Budget motherboard for gaming pc. What is a motherboard chipset and which is better to choose? MSI Solutions Supporting Intel Chips

Hello dear readers, today I will help you choose the most important part in your computer. We will choose the motherboard, and each one will choose the best for himself.

How to choose a motherboard for a computer

Somehow recently I wrote an article about, but I wrote it first in the iron section for my own reasons. Now I want to correct myself and write about one of the important details - motherboard.

There are a large number of motherboard manufacturers, the main ones are Asus and Gigabyte. For me, let's say Asus is better, because in my practice there were fewer problems with them. So how to choose better?

How to choose a motherboard

Now we will see how they differ and everyone will choose for themselves best motherboard.

First of all, you need to decide for what purposes your computer serves, gaming or office.

If you are using a computer for gaming, then you should take a motherboard with support for modern connectors. For games, it is better to install two video cards of the same manufacturers, this will give a big performance boost. And also to have more than 2 slots for RAM. And in general, you need to take a full-length one, because. in most cases, the channel width is the largest, it's a pity that many do not understand this and do not pay attention to the motherboard. After all, having installed all the cool spare parts, they will not work completely on the saved motherboard. At the moment, I would advise Asus z-87 pro! I took z87-a and regretted saving 1t...

If you need a computer for the office, then you can save on a video card, take a motherboard with an integrated video card (modern motherboards have powerful (relatively) integrated video) and focus on the processor and RAM for comfortable work, as well as put.

Now we are going to deviate a little from the topic and look at what it consists of. motherboard, so that it is better to assimilate the material and so that you come to the store as an advanced user 🙂

1. Socket for connecting the CPU (processor).

- This is where the processor is installed.

2. Southbridge chipset.

— Serves for connection and control random access memory and video cards. Bridge connection. The better the chipset, the more expensive the motherboard will be.

3. Northbridge chipset.

- Serves to connect and control Ethernet, audio, hard disk, PCI bus, PCI-Express and USB.

4. RAM slot. Channel 1

- RAM is responsible for temporary data storage, the larger the amount of RAM, the faster the information will reach the processor.

5. RAM slot. Channel 2

6. RAM slot. Channel 3

7. Serial ATA connector.

The connector for connecting the SATA connector is usually hard drives and CD-DVD-ROM.

8. PCI-Express connection slot.

The most popular devices are a network card and. And so anything with a PCI-Express connector.

9. PCI connection slot.

Usually the video card is connected.

10. Power connector - 24-pin ATX Power.

11. Power connector - 8-pin ATX-12v Power.

12. Front panel audio connection.

13. Floppy connector.

14. Connector USB connections front panel or optional equipment such as a card reader.

15. Connector for front panel buttons (power buttons, reset buttons, HDD loading indicator).

There are other microcircuits on the motherboard that are responsible for certain work, but this is already in-depth knowledge, they will not be useful to you.

What to look for when choosing a motherboard?

Now in more detail, what you should pay attention to choosing a motherboard.

1. Chipset. As you can see in the figure, there is a north and a south. The better it is, the more expensive the motherboard. On some motherboards, the northern chipset and FSB are not installed.

To choose a chipset, it is better to look for the latest changes on the official websites of AMD and Intel. For example Intel Z77.

Also different support for ATI Crossfire and NVIDIA SLI.

If SLI, then the video card must also support SLI, if Crossfire, then there must be support for Crossfire, respectively.

2. Socket. CPU socket. The motherboard is usually written, for example LGA1155. In order for the processor to fit, you need to find out which socket your processor fits into.

Size 3. Or form factor. The larger the size, the more connectors will be on the motherboard.

and its possibilities. Now the form factor is mainly ATX, LX, WTX, microATX.

4. Embedded devices. Now almost all motherboards have a built-in network and sound card.

If a video card is built into the motherboard, then such a computer is more suitable for the office.

Also see how many SATA connectors you have, they may come in handy if you want to connect another one HDD or some SATA device.

5. Connectors for RAM. Now the memory with the DD3 connector is mainly used. You can’t insert DD3, DD2 into the connector, they have different forms of circuits. Accordingly, the more connectors there are, the better it will be, in the future it will be possible to upgrade. It is desirable that the connectors be of different colors, so that it is clearer which ones to connect to, but this is not the most important thing. Also, make sure that they are farther from the video card connector, otherwise the RAM can interfere with a large video card.

Also see what frequency the connectors support and how much maximum memory can be installed.

What does the motherboard look like in the price list?

For example, they will assemble a trial set of a computer for you and the price list will include such a motherboard. Let's see what each parameter means.

