Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Motherboard
A computer motherboard is basically the most important part in the PC. It facilitates the communication between devices internal and external. If you get it wrong, some things could fail or even get damaged.
Motherboards can comprise of all major devices including audio and graphics fitted onboard or it might not have them, allowing for independent fitting of even better audio and graphics card. This decision depends on the PC’s final use. A gaming PC will have a different graphics card fitted to facilitate upgrading because gaming is one fast paced industry and the requirement for the latest hardware is dependent on the types of games played.
When you are replacing a motherboard, you need to consider a few things to lower the risks of damaging anything or getting it all wrong.
You should first consider your existing system. If you are replacing the motherboard you currently have, you should know its specifications. Your computer could be a branded PC for example HP or Sony and the motherboard may be having their branding stamped on it. This will makes things a bit difficult since you might only get a replacement from its manufacturer and this may not be possible due to its age. If that’s your case, a look at that motherboard can allow you to ascertain the original manufacturer of the motherboard. This is because PC makers don’t create their own parts but they’re usually made as well as branded by the component producers. While looking at the motherboard, write each number or word that you can see on it. Turn to the internet and search these numbers and names and see what results you will get. When seeking info, user forums can be quite helpful.
When building a new PC from scratch, it will be essential to decide on the processor type and brand that you wish to utilize as this can directly influence which motherboard series you will purchase and install. The motherboard includes a socket that holds the processor. AMD and Intel use different sockets and this will determine the motherboard that will be fitted.
The next factor is the case size. Motherboard dimensions are known as their “Form Factor”, this determines board size needed. It’s crucial to know the PC case since the motherboard should be the same.
After determining the aforementioned points, you are half way through with determining the motherboard you require. The next thing to take note of is the availability of ports and slots. These should be considered carefully if you already have devices to connect such as printers and digital cameras.
Make a list of the hardware that you need to connect to the motherboard. As soon as you have this listing, check off each requirement against the motherboard to determine if it can support your devices. Pay attention to the number of USB devices you’ve got. Moreover, make sure there are sufficient internal connectors for your CD/ DVD disk drives and hard disk drives.