Why Motherboard Is Important? [Complete Details]

by Amit Agarwal

Why Motherboard Is Important? [Complete Details]

The motherboard is the central part of any computer with all of its major components. This component includes the CPU, RAM, graphics card, and even the sound card, to name a few.

For some people, motherboards are probably the main important component of their PC. Without one, everything inside your case is pretty much useless.

As time has passed on, they’ve evolved significantly to keep up with all of the advancements made by Intel and AMD’s processors as well as graphics cards.

You’ll also find that modern motherboards come with features such as built-in soundcards, USB ports, and much more, to name a few. The motherboard is the central part of any computer with all of its significant components. Without this component, everything inside the case will not function properly, and your computer would be rendered useless.

The motherboard also plays a crucial role in controlling how fast your system runs and what programs you can use on it without any problems, which means if you want to make changes or upgrades to your PC, you’ll need a good motherboard to do it so.

Also Check: Best Motherboards for Ryzen 9 5900x for Gaming

Importance of Motherboard in Gaming PCs:

Importance of Motherboard in Gaming PCs:

As you may know, the motherboard is the part of the PC that contains all of its hardware components and ports. Let’s take a look at the gaming computers. We find many different specifications and variations for this vital piece of hardware that brings together everything else in your build.

With the rise of multi-tasking and online Gaming, motherboards have become a crucial component of modern-day PCs. They’re able to manage more functions than ever before with an easy interface that makes it possible for users to efficiently switch between applications or games without having trouble finding what they want when needed.

That’s because whether your PC runs smoothly or not depends on its motherboard to an extent, even if you have some high-end Intel or AMD processor and high-performance GPU units.

Another thing that is important to note here is that a motherboard can be a costly component for a gaming computer.

That’s because even the basic ones come at a pretty decent price tag. So it’s even more necessary to keep in mind your needs and your budget constraints before you start looking for one.

If you are looking for the best gaming motherboard, you should know that you can easily find them on various online stores.

They’re so popular because even if you have a good processor and powerful GPU units, without buying one of these babies, your PC won’t play any game smoothly whatsoever.

Does Motherboard Matter For Gaming?

As I was saying, even though Intel and AMD processors are getting better with each passing day, to get the best gaming experience, you will need a highly-performing motherboard.

That’s because your processor won’t be able to perform well without it. The good thing is that many different types of motherboards are classified under various categories according to their specifications.

If you are a beginner and confused about which ones to go for, then you can use the following buying guide:

Processor: There is a wide range of processors that you can choose from, ranging from the Intel Core i3 series to an Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition or even higher if your budget allows it.

It would be best if you bought a motherboard compatible with the series of processors you have chosen.

RAM: When choosing a motherboard, it’s essential to consider how much RAM your PC needs because you can never go wrong with buying more than what you need. Another thing to keep in mind here is to find out if the motherboard supports the type of RAM you have purchased.

Cooling System: Remember that the motherboard is also home to your processor and other hardware components. Hence, it needs to maintain the correct temperature in the system even when you are playing games or performing other tasks on your PC. If you keep this in mind while buying one, then there are high chances of getting a good motherboard that is also cheaper.

Also, read | Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 3600

So Why is a Motherboard Important?

From above, you can see that the motherboard is fundamentally important for Gaming on a computer. It ensures that all your PC components work well together and don’t choke each other’s performance.

But let’s have a look at what a motherboard does:

1. It Connects all the Other Components

Why Motherboard Is Important?
Shows how different motherboard controllers facilitate different components. Source: Wikiwand

Yes, the motherboard needs to be connected with all other components of your computer to communicate effectively. As mentioned above, a good motherboard ensures that the performance of one part is not affected by another. To do this, it requires a proper chipset which in most cases is either Intel or AMD.

The new generation of motherboards are not bound to the traditional architecture that has been used for years. The chipsets have changed, integrating into one multi-functional unit which combines all functions needed by modern computers including graphics processing units (GPU).

However, modern motherboards only feature the South Bridge. This is just commonly referred to by enthusiasts and professionals alike as “the chipset.”