ASUS P8Z77-V Intel Z77, 1xLGA1155, 4xDDR3 DIMM, 3xPCI-E x16, integrated audio: HDA, 7.1, Ethernet: 1000 Mbps, ATX form factor, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0

ASUS- manufacturer.

P P8Z77-V - motherboard model.

Intel Z77- the name of the chipset.

1xLGA1155- one socket connector and socket name.

4xDDR3 DIMMs- 4 slots for RAM DD3.

3xPCI-E x16- 3 connectors PCI Express(x16 data rate, the more the faster).

Built-in Audio: HDA- Built-in sound card with HDA sound.

there are also DSP, AC'97 and Digital Signal Processor.

Of course, the built-in sound cards do not produce the best sound, but it will do for ordinary speakers. If needed good sound, for good columns, it is better to read an article about . There, by the way, you can download a program to test your sound card.

7.1CH - support 7.1 system connection. Seven speakers, one subwoofer.

Ethernet: 1000 Mbps - built-in network card with the ability to transfer data up to 1 Gb / s.

ATX Form Factor - motherboard size.

DVI- support for connecting a monitor with a video card via a DVI connector. There is also D-sub. DVI is newer.

HDMI- High-Definition Multimedia Interface - also a connector for high-frequency media transmission.

display port- connector to be replaced DVI And HDMI connectors.

USB 3.0- a very important factor, since devices that support such USB will transfer data much faster than usual, and the difference is very large.

That's it, now I'm thinking choose the best motherboard for yourself it will not be difficult for you, the main thing is to sit down and carefully read the characteristics. Believe me, there is nothing complicated here, the main thing is attentiveness 🙂 For example, knowing the characteristics I need, I select in the Yandex market, which is what I advise you.

The motherboard is the foundation of a computer. It affects the stability of work, the ability to connect various additional devices, the suitability of the computer for upgrading and its service life. You can save within reasonable limits on almost all computer components, but on the motherboard - in no case. Instability and bugs caused by a bad model are a lot of hassle and hard to calculate.

But, at the same time, choosing a motherboard is not an easy process even for a person who is a little versed in technology. And that's why. In ancient times (say, 20 years ago), board manufacturers had very small product lines. Literally 5-10 models for all occasions. And we chose not so much a model as a manufacturer, of which, by the way, there were a great many. With very different quality and price appetites. There were all sorts of names, from all kinds of ultra-"mega-super-duper-stars" to vegetable ones (among poor computer scientists, for example, Tomato motherboards were popular).

There are few manufacturers left today. Of the decent ones, it is worth mentioning ASUS, ASRock, Gigabyte, MSI and that's it. But on the other hand, each of them simultaneously produces from 50 to 100 models, among which you need to somehow choose the one that suits your capabilities and price. The principle "Wrap up the most expensive!" does not work: most of all they ask for solutions for hardcore gamers, the unique qualities of which a normal person will never need. And what's more, such a board can increase the power consumption of the system for no good reason. The option “Yes, they are all the same, give it cheaper” does not work either: nothing is the same, there are just a lot of differences.

After reading this text, you will be able to understand the motley variety of motherboards and choose exactly the one you need. We'll walk through form factors, chipsets, and special features. In the story I will rely on the ASUS lineup. For two reasons. Firstly, twenty years ago, motherboards from this manufacturer were the best on the market, but I didn’t have money for them. As soon as they appeared, I began to take ASUS, and I did not have to regret it. Secondly, the ASUS lineup is quite understandable, it's hard to get lost in it. For example, there are so many MSI boards, and the differences between them are so unobvious, that I just feel sorry for your and my time trying to find a suitable option.

Yes, and one more thing: we will start with motherboards based on the Intel platform, and there will be a separate article about solutions for AMD. The fact is that the company has started furiously copying the names of the chipsets of its eternal competitor, and by mixing everything together, we risk getting messy.

Let's go.

Form Factor

1) Mini-ITX. If you want an ultra-compact system, choose this form factor . Such boards are really small, and in most cases are made on the basis of inexpensive chipsets. Most often, small computers are designed to solve simple tasks, but if you are a gamer, but at the same time you want to play in full growth, you can take the ASUS ROG STRIX Z370-I GAMING, where everything is very grown-up, from support Core processors 8th generation up to 2 slots for DDR memory The only limitation is that you can not put more than one video card.

Appearance Mini-ITX boards. Close, yes.

But in general, I repeat, mini-ITX boards are designed to be used in a small case with quiet cooling in order to quietly and inexpensively solve a set of basic tasks facing a modern computer.

