This article is part of Newb Computer Build’s “How to: Build a Gaming PC” guides to choosing your PC hardware for your Gaming PC builds. When you are choosing all of the hardware for your Gaming PC build, I would suggest that the very second piece of hardware you choose is the motherboard; with the Processor being your first choice. The reasoning behind this is that once you choose the Processor you want then you are able to select all of the compatible motherboards based on “Socket Type”,  then you can select all of the other options you want included on your motherboard. I will start this article off with a brief description of what a motherboard, all of the parts of the motherboard you should be familiar with, and then a few steps you should go through when shopping for your new motherboard.

What is a “Motherboard”

In a desktop computer the motherboard aka. mobo essentially includes all of the crucial components of your system. The motherboard connects all of the components of a computer system including the Processor, and can host a number of other peripherals, subsystems and devices. Minimally a motherboard will include a socket to hold your Processor, memory slots for your RAM, a chipset (forms interface between Processors front side bus, main memory, and peripheral buses – don’t worry about these yet), non-volatile memory chip (which contains the firmware or BIOS – the software that can be used to control the motherboard), a clock generator (keeps everything in sync), expansion slots (for various peripherals), and a power connection (to connect to a power supply to power the motherboard). Modern motherboard will most likely come with at least some connectors for a mouse / keyboard, and mounting points for a heatsink or fan to cool your Processor.