2. It Acts as a Bridge Between Software and Hardware

Bridge Between Software and Hardware

The motherboard also acts as the bridge between your computer’s software and its hardware components so that they can work together to deliver an ultimate gaming experience. If this doesn’t happen, there are chances of getting errors while playing games or other tasks on your PC.

3. Handles Hardware Expansion

Handles Hardware Expansion

Another important thing that a motherboard does is that it allocates resources to different hardware components and manages their performance. If you have an expensive graphics card and want to make sure it’s running at total capacity, you can rely on your motherboard for this.

There are also chances of errors if the motherboard cannot handle the power requirements of the components you have installed in your PC. So if you want to avoid such issues, you need to invest in a motherboard that can handle the power required by all hardware components in it and run them smoothly without affecting their performance in any way.

4. Contain the BIOS ChiPLp and Many More Hardware Components

We have already discussed how a BIOS chip holds essential information about your PC and the roles it has to play. Apart from this, many other hardware components work together inside a motherboard, including CPU socket, voltage regulator modules (VRM), memory slots (DIMM or SO-DIMM), device slots (PCI-E x1, x4, x16 or PCI), Serial Advanced Technology Attachment ports (SATA/SATA-II/e-SATA) and many more.

It is also important to note that these hardware components have unique specifications that help them deliver better performance and the overall system. If you want to understand them in detail, open up your PC and see the motherboard with your own eyes. You will be amazed at how many different components are installed on it.

5. It Gives You Better Reliability

Since the motherboard is home to so many hardware components, it becomes more vital to be reliable in all activities. This is why it needs to deliver power effectively and efficiently to all features to work smoothly without any issues.

For example, the RAM slots need enough voltage to run well with your RAM modules installed inside your PC. So if the motherboard cannot deliver enough voltage to the RAM modules, this may cause issues with them sometimes. This is why it is essential to invest in a reliable motherboard because you will get better performance and enjoy peace of mind for years.

6. Controls Power Supply to Component

another important thing that a motherboard does is that it controls the power supply to different components. That said, you may not think much about this aspect of a computer’s motherboard outside games and other tasks. Still, if a problem arises in powering a specific component, this could affect its performance or even cause system crashes.

So if you want to manage them all well, you need the help of a motherboard that can deliver power efficiently without causing any problems or issues.

7. Works as an Interface Between All Hardware Components

The motherboard also acts as a medium through which different hardware components communicate with each other. This means that it plays an important role in the performance of your PC because any problem with it can cause issues not only to individual components but also to their communication, leading to system crashes or errors even when performing simple tasks.

Why Is Motherboard Important?

So the answer again lies in the purpose of your PC. Do you want to build a high-end gaming PC or just an Office PC for day-to-day use? If it’s the former, then there are higher chances that you want to spend more money on your hardware components. This is where it becomes important for you to buy a motherboard that can handle all the power required by your high-end hardware components and deliver an ultimate gaming experience to you.

On the other hand, if you aren’t fond of playing games but still want to build a high-end PC for your office, investing in a good motherboard with proper storage and RAM support is equally important. But the choice will still be yours as you can either go with an Intel or AMD chipset board.

Various Motherboard Components and Systems.

Various Motherboard Components and Systems.

Now that you have come to know the importance of motherboards in computers, it’s time to look at their components and some critical systems built around them.

  • Socket Types: There are three types of motherboard sockets, namely PGA 1356 (LGA1155), LGA 1156 (socket H), and LGA 1366 (socket B).

LGA stands for Land Grid Array, and these sockets are used in Intel’s CPU units. PGA is also an abbreviation that stands for Pin Grid Array, which makes it different from LGA sockets. It is used in the CPUs of AMD processors.

