Selecting a Gaming Motherboard

This article emphasizes on qualities associated with the best gaming motherboards and other relevant information. Being one of the most significant components in a computer, selection is crucial for performance based PC's.

To begin selecting one of the best gaming motherboards, we have compiled information about motherboard compatibility, including size, CPU relationship, and chipset attributes. These factors will directly impact gaming performance, so consider every aspect and question yourself to fulfill what you will ultimately expect from your gaming motherboard. If you are only looking for a gaming motherboard provider instead of the information below, we strongly recommend TigerDirect.com. They offer competitive pricing and a good value to quality ratio compared to simliar companies.

>>> Look Here for Some of the Best Gaming Motherboards <<<

CPU Socket Relationship (Processor Interface)
This is the initial step to choosing the best gaming motherboard for your needs. Just like an expansion aperture or DIMM slot, the processor uses a specfic interface to connect to the motherboard, depending on the socket type. When you select a processor, it will be compatible with various motherboards, so its up to you to select a processor that fits in the appropriate socket. Here are some common sockets used with Intel and AMD based gaming motherboards.

Intel Gaming CPU Sockets		AMD Gaming CPU Sockets
Socket Type	Processor Model	Socket Type	Processor Model
LGA 775 Socket T	Core 2 Duo* Core 2 Extreme* Core 2 Quad*	Socket AM2	Athlon 64 Athlon 64 FX Athlon 64 X2
LGA 1156 Socket H	Core i5 (i5-7xx)*** Core i7 (i7-8xx)	Socket AM2+	Athlon 64 Athlon 64 X2 Phenom Series: Phenom II X4* Phenom X3 Phenom X2
LGA 1366 Socket B	Core i7 (i7-9xx)*	Socket AM3	Athlon II X4* Athlon II X3* Phenom II Series: Phenom II X4* Phenom II X3* Phenom II X2*

Chipset Performance - Intel /AMD
The chipset can be best described as the distinct set of circuits or microchips, consisting of the Northbridge and Southbridge, implemented to control specific activites, such as processor function or access to the memory modules. In regards to PC gaming, the chipset determines crucial specifications pertaining to devices interconnected throughout a properly configured system. Such components include the PCIe lanes (Video Cards), RAM operation, assortment of bus interconnects, various ports (USB, FireWire, Modem Connector, etc...), and other onboard components, for example. How is this relevant to PC gaming? These bridges control features and specify a gaming motherboards abilities. These capabilites decide the type of processor or system memory, for example, you can install.

The main function of the chipset is to oversee that data is distributed accordingly. How does a gaming motherboard transport all of this data and information to the appropraite device? By using a system of bus(es) transporting data in accordance with a specific component, which the chipset monitors and maintains. Here are a few examples of internal data paths that impact PC gaming significantly.

What is the Frontside Bus?
What is QuickPath Interconnect?
What is HyperTransport?

Memory Slots
Selecting and configuring memory modules for one of the gaming motherboard depends on the memory controller and also the available slots allocated for memory. Since performance is key here, a dual-channel or tripple-channel card setup would work best. Modules with a large capacity and faster bandwidth should help significantly

Bus Type
The best gaming motherboards conform to the most recent bus interfaces for connecting expansion cards. PCIe is becoming the new standard and offers the most support for performance based video and sound cards. The x16 lane slots will be most beneficial for graphics, as they are the largest interface most commonly used. PCIe 2.0 is the active version at the moment, but you will find the 1.0 and 3.0 standard around, which should be considered in your purchase as well.

Form Factor
The motherboard “Form Factor,” details the general demensions of a printed circuit board, which is relevant to the size of case and type of power supply. This also pertains to the organization and placement of designated components, which provides flexability durning the installation and upgrade process of expansion cards, memory modules, etc... For gaming this is what we recommend.

