Choose a good motherboard

Are you confused by the vast array of motherboards out there? Choosing a good motherboard can be one of the most daunting tasks when building your own computer. All your system's components eventually connect back to the motherboard, so if you choose an inappropriate board, your system is going to have problems.

Personally , I feel the motherboard is one component you shouldn't scrimp on - buy the best motherboard you can afford. I've seen many otherwise good PCs bogged down by a bad motherboard. With the prices of quality motherboards coming down, it's definitely a good time to invest in a rock solid one too. This article will help you choose a good motherboard - read on to learn about the various factors to consider when purchasing one.

A typical motherboard kit available in the market

What's Your Processor?

The first and most important thing to consider when buying your motherboard - what CPU or processor are you using? Motherboards are made differently, not all motherboards will support all CPUs. What CPU you select will determine the type of motherboard you get.

For example, if you want to use an Intel-based CPU, the motherboard you select must be able to support that brand and model of CPU. The motherboards are also designed to support specific speeds for a CPU, so make sure it can support the speed of the processor as well.

Choose your CPU first before you choose your motherboard
 

Choose Your Chipset

What is a chipset? Well, chipsets are the main controllers on the motherboard - they allow the CPU to interface with the various components and expansion cards installed.

When choosing your chipset, always bear in mind the type of memory supported by the motherboard. Make sure that the board supports the type and amount of RAM you need. Generally, choosing a chipset that supports high speed memory will allow your system to perform better.
 

Expansions Slots and Connectors

If you intend to various peripherals to the computer, then the number and type of expansion slots and connectors is important. By default, most motherboards these days have USB 3.0 ports incorporated into their design. If you do a lot of video capturing and editing, you'll also want to have a FireWire (IEEE 1394) port. If you intend to buy expansion cards, make sure the board comes with an ample number of PCI-Express slots.
 

A good motherboard will have a lot of expansion slots and connectors
 

Do You Need to Overclock?

If you want to overclock your CPU (though I don't particularly encourage it) - you should ensure you get a motherboard that supports overclocking. You'll want a motherboard that has a wide range of adjustments to CPU settings, including CPU voltage and bus speeds.
 

Other Features

These days, most motherboards have a whole host of extra features loaded into them. These can include things such as on-board Ethernet, audio, a RAID controller or even graphics. I find such features very handy as they help you save money - you need not buy additional expansion cards.
 

Conclusion

In short, make sure you do your homework when purchasing a motherboard. Go to the motherboard manufacturer's website and read about its products. Download the motherboard manual and see if its well documented.

At the risk of sounding biased, I've always preferred ASUS motherboards. However, its all up to you. Consider what features are important to you and go get your motherboard. As I said earlier, don't scrimp on the motherboard. Its one of the most important PC components, so get the best you can afford.