Case
->Motherboard
CPU
Memory
Hard Drive
Video Card
Sound Card
Power Supply

Motherboard Information

Function

Everyone knows what a computer is, even though not all of them know how to use one. There are many components that come into play when it comes to a running computer, each with its own purpose, but none of them is as important as the computer motherboard.

A computer has many different parts. Among them we can name the CPU, the brain of the computer, the hard drive, for storage, the RAM memory, which store data for quick and easy access, graphics card, for better 3D performances, sound cards, to enhance the audio experience, a networking card, so you can link your computer to others and many more.

While each of them is very important for the performance of a computer, all of them are linked together for proper functioning by one thing: the motherboard.

Motherboards link together the various components through conductive pathways, usually made from copper, which are placed onto a non-conductive substrate. They include various connectors for those components to be inserted in or attached to.

What do you usually find on motherboards?

The first thing is the socket for the CPU. The sockets are designed according to the CPUs, forming an electrical interface with them, which means that you cannot place any CPU into a particular socket.

Other very important slots are the ones where the main memory is inserted. They store data for the CPU to access quickly, in order to perform the needed functions, making the system’s overall speed higher. Each new development is meant to increase the overall performance of the components.

Motherboards have an integrated chipset which serves the purpose of building an interface between the front-side bus of the CPU and the main memory and the other peripheral buses. Without this, the CPU cannot communicate with external devices.

Another important component of motherboards is the Basic Input/Output System, or short BIOS. When a computer is turned on for the first time, the code run by that computer is BIOS. The function of this code is to identify and initiate other hardware components found on the system, like floppy disk drives, hard drives, or CD-ROM drives.

The clock generator of a computer motherboard synchronizes various components. Nearly every motherboard today includes connectors that can support devices used commonly. Among them we can name PS/2 and Universal Serial Bus connectors.

Since the manufacturers of motherboards decided that they should set a standard so universally compatible hardware can be created, there were lots of improvements in the field. PCI and AMR slots can be found in almost every product, and in them we can insert networking cards, audio cards, modems and other components specially designed for these slots.

Another connector found on a motherboard is the power connector. This receives the electrical power form the PSU and it is distributed among the components so they can function properly. Since not all aspects have been reached in this article, because they need a book for proper presentation, if you want more information regarding the functions of a computer motherboard.

How to choose a motherboard

We need to check several things in order to buy a good computer motherboard, never buy a cheap one, that's one of the differences between buying a computer and building one, you can find a good budget motherboard without it being cheap. How?

What to look for in a motherboard?

Which CPU are you going to use?
Which type of motherboard are you going to use?
Which memory are you going to use?
which Hard disk are you going to use?
Does it have room for upgrades?
Recommendations

Which CPU are you going to use?

Motherboards are not universal, that means that you need to choose the correct one, first we need to identify which CPU are we going to use, there are some motherboards that come with the CPU included and there's also the famous Barebone Kits, they come with motherboard, CPU and power supply, if you're a complete newbie and don't want to pass all the troubles of doing the research work, get them.

If not you need to match the CPU with the computer motherboard you can't just simply buy any CPU and any motherboard, every motherboard was created specifically for the CPU you are going to use.
If you are going to use an Intel i7, then you need to buy a motherboard which supports that CPU.

Which type of motherboard are you going to use?

Are you going to use a Desktop computer case like a tower?
If so then ATX is your choice.

Are you going to use an HTPC for an entertainment computer?
If so then microATX is your choice.

Are you going to use a Gaming PC?
If so, then you need to think if you are going to be using SLI or Crossfire(More than one videocard) and you'll need a SLI or Crossfire motherboard usually known as extended ATX.

Which memory are you going to use?

You need to think which types of memory are you going to use and if you are thinking about upgrading that memory in the future, every motherboard comes with limitations and the one you are going to buy is no exception, you need to look which type of memory does the motherboard accepts and how many GB it can handle.

You need to think about which RAM are you going to use, DDR2?, DDR3?, I'll explain the difference between them in the link below.

->Types of Computer memory

Which Hard Disk are you going to use?

Right now, almost all motherboards are using the SATA connectors, there's not even an advantage to me to be using ATA unless you have a used Hard Disk you want to put on the built computer, but then again we can use a converter, so pick SATA as your hard disk.

Does it have room for upgrades?

You need to check if your motherboard is also future-proof does it have enough room to add more drives for when Blu-Ray writers drop their price?, or you need to check if it has enough room to add more RAM, this is crucial if you want to build a gaming computer.

Deals

You can go to TigerDirect to find great deals on a computer motherboard even if I'm going to buy a motherboard in a local store I usually do a little research on that site.

Guides