The motherboard, or MOBO, is the "body" of a computer, gathering and connecting all the main components of a PC. It must house the CPU, GPU, RAM, M.2 SSD, air heat sinks or liquid cooling pumps. Additionally, it includes all ports for SATA connection, fan power pins, RGB headers, and USB power ports.

DIMENSIONS

Motherboards can come in different sizes, and your choice should also take into account the case you want to buy:

EATX (Extended ATX): These motherboards are larger than standard ATX and are mainly used in high-end systems like workstations or extremely powerful gaming PCs. They offer multiple PCIe slots, support multi-GPU configurations, and come with numerous expansion and connectivity ports, ideal for advanced users needing ample room for additional components (e.g., Z790 EATX).

ATX (Standard Size): These are the recommended MOBOs unless you're aiming to build a small form factor PC. They offer a good balance between expansion and space, with a suitable number of PCIe slots and ports for most users. They are the most common and compatible with the majority of cases (e.g., B850, X870E, Z790, and Z890).

Micro ATX (mATX): Slightly smaller than ATX and generally cheaper, though they may lack features like the number of USB ports, PCIe slots, or SATA ports compared to ATX boards. However, they remain a great option for those looking for a good balance between size, price, and functionality (e.g., B650M, Z790M).

Mini ITX: These are the smallest sized motherboards, ideal for very compact builds. Recommended for portable or space-constrained setups, they are perfect for users who want a highly transportable system. However, like Micro ATX, they may be limited in terms of connectivity and expansion (fewer PCIe slots, fewer SATA ports), and it’s important to ensure case compatibility (e.g., B650-I, Z790-I).

CHIPSETS, SOCKETS & GENERATIONS

The chipset of a motherboard is a fundamental component that manages communication between the CPU (processor) and various system components such as RAM, GPU, storage devices, and peripherals. It controls the data flow and the functionality a motherboard can offer, including connectivity (USB, SATA, PCIe ports), power management, and support for technologies like overclocking, integrated Wi-Fi, and more.

In other words, the chipset acts as a "coordinator" between different PC components, and choosing the right one is crucial for compatibility with the CPU, memory, and other components in your build.

Main differences between chipsets lie in the features they offer:

• Number of PCIe lanes: High-end chipsets (like Z790 or X670E, B650E) offer more PCIe lanes, which can be used for graphics cards, NVMe SSDs, or other expansion cards. The fastest PCIe lanes (such as PCIe 5.0) are only available on some of the newer chipsets.

• Overclocking support: High-end chipsets (Z for Intel and X/B for AMD) support overclocking, allowing you to push your CPU and RAM beyond their rated speeds.

• Connectivity and ports: Premium chipsets offer more USB ports, more SATA ports, and compatibility with technologies like Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi 6, and built-in Bluetooth.

• Storage support: Advanced chipsets support multiple storage devices through SATA and M.2 ports, allowing for the installation of multiple SSDs or hard drives.

AMD AND INTEL SOCKETS

AMD and Intel are two of the major CPU manufacturers, each with their own set of motherboard sockets designed to fit their respective chips.

The motherboard socket is a complex structure designed to securely and reliably house the CPU. It usually consists of an array of pins or metal contacts arranged in a specific pattern. This pattern is not random; it is designed to match the pin layout of a compatible processor. Therefore, an Intel processor will never be compatible with an AMD socket and vice versa.

We’ll focus only on the latest generations of sockets and chipsets from both manufacturers:

AMD CHIPSETS

On the AMD side (AM5 socket), with Zen 4 and Zen 5 compatible processors, we have the following MOBOs:

• X Series (e.g., X670, X670E): These are the high-end chipsets for Ryzen platforms. They support overclocking and offer numerous PCIe lanes (including PCIe 5.0 support in newer models), multiple USB and SATA ports, and in some cases, integrated Wi-Fi. The X670E chipset specifically targets ultra-high-end systems with full PCIe 5.0 support.