2) mATX. It is also a rather compact format, but expansion slots for a sound card, a fast PCI-Express SSD, etc. already fit freely here. Advanced (and not the cheapest) motherboards from the ASUS ROG Strix family also allow you to install two video cards at the same time, resulting in a decent gaming system.

mATX: compactness is evident, but not so fierce

But still, the main purpose of the format is to make it possible to assemble a medium-sized computer with average performance and enough space for connecting expansion cards (sound, network, SSD, etc.). The best option for most home users.

3) ATX. A full-size format that can fit everything the user wants - additional card slots, built-in wireless network and discrete audio, water cooling interfaces, etc. Sometimes all this (and much more) is present at the same time, sometimes separately. But in general, there is really enough space for everything. But the body must also be taken large enough, which is unlikely to comfortably stand on the table - the very place for it is on the floor.

ATX - space!

An option for powerful, if not to say - uncompromising computers, equally good for home needs and for professional use. The latter, however, depends on the chipset, which we will discuss below.

4) extended-ATX. Large format for large computers. It is extremely rare and is designed to assemble the most powerful (and expensive) systems. Most often gaming. ASUS, for example, has only five such boards, and the “cheapest” costs from 20 thousand rubles (and the top one is under 35). It is not worth buying such a board out of curiosity. It is needed if you really ran into the limitations of a regular ATX, and, I'm afraid, there are very few such people.

Extended-ATX - for connoisseurs of the largest forms

Socket (socket for processor)

There are only two current ones: Socket 1151 and Socket 2066. All the rest are already outdated, and it is clearly not worth buying boards with them in 2018.

socket 1151 suits the vast majority of people. Under it, there are processors for modest home needs, and for harsh computing, and for incendiary gaming.

Socket 2066 really needed for those who do not have enough 64 gigabytes of RAM. The main difference between the processors for it is support for up to 128 gigabytes. If you know why so much is needed, go ahead. But given the fact that even a cool gaming PC has nowhere to put even 32 gigabytes, this solution is really specific.

Yes, a very important nuance: Socket 1151 has been around for a long time, but support for 8th generation Intel Core processors is only available in new motherboards. This should be clarified when buying. The updated socket has an unofficial name Socket 1151 v.2.

Chipsets

A chipset is a set of chips that is responsible for the operation of the motherboard. Previously, everything was concentrated in it, including cache memory, but now a lot is moving to the processor. Nevertheless, the performance of the computer and its capabilities still depend on the chipset.

Today, Intel has four mainstream chipset families − b,h,Z andX. You can also find boards based on Q-series chipsets on sale, but they are intended for the corporate market and carry all sorts of little things that are useful for system administrators, but absolutely not needed for an individual user. In terms of capabilities, they are close to the H family, but, I repeat, there is little point in buying them.

To put it simply, the chipsets differ from each other in the number of supported PCI-Express lanes. A line is a data transmission channel, about a gigabyte of data per second is pumped over one line via PCI-E 3.0. A variety of expansion cards and controllers typically consume 1 to 4 lanes. So here, when choosing, you really need to be approached wisely. Chipsets also differ in the maximum number of USB ports, but you shouldn’t worry too much here, because even the simplest chipsets with USB are fine. And yes, USB also consumes PCI-E lanes.

In motherboards designed for overclocking, the chipset may have an additional cooler, although conventional models no longer have it as unnecessary.

With video cards, especially greedy for PCI-E lanes, the processor usually works directly. Mass models of processors have up to 16 own lines, which are used for these purposes. For those who are not enough, there are special series of processors, where the number of PCI-E lines can reach 44 (!), But the price there is harsh, “just in case” you should not buy. To not be enough standard set, you must be a very advanced techno-maniac.

• Familyb. Basic set, up to 12 PCI-E0 lanes and up to 12 USB 2.0/3.0 ports. You can't build anything special on it. Suitable for simple computers for home use.
• FamilyH. Everything is more serious here - up to 20 PCI-E0 lines and up to 14 USB 2.0 / 3.0 ports. It is already possible to assemble a serious system with two video cards or with several PCI-E SSDs, or with some other bells and whistles. I would call it the golden mean.
• FamilyZ. Almost the top. As many as 24 PCI-U 3.0 lanes and up to 14 USB0/3.0 ports. Such power can be relied upon in various ways, so boards based on Zxx chipsets are distinguished by a rich set of integrated devices - sound, fast wireless network, slots for SSDs with PCI-E interface. Another important feature of Z chipsets is that motherboards with them can be overclocked Intel processors with index K at the end, that is, with an unlocked multiplier. You won't be able to do this on other chipsets.
• Familyx. Up to 24 PCI-E0 lanes and up to 24 USB 2.0/3.0 ports. But the main advantage is the support for processors that can address up to 128 gigabytes of RAM. In other cases, there is practically no difference with Z. Works only with Socket 2066.

