ensure their performance, you need to have modern hardware. 
Video card- a mandatory attribute of a gaming machine, and therefore at least one PCI ‐ E x16 3.0 is required. The bigger, the better.
Cooling Is an essential element of a gaming PC. Components heat up quite noticeably, and even more so under overclocking. Modern MPs allow you to plug in 5 or more fans with the ability to adjust the frequencies. More combs for connecting coolers - lower temperatures. Office models allow you to install no more than 3-4 turntables, which is critically small.
Form Factor Is another feature of gaming motherboards. Really gaming is considered an ATX or E-ATX-card, in which the connectors are fully located and do not overlap each other.
Expansion ports- here the logic “more is better” fully justifies itself. Don't want to sacrifice a second video card for the sake of a capture card? With a gaming MP, such problems will not arise. And the lack of SATA ports does not threaten you either. Do you want to know what the motherboard connectors look like and are named? To you .
Modding elements
Practice shows that gaming PCs are increasingly becoming more visually interesting. Users regularly try to match components in the color of each other, bother with backlighting, purchase cases with a transparent side cover. It seems to be an insignificant detail, but adds aesthetics decently.
That is why manufacturers add decorative plastic and aluminum pads, radiators of interesting shapes, additional visual decals, backlighting and more to their motherboards. More and more often, you can see how the ports for connecting components are located on the board in such a way that during assembly it would be possible to hide the cable as carefully as possible. 
Now it makes no sense to pull the wire through the entire MP, which not only spoils the appearance of the system unit, but also often interferes with the installation of components.
Design features
Now let's talk about the points that are probably not taken into account in any motherboard aimed at office use. The first point is the cooling system, or rather, support for tower-type super-coolers, the height of which can reach up to 170 mm, and the fan can cover one or even several RAM slots.
Gaming solutions are devoid of such drawbacks in most cases, unless the heatsinks for DDR memory have an exorbitant height. Every millimeter is clearly measured here. An additional point is a reinforcing plate on the back of the MP, which does not allow the PCB to bend under the weight of the radiator, the mass of which can exceed 1 kg.
Since it was about amplification, then you should pay attention to the reinforcing elements around the PCI ‐ E x16 slots. Some video cards weigh about 1.3–1.5 kg, while literally "hanging" on the motherboard's PCB, although they are partially fixed with screws on the case.
Repair shops know a lot of cases when PCI-E ports were literally ripped out by the roots thanks to excessively heavy gaming hardware.
Basically, that's all we wanted to say about gaming motherboards. But do not be fooled by the big words from the cover of the accessories box. The phrase "Gaming" does not always reflect the essence of what is happening. That's all for me, share on social networks, bye.
