Lab

Motherboards

When we talk about a computer's specifications, we tend to focus on its components - the CPU, graphics card, RAM and hard disks. But if you're building a PC, there's another fundamental component you can't neglect: the motherboard.

To an extent, your choice of motherboard is determined by the components. If you plan to use an AMD CPU, you need a board with an appropriate socket. To use one of Intel's 45nm chips, you'll need a chipset that supports it.

Expansion potential is also key: different boards offer different combinations of PCI and PCI Express slots, and different numbers of SATA and USB connectors. Some add eSATA, FireWire and dual Ethernet ports; others sacrifice features to lower the price.

Graphics support is another consideration. Some boards have onboard graphics, but most need a separate card. Some chipsets will drive multiple ATi graphics cards, while others can only do that with Nvidia cards.

Finally, it's worth giving a thought to the BIOS. Some boards make it easy to tweak your system, while others are more restrictive.

This month, we compare a wide range of motherboards and weigh each one's potential, taking into account all these issues - plus the all-important question of value. We also look at the merits of different chipsets and consider power consumption, too. If you're thinking of building a system, read on to find the right board at the right price.