Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
and hard drive docking stations, both of which are common backup
devices. If you use or plan to use eSATA devices, you'll want at least
one or two eSATA ports available on the motherboard you choose.
DIY eSATA
You can use eSATA even if your
motherboard doesn't explicitly sup-
port it. The only real differences be-
tween an eSATA port and a standard
internal SATA port are the physical
connectors and the signal voltage.
IEEE-1394 (FireWire)
Some motherboards—particularly “media” series models—include
one or two IEEE-1394 (FireWire) ports, usually as a physical connector
on the rear I/O panel and perhaps a second port as header pins on the
motherboard. These ports may be IEEE-1394a (FireWire 400), which
has a maximum data rate of 400 MB/s, or IEEE-1394b (FireWire 800),
which has a maximum data rate of 800 MB/s.
If you need to connect an eSATA
device and you have no eSATA ports,
you can “convert” a standard internal
SATA port by buying an eSATA cliff-
hanger bracket. The bracket installs
in place of an expansion slot cover
and has a cable that you connect
to one of the standard SATA ports
on your motherboard. The jack on
the cliffhanger bracket accepts a
standard eSATA cable to connect the
external device.
FireWire is a declining standard. It's still widely used in some specialty
markets (notably, camcorders), but it is being displaced by eSATA
and USB 3.0. If you need FireWire to support your camcorder or oth-
er device, look for a motherboard that provides one or two FireWire
ports. If a motherboard you otherwise like has no FireWire ports, you
can add them easily by installing an inexpensive PCI or PCI Express
FireWire expansion card.
Use the following guidelines when choosing a motherboard:
The only difference between this DIY
eSATA and a real eSATA port is the
lower signaling voltage on the DIY
eSATA port, which limits the total
cable length to one meter (about 40
inches), versus two meters with a real
eSATA port.
• For a general-purpose system, choose a μATX motherboard, unless you
need the additional expansion slots available on a full ATX model. For a
small system, use a μATX motherboard. For a really small system, use a
Mini-ITX motherboard. (Note that Mini-ITX motherboards often cost sig-
nificantly more than μATX models with similar features and quality, so use
Mini-ITX only if you really need it.)
• For an Intel-based system, choose a Socket LGA 1156 or a Socket LGA 1366
motherboard that is compatible with your choice of processor. Avoid
Socket 775 (Socket T) motherboards, which are obsolescent. For an AMD-
based system, choose a Socket AM3 motherboard if it is compatible with
your chosen processor; otherwise, choose a hybrid Socket AM2+/AM3
model. Avoid Socket AM2 and Socket AM2/AM2+ models.
• Make sure the motherboard supports the exact processor you plan to
use. Just because a motherboard supports a particular processor family
doesn't mean it supports all members of that family. You can find this in-
formation on the motherboard maker's website or in the release notes to
the BIOS updates. It's also important to know exactly what revision of the
motherboard you have, because processor support may vary by mother-
board revision level.
• Make sure the motherboard supports the type and amount of memory you
need. Do not make assumptions about how much memory a motherboard
supports. Check the documentation to find out what specific memory con-
figurations are supported.
• Before you choose a motherboard, check the documentation and support
that's available for it, as well as the BIOS and driver updates available. Fre-
quent updates indicate that the manufacturer takes support seriously.