When a lot of devices are assembled on one board (and all sorts of built-in SATA, USB, etc. controllers are also considered as such), PCI-E lanes may not be enough for everyone. And then motherboard manufacturers come into play, which put channel multipliers on relatively expensive models. They allow you to use two devices on one PCI-E line, which, of course, affects the speed, but does not cut off ports and controllers completely, as happens on inexpensive models.

– FamilyB suitable only in those cases when the computer is assembled once and for all, and he will live his whole life as a typewriter.

– FamilyH best for good home computer, especially if you take a higher level motherboard

– FamilyZ incredibly cool for a normal person.

– FamilyX buy those who know why they need it. Most likely, such people will not read this article at all.

How are motherboards different from each other?

I decided to write this article after I myself, to put it mildly, got confused in the variety of ASUS boards. I went to the site, read and read, but did not understand - which one was made just for me? Fortunately, I needed a combination of a top-end chipset (because the processor is unlocked) and built-in fast Wi-Fi, and there are not many such options in ASUS' assortment. But what if you just need to find a reliable option at a reasonable price?

The study of secret guides and meetings with specialists (Evgeny, thank you!) helped to build a clear ranking of motherboards. I present it to your attention.

ASUS motherboards are divided into four large families. If you arrange them in order of increasing steepness, you get Prime, TUF, ROG Strix and ROG. Each family includes many models, but at the same time has common generic features.

Prime- a basic level of. That is, this is ASUS, everything is done thoroughly, there is a three-year warranty, but some bells and whistles that most people do not need are missing, and the price is affected very significantly. For example, reinforced power circuits, expensive integrated controllers, large beautiful heatsinks, lighting, special overclocking tools, etc. etc. I repeat, all of the above is necessary only for those who understand why it may be required. And if we just want to assemble a computer so that it works and does not mope, there is simply no point in overpaying. At the same time, there are no "circumcisions" here either. All features of the chipsets are implemented in accordance with the specifications, and some boards are not without beauty.

Motherboard as it is - everything you need and nothing more

Inside Prime there are also gradations that are easily determined by the index at the end of the model name. For example, if we have a maternal ASUS board Prime Z270-K, then by the letter K at the end we immediately understand that we have a model belonging to the Value segment. That is inexpensive, but not the easiest. Letters can be as follows:

P,R,T,u,Y,Z- basic level, the simplest and cheapest models.

A,E,g,K– higher class, but still very budget friendly.

plus,pro,Deluxe andPremium(increasingly) - the most functional models, as far as possible, while remaining within the limitations of the family Prime.

TUF- very similar to Prime, but with reinforced components for increased loads. TUF in this case is not an abbreviation, but a transcription of the English word Tough (strong, hard, steep). If it is known in advance that the computer will plow around the clock and under full load (for example, we are assembling a video rendering studio), TUF should be taken. The family uses reinforced components (where reinforcement is required) and the warranty goes up to 5 years. Also there you can find rare chips that are needed only for professional use, such as a duplicated Ethernet port. Gaming models (TUF Gaming) have recently appeared in the TUF line, but even they look quite strict and do not indulge in an extra body kit.

ROGStrix belongs to the top gaming family of Republic of Gamers, but, let's say, keeps himself in hand. Yes, there are already improved power circuits, reinforced graphics card slots (gamers are known to constantly insert new ones!), overclocking tools, beautiful lighting and mighty heatsinks. However, the boards look quite strict, plus they can be based on budget chipsets of the B and H families, which has a beneficial effect on the price. In fact, you can buy a gaming motherboard with all the features of one for the price of the Prime family, which is very nice.

An interesting feature of the top-end ASUS is slots for M.2 SSDs with passive cooling. It is very useful for them, SSDs get quite noticeably warm

ROG- the top one. Only flagship chipsets, no boring state employees. The design is such that putting a motherboard in an opaque case is a real crime. Even without backlighting, the boards look impressive, and even with it, there is no need to speak. Beauty. And also a fierce amount of bells and whistles - advanced sound chips with special gaming software, support for the fastest memory, enhanced ports, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, integrated support for water cooling ... No, seriously - no one is holding back in the ROG series, everything is there the best. There is only one drawback: compared to other ASUS families, these boards are not cheap. And the surcharge, as we said above, is not for reliability, but for additional features that are needed only by seasoned and wealthy gamers.

Yellow stripes are not for beauty. Before us is a dedicated audio path, thanks to which the sound on the board is not subject to interference and interference from neighboring components
SSD can be put directly into the RAM slot, which would be VERY FAST Duplication of computer control directly on the board is not new. But the ability to manually disable individual slots for greater reliability and speed is unusual.

So which motherboard should you buy?

