Best Motherboard 2023 • 7 Motherboards Reviews

What is a motherboard and how does it work?

Sometimes called a main circuit board, or more colloquially a mobo, this circuit board is responsible for connecting and controlling all the components of a computer. In other words, the motherboards are the backbone of PCs and, therefore, plays a crucial role in their performance. They are generally named according to the chipset that they integrate.

What are the types of motherboards?

Nowadays, there are dozens of different motherboard formats, each being tailored to one type of computer. However, we can identify the three most common models: the full-size form factor (ATX), the medium-size form factor (microATX), and the small form factor (mini-ITX). You can compare their main characteristics in the table below.

As you can imagine, the bigger the motherboard is, the more connectors and expansion possibilities it will offer. You should also bear in mind that the size of the motherboard determines the size of the PC case, thus affecting the cooling system you can mount.

ATX

Its use is very wide, from gaming computers to office machines or work computers. This motherboard has up to seven expansion slots and four slots for RAM memory. Tests show that their larger surface area for integrated circuitry means they have more slots and expansion connectors for components.

MicroATX

It is generally found in office computers and small devices. This type of motherboard has five slots for expansion cards and up to four RAM modules. Tests have shown that they are considerably cheaper than ATX motherboards.

Mini-ATX

It is designed for small PCs, cash registers, and many other small pieces of equipment. This type has one slot for expansion cards and two for RAM. Tests have shown that with them, you can mount smaller computers.

Shopping Criteria for a Motherboard

You should pay attention to various key criteria before purchasing your new motherboard. We want to make your life easier, which is why we have detailed these different aspects in the following section. Once you familiarize yourself with these criteria and identify your personal needs, you will be ready to make a successful purchase, by forming an opinion and choosing the best option for you.

• Format
• CPU Socket
• Circuit Quality
• Chipset
• Graphics Card(s)

Format

Before deciding on a specific format, test and evaluate your use of the device and whether you intend to make any additions to it in the future or not. Unless you have very particular needs, you should start by opting for the ATX or microATX format. Both are quite flexible and offer good expansion options.

ATX motherboards are compatible with virtually any PC case. On the other hand, tests have shown that the microATX format is best suited for you if your budget is more limited. If your PC integrates liquid cooling with multiple graphics cards and three or more storage units, the XL-ATX and E-ATX form factors are excellent.

CPU Socket

This component determines which processor you can install, which is why you need to ensure that your motherboard’s socket is compatible with the processor you want to install. Right now, the Intel LGA 1151 and LGA 2066 and the AMD AM4 and TR4 are some of the more common ones. However, there are many more.

Intel uses the LGA 2011 and LGA 2011-3 sockets for higher ranges and server processors, while it goes for the LGA 1151 for home use. AMD uses FM2 and FM2+ sockets for its processors with integrated graphics, and AM4, AM3 or AM3+ sockets for most home processors.

Circuit Quality

The quality of the motherboard’s construction influences both the proper functioning of other computer components and the overall life of the device, which is why this is so important. In expert and customer opinion, if you only want to use your PC for basic office tasks, you won’t need a motherboard with capacitors and circuits that offer high performance.

This is very different if you intend to impose high workloads on your computer or if you want to overclock it. If that’s the case, it is essential that you choose a model with high-quality circuits and feed-in phases, since your motherboard will be subjected to high electrical demands. As you can imagine, the higher the quality, the higher the price.

Chipset

The chipset is basically the communication center and data traffic controller of the motherboard. In addition, it determines which components are or aren’t compatible with it. In the same vein, we can differentiate chipsets for Intel processors and those for AMD processors. Here is a list of some of the best models currently on the market:

• Intel B360: Low-range chipset without overclocking and RAID support, but with SSD support. Ideal if you want to build an inexpensive computer.
• Intel H370: It cannot overclock either, but it does have support for RAID and SSD drives. It is used on affordable motherboards and is ideal for mid-range gaming devices.
• Intel Z390: This top-quality model allows overclocking and is suitable for high-end gaming computers. You are recommended to install a K-series processor, as well as 4,500 MHz RAM or lower.
• Intel X299: This chipset is the very best of Intel. Particularly suitable for workstations or computers designed for the most demanding tasks.
• AMD A320: AMD’s low-end chipset doesn’t allow overclocking or multiple graphics cards. Designed for the most affordable devices.
• AMD B450: It can overclock and accepts various graphic cards. This is a particularly exciting option for mid-range gaming computers.
• AMD X470: Designed for high-end gaming PCs, it naturally supports overclocking and various graphics cards.
• AMD X399: AMD’s top-of-the-line chipset, it is tailored to those who want or need very powerful equipment, either for design or workstations.

