Motherboards are designed to support multiple devices – from a smartphone to a PC cluster to a home media center. This dual-use design makes sense today, when devices are densely packed with features.
But as the number of devices we connect increases, so do the components that support our computers and smartphones. That’s why modern motherboards have up to four USB 3.0 ports, separated by headers so you can use your own USB cables or connect all your devices at once.
They have extra jacks for audio and video outputs, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI and DisplayPort inputs – so you can connect just about any peripheral with an output. In this article, we’ll explain what a modern motherboard is made of and its primary features. We also explore different types of motherboards and their pros & cons.
What is on a Modern Motherboard?
Any modern computer will feature a motherboard – a circuit board encased in a case designed to hold it. Modern motherboards are designed to support multiple devices – from a smartphone to a PC cluster to a home media center.
They usually have more CPU and graphics features than older motherboard designs, as well as a wider range of connectivity options. Some motherboards also integrate graphics cards – called graphics cards or graphic cards, for short.
Types of Motherboards
There are many types of motherboards, including mini-ITX, micro-ATX, ATX, and Mini-ITX-L. ITX stands for ITU-standard, which refers to a small form factor. While most people think of this in terms of computers, there are other uses for ITX boards – aviation, automotive, and even medical.
How to Find the Right Motherboard for your Computer
When shopping for a motherboard, you’ll want to consider the following:
– Compatibility
– Wattage
– Form Factor
– Support
Motherboards designed for consumer grade computers usually have fewer features than those for professional machines. This is especially important if you plan on using your computer in a home or office.
Power supplies for consumer grade machines generally have less wattage than those for professional machines. Motherboards with long warranties are generally good choices – they’re likely to be supported and will continue to receive updates as long as you own it. On the other hand, cheaper boards may only be sold with “as is” merchandise, so you might have to deal with random BIOS issues and other problems.
The Big 3 (MSI, ASUS & Gigabyte), and Other Good Brands
There are a number of other good motherboard brands out there, but we’ve focused our research on the Big 3 (MSI, ASUS, & Gigabyte). These brands have been selling computer motherboards for decades, so they know exactly what customers want – and what doesn’t.
If you’re looking for the best deal, consider buying from one of the other good brands.
Bottom Line
Motherboards are complex electronic devices, and it’s important to understand the components inside to ensure an effective connection between your computer and the Internet.
There are many different types of motherboards, so it can be difficult to know where to start. We recommend starting with the following models to get a general idea of what’s available.
If you’re unsure which model to buy, our custom computer motherboard selection tool can help you decide.