ATX
This is the gerneral form factor for gaming motherboards. It is used by the majority of gaming computers for a few reasons. For example, this format offers less interference when configuring video cards or storage drives by positioning these components to more appropriate areas of the board. By adding more flexibility, this also increases air flow, which provides better cooling methods when your system is under stress. The design factor also helps with future upgrades, such as a new expansion card, processor, or other relational component. The ease of access to these particular parts has improved over various predecessors, which is ideal for ever-changing gaming computers.

Other ATX-derived form factors exsist that use the same concepts of the original format, though these variants have added benefits for gaming and enthusiasts.

Extended ATX (eATX)
This format is one of the notable selections, especially for the best gaming PCs. Being essentially the same as the standard ATX layout, this format offers mainly larger demensions. For example, we all know that double-wide video cards are always a hassle, but with a schema using broader aesthetics, its offers even more options when it comes to selecting components. Though with a bigger layout, this also requires a more sophisticated chassis for better placement.

Micro ATX (mATX)
This generic model has close roots to the regular ATX format, but was designed for small enclosures. The main difference is the actual size, which has a maximum layout of 11.2 in. x 8.2 in. Compare that to the maximum dimensions of the standard ATX format which rests at a maximum of 12 in. x 9.6 in. We recommend letting the pro's configure these with the best systems, though if you have the expertise, integrate one of these form factors to save some money in the long run.

Ultra ATX
This non-standard, over-sized ATX format specifically benefits the placement of video cards, by allowing 10 expansion slots rather than the usual 7 slots. This format requires a spacious full size tower due to the larger demensions, the height being the specific cause. The main purpose of the Ultra ATX layout is to prevail over the limitations of double-slot designed video cards by allowing high-end gaming computers to incorporate tandem setups with extra room for expansions. If you stumble upon one of these compositions, don't hesitate to utilize its resources.

Expandability
As game's adapt new technologies for better graphics, so must the hardware requirements on a similiar basis. Planning on future upgrades will benefit you indefinately when its time to upgrade your processor or install a new set of video cards for more robust graphics. The motherboard is the most important in terms of allowing expansions and upgrades. Try selecting a gaming motherboard that is well balanced and is equipped with good flexability options.

BIOS Options - Overclocking
One of those rare occasions when you may need to manipulate the system BIOS, is when you are considering overclocking your processor. If you decide to alter the BIOS, basically what you will be doing is changing the required voltage to power the processor and bus speeds. This is normal for a gaming PC, which is to squeeze every amount of power out of your rig. You should check the options available when its comes to changing the motherboards BIOs.

Voltage Regulator
The voltage regulator is used to convert power being supplied by the PSU and using it to effectively power components such as the CPU, video cards or chipset. The quality of this component matters is regards to overclocking. This precise circuit allows a suitable processor to request a higher voltage in order to run at a more desireable frequency.

Phases – More is better. This helps create a lower operating temperature for thermal generating components.

On-Board Components
There are other small solutions for incorporating audio and networking into your system. We recommend the built-in audio and networking options only if you are on a budget.

Audio
Particulary, integrated sound controllers can still produce sound blaster quality, plus feature 5.1 (six channel) and 7.1 (eight channel) surrond sound for audio setups. And if this small factor doesn't meet your expectations, then you can always disable this chip from operation in the BIOS and equip your system with a fancy sound card for better quality.

Networking
We recommend using the built-in networking adapter because the standard for this component has come a long way in the recent future. This chip enables you to use 10/100 and 10/100/1000 adapters for online gaming, which can save time, space, and money if you were to purchase a seperate network card.

With all this information at your finger tips, you should be able to select one of the best gaming motherboards with confidence. There are many gaming motherboard providers, so here are some reputable companies to choose from: Asus, EVGA, Gigabyte, Intel etc.... You can find a broad variety of gaming motherboards at TigerDirect.com. Everything from vlaue based boards to the best gaming motherboards are sold here, so choose wisely.

>>> Just one more important piece of information.
It isn't always neccasary to invest hundreds of dollars into a gaming motherboard, but it would be good to inspect the value to quality ratio, to ensure your getting the most for your money. We do recommend selecting a processor before hand to help you determine a suitable motherboard, so please feel free to look at our How to select a processor page if needed.