How do you chooose a motherboard

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave Neve
  • Start date Start date
D

Dave Neve

Hi

I am about to put together a computer by myself for the first time and I
would like to know how to choose the right motherboard

With processors, there seems to be more info and comparisons in terms of
frequency and architecture.

But how do I choose the right motherboard and know it is compatible with the
rest?

Thanks for any tips

Dave Neve
 
Dave Neve said:
Hi

I am about to put together a computer by myself for the first time and I
would like to know how to choose the right motherboard

With processors, there seems to be more info and comparisons in terms of
frequency and architecture.

But how do I choose the right motherboard and know it is compatible with
the rest?

Thanks for any tips

Dave Neve
Click to expand...

Firstly, it depends on your budget. There is a review of processors at
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10442_7-6389077-1.html?tag=nl.e501 and it seems
like the top range AMD's knock Intel's for six.

When you decide what processor to get, you then need to establish what
"socket" it needs and get a motherboard that has the same socket. The
latest AMD's are socket 939 so look for a socket 939 motherboard. Next you
have to pick the memory. Most new boards support DDR memory, AMD boards
support DDR 266,333, and /or 400. And finally, if the motherboard doesn't
have on board graphics, you need to select a graphics card. They either
come as AGP or PCI Express.

A good site to look at is Ebuyer (www.ebuyer.com) as it gives details of
what the motherboards supports and you can read reviews of what other people
think of them. Some people give details of the processor, memory and
graphics cards they are using with the motherboard.

When you have decided what you want, post back a list here and I'm sure
someone will tell you if the components should work together.
 
My basis of selection is based on my needs, and some wants. Generally stay
with Intel/Intel processor/chipset configurations. Any new technology
generally has to be at least a year old on consumer level hardware, as my
pocketbook and I are not a guinea pig for hardware and software driver
engineers. This also applies to peripherals, internal and external.
Research is still needed in some respects.
 
Dave

On price and performance.. set a limit for your build.. ensure that the
budget allows for at least 512Mb RAM.. get a good strong case and case fans
for cooling.. if you are looking for cheap high performance, get AMD..

Read reviews.. not all parts are compatible.. an example is BioStar's XGP
technology.. it enhances AGP performance, but only a few video cards will
run on it.. the packaging doesn't tell you this..

A place for you to start..

http://www.smartcomputing.com/

They produced a book called PC Builder "Build the Perfect PC".. if you can
get it, do so.. lots of options in there, and all tried and tested..

A good review of a motherboard from a manufacturer in no way implies that
ALL motherboards from that manufacturer are as good.. they often aren't..
 
Back
Top