Motherboard Phones Buying Advice
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We're here to help you buy a new motherboard. We've got advice and information about all the latest components. We discuss the features and specifications you need to look for, and explain the difference between the technologies.It's worth making sure you spend wisely. To make it easier, we answer the questions you should ask yourself before you buy. Click on any of these links to get some valuable advice, and tips on how you can use PriceRunner to find the suitable motherboard.
Introduction
Undoubtedly the most important component in a Personal Computer, the motherboard or main board is defined as the board where processing is initiated when the system is powered on. A motherboard is the central platform where the various components of a computer converge. Not only are functions such as Memory, Graphics, Data transfer, Storage, etc controlled via the motherboard by the individual components but also the effective interaction of data from one component to another. A motherboard is quite complex, since it has to act as a platform for the convergence of all the components that go towards making a computer.
Core Components
We can classify the CPU and RAM Slots as the two most important components that comprise as the core components in a motherboard. Based on these two slots, one can determine the speed of the Computer as well as future compatibility with processors and memory. Also knows as the Chipset, this specification needs to be kept in mind while you search for a motherboard. A Chipset refers to a set of circuits integrated to function together and come in two architectures namely, Northbridge and Southbridge. As motherboard manufacturers roll out various boards with almost similar features, it will be the chip set specification that will determine the subtle difference in the features that the board offers. Keep a lookout for the different slot or socket support available for the CPU, as based on this will you be able to use your existing processor on a new motherboard. As various RAM or Random Access Memory exist most motherboards offer slots for a specific type of RAM. Some motherboards also offer an additional slot to accommodate two different types of RAM. The most common type of RAM in use currently is a DIMM or Dual In-line Memory Module. This is fast being replaced with the DRDRAM or Direct Rambus Dynamic RAM, more commonly called as Rambus’s. Created by the Rambus Corporation, this type of memory modules were primarily created for a line of Cray supercomputers and are vastly different than any in the market.
Peripheral Interfaces
As the motherboard deals with ensuring that data transfers smoothly from one device to another, we take a look at the various interfaces that play a role in this. Motherboards that offer the best of the below mentioned technologies would be priced quite exorbitantly and based on your usage you should determine a motherboard suitable for your computer.
For Hard Disk Drive
Most motherboards come with inbuilt PCI and IDE slots. This enables you to hook up most hard disk drives seamlessly. For users who would like to hook up high end SCSI or RAID enabled disk drives, the port should be available on the motherboard or alternatively one would need to use an add-on card which could be plugged in on the PCI slot. For further details read the Hard Drive Buying Advice.
For Graphics Card
Most motherboards come equipped with an on board graphics chip which is adequate for the basic user. For the gamers and movie enthusiasts who need high quality resolution the motherboard should have an AGP or Accelerated Graphics Port which can accommodate the high end graphics card. Created by Intel to address the issue of increasing graphics quality and texture, no other device uses the AGP slot and it provides a dedicated path for rendering images to the CPU. While Intel is the creator of the technology behind AGP, companies like creative and Nvidia have emerged with a better product catalogue for graphics cards. Most Graphics cards that fit onto the AGP slot are mini-motherboards in their own right with dedicated RAM and a graphics processor. For further details read the Graphics Card Buying Advice.
For Sound Card
Sound cards are now integrated on the motherboard. As most motherboards have a reasonable sound output, users will not have to be too concerned with looking out for specific details on the sound output, which comes equipped with a six-channel port sufficing the requirements for most applications. For further details read the Sound Card Buying Advice.
For Built-in Network port
Networking is no longer a troublesome issue. Hooking your PC onto an Ethernet network is quite simple with most motherboards offering a 10/100 Mbps dual speed network port. This port is now embedded on the motherboard and automatically detects the speed of the network when plugged in. The support for both 10Mbps and 100 Mbps enables the user to plug his PC onto a network seamlessly. Home or Small business users running the current Windows based Operating System should be able to auto detect the network and its speed when the computer gets plugged in.
For USB/FireWire ports
One of the most revolutionary technologies to be developed and incorporated in mainstream computing is the USB or Universal Serial Bus. Before the advent of this port, each device needed its own specific port to plug into. E.g. Keyboards, printers, external storage devices, cameras, PDA’s all had their proprietary ports to plug into and neither of these could be interchanged. As a result the earlier motherboards were huge and required a lot of space in the computer cabinet or case. With most devices from the keyboard to the mouse to the printer being USB enabled, no longer does the motherboard need to be huge as most motherboards come fitted with two to four USB ports. Since USB devices are hot swappable (plug-and-play), the computer auto detects each device when plugged into the USB port, thus eliminating any IRQ conflict. With a data transfer speed of over 450 Megabits per second and over 120 devices can be connected to a single USB port, making it the most unbeatable interface for connecting external devices to the computer.
Like the USB port, FireWire is also an external device mostly used for connecting the computer to digital cameras and camcorders. Developed by Apple Computers this technology is found mostly on the range of computers from Apple and their popular portable mp3 player, the iPod. While compared to the USB port, FireWire allows only 63 devices to get connected via a single port, but beats it hands down in enabling a data transfer rate of over 3.6 Gigabits per second. In addition to these devices requiring medium power consumption can source their power from the computer through the FireWire port and do not require any addition power cable or plug point.
Optimising Pricerunner
Trying to narrow down your search for a Motherboard that is apt for you, Pricerunner offers one of the most comprehensive search parameters based on a host of parameters such as Name, Price, Processor Support, CPU Support, Sockets, Form Factor, Front Side bus, SATA, Built in SCSI Controller, Built in RAID Controller, Built in Graphics Card, Built in Sound Card, Built in Network Card, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Firewire. Keep in mind that the initial choice for the selection of a motherboard starts with the processor manufacturer i.e. Intel, AMD, Cyrix, etc. If you are replacing the motherboard on your machine, then look out for motherboards that are processor specific i.e. built for a specific family of processors.
Conclusion
While taking a decision to purchase a motherboard, one should keep in mind the dependency of the CPU and RAM on the motherboard. Most motherboards come equipped with a reasonable sound port, network port and USB ports. Finally, in choosing the type of a motherboard, the user will also be limiting his choice in processor and memory. You would be wasting you money buying a super fast processor, the speed of which would not be equal to the bus speed on the motherboard. Thus, although the processor would be capable of computing at high speeds, it would be limited to performing at the speed of the transfer bus on the motherboard. The same holds true for selecting RAM. All in all selecting a motherboard is quite a calculated move keeping in mind the trade off on price, performance and new technology, as one will have to intelligently narrow down onto the right product after taking into consideration these factors.