Graphics Card(s)

Start by making sure that the motherboard you buy is compatible with the graphics card you will be mounting. If you plan on installing two or more cards to improve your computer’s performance for gaming, for instance, in expert opinion it is also essential that your motherboard supports more than one card.

If this is the case, the manufacturer generally states it very clearly. SLI (Scalable Link Interface) is the multi-GPU system for Nvidia graphics cards, while Crossfire is the equivalent system for ATI/AMD graphics cards. It is best to always check the number of cards that your motherboard can support.

Related links and sources

• https://www.techspot.com/news/88177-asus-plans-price-hikes-gpus-motherboards-early-2021.html
• https://www.britannica.com/technology/motherboard
• https://www.techspot.com/article/2180-best-and-worst-hardware-2020/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/motherboards
• https://www.techspot.com/article/2140-ryzen-5000-memory-performance/
• https://www.tomshardware.com/news/chipset-definition,37655.html

FAQ

Why should I buy a motherboard?

There are three main reasons why you may want to buy a motherboard: to replace your computer’s motherboard to improve its performance, to replace it because it is failing or has broken down permanently, or to mount your own PC. Either way, you should decide between opting for a long-term model or one that meets short-term requirements. As you can imagine, the former will be more expensive but also offer the possibility of improving or expanding some of the components in the future. It is best to choose according to your needs. What are the advantages of mounting your own computer? Creating your own PC component by component offers a large number of advantages. First of all, it tends to be more affordable than a ready-made device. In addition, you can choose which components you want to install in your computer and invest more in those that are more important to you. You may also want to use a component from your old computer, make the most of a special offer, or even buy a second-hand motherboard. Designing your own device naturally requires a decent knowledge of hardware and a research process to find the right and the best components.

What are the basic elements of a motherboard?

Motherboards integrate a number of essential elements. These include the ATX power connector, CPU socket, slots for RAM, PCI and PCI Express expansion slots, storage connectors, PS/2 connectors, graphics connectors, CMOS battery, USB and network ports, BIOS, and chipset. ATX power connector: The mains power travels through it from the source to the motherboard. CPU socket: This is where the processor – either Intel or AMD – is connected. RAM slots: Desktop computers tend to have between two to eight slots. In laptop motherboards, on the other hand, this is often the only part that can be expanded. PCI and PCI Express expansion slots: Designed to add new components, such as graphics or sound cards. PCI slots are considered obsolete and rarely found in the most recent motherboards. Storage connectors: This is where you connect your hard disks, SSDs, DVD readers, and burners. PS/2 connectors: They allow you to connect the keyboard and mouse. Graphic connectors: Designed to connect the monitors, they can be DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, or even VGA. USB ports: You can connect various peripherals – from mice and printers to USB sticks and external hard drives. Network ports: They allow you to connect an Ethernet cable for your Internet connection. BIOS (Basic Input/Output System): This read-only memory shelters the software that controls the hardware and that serves as the interface between the operating system and the computer’s hardware. Chipset: It consists of a set of small circuits responsible for coordinating the flow of information to and from the various key components. CMOS battery (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor): This lithium battery supplies the power necessary to feed the BIOS.

Why is overclocking so useful?

You may have heard of overclocking without knowing exactly what it is and what advantages it offers. First of all, you have to understand that the processor, the RAM, and the graphics card can all perform this. The aim of this technique is to increase the clock speed or the working frequency of a specific component. In other words, you can best increase its performance and speed. When it comes to the processor, both Intel and AMD models already integrate a technology that allows them to increase their frequency automatically. In any case, tests show that the processor and the motherboard need to be unlocked and be overclocking compatible for you to do this.