I think most users should start with a family prime. It is very extensive, and it has models on any chipset, from the most budgetary to the top. And the functionality can be impressive. But the price pleases. Just for example: the latest ASUS Prime Z370-A on the top Intel Z370 chipset costs about 10 thousand rubles, and the most affordable in the ROG Maximus X Hero family will cost at least one and a half times more. If you don’t chase bells and whistles, you can pick up an excellent Prime board for 5-6 thousand rubles.

If the system works around the clock or close to that, we take TUF. An additional warranty is also not superfluous.

We play a lot, but still this is not the only occupation in life - it will do ROGStrix. Everything is like the big ones, but there is an opportunity to save.

And, finally, if we cut into different things from morning to night, overclock hardware, constantly upgrade and generally like to experiment with a computer, we must take ROG. Rampage, Maximus, Hero, Formula - whoever likes it more. Saving here will not work, the price is serious. But with such a density of technical achievements on one piece of textolite, it cannot be otherwise.

How much does a normal motherboard cost?

The range is large. The base model from the Prime family on budget chipset Intel B250 costs about 4 thousand rubles. Fantastically fancy ROG Rampage VI Extreme with support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 128 gigabytes of RAM, mega sound and huge room for overclocking the processor with Socket 2066 - 10 times more expensive.

But for most users, the optimal price is not in the middle, but somewhere in the region of 6-10 thousand rubles. That is how much the set of functions necessary for the computer to perform all modern tasks costs. The rest is the pumping of individual skills and functions that you need.

When building a PC yourself, few people think abouthow to choose a motherboard. This component, along with the power supply, does not directly affect system performance. Therefore, many users do not take into account the main nuances. In ready-made solutions presented by various assemblers (domestic and international), no one is in a hurry to pay attention to this module either. Wanting to attract a client at a low price, such computers are often equipped with budget "motherboards" equipped with a minimum set of interfaces.

How to choose a motherboard for a computer, in order to get the highest possible performance, leave a reserve of potential for the future, but at the same time not overpay - and our material will tell. So that the selection process does not cause difficulties even for a beginner who is “on you” with iron, all the nuances are painted in stages.

Computer motherboard: how to choose

Stage 1: Form Factor

Standardization is a great boon in the modern world. Those times when every manufacturer computer technology developed its own standards and interfaces, the modern user will seem wild and hoary antiquity. For about 20 years now, the ATX standard has reigned on the PC market, which strictly describes the principles of computer layout, regulates power supply schemes and determines the format of this technology.

Before, how to choose a motherboard, you need to decide: it is selected for a specific case, or it will be bought after the choice of the board. In the latter case, there are no special restrictions, and this subheading can be omitted.

Format selection based on case type

If you liked a certain model of the case, or the motherboard is purchased to upgrade an existing PC, then the “tower” imposes some restrictions. Big Tower and Full Tower cases (such are some gaming models) support all formats motherboards for regular (non-server) computers. Midi Tower (most home PCs run in this format) are compatible with ATX motherboards, and usually there are no problems with them either.

The Mini Tower, as well as HTPCs and other compact computers that are designed to save space on the desktop or act as a home multimedia center, require the use of compact motherboards. Which motherboard to choose for them depends on the manufacturer. As a rule, Mini-ATX boards differ from full-sized boards in height (28.4 cm versus 30.5) and width (24.4 versus 20.8).

How to choose a Micro-ATX motherboard

Micro-ATX motherboards are components suitable for a compact system unit, but special attention must be paid when choosing them. Often, sellers mark with this designation two types that are completely different in size: Micro-ATX and Flex-ATX. Both are almost the same height (24.4 and 22.9 cm), but differ in width (24.4 vs. 19.1 cm). Most flex boards are referred to as "micro" by sellers, and square boards are often incompatible with small PCs!

There is also an ITX format, which differs from ATX in a slightly different location of external connectors and a smaller size.Which motherboard to choose(ITX or ATX) - depends on the case. When upgrading the media center, it is advisable to arm yourself with a ruler and measure the values ​​by comparing them with standards on the same Wikipedia ", so as not to miscalculate.

Stage 2: processor socket

4 SATA ports is the minimum for a modern PC. One of them will be occupied by the system SSD, the second - by a hard drive for storing files. Another slot may be required when installing an optical drive (DVD discs are gradually becoming a thing of the past, but they have not completely lost their relevance yet). It is advisable to leave the fourth connector in reserve, in case of an upgrade, if you need another HDD.

Stage 5: expansion slots

Almost all modern motherboards are equipped with a full-size PCI-E x16 slot for installing a video card. Only ultra-compact ITX boards can be deprived of it, as they are designed to use a CPU with integrated graphics (for example, Intel Atom or AMD A-series).

