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Selecting a motherboard The
motherboard is the circuit board through which the processor communicates with
memory components and peripheral devices. It
controls the flow of information between these components, therefore making it
the most important component of your new computer.
Several components attached to the motherboard are the CPU (processor
including fan), RAM, expansion boards, video card, sound card, and hard drive.
The combination of the CPU and RAM determine the speed and capacity of
your computer. *When
selecting the motherboard, note that it must be compliant with the CPU (i.e.
Pentium IV board must also have a Pentium IV processor chip.) The
socket is the type of connector to the CPU.
In order to determine the socket type, you must determine which type
computer you would like to purchase. Socket
370 is used with the Intel Celeron and Pentium III and is your cheapest route.
Socket 478 is the latest and greatest used with Intel’s Pentium IV,
which is the most expensive available. There
are three different types of expansion boards – AGP for advanced graphics, PCI
for video, and ISA for sound and the modem.
Make sure your motherboard has the appropriate number of slots for your
video and sound cards. The number
of USB ports is determined by the PCI card you purchase for it. The
number required depends on your individual needs. Consider the kinds of
peripherals used at one time, such as a digital camera, printers, MP3 players,
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