The Best AMD Motherboard to Suit Any Computer Needs

Although there are a lot of technical aspects and numbers to consider when looking at different motherboards, they are ultimately pretty simple to understand. Your motherboard basically acts as a nervous system within your computer, connecting all the components and hardware together. If you already have components you want to use, such as a processor, memory, and hard drive, then make sure you pick out a motherboard which is compatible with all of them. On the other hand, if you’re building a new system from scratch, then your motherboard impacts all the other pieces of hardware you can choose. Either way, look at the different elements of a motherboard and consider all your components as part of a whole.

Socket Type

The socket type on a motherboard indicates what types of CPUs can be installed onto it. For AMD models, the major socket types are FM2, FM2+, and AM3+. Within those major types, however, there are a number of different CPU types and models that can be installed in each socket.

For example, an AM3+ socket can work with different AMD Phenom II and Athlon II CPUs. If you already have a processor you want to use, make sure you choose a motherboard with a socket type that it can fit into. For a new system, pick out a motherboard and processor that are compatible. For more information about different types of AMD CPUs, check out the processors/CPUs buyer’s guide.

Manufacturer

The manufacturer is who actually assembles the motherboard, using AMD’s chipset and specifications. Common manufacturers include ASRock, Gigabyte, ASUS, and MSi. Each manufacturer has different motherboard series and models to choose from, but you can’t usually tell a lot about a board just from the name.

Looking at the specifications and details of a board is much more useful, so make sure you consider everything about a motherboard before making your choice. However, different manufacturers offer warranties of varying lengths, so look for a manufacturer and model with a 2-3 year warranty for the best protection possible.

CPU Type and Chipset

While the CPU type might seem similar to the socket type on a motherboard, they’re different specifications and should both be considered. An AMD Phenom II X6 is a recent processor that runs quite fast, while an older model like an AMD Sempron is slower. Both of these CPUs can fit into the same socket type, however, so it’s important to look at both the socket and processor type. For even more information about processors, check out the processors/CPUs buyer’s guide.

Different AMD motherboards also have different chipsets installed on them, like the south bridge. For most computer users, this isn’t a major issue and the chipset usually relates to the socket type and when a board was made. For enthusiast computer builders, however, you’ll want to consider the chipset on a board and choose a model with the best south bridge available to reduce potential bottlenecking.

Memory Type and Quantity

Since the memory or RAM in a computer is installed directly into the motherboard, it’s very important to consider how much RAM you want and how fast you want it to be. Motherboards have a set number of memory or DIMM slots on them, and the board will also have a maximum amount of memory it supports, measured in gigabytes or GB. A board with four slots that supports up to 64GB of memory can handle four 16GB sticks of RAM, while a board with four DIMM slots and support for up to 32GB of RAM can only handle four 8GB sticks or two 16GB sticks of RAM.

The speed of your memory is also important, measured in megahertz or MHz, and you should consider what type of RAM you have. Most AMD motherboards support DDR3 memory, so look for that type of RAM. If you want the best performance, then look for a motherboard that supports fast memory such as 2133MHz DDR3, which is going to be much faster than something like 1600MHz RAM.

Expansion Slots

The expansion slots on a motherboard are used to install additional components inside of a computer directly onto the board. While these slots can be used for sound cards or networking cards, expansion slots are frequently used for video cards. PCI Express or PCIe slots are best for modern video cards, and though PCIe 3.0 is the fastest current standard, you’re more likely to find PCIe 2.0 slots on an AMD motherboard.

To run multiple video cards together in CrossFire or SLI, make sure you choose a board with multiple PCIe 3.0 or 2.0 slots. The bandwidth of expansion slots is indicated by a number such as x4 or x16. For the best performance, look for a board with multiple x16 PCIe slots, although you can still get good speeds from a board with slots which share bandwidth. For more information on video cards and running multiple cards together, take a look at the graphics card buyer’s guide.

Storage Connections

Storage refers to hard drives that can be installed into a computer and connected to the motherboard. Older hard drives require Parallel or PATA connections, while newer models use Serial or SATA ports. The speeds of hard drive connections are indicated in gigabytes or GB. Motherboards with higher speeds reduce potential bottlenecking, so you can take full advantage of faster hard drives. Look for a motherboard with a good number of fast ports so you can connect as many hard drives as needed to your motherboard.

Back Panel Ports

A motherboard’s back or rear panel gives you ports and connections for external hardware and devices to connect to your system. This panel is exposed on the back of a computer system and includes connections like ports for a mouse and keyboard. There are usually a number of USB ports of various generations on the back panel of a motherboard, so look for a board with numerous USB 3.0 ports. Most boards also have USB 2.0 ports, so consider how many ports of each generation you need, then pick an appropriate motherboard.

You’ll usually find audio ports on the rear panel, and some of them have optical or video ports, especially models with onboard graphics chips. Some motherboards also have an external SATA port for an external hard drive. Ultimately, look at how many other devices and components you want to connect to your computer, and pick a board with enough of the right connections for your setup.

Additional Onboard Features

In addition to the ports on the rear panel, there are also numerous onboard connections on a motherboard. Motherboards often have USB connections for ports on your computer case, so make sure you choose a board that supports as many additional USB ports as your system includes.

Connectors for a CPU and case fans are important, giving you control over fan speeds and system cooling. There are also typically front-panel audio and power connections on a motherboard, but these are pretty standard, so you don’t need to look for them specifically.

Physical Form Factor and Power Requirements

You’ll want to consider the physical size or form factor of your motherboard before picking the right model for your system. For a full computer tower, an ATX board will fit perfectly, but you can also use a MiniATX board. Midsize towers are usually a better fit for MiniATX boards, but you might be able to fit a full ATX board into it. Smaller towers and computer cases are good for MicroATX and NanoATX boards, so consider how large your computer case is and choose the right form factor to fit into it.

You’ll need at least a 350-400 Watt power supply for your computer system, so make sure you choose a motherboard that works with your PSU. Look at the power ports the motherboard has, and pick a power supply with the same connections and wattage necessary for your board. To learn more about PSUs, check out the power supply buyer’s guide.

Overclocking Options

While you might consider the processor and video card to be more important components for overclocking, there are certain motherboard features that can make a board ideal for overclocking. Heat dissipation is important, so look for a board that supports liquid cooling and has excellent heatsinks to help deal with high heat generated from overclocking your system. If you’re really interested in overclocking your system as much as possible, consider a motherboard with voltage regulators and test points that let you detect power spikes and keep your system running safely.