The motherboard is the foundation of your PC. It holds the processor and supports a variety of expansion slots for things like graphics cards and USB ports.
The CPU connects directly to RAM, but other components communicate with the motherboard via a chipset. A higher-end chipset offers more features and faster expansion slots.
Features
Motherboards act as the foundation for your computer’s hardware. They connect your CPU (the mechanical “brain”) to memory and storage, as well as expansion slots that hold performance-critical components like GPUs.
Designed to take full advantage of Intel’s processor families, motherboards with the latest chipsets deliver faster USB transfer speeds, support for M.2 and SATA Express storage drives, Thunderbolt connectivity and quad-channel DDR4 memory. Most feature Intel’s Gigabit LAN controllers, advanced overclocking options and other enhancements.
Depending on the chipset, some boards include a combination of PCI and PCIe expansion slots. Both are standards for connecting external devices such as graphics cards and sound cards to the system, but PCIe is newer and offers more data lanes that can increase the overall throughput of those slots. Many modern motherboards feature enough PCIe x16 slots to run multiple high-end GPUs, while some smaller form factor boards, including mITX and mini ITX, only have one due to space limitations.
Compatibility
It’s important to choose a motherboard that supports the type of processor you want. Some Intel motherboards support the latest generation of Core desktop processors, while others only support older ones. You should also check whether the motherboard and CPU have the same socket type. If they don’t, they can’t be installed in the same computer.
The type of RAM a motherboard supports is another factor to consider. There are dozens of types of memory, and they differ in both their physical design and the digital protocols used to access them. The best way to ensure that your RAM works with your motherboard is to consult the product documentation and the physical connectors on the motherboard.
This high-end motherboard features top-tier performance with a 12th-generation Intel Core CPU and Wi-Fi 6E. It also boasts a robust audio section with an ALC1220 codec and comprehensive rear panel connectivity. It’s compatible with the latest Intel CPUs and offers a range of other features including USB ports, HDMI connections and Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Overclocking
Overclocking is a popular way to boost performance without having to buy new hardware. However, it’s important to note that overclocking can cause damage to the CPU if done incorrectly.
To prevent this from happening, Intel’s overclocking feature allows users to automatically profile their system and define optimal voltage and frequency settings. This is accessible directly through the UEFI and can be engaged manually or on auto-pilot.
Other overclocking features include the ability to modify built-in safeguards, which are designed to protect the CPU from erratic behavior or sudden temperature increases. Changing these safeguards is recommended only for experts and advanced overclockers, as improper modification could damage your hardware. The most important overclocking settings to focus on are the Processor Core Ratio, Cache Ratio, and the Processor Core Voltage, as these will have a significant impact on your CPU’s overall performance. When adjusting these settings, it’s best to increase them by only one step at a time and test each increment for stability.
Power Delivery
A computer’s power supply unit (PSU) delivers DC power from its replaceable cabling to the motherboard, drives and graphics card inside a case. Having multiple power phases improves the voltage regulator modules’ (VRMs) ability to distribute and regulate the CPU’s and other components’ power demands, which can help enhance performance and longevity.
The VRMs transform the power supply’s high-voltage DC power into the lower-voltage DC power needed by the CPU and other motherboard components. They also spread the load across more than one power phase, helping reduce thermal loads on each individual component.
Some manufacturers falsely advertise their VRM’s phase count by doubling components like chokes and transistors to give the appearance of a higher number of phases. This makes the claims misleading and deceiving, so it’s best to look at efficiency ratings, certifications, warranties and reviews to gauge the quality of a motherboard’s VRMs.