If in the future it is planned to build a configuration of two video cards, the corresponding slots should also be 2. In this case, the MP chipset requires hardware support for SLI or CrossFire technology (depending on the manufacturer of the graphics card).

Read more about it: And

In addition to video cards, PCI-E slots (reduced to x1 or x4) can be used for TV tuners, sound cards, high-speed SSDs with the appropriate interface, and other expansion cards. Although the older PCI is falling into disuse, devices on this bus are still found.

From left to right: PCI-E x16, PCI-E x1, PCI, PCI-E x16, 2 PCI and again PCI-E x16

If you plan to install a video card with a two-slot cooling system (which is the case for most gaming models), it is important to consider that expansion slots adjacent to PCI-E x16 may not be available.

Stage 6: USB

The USB interface in everyday life is the most demanded of all wired data transfer standards. It is used to connect keyboards, mice and other peripherals, removable drives, cameras, smartphones, tablets, webcams and many other devices. All motherboards for home PCs are equipped with USB ports, the difference lies only in the supported generation of this protocol and the number of connectors. On the rear panel, you can find from 2 to 10 (and even 12) of these sockets, but most of them belong to the outdated 2.0 generation. More modern USB 3s are blue or red (instead of black), and are in the minority.

4 USB 2.0 are black, USB 3.0 are blue

External USB ports clearly visible in the photo, and it will not be difficult to count them. Another thing is the internal connectors designed to output ports to the front panel of the PC. And those can be from 2 - up to 12 or more (on specialized boards). If your PC case has USB3 sockets on the front, beforehow to choose a motherboard, you need to make sure that there is an internal block of contacts on the board. And if, in addition to them, it is also planned to use an additional panel installed in the drive slot, then there should be at least two USB3 pads on the MP.

2 USB3 headers on the board

Stage 7: Cooling and Cooler Compatibility

To improve heat dissipation from power circuits, the south bridge and other critical components, manufacturers use compact (and sometimes not so) radiators. Their presence is good, especially if you plan to experiment with overclocking, or if you plan to use your computer intensively. When choosing, preference should be given to models with cooled elements.

There are also cases when the benefit in the form of additional radiators turns into unpleasant nuances. If a massive tower cooler, like the Noctua NH-D14, is installed on the PC, then the regular MP cooling system (in particular, its protruding elements) may interfere with the installation of the radiator. The same goes for graphics cards or memory sticks on tightly packed Flex-ATX boards.

Before, how to choose a motherboard, it is worth considering the need for additional cooling. Cases equipped with lighting, transparent walls and other modding elements are often equipped with auxiliary fans. They require connection to the 3-pin headers on the board, so if fans are needed, the MP should have a supply of 2-4 of these connectors.

Fan header on the board

Which motherboard to choose in 2016

The question is which motherboard to choose in 2016year, there can be no unequivocal answer in principle. It is highly individual, and the choice is determined based on the needs of a particular user. For a gaming PC, it will be one, for an office PC it will be another, for a multimedia PC it will be a third. It can only be outlined in general terms what should bemotherboard how to chooseit under your budget and tasks, so as not to miscalculate.

• Don't chase cheap. Saving several hundred rubles at the cost of abandoning the necessary functions is an irrational choice. It is advisable to decide on all the described parameters (socket, memory type and number of slots, list of interfaces), and only then - from the options that match the criteria, look for an acceptable one for the budget.
• For a new PC - first the functionality, and then the size. When assembling a new PC, you must immediately choose the best option for the motherboard, and only then look for a compatible case. Trying to assemble a gaming system on a compact media center chassis will result in low reliability of such an assembly (due to cramped layout and constant overheating).
• It's also not worth paying.Choosing a motherboard with prefixes "Game", "Ultra", "Top", "Super", "Ultimate", etc., designed for "geeks" for a multimedia or office PC is just as irrational as buying a cheap Flex -ATX MP for Intel Core i7-6700k, which is planned to be overclocked. If there is a performance boost, it will be at the level of a couple of percent, and the money will be paid for unused functionality, such as 3 PCI-E x16 slots or advanced CPU overclocking options.

Which motherboard to choose: A selection of 10 models

To make choosing a motherboard easier, we have collected for you a number of good motherboards for specific purposes:

For gaming PC full-sized ATX boards equipped with full functionality should be considered. If the budget does not limit for assembly on Intel, you can choose Gigabyte GA-X99-UD4 (for processors for socket 2011) or MSI Z170A GAMING M7 (1151). If the amount is limited, the GIGABYTE GA-B150-HD3 DDR3 is suitable for an inexpensive gaming PC.

