Intel has been around since the 1970s and has become synonymous with high quality and reliability. They offer a wide range of processors from low-end desktops to powerful gaming systems. On the other hand, AMD was founded in 1969 and they specialize in graphics cards and CPUs. Their chips are designed to run games smoothly and efficiently.
Motherboards are the brains of your computer. They contain the processor, memory chips, power supply, and other components that make up the entire system. Choosing the right motherboard can be tricky if you don't know what you're looking for. Here's how to choose the best motherboard for your needs.
The first thing you need to consider when choosing a motherboard is the type of processor you want to use. There are three types of processors: Intel, AMD, and ARM. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Whether you are building a new computer or overhauling your older model, one of the first places to start is with the motherboard. The motherboard is considered the foundation of any personal computer. It supports the processor, disk drives, parallel ports, chipset, and memory. Because of it importance, purchasing a motherboard for your computer can be a big decision. Here are some tips on choosing a motherboard that is right for you.
The first thing to consider when buying a motherboard is what you plan to use your computer system for. If your computer will be used primarily for gaming you should look for a motherboard with the fastest processors and most innovative audio/ video output available. If your personal computer will be used as a server you should look for a motherboard that has emphasis on speed and stability.
Next you should ensure that the motherboard is electronically as well as physically compatible with your computer. This means you should make sure that the sockets and slots on the motherboard work with your central processing unit, or CPU.
You should select a motherboard that has some of these important slots or ports. An Advanced Graphics Port or AGP is used for video cards and is highly recommended when selecting a motherboard. In addition, you motherboard should have a Communication Network Riser, or CNR. This port will support audio, modem, USB and local network cards. The PCI slot is the most commonly used slot as it works with all types of cards.
You should also be aware of the type of drive connectors that will be utilized. Determine the interface of the drives you plan on using to make sure that the motherboard will support that interface or has a connector for it.
In addition, make sure that the motherboard that you are purchasing is compatible with the memory that you have. There are a large selection of speeds and types of memory to consider.
All motherboards today are built with USB ports; however, if you are buying one second hand you should definitely make sure that the one you are purchasing has USB ports.
When buying a motherboard for your computer, you should also pay close attention to the jumpers. These are small pieces of metal or plastic that is used to reconfigure the circuitry of a motherboard. The motherboard you select should have a clear CMOS/BIOS jumper. You should also find out whether the motherboard you are considering has CPU setting jumpers or is configured through CMOS. In addition, if the motherboard has onboard video or sound you should find out if it can be disabled with a jumper.
Before going to buy a motherboard you should do your research. Determine which models best meet your personal needs and read all relevant reviews before making your purchase.
In addition, make sure that your select a motherboard that is appropriate for your price range. Because it is the core of your personal computer you should select the highest quality motherboard that you budget allows.
Finally, make sure that you purchase your motherboard from a reputable vendor. Make sure that a sales person or technical support representative will be available if your have any questions after buying the motherboard.
Buying a quality motherboard is important because it can speed up the overall speed and performance of your computer. It may also allow for new and improved hardware to be installed and used on your personal computer. Therefore, it is important to make your motherboard purchase carefully. Most importantly, it should fit your personal needs and the plans your have for your system.
