Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
To find out exactly which port addresses are being used on your motherboard, consult the board
documentation or look up these settings in the Windows Device Manager.
Because of the use of PCI and PCIe-based devices (designed from the start for Plug-and-Play
configuration), the chances of device conflicts today are almost nil, especially on systems with no
legacy hardware. If you need to solve a device conflict with older hardware, see the section
“Resolving Resource Conflicts” in Chapter 4 of
Upgrading and Repairing PCs
, (20th Edition), on
the DVD packaged with this topic.
Motherboard Selection Criteria (Knowing What to Look For)
I am often asked to make recommendations for purchases. Without guidance, many individuals have
no rhyme or reason for their selections and instead base their choices solely on magazine reviews or,
even worse, on some personal bias. To help eliminate this haphazard selection process, I have
developed a simple motherboard selection checklist.
It helps to think like an engineer when you make your selection. Consider every aspect and detail of
the motherboards in question. For instance, you should consider present usage as well as future uses
and upgrades. Technical support at a professional (as opposed to a user) level is extremely important.
Check for manual and driver downloads: Are they easy to find and up to date? The following list
includes some of the most important criteria to consider when selecting a motherboard:
•
Motherboard chipset
—The motherboard chipset is the backbone of a system and is perhaps
the single most important part of the motherboard. Compare the features of the available
chipsets to ensure that the board will do what you want. For example, some chipsets include
support for faster memory, PCIe 2.x or 3.x cards, SATA 6Gbps drives, and optional RAID
capabilities. I spend the most time deciding on my next chipset because it affects and influences
virtually every other component in the system. I recommend using chipsets that support the latest
and fastest Intel or AMD multi-core processors per your preference, such as Intel 7x or AMD
AM3+ or FM2 chipsets.
•
Processor socket
—The processor socket on a motherboard dictates the specific processor
makes and models you will be able to install. In most cases you will have a given processor in
mind, so choose a motherboard with a socket that supports the processor you want to use. The
main sockets in use today on new systems include Socket AM3+, FM1 and FM2 for AMD
processors, and Sockets LGA1155 and LGA 2011 for Intel processors. See
Table 4.6
(which
lists CPU socket specifications) to see what types of processors are supported by each socket.
Also check the motherboard specifications for what specific processors are supported by a
given motherboard.
•
Memory
—The type and amount of memory compatible with a system depends on the
motherboard you choose. Most motherboards today support DDR3 memory, in single-, dual-,
triple-, or quad-channel operation. The number of memory sockets, supported speeds, and other
variables also depend on the motherboard, so check the board specifications to see exactly
what is supported. DDR4 SDRAM, a faster version of DDR memory, will not be in systems
until 2013-2014.
•
Form factor
—The form factor indicates the size and shape of the board and must be
compatible with the chassis or case and power supply. For maximum flexibility, performance,
reliability, and ease of use, I recommend motherboards based on the ATX and microATX form
