How to Choose the Right Motherboard for Your Computer?

How to Choose the Right Motherboard for Your Computer? When you’re building your own computer, choosing the right motherboard is crucial. A motherboard is essentially the backbone of any computer, and it determines many features, including what kind of processor and memory you can have, how many hard drives and video cards you can use, and even how many other devices you can connect to your computer. With so many motherboards on the market today, it’s difficult to know which one to choose; fortunately, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

Before You Start

Before you can even begin considering a motherboard, you'll need to figure out what kind of computer it will be connected to. For example, if your computer is built in a tiny case like an HTPC (home theater PC), having a full-sized ATX motherboard would make virtually no sense. Make sure that any hardware you plan on using with your new motherboard fits with your intended system configuration. The easiest way to ensure compatibility is by sticking with components from within your preferred manufacturer’s lineup.

What Should I Look For When Buying a Motherboard?

Whether you're a newbie to computers or a professional builder, it's likely that at some point in your life you'll need to build or buy a computer of your own. If you're ready to take on such a daunting project, start by checking out our primer on building PCs. If you've already built or purchased a computer and want some help choosing parts, read on—we'll discuss some of the factors that make motherboards great. In general, there are three things you should consider when purchasing a motherboard: 1) The manufacturer; 2) The chipset type; 3) The socket type.

A Note About PCIe Slots

If you want your motherboard to be upgradeable over time, look for a board with a lot of PCIe x16 slots. Those can handle bigger graphics cards and multiple-card setups in general. More importantly, they're easier to upgrade—if you don't like what you bought at first, just swap out the graphics card (or whatever other component) and replace it with something else down the line. Conversely, if your needs are simple now but might change later on, it's more cost-effective (and less headache-inducing) to get an affordable board that has a couple of PCIe x1 slots. They'll give you enough room for expansion later on—even if that's not in your plans yet.

Picking The Right Size

Most motherboards are made to fit a standard-sized case, but sometimes you'll have to pick out your computer parts separately. Make sure you have a motherboard and processor that both fit in your computer case; otherwise, they may not be compatible with each other. Also, make sure your processor is powerful enough to handle all of your desired features and intended workloads. Most motherboard manufacturers produce multiple boards based on an ATX design—the most common size of desktop cases—but also offer other sizes like mini-ITX or micro-ATX if you want something smaller or need more ports in a small space.

Don’t Forget About Connectivity

When you’re looking at motherboards, don’t forget that they aren’t just hardware. You’ll need ports and connectors of all kinds, depending on what you want your computer to do. If you plan on plugging things in behind your monitor or have a lot of devices you plan on connecting (or both), make sure there are enough ports where you need them. Many monitors now come with a large array of inputs and outputs built in, so check if those will work before buying a new motherboard and opening up your case.

My Personal Recommendations

I know how frustrating it can be when you are researching and searching information on which motherboard you should buy. There are so many motherboards on today’s market with new ones coming out each year that it is hard to keep up. I personally recommend Asrock and Asus motherboards. These are my favorite manufacturers because they come with quality and a long term warranty. They have been making computer hardware for years, so you can feel confident in your purchase. Also, their customer service is fantastic and always happy to help resolve any issues if there are any problems with your purchase.