On AMD, if performance is the most important thing, you should look towards ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 . If you want to save money without losing quality - GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3P. Both boards feature socket AM3+ and support FX series processors. But don't ignore FM2+, the top APU models for which also claim to be gaming. For A-series processors, GIGABYTE GA-F2A88X-D3H can be called the best choice.

For office PC gaming features are not as important as accessibility, stability and silence. Therefore, Micro-ATX and Flex-ATX boards will be the best choice here, since the rule “the fewer nodes in the system, the higher its reliability” is also relevant here. For an office computer based on Intel, the optimal choice of motherboard is MSI H170M PRO-VDH D3. Of its "trump cards" it is worth noting 4 USB3 ports on the rear panel, support latest processors Core 6000 series, as well as 4 memory slots and the presence of all three (VGA, DVI and HDMI) connectors for connecting a monitor. On AMD, the board based on the FM2+ socket ASUS A88XM-A, which has similar capabilities, will be successful for the office.

Multimedia PC often used in conjunction with a TV and/or home theater system, requiring a compact chassis. To avoid noise, you need to use energy-efficient components that do not require powerful cooling. On Intel for this purpose is suitable

I think everyone knows that the motherboard is considered the connecting link in the design system block. Therefore, some criteria must be taken into account. You can learn how to choose the right inexpensive and good motherboard from this article. Or watch a special video that I have selected for you. Here is a summary of the article below:

• Main Components
• How to choose a motherboard manufacturer
• Form factor selection
• Chipset selection
• PCI-Express and memory slot
• External connectors
• Auxiliary features

Video instruction how to choose a motherboard

Main Components

To better understand its structure, I propose to consider its structure using a specific example. As an example, let's take one of the highest quality models - Sapphire Pure Z77K. Of course, in order to consider in detail the main elements of the part, you can take any model. But we will focus on this one.

In the picture, the numbers indicate not only the main components of the motherboard, but elements that are typical only for overclocking options.

• Number (1) is the processor socket, which is the main element of the device. It is important to pay attention to the fact that the processor socket is absolutely compatible with the socket. The number (0) indicates a "double" radiator responsible for the elements of the power converters of the integrated graphics core, processor and CPU VTT, namely for their cooling. Such radiators are only found in overclocking motherboards. On conventional cooling element is not worth it at all.
• The number (2) indicates the PCI-Express slots. The circuit board contains three of these X16 version 3.0 slots. Such connectors are needed to install one or more video cards. More old version slots - 2.0 is numbered (3).
• The number (14) indicates the PCI-E X1 slots. They are intended for installing devices that require a large bus bandwidth. One X1 line is enough for this. An example of such devices are TV tuners, various controllers, audio and others.
• Number (4) is the chipset. It is located behind the cooling radiator. Connectors numbered (5) are needed to install DDR3 RAM. They are usually painted black or blue. Designed slots for installing memory modules, which greatly increases the working efficiency. Number (6) is the CMOS battery that powers the BIOS CMOS chip. So the microcircuit does not lose settings after the computer is turned off.
• (8) and (12) are 24-pin and 8-pin connectors. The first is the main 24-pin power connector. It is through it that most of the components are powered.
• The numbers (9) and (10) indicate the SATA 3 (6 Gb / s) and SATA 2 connectors. They are located on its edge, intended for connecting devices to the side of the stands. Made in the style of an overclocking connector. SATA 2 connector is required for connection hard drive, drives and various SSD drives. Conventional models contain connectors located frontally and offset to the center. Therefore, it is convenient to use them within the framework of the system block of a “non-overclocking” system.
• The number (11) indicates a non-standard element - an indicator of POST codes. It shows the temperature of the processor, but with small inaccuracies.

• The rear panel with external connectors is shown as number (13). This panel has connectors that are needed to connect various peripherals, keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers and many more add-ons.

So we figured out the main components, now we will analyze the individual blocks, and also consider the parameters that need to be considered when buying.

Which company to choose a motherboard

With this choice, oddly enough, it is not necessary to take into account its performance. You need to rely on the trust of the manufacturer. The most famous are MSI, Gigabyte, Biostar, Intel, ASRock and Asus. And the sample that we are considering today is also worthy of attention. It happens that some models have an inconvenient layout or the kit supplied by any manufacturer is not wide enough. All the same, there are flaws that some users would not like to see. But such shortcomings do not give grounds to write off motherboard manufacturers. Ultimately, their equipment is not always the same for all manufacturers, so it is impossible to say which company to choose or which is the best.

My advice to you is to take this one:

• which suits you for the price
• convenient in location
• from good reviews on major portals

Chipsets come from AMD and Intel, so the functions of the devices are very similar. The only thing to notice is the reviews of real buyers and detailed reviews motherboards. So you can at least somehow decide on the variety of products.

