How to buy a motherboard in 2024
The motherboard is the primary circuit board that interconnects components of your PC, including the CPU, graphics card, RAM, and storage devices, with features such as the CPU socket, memory and PCIe slots, USB ports, and Ethernet ports. Choosing the correct motherboard is vital to building a fully functional PC.
In this buyer’s guide 2024, we will review several vital factors you must consider when shopping for a motherboard.
Factor #1: The Platform
Before you even think about purchasing a motherboard, you must consider which platform you plan on using: Intel or AMD. Both platforms offer various CPUs for various budgets and performance needs, using different sockets and compatible chipsets. For example, let's say you plan on purchasing an Intel 11th or 12th Gen Core processor; you will need a motherboard that has an LGA 1200 or LGA 1700 socket. On the AMD front, with the Ryzen 5000 or 6000 Series CPUs, you’ll need a motherboard with an AM4 or AM5 socket, respectively.
This is a ROG Z790-F Gaming Motherboard with a LGA 1700 socket
The platform of choice will affect the features and capabilities of the motherboard, such as memory type support, PCIe generation, and overclocking. For example, Intel Z790 and Z690 chipsets support DDR5 memory modules and PCie 5.0; on the other hand, AMD x570 and x670 chipsets support DDR5 memory modules and PCIe 5.0.
Remember, whatever chipset you choose, make sure it is compatible with the CPU of choice, and importantly, consider performance goals and your budget.
Factor #2: The Form Factor
These are the different form factor motherboards. As you can see, you come in various sizes.
When buying a motherboard, you must consider the form factor, which determines the size and shape of the motherboard you plan on installing in your chassis. Most desktop computers use the ATX motherboard, which is the standard form factor. Other form factors are the Micro-ATX and Mini-ATX, which are smaller motherboards. The form factor of your choice affects PC case compatibility and the number of expansion slots and connectors you'll need.
Factor #3: The Chipset
Chipsets are embedded in the motherboard. It controls communications between the CPU and other components such as the memory, PCIe slots, storage drives, and USB ports.
This is an MSI Z790 Gaming WIFI motherboard that has a chipset heatsink shield
Each platform has different chipsets, with advantages and disadvantages regarding performance. Intel's Z790 and Z690 chipsets are on high-end motherboards made explicitly for Intel’s 12th and 11th Gen processors. Supporting DDR5 memory, PCIe 5.0, CPU, and memory overclocking.
Meanwhile, with AMD chipsets, you have the X570 and X670 chipsets, which are also higher-end options for AMD Ryzen and 6000 Series processors—supporting DDR4 and DDR5, PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0, with overclocking capability. It's worth noting that these particular chipsets ( Intel and AMD) consume abundant power, requiring active cooling.
This is an AMD MSI MAG TOMAHAWK Gaming motherboard with a B550 chipset
There are lower-end option chipsets on the market for budget-conscious PC builders. However, there are fewer features and less headroom for overclocking. The lower-end option chipsets that come to mind are Intel's B760 and B560 and AMD’s B550 and B450. You won't find PCie 5.0 or DDR5 on these chipset platforms. Instead, it supports PCie 3.0 and DDR4. However, there is low consumption of power and cost.
Factor #4: Expansion slots
Expansion slots allow users to add components to their PC, such as RAM, graphics cards, storage drives, and various peripherals. Expansion options depend solely on performance needs, form factor, and the motherboard’s chipset.
The most significant expansion option on the motherboard is the PCIe slot. It is where you plug the most vital components: the graphics card, network, and sound cards. The PCIe expansion slots come in various sizes and speeds, which are X16, x8, x4, and x1, and there is the newest expansion slot, PCIe 5.0, PCIe 4.0, and PCIe 3.0. The speed and size of the PCIe slot can influence the bandwidth and performance of any component plugged into the slot. So, you can choose accordingly when shopping for a motherboard. As a reminder, know the number of PCIe slots needed, the appropriate size, and the speed.
Look closely, this right here is a PCIe 5.0 slot.
Next, we must discuss the second most crucial expansion slot on the motherboard, the memory slot ( technical term would be memory modules). This is where you insert your RAM. Memory slots come in different types, including the newest Gen DDR5, DDR4, and the now archaic DDR3, with speeds coming in at 4800MHz ( or higher for DDR5), 3500MHz, and 2600MHz. Make sure you choose a motherboard with enough memory slots to accommodate four memory modules.
The Trident Z 5 RAM is plugged into a DDR5 expansion slot
The M. 2 slot is where you insert SSD. It comes in various sizes and speeds, such as 2280, 2260, and 2242, and PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0. PCie 3.0. The size and speed you choose will affect the capacity and performance of the SSD you plan on using. Regarding storage, you can plug your SSD and HDD into a SATA port, which is also an expansion option. However, many computers today use M. 2 slot drives, better known as NVMe SSD, as the primary boot drive. Having faster read/write speeds, with optimal performance.
Observe the Sabrent NVMe SSD storage drive. It’s inserted in an M.2 PCIe slot
Another vital expansion option is the USB port. This is where you plug in your peripherals, such as the keyboard, mouse, external storage devices, and webcam. The USB ports come in various speeds, the fastest being the USB-C and USB 3.2. Then there is the Ethernet port, the Wi-Fi antenna, the Thunderbolt port, the HDMI port, the Display port, and the audio port. These options include internet access, image and video display, and audio output.
Epilogue
Shopping for a motherboard can be intimidating; it was for me when I first started building computers. There are many factors you need to consider and many options to choose from. But we @Tekspecz.com put this guide together so that you can narrow your choices and choose the best motherboard suitable for your PC. Always consider the motherboard's platform, form factor, chipset, and expansion options. Also, be mindful that the CPU and motherboard you plan on purchasing are compatible. Importantly, consider your budget and performance goals. Good luck with your PC build. You got this.
