| The heart of any computer is the motherboard. It | | | | cards.The most simple of graphics cards are |
| is that big board inside the computer that | | | | sometimes available for PCI slots, but not too |
| everything is connected to. It performs the role | | | | many. More common are AGP cards and the |
| of traffic lights and policemen, directing flows of | | | | newer PCI express (PCIe) cards. AGP slots come |
| information to where they are needed, when | | | | in speed variants up to 8x, make sure the slot |
| they are needed.Choosing the right motherboard | | | | matches your card. PCI and PCIe are |
| does not have to be a huge issue, even though | | | | incompatible, so don't be confused by that. The |
| there is a lot to consider. I will start off with the | | | | PCIe slots are much longer and have a securing |
| most major parts and move onto the the things | | | | latch. If you want an SLI graphics card setup with |
| that are less important or non-essential.Firstly is | | | | two PCIe cards with SLI attached together, make |
| the socket type.The socket is the place where | | | | sure the motherboard specifically states that it |
| the processor (CPU) connects to the | | | | supports SLI.Fourth is hard drive and optical drive |
| motherboard. There is no compatiblility between | | | | connectionsTwo kinds are available, IDE and |
| sockets, so it has to be the right one. The socket | | | | SATA, IDE is older with a thick cable and SATA |
| connection needs to match the connection of the | | | | is newer with a thinner cable. SATA capability is |
| processor you have or the one you intend to buy | | | | usually an add-on, you can see a dedicated chip |
| for the computer.Most older Intel Pentium 4s | | | | on the motherboard. IDE is being phased out, but |
| utilise socket 478. Newer ones use socket 775. | | | | is still used for many drives and all optical devices |
| AMD chips utilised socket A for a long time, but | | | | like DVD and CD drives. IDE has speeds of |
| now the AMD Athlon 64 series and Semprons | | | | ATA66, ATA100 and ATA133, SATA has speeds |
| use socket 939. Just check with someone as to | | | | of 150Mbps and 300Mbps the latter sometimes |
| what yours or your intended one will have.Your | | | | referred to as SATA2. Make sure your board |
| choice of chip will have a lot to do with your | | | | supports as much or more than you intend to |
| needs, but choosing one with an up to date | | | | install.Fifth is the extrasThe number of extras |
| socket type will ensure slightly longer | | | | available on motherboard has increased greatly |
| motherboard life as you can upgrade the chip for | | | | and so has the quality of the extras. Things to be |
| a while.Second is the memory typeDDR is the | | | | expected are USB 2.0, a sound card and network |
| RAM of choice for most systems, but some | | | | slot. Other things which it may or may not have |
| newer systems, which includes all Pentiums with | | | | are firewire and extra USB slots.So with all that in |
| socket 775 use DDR2. These two kinds are not | | | | mind you should be in good stead to make a |
| interchangable and have a different number of | | | | good decision on your purchase. Happy |
| pins. Both DDR and DDR2 come in different speed | | | | shopping.Roundup |
| ratings measured in MHz. DDR has a usual | | | | Socket type - A, 478, 775, 939 |
| 400MHz denoted as DDR400 or PC3200, while | | | | Memory (RAM) - DDR, DDR2 |
| DDR2 can go a little higher and comes in slightly | | | | Expansion slots - PCI and one of AGP or PCIe |
| faster speeds. Just make it match what the | | | | ATA - ATA66, 100 or 133. SATA or SATA2 |
| board needs.Third is expansion slotsThe expansion | | | | Extras - USB, network and sound card |
| slots are the places where you put extra cards | | | | (expected), firewire, extra USB, extra SATA slots |
| onto the motherboard, like graphics cards, extra | | | | (optional but becoming more common)Peter |
| sound card or a wireless internet card. The old | | | | Stewart is a computer enthusiast, his interest in |
| standard is a PCI slot and these are appropriate | | | | computers and focus on practical down to earth |
| for most expansion cards, excepts new graphics | | | | advice inspired his two websites. |