• B Series (e.g., B650): These are mid-range chipsets for Ryzen processors. They offer a good balance of performance and features, but compared to the X series, may have fewer PCIe lanes and USB ports. Still ideal for those seeking a solid platform at a reasonable price. B650 also supports PCIe 5.0 and overclocking, though to a lesser extent than the X670E.

• A Series (e.g., A620): Entry-level chipset. They do not support overclocking and offer limited ports and PCIe lanes. Suitable for budget systems or builds without advanced feature requirements, though not recommended.

AM5 Socket: Introduced in 2022, supports processors based on the Zen 4 and Zen 5 architectures (e.g., Ryzen 7000 and 9000). A major difference from the older AM4 is exclusive support for DDR5 RAM and PCIe 5.0, making it more future-proof. AMD has stated it will maintain AM5 support for several years, ensuring compatibility with future CPU generations and allowing upgrades without needing a new motherboard.

INTEL CHIPSETS

On the Intel side (LGA1700 socket), with Gen 12, 13, and 14 compatible processors, the MOBOs are:

• Z Series (e.g., Z690, Z790): High-end chipsets designed to support the latest Intel Core processors. They offer advanced features like CPU and RAM overclocking support, multiple PCIe lanes, and a wealth of USB, Thunderbolt, and SATA ports.

• B Series (e.g., B660, B760): Mid-range chipsets. Offer fewer features than the Z series and do not support overclocking. They often come with fewer PCIe lanes and USB/SATA ports but are still a good choice for budget-friendly systems.

• H Series (e.g., H670, H770): Lower-midrange chipsets similar to the B series but with slightly fewer features.

LGA1700 Socket: Introduced with support for Intel's 12th, 13th, and even 14th generation CPUs (Alder Lake, Raptor Lake, and Meteor Lake). Boards like the Z690 and Z790 support both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM (depending on the model). LGA1700 is the first socket to support PCIe 5.0, boosting data performance compared to previous sockets and making it better suited for next-gen graphics cards and storage devices.

Each motherboard supports only one socket type, so purchasing your MOBO must be done in conjunction with choosing the CPU.

KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTEL AND AMD

Intel tends to change its motherboard socket with each new processor generation, typically every two years. This means you often need a new motherboard to install a next-gen CPU. Intel's logic is based on boosting performance and introducing new technologies with each socket, but this can increase upgrade costs.

AMD takes a different approach, maintaining the same socket for a much longer period, offering more long-term compatibility. This design philosophy is especially appreciated by users, as it allows processor upgrades without frequently changing the motherboard, thus reducing overall costs.

BIOS

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a crucial component for PC functionality. It serves as the motherboard’s "control panel," the interface for managing hardware and system settings before the operating system loads. When you turn on your PC, the BIOS is the first thing that loads and allows you to configure various parameters, including CPU clocks and voltages, RAM frequency and latency, fan control (if connected to the MOBO), and much more.

Key features include:

• Overclocking: BIOS allows you to tweak CPU and RAM settings for better performance, raising frequencies beyond standard values. This process requires careful management of temperature and voltage, but advanced BIOS settings give you full control over your system.

• Fan Management: You can adjust system fan speeds (if connected to the MOBO) based on detected temperatures, setting custom curves to balance silence and cooling.

• Peripheral Configuration: BIOS allows you to enable/disable USB ports, LAN, integrated graphics cards, and other components. You can also manage PCIe slot operation modes or the boot priority of devices (like SSD, HDD, or USB drives) using the Boot Order.

• BIOS Update: Keeping BIOS up to date is important for supporting new CPUs, RAM, and other hardware technologies. Motherboard manufacturers often release BIOS updates to improve compatibility and system stability. Some motherboards even allow BIOS updates without a CPU installed via a feature called BIOS Flashback—especially useful when updating BIOS to support new processor generations.

