FAQ
How do I choose a motherboard?
There are many uses for a PC, so there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to motherboards. All motherboards are based on a chipset from Intel and AMD, which enables manufacturers to offer different specification boards at various price points - from entry level (low budget) to high end (expensive).
For example, for creators, a motherboard offers high end PCIe 4.0 graphics support, ultra-fast connectivity, storage interfaces, RAM and CPU support that enables you to get the most out of your workflow. For gamers, PCIe 4.0 graphics support, fast RAM support, latest-gen CPU support, fast Ethernet and excellent thermal performance is key. For regular, everyday home use and less demanding PC duties, very few of these features are needed, and a motherboard with basic specifications will suffice.
Our Motherboard Buying Guide will help you understand the various features and specifications for Intel and AMD motherboards, whether you are a gamer, creator or an entry level home user.
How do I choose the right motherboard for gaming?
With features designed for the most intensive gaming sessions, a motherboard is - naturally - a critical piece of hardware when building a gaming PC. The best gaming motherboards enable you to install a high performance processor, fast memory, and a variety of important features designed to produce the best gaming experience. Most important of all, low latency features and support for fast PCIe 4.0 graphics cards means you get the framerates and visual performance every gamer wants to experience. Here are the main features of a gaming motherboard: -
- PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 for modern graphics cards
- USB connectivity for controllers & peripherals
- 2 - 4 RAM slots
- NVMe SSD storage interface
- SATA III
Check out this guide for buying a motherboard for gaming, which details all of the important the specifications to look out for.
Which brand motherboard is best?
The best motherboard brands offer an excellent aftersales support, driver support and work closely with Intel and AMD in developing motherboards at all price points. At CCL we only work with the very best motherboard vendors who deliver cutting-edge technology for the latest chipsets: -
Can a motherboard slow down your computer?
Yes. Though motherboards do not directly influence the framerates in gaming or how fast your spreadsheets load up, if an aging motherboard can no longer deliver the power required by the CPU, GPU or memory, performance will be affected.
Choosing the wrong motherboard also has a massive effect on your performance. The VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) is basically the power delivery system in a motherboard, and the CPU relies heavily on them when under stress from gaming or CPU-intensive workloads. An overheating VRM, insufficient VRM or heatsink will severely bottleneck an otherwise high performance CPU.
What happens if you change motherboard?
When you install a new motherboard, you will need to reinstall Windows with a new license. You will need to install a compatible CPU (processor), memory, storage and this must match with the connections and wattage of the power supply unit.
Check out our "Build Your Own PC" guides here for more information on selecting the right components for your PC build.
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