RE: What's the difference with motherboards?
From: BAR (BAR_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 02/21/05
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Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 19:15:06 -0800
One would suggest that you actually llok to the specifications.
>From a basic viewpoint they would be designed to accept only one of the
various processor families such as Celeron or Pentium 4. This is identified
as Socket Type.
Then it goes to the Chipset - partially CPU dependent so a LGA775 socket
board would most likely use an Inel 925XE Chipset.
The chipset also determine what types of memory are supported: the example
above will allow use of DDR2 memory and also governs the Front Side Bus Speed
[FSB]: as high as 800MHz or 1066MHz FSB. The higher the FSB speed the
quicker data moves in and out of memory.
Some boards will have on board sound - with quality differences in the chips
used.
Some boards will have on board AGP - with quality / performance differences
in the chips used.
Some boards will have on board LAN - with speed differences in the chips used.
Some boards will have on board USB - with up to 6 or 8.
Some boards will have more than 3 PCI expansion slots.
Some boards will support higher Memory Capacity [both by number of DIMM
slots and Size of Modules].
Some boards will have on board S-ATA to accomodate SATA HDDs.
Nearly all boards will have 2 IDE slots and 2 FDD slots.
Most, even if they have on-board AGP will have an AGP slot offering up to 8X
AGP speed.
So, there are a few good points of reference. Make you comparisons easy by
choosing No 1 - your budget for the total build.
Determine that you'll need a new CPU and new RAM plus the Mobo and split the
budget 40% CPU, 40% Mobo and 20% RAM [because you can easily and simply add
more RAM later, but if have to change Mobo or CPU it's a lot more expensive].
If you want more 'bang for buck', go with AMD CPU vs Intel the money you
save on CPU and Mobo Costs can pay for your RAM.
Also if you want to be a big time GAMER the AGP card will cost about the
same as a Mobo!
Now go and look at reviews of Mobos, CPUs etc:
"OM" wrote:
> I'm confused with the array of motherboards available.
> What's the difference between a £20 one and a £100+ one?
> OK... I'd expect the more expensive one to have better capabilites.
>
> But the thing is... there seem to be a million different motherboards
> priced from £40 - £60: what's the big difference in these models.
>
> OK... I do know a bit... like some motherboards are for Intel, while
> others are for AMD??
>
> BUT... even then... there seems to be a plethora of options available!
>
> How do I choose?
> What should I look out for?
>
> Is a £100+ motherboard ever worth buying?
> (Heck... I might as well buy a dual processor one for a bit more!)
>
> I know about SATA - but even still, I'm confused about the number of
> options available!!
> Are there other things that are relevant?
>
> Am I right in saying that the cheaper motherboards come with onboard
> VGA and the more expensive ones don't?
>
> AND... what makes should I go for when buying?
> AND... which should I avoid!?
>
> Any enlightenments would be helpful.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> OM
>
>
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