Graphics playing cards appear to get all the eye, typically overshadowing an important part of your PC—the motherboard. We’re inundated with alternative. 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 suggestions for selecting a motherboard or, if the shoe suits, our information to selecting a board for a Intel Twelfth-gen CPU for some helpful pointers.)
However then you’ve the entire different matter of options: Wi-Fi or ethernet? What number of PCIe lanes? Even RGB header choices are a factor now, too. Let’s minimize by the dense “over alternative” and break down the 5 most vital options you need to contemplate when selecting a motherboard.
Wi-Fi and networking
A few of us have completed it—purchased a motherboard, and solely realized it doesn’t have Wi-Fi capabilities after we’re attempting to attach. D’oh! We’re used to many good gadgets having wi-fi capabilities de facto. Our good telephones and even our fridges have it, why not our PCs? Fanatics of outdated swore by cabled ethernet, and whereas it’s nonetheless a tremendous strategy to join, wi-fi is deserving of our consideration.
Wi-Fi know-how is vastly improved over earlier variations. Wi-Fi 6 and past offers decrease latency, quicker speeds, and fewer interference. Many higher-end motherboards embody it, resembling AMD’s X570 or Intel’s Z690 fashions. There are some which are nonetheless ethernet solely, and if you happen to plan to make use of it completely close to a router, that’s not a nasty possibility. For max mobility and versatile placement nevertheless, Wi-Fi is king. (Many properties could have their PC arrange in a special location than their router, for instance.)
How about 10GB LAN choices? Your use case should decide if it’s wanted. Customers who wish to use 10GB for networking with a NAS or comparable storage system will hunt down this selection, in any other case normal 1GB ethernet is greater than sufficient. Now that web speeds have begun exceeding 1GB in some locations, we are able to anticipate 2.5GB or larger connections sooner or later, although the bleeding-edge of Web speeds comes with some dear complications.
DDR4 vs. DDR5 RAM
DDR5 is right here, however the launch was marred by insufficient provide coupled with complicated motherboard alternative. Intel’s Z690 platform had some motherboards assist DDR4 solely—or DDR5 solely. Whereas DDR5 is now available, costs are on common significantly larger than DDR4.
Is it value 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 at present. Sooner 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.
Efficiency options is usually a large motivating issue for motherboard choice too, except for simply RAM choice. Fanatics will go for names just like the Asus Apex or Asrock Components, which provide reminiscence reset buttons, twin BIOS assist, and even liquid-nitrogen settings for optimum tinkering.
These are typically exterior the scope of standard motherboard use, nevertheless. Most part motherboards have adequate 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 essential till you run into limits—and wish them. Why do individuals buy costly high-end Threadripper motherboards? PCIe lanes permit you to add a major variety of gadgets the extra lanes you’ve.
For those who’re constructing a PC with only one or two NVMe SSDs and a graphics card, chances are high you’ll be high quality with most platforms that supply the usual setup. That’s one of many key variations when evaluating AMD’s B550 versus its X570 motherboards, for instance—the latter simply provides extra PCIe lanes.
Have a lot of stuff? You’ll want a lot of PCIe lanes!
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
For those who’re going the workstation route, with a number of NVMe drives and maybe even a number of graphics playing cards—(Gasp! If you may get them..)—you’ll wish to have sufficient PCIe lanes to assist them. The identical holds true for PCIe add-in playing cards resembling RAID, sound playing cards, seize playing cards, and many others.
SATA ports may be an vital consideration as properly, even when its recognition has diminished after NVMe drives turned cheaper. (Bear in mind to be careful for interactions between out there PCIe lanes and SATA ports to—typically one can disable the opposite.)
Must you fear 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 velocity. 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. Whereas all could have a CPU header, some will provide you with extra choices resembling a number of system fan headers, and even water pump/AIO particular headers.
Apple
Of comparable significance is having sufficient USB ports, too. USB-C is shortly turning into a broadly used normal for a lot of gadgets, and never all motherboards could have them. Thunderbolt 4 is the following step up—for many who wish to make use of quick exterior storage or eGPU setups, this can be a large 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 might snicker, however many PC builders (myself included) completely love the visible deal with and customization that RGB offers to a construct. Two issues to know right here: the older 4-pin RBG connection, and the newer addressable RBG 3-pin model. You’ll additionally wish to know if there are a couple of—some could have two to 3, which helps in cable routing.
OLED panels that mild up like Occasions Sq.? 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
Thiago Trevisan/IDG
Is upgradability a function? Undoubtedly—there’s nothing extra satisfying than dropping the most recent CPU launch on a motherboard you purchased 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 completely new socket, that means new CPUs and motherboards. Intel has only recently launched Z690, which hopefully could have at the very least 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 possibility.
Consider just a few curve balls which are virtually anti-feature: For instance, Intel’s LGA 1700 socket on the Z690 was completely different in order that present 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 may go on the function column for Asus Z690 motherboards, because it eliminates CPU cooler worries.
There are additionally some “good to have” options being launched in additional motherboards, listed below are just a few 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 attempting to put in an NVMe drive?
- Fan and RGB controllers that many higher-end choices embody now
- MSI’s Z690 Godlike has a removable OLED display screen—very cool, however positively only a “good to have”
Numerous selections and fascinating options are on the market so that you can contemplate when you’re deciding on your motherboard, however conserving in thoughts the important ones will make your alternative simpler. For those who can slot in just a few of those extraneous options as properly, you might be properly in your strategy to experiencing the enjoyment of PC constructing!
