Graphics playing cards appear to get all the eye, typically overshadowing a significant element of your PC—the motherboard. We’re inundated with selection. Even simply selecting the platform to construct on—Intel or AMD—and your required kind issue—ITX, M-ATX, or ATX—takes cautious thought. (See our 5 tips for choosing a motherboard or, if the shoe suits, our information to picking a board for a Intel 12th-gen CPU for some helpful pointers.)
But then you’ve the entire different matter of options: Wi-Fi or ethernet? How many PCIe lanes? Even RGB header choices are a factor now, too. Let’s reduce by means of the dense “over choice” and break down the 5 most vital options it is best to think about when selecting a motherboard.
Wi-Fi and networking
Some of us have completed it—purchased a motherboard, and solely realized it doesn’t have Wi-Fi capabilities after we’re making an attempt to attach. D’oh! We’re used to many sensible units having wi-fi capabilities de facto. Our sensible telephones and even our fridges have it, why not our PCs? Enthusiasts of previous swore by cabled ethernet, and whereas it’s nonetheless an incredible strategy to join, wi-fi is deserving of our consideration.
Wi-Fi expertise is vastly improved over earlier variations. Wi-Fi 6 and past gives decrease latency, quicker speeds, and fewer interference. Many higher-end motherboards embrace it, similar to AMD’s X570 or Intel’s Z690 fashions. There are some which might be nonetheless ethernet solely, and in case you plan to make use of it completely close to a router, that’s not a nasty choice. For most mobility and versatile placement nonetheless, Wi-Fi is king. (Many houses could have their PC arrange in a distinct location than their router, for instance.)
How about 10GB LAN choices? Your use case must decide if it’s wanted. Users who wish to use 10GB for networking with a NAS or related storage machine will hunt down this selection, in any other case customary 1GB ethernet is greater than sufficient. Now that web speeds have begun exceeding 1GB in some locations, we are able to count on 2.5GB or increased connections sooner or later, although the bleeding-edge of Internet speeds comes with some pricey headaches.
DDR4 vs. DDR5 RAM
DDR5 is here, however the launch was marred by insufficient provide coupled with complicated motherboard selection. Intel’s Z690 platform had some motherboards assist DDR4 solely—or DDR5 solely. While DDR5 is now available, costs are on common significantly increased than DDR4.
Is it price it? Not at current, with modest efficiency good points to point out for the upper costs. When next-gen AMD ultimately joins within the DDR5 dance, we’re hoping wider market adoption will decrease costs, however we’re not there as of right now. Faster DDR5 kits are additionally slated to return out as time goes on, so that you’ll doubtless wish to keep away from the early adopter tax on this one.
Performance options is usually a big motivating issue for motherboard choice too, apart from simply RAM choice. Enthusiasts will go for names just like the Asus Apex or Asrock Formula, which provide reminiscence reset buttons, twin BIOS assist, and even liquid-nitrogen settings for max tinkering.
These are usually exterior the scope of standard motherboard use, nonetheless. Most element motherboards have ample VRMs and choices to deal with high-end chips such because the Ryzen 9 5950X or Intel’s Core i9-12900K.
PCIe lanes
PCIe lanes don’t appear crucial till you run into limits—and wish them. Why do folks buy costly high-end Threadripper motherboards? PCIe lanes permit you to add a big variety of units the extra lanes you’ve.
If you’re constructing a PC with only one or two NVMe SSDs and a graphics card, likelihood is you’ll be tremendous with most platforms that provide the usual setup. That’s one of many key variations when evaluating AMD’s B550 versus its X570 motherboards, for instance—the latter simply gives extra PCIe lanes.
Have a lot of stuff? You’ll want a lot of PCIe lanes!
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If you’re going the workstation route, with a number of NVMe drives and even perhaps a number of graphics playing cards—(Gasp! If you will get them..)—you’ll wish to have enough PCIe lanes to assist them. The similar holds true for PCIe add-in playing cards similar to RAID, sound playing cards, seize playing cards, and so forth.
SATA ports may be an vital consideration as properly, even when its recognition has diminished after NVMe drives turned cheaper. (Remember to be careful for interactions between obtainable PCIe lanes and SATA ports to—typically one can disable the opposite.)
Should you are worried about PCIe Gen 4 versus Gen 5 speeds? Not proper now, as we’re nonetheless within the Gen 3 versus Gen 4 world. Gen 4 is nice to have, particularly with super-fast NVMe drives and newer graphics playing cards taking extra benefit of the additional pace. Gen 5 continues to be early and never sensible in on a regular basis use.
It’s all about connections
There are motherboards with a bevy of connections you’ll doubtless by no means want, however some are important. First, you’ll need properly spread-out fan headers to permit you to finest route cables and set up followers the place wanted. While all could have a CPU header, some gives you extra choices similar to a number of system fan headers, and even water pump/AIO particular headers.
Apple
Of related significance is having sufficient USB ports, too. USB-C is shortly changing into a broadly used customary for a lot of units, and never all motherboards could have them. Thunderbolt 4 is the following step up—for individuals who wish to make use of quick exterior storage or eGPU setups, this can be a huge profit. You’ll discover it extra on Intel motherboards such because the Z690, however they’re making an look on the AMD platform on choose motherboards, too.
How about RGB headers? You could snicker, however many PC builders (myself included) completely love the visible deal with and customization that RGB gives to a construct. Two issues to know right here: the older 4-pin RBG connection, and the newer addressable RBG 3-pin fashion. You’ll additionally wish to know if there are multiple—some could have two to 3, which helps in cable routing.
OLED panels that gentle up like Times Square? You don’t want ’em, however it’s cool having the CPU temperature displayed there, or perhaps a GIF of your favourite character.
Upgradability and nice-to-have options
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Is upgradability a characteristic? Definitely—there’s nothing extra satisfying than dropping the most recent CPU launch on a motherboard to procure a very long time in the past.
AMD has completed properly with permitting this on the most recent X570 platform, however subsequent launch will doubtless want a wholly new socket, that means new CPUs and motherboards. Intel has only recently launched Z690, which hopefully could have a minimum of one or two CPU upgrades in its future.
PCIe Gen 4 or 5 will not be important for many customers now, however ultimately they are going to be, so it’s not a nasty future-proofing choice.
Keep in thoughts a couple of curve balls which might be virtually anti-feature: For instance, Intel’s LGA 1700 socket on the Z690 was totally different in order that current CPU coolers weren’t appropriate out of the field with the brand new motherboards with no particular bracket. Some manufactures like Asus had twin compatibility, however most others didn’t. This would go on the characteristic column for Asus Z690 motherboards, because it eliminates CPU cooler worries.
There are additionally some “nice to have” options being launched in additional motherboards, listed here are a couple of of my favorites:
- Asus PCIe slot “button,” permitting ejection of the GPU with out the awkward tight-space finger gymnastics required in most motherboards now
- Asus NVMe screwless set up: How many people have misplaced these small screws whereas making an attempt to put in an NVMe drive?
- Fan and RGB controllers that many higher-end choices embrace now
- MSI’s Z690 Godlike has a removable OLED display screen—very cool, however undoubtedly only a “nice to have”
Lots of decisions and fascinating options are on the market so that you can think about if you find yourself deciding on your motherboard, however protecting in thoughts the important ones will make your selection simpler. If you possibly can slot in a couple of of those extraneous options as properly, you might be properly in your strategy to experiencing the enjoyment of PC constructing!