Compatibility Between Motherboard and Components

Choosing the correct motherboard is crucial, as it is the central point where all the components of a PC converge. Below is a detailed explanation of the most important elements you must consider to ensure compatibility with your processor, RAM, and other components.

1. Processor (CPU) Compatibility

Each motherboard is designed to work with a specific brand and family of processors, which is determined by the socket and the chipset.

• Socket: This is the physical interface where the processor is installed. For example, Intel currently uses sockets like LGA 1700 (for 12th, 13th, and 14th Gen Core processors), while AMD uses AM5 (for Ryzen 7000 series) or AM4 (for most previous Ryzen generations). A mismatch in socket will make it physically impossible to install the processor.

• Chipset: The chipset is a set of circuits that manages communication between the processor and the rest of the components (RAM, storage, GPU, etc.). It also determines the features that the motherboard will support, such as:

  • PCIe lanes available (and their generation: PCIe 3.0, 4.0, 5.0),

  • Number and type of USB ports,

  • Number of supported M.2 and SATA drives,

  • Overclocking support (on some chipsets),

  • RAM speed support,

  • Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, among others.

  Even if the socket is compatible, a chipset might not support certain processors or features. Therefore, always check the processor compatibility list on the manufacturer's website for each motherboard model.

2. RAM Compatibility

The motherboard must support the type and speed of RAM you plan to use. The most important factors are:

• Memory type: DDR4 or DDR5. Most current motherboards support only one of these types, not both. For example, motherboards with Intel’s LGA 1700 socket can be DDR4 or DDR5, depending on the model.

• Speed (MHz): Each motherboard has a range of supported RAM speeds. If you install RAM faster than the motherboard supports, it will run at the maximum speed allowed by the motherboard unless overclocking is possible and enabled.

• Capacity: Motherboards have a maximum amount of RAM they can support in total and per slot. For example, many mid-range boards support up to 128 GB of RAM (32 GB per slot in 4 slots).

• Dual channel support: Most modern motherboards support dual channel memory. For optimal performance, install RAM in matching pairs (e.g., two 8 GB sticks instead of one 16 GB stick).

3. Graphics Card (GPU) Compatibility

Most modern motherboards have at least one PCIe x16 slot, which is where the dedicated graphics card is installed. Some important considerations include:

• Physical space: Make sure the graphics card fits inside your case and doesn’t block other slots or cables.

• PCIe version: PCIe is backward compatible (you can install a PCIe 4.0 GPU in a 3.0 slot, for example), but for optimal performance, the motherboard and GPU should support the same PCIe generation.

• Number of GPUs: Some motherboards support more than one graphics card (multi-GPU configurations), but this is less common today due to limited support from software and developers.

4. Storage Compatibility

Motherboards support different types of storage connections:

• SATA: Standard for 2.5” SSDs and hard drives. Most motherboards have 4 to 6 SATA ports.

• M.2 NVMe: Much faster than SATA and installed directly on the motherboard. You must check:

  • The number of M.2 slots available,

  • Whether they support NVMe (PCIe) or SATA drives (some support both),

  • The supported PCIe generation.

• RAID support: Some boards allow configuring multiple drives in RAID for performance or redundancy.

5. Case and Power Supply Compatibility

Although not directly related to the motherboard, it's essential to ensure that:

• Form factor: The motherboard fits inside the case. The most common are ATX, microATX, and mini-ITX. Each case specifies which formats it supports.

• Power connectors: Make sure your power supply has the necessary connectors (usually 24-pin ATX and 8-pin CPU) and enough power to support all components.

6. Expansion and Connectivity

The number and type of USB ports, PCIe slots, fan headers, and other connectivity options are also determined by the motherboard. Make sure it offers what you need, especially if you plan to use many peripherals or expand the system in the future.

Recomended motherboards:

In this list, we'll only recommend MOBOs for the latest generation of Intel and AMD processors. Don't buy MOBOs based on aesthetics; follow the guidelines above.