  • Motherboard Chipset: The chipset is another important motherboard component, and it connects the CPU with the RAM and other components. It works as a bridge between them and is responsible for controlling each task that needs to be performed by the computer hardware. Today’s most commonly used chipset is Intel Z87 or Intel Z97, which you can choose according to your needs and budget.
  • RAM Slots: When we talk about the RAM slots, we mean the number of memory modules plugging into your motherboard. The number of such slots varies from three to four, and you should choose a motherboard accordingly if you want to install high-end RAM units in it.
  • BIOS: Basic Input/Output System refers to the firmware that is used by the motherboard. It’s a program that gets installed in ROM chips, and its primary function is to check, test, and initialize different components of your computer before starting or booting Windows OS.
  • PCI Slots: Both PCI Express and PCIe refer to the slots where your motherboard can accommodate your graphics card. There are also other PCI slots that you can plug into your other functional cards, such as network and sound cards.
  • USB Ports: There are different types of USB ports available on motherboards like USB 2.0, 3.0, USB Type-C, etc.
  • Ports: Some motherboards also come with additional ports such as PS/2, serial, or parallel to connect external devices.
  • Form Factor: This is another important aspect to consider while buying a motherboard because it matters a lot when you use your computer in a specific environment. There are three standard form factors, namely ATX, micro ATX, and Mini ITX.
  • Other Motherboard Components: A chipset, graphics card, sound card, and LAN controller are also built into the motherboard. In simple words, it’s a physical interface between your computer system and hardware devices. The chipset manages all the data transfer within the system, while the graphics card helps you play high-end games without any lag or frame rate issues.

These are the most common components and systems that surround motherboards in computers. It’s always better to choose a motherboard with features such as overclocking, multiple RAM slots, and many USB ports so you can use it for playing games, studying, or working on your computer without any issues.

Now that you know why a motherboard is important for your PC, it’s time to focus on getting the right one as you don’t want to waste money again.

Conclusion

A motherboard is the most important component in your computer because it controls everything from data transfer to graphics. The more RAM slots, USB ports, and PCIe slots you have on a motherboard, the better use you will be able to get out of it.

A good choice for gamers who want high-end performance or anyone else looking for an upgrade would be Intel Z97 motherboards with overclocking features. If these are too expensive, then consider AMD’s FM2+.

Regardless of what board you choose, make sure that all components work together seamlessly before installing any software onto them. This way, no one has to spend hours troubleshooting later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a motherboard?

A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in most computers, and it provides the connectors for all the other components. It also contains the microprocessor and the memory.

What are the different types of motherboards?

ATX, Micro ATX, and mini ITX are the three standard form factors for motherboards.

What are some of the other important components that a motherboard contains?

The other important components that a motherboard contains include the chipset, graphics card, sound card, LAN controller, and USB ports.

What is the motherboard’s primary function?

The main functions of a motherboard are to control data transfer between devices, provide connectors for other components in the computer, and manage memory.

How do you choose a motherboard?

The most important feature in choosing a motherboard is compatible with all other components in your system, followed by the form factor.

What are some of the other components that a motherboard contains?

In addition to the microprocessor and memory, motherboards also contain graphics cards and other functional cards such as LAN controllers and sound cards.

What is an overclock, and how does it work on a motherboard?

The benefits of overclocking your processor are clear, with the ability to boost clock speeds that will give you extra power for gaming or work.

What is a DIMM and what does it do?

A dual inline memory module (DIMM) is a plug-in card containing several dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips. It is used in computers to store information and instructions for microprocessors or other computing devices.

What is the main function of a DIMM?

The primary role of a DIMM is to store data for use by microprocessors. This information is stored electronically in dynamic memory devices or DRAM chips on the DIMMs. How many DIMMs are there on an average motherboard? There can be up to 16 DIMMs on a motherboard.

What is the difference between DIMM and RIMM memory?

RIMM is an older type of memory module used by computers and servers. It has not been manufactured since 2007 and was replaced by DDR-SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, and DDR3 SDRAM modules called dual inline memory modules (DIMMs).

What is the difference between DIMM and RIMM memory?

RIMM is an older type of memory module used by computers and servers. It has not been manufactured since 2007 and was replaced by DDR-SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, and DDR3 SDRAM modules called dual inline memory modules (DIMMs).

What is an AGP and what does it do?

AGP stands for accelerated graphics port, and it was previously the standard computer bus used for attaching a video card to a motherboard. PCI Express x16 has since replaced it.