How to compare motherboards: keys to keep in mind ⭐️

When we have to change the motherboard the trouble begins What motherboard do I choose? There are many models on the market, so it is not easy for the consumer to choose only one. Therefore, we have made this small guide to help you know the keys that you must take into account to compare motherboards.

Next, we break down all the important sections to compare motherboards. Let's go!

Index of contents

Socket or socket

It becomes the first thing the consumer looks at when they want to configure a new PC. The socket or socket comes to be the compartment that houses the processor. This section of the board defines the processors that we can choose: their generation and manufacturer. Here it is easy to compare motherboards:

In the case of AMD, we find the AM4, TR4 and sTRX4.
- - AM4 for Ryzen 3, 5, 7 and 9 from 2017 until now. TR4 for Threadrippers. sTRX4 for the latest Threadrippers (3960X and 3970X).
In the case of Intel, we find the LGA 1151 for home processors and LGA 2066 for servers or enthusiasts.
- - LGA 1151. They are divided into generations, from the sixth to the current ninth. The processors that we can choose from range from the Celeron G3930 to the 5.0 GHz i9-9900KS. LGA 2066. They range from i7-7750X to i9-10980XE or i9 Extreme.

Chipset

Each motherboard belongs to a chipset. Consumers tend to bundle Chipset with Socket, when they have nothing to do with it. The socket determines the compatibility of the motherboard with a processor or generation of processors; the chipset determines the range of the motherboard within that socket, in a nutshell.

The chipset is usually associated with the range of motherboard, having a low range, a mid-range and a high-end. Obviously, depending on the processor manufacturer, we find different chipsets.

Differences between ranges

The differences that exist between the ranges are summarized by functionalities and technologies. In this sense, the consumer usually cares about the following:

Overclocking. Depending on the chipset, it will have the overclock unlocked or not. This means that with some we can overclock the processor or RAM, but with others we cannot. The difference is made by the chipset we choose. GPU: the different graphics configurations that the chipset provides you. If you are going to install only one, it almost doesn't matter to you; but if you are going to do Crossfire or SLI, you may be interested in a higher-end chipset. USB: The chipset range usually makes the difference between accepted USB technologies (3.1 Gen 2, 3.1 Gen 1, etc.). Technologies: At AMD we find the Store Mi or the Precision Boost Overdrive, technologies that only the X470 and B450 chipsets enjoy . Intel is more restrictive with the technologies, being able to choose all of them only in the Z370 or Z390 chipsets in the domestic sector.

Currently, we find the following chipsets among the main sockets.

Note: In the AMD X570 chipset you will see that many boards have fans. You may be wondering why? Well, because the chipset and the VRM get quite hot, so the manufacturers decided to incorporate "heatsinks" to remove the hot air from the board.

Form factor

The form factor comes to be the format of the motherboard; in other words, the size of it. The form factors come to represent different dimensions, anchoring positions, etc. Consumers typically choose a certain form factor based on the PC configuration they want.

Types of form factor

Currently, we find the following form factors:

E-ATX. It can be said to be the quintessential enthusiastic form factor. It is the largest of all and usually houses quite powerful PC configurations, with a lot of RAM memory or even more than 1 connected graphics card. Its target is the HEDT range. ATX. Let's say it's the most versatile and standard form factor of all. We say this because it is not the largest, nor the smallest; neither the best, nor the worst. It becomes the middle way between the E-ATX and the Micro-ATX. We can build a very powerful PC with this form factor or a fairly simple PC. Micro-ATX. It is the reduced version of the ATX and is characterized by being present in the low and medium range. However, outside prejudices: there are very powerful micro-ATX motherboards on the market. Its size hinders the SLI / Crossfire or high RAM capacities. Mini-ITX. They are becoming very famous in the HTPC or Mini-PC sector. Its features are very light, with a maximum of 2 RAM slots and a PCIe port because its dimensions are not enough for more.

Choose the form factor that you like or cover your needs, but be careful later when choosing a PC box or a graphics card because things can get complicated.

Well- ventilated Micro-ATX PC cases don't come cheap. Micro-ATX graphics cards come with just 1 fan, and there's not much variety on the market. Installing a regular GPU in a computer of this size can impair the ventilation of the case or, directly, it may not fit.

RAM memory: speed and slots

RAMs are an important component, so users are looking for motherboards that allow the use of multiple RAMs. It is always more efficient to use dual-channel than to install a single memory of 16 or 32 GB. Due to this reason, the more slots the better, even if we don't use all of them. Why? In case in the future we decide to expand our RAM memory.

On the other hand, you have to look at the speeds of RAM memory that the motherboard supports. Now the standard is DDR4, so speeds start at 2133 MHz and go up to 4400 MHz. In my opinion, you are not going to need more than 3600 MHz at your speeds. The optimal frequency would be 3000/3200 MHz, although at Intel we don't need that much frequency.

In summary, in this section, what matters to us is:

Slots. Minimum 4 slots; adjusting 2 a lot, but I always recommend a minimum of 4 just in case. Frequency or speeds. The more the better. The optimum would be around 3200 MHz.

PCI-Express: technology and slots

Here something similar happens with RAM memory, but with certain differences. The PCI-Express slot is super important on any motherboard because there we are going to place our graphics card, like any sound card or even hard drives.

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Ideally, our motherboard has at least 2 x16 slots and PCI Express 4.0 at AMD and 3.0 at Intel. To take advantage of these technologies, you have to install graphics cards that support PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 in your case.

In this section, the more the better. If we go to Micro-ATX or Mini-ATX, we will see that it is difficult to have two PCI Express due to the dimensions of the motherboard.

IMPORTANT: try to make them reinforced to have a solid connection.

USB connections box

This small detail can annoy the USB connections that we have in the box. Many people choose a cheap box that does not fit the equipment in general terms to cut expenses. This is a huge mistake because if we buy a motherboard with USB 3.1 Gen 2 connections, for example, we will be refusing them because the box does not support them.

Depending on the board, we will have a better or worse USB support. We can go to the ordinary ones that offer up to USB 3.1 Gen 1 or go to the more powerful ones that support USB 3.1 Gen 2 in various ports.

Normally, the conflict that arises is due to the compatibility of the connections of the PC box with the connections offered by the motherboard. If you want to follow our advice, compare the connections on the board with those on the box to see if you will take advantage of all its USB connections.

In summary:

Minimum USB 3.0, although much better presence of USB 3.1. Compatibility with box connections: Compare the board connections with those of the box.

Peripheral or I / O connections

These are the connections on the motherboard that face the back of the computer. I always recommend a minimum of 6 USB, I do not care what technology they have. The more sugar, the better. If you can opt for USB 3.0 at least, the better.

In addition to what I said, I do not remember anything more important in this section.

VRM

Most motherboards do not include them in the technical specifications, so it is difficult to assess. VRMs are voltage regulators and are of key importance in CPU overclocking. This is because when we do OC, we go up in voltage, which causes both the processor and the board to heat up.

I suppose you will think How do I know if a board has good VRM, if it does not put it in the specifications? It may not be the most efficient rule, but the more you have, the better.

We emphasize this because there are enthusiastic boards that do not have good VRM, so they harm the OC that we make to our processors. The temperature of these can reach up to 120 degrees. At these levels, the PC is turned off.

So far this guide to comparing motherboards. We hope it has helped you and you can find your ideal motherboard. If you have any questions, comment below and we will all help you.

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What motherboard do you have? Has this guide served you on how to compare motherboards? For you, what is essential on a motherboard?