Form factor selection

Properly selected form factor will help to avoid many problems in the future. Most popular form factors:

• ATX - full size
• Micro-ATX - stripped-down version

The form factor determines the scalability of the system in the future. Micro-ATX usually has a small number of PCI-E and PCI expansion slots for graphics cards and other devices. Often such models are equipped with only two slots for installing memory modules. This fact severely limits the expandability of RAM. And not only in quantitative terms, but also in terms of convenience. The main advantage of Micro-ATX is its low price. Choosing from two standards, we can safely say that Micro-ATX is a budget option for office and home systems.

The size of the fee is also very important. ATX form factor is larger in size. Be sure to consider the compatibility of the case and the motherboard in size!

How to choose motherboard socket

After choosing a processor, you need to choose the right motherboard. The first thing you need to pay attention to the socket. It is he who ensures the compatibility of the motherboard and processor. So, for a processor with an LGA 1155 socket, only an LGA 1155 motherboard is suitable. Supported sockets and a processor can be found on the official websites of manufacturers, but for AMD it is AM3 or AM3 +.

Chipset selection

The chipset is the connecting link for the interaction of the entire system. This component largely determines the capabilities of the motherboard. It has always been believed that the chipset is a set of system logic chips, consisting of a south and north bridge. But now the views are a little different.

Particularly popular chipsets are the seventh series of Intel and the 900th AMD. Nvidia is famous for a small assortment of chipsets, but no less popular.

The seventh series of Intel differs from the standard representation of chipsets, because they consist only of the north bridge. But this does not affect the functionality of the motherboard in any way, because some controllers have been transferred to the processor. This can be understood by the example of a PCI-Express 3.0 bus controller and a DDR3 memory controller. The north bridge in this case received SATA, USB, PCI-Express control. The block diagram of the Z77 chipset clearly shows what the elements are tied to and on which buses:

Z, H and B stand for chipset positioning for market segments.

Chipsets from AMD have two chips, it has northbridges 990X, 990FX and 970 and northbridge SB950.

The 990FX gives the chipset support for 42 PCI-Express lanes. Therefore, four video cards can be connected on the lines in the Cross Fire bundle. But not everyone needs these opportunities. The remaining two northbridges support 26 lines, but this loss is not noticeable.

Auxiliary features

Additional features include those that are not always needed. For the average user, they are not very in demand:

• ESATA - some models have an interface for connecting removable drives. Very useful for owners of external drives.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module for wireless networking and data transfer. They greatly enhance the functionality of the motherboard.
• Thunderbolt - provides data transfer at a speed of 10 Gb / s and the connection of peripheral devices. Transfers data several times faster than USB 2.0, USB 3.0. Today it is needed by units, but in the future it will become more popular.
• Additional buttons and indicators for overclocking, proprietary technologies and manufacturers' elements.

Rating of the best motherboards of the year

As you can see, choosing a motherboard is not an easy task. Based on the listed parameters, you need to choose an option that would suit you both in terms of cost and functionality. Of course, the parameters of the motherboard for each user are individual. But still, for greater convenience, you can see the rating of the best motherboards for 2015-2016. Focusing on the main parameters and the best models, you can make a truly right choice. Below is a video on this difficult topic for a better understanding.

Best Socket 1150 Motherboard (2016)

• MSI Z87 XPOWER
• MSI B85-G43 GAMING is the best buy
• ASUS B85M-E - inexpensive and good motherboard for an average computer
• MSI B85-G43 - price-quality ratio
• ASUS VANGUARD B85
• GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-Gaming GT - recommended for gamers

Best Socket 1155 Motherboard (2016)

• ASRock B75 Pro3-M is the best buy of the year
• GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2PV (rev. 2.2)
• ASUS H61M-G
• ASRock H61M-VG4
• MSI H61M-P20 (G3)
• GIGABYTE GA-H61M-S2PV (rev. 2.0)

Best Socket Motherboard 2011 (2016)

• ASUS P9X79-E WS (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16) - the coolest purchase
• Asus Rampage IV Extreme (s2011, X79, PCI-Ex 16)
• ASUS P9X79 WS (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16) - the best price-performance ratio
• MSI X79A-GD65 (8D) (s2011, Intel X79, PCI-Ex16)

Best Motherboard 2011-3 (2016)

• ASUS RAMPAGE V EXTREME/U3.1 is the best buy
• Asus X99 Deluxe
• MSI X99A SLI PLUS - the best choice price-quality
• GIGABYTE GA-X99-UD3 (rev. 1.0)
• ASRock X99 Extreme4

The most powerful motherboard for a gamer with two processors - Asus Z9PE-D8 WS (2 x LGA2011, Intel C602, PCI-Ex16)