Catalog / Motherboard Essentials Cheat Sheet
Motherboard Essentials Cheat Sheet
A concise guide to motherboards, covering key components, form factors, chipsets, and BIOS/UEFI settings for building or upgrading a computer.
Key Components & Form Factors
Essential Components
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CPU Socket |
Connects the CPU to the motherboard. Different sockets support different CPUs (e.g., LGA 1700 for Intel, AM5 for AMD). |
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Chipset |
Manages communication between the CPU, RAM, storage, and peripherals. Determines supported features and expansion options. |
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RAM Slots (DIMM) |
Slots for installing RAM modules (DDR4, DDR5). Number of slots and supported speeds vary. |
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PCIe Slots |
Expansion slots for graphics cards, sound cards, SSDs, and other peripherals. Different lengths and speeds (e.g., PCIe 5.0 x16). |
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SATA Ports |
Connect hard drives and SSDs. Number of ports and supported speeds vary. |
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M.2 Slots |
Connect NVMe SSDs for faster storage speeds. Support different lengths and PCIe lanes. |
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Front Panel Connectors |
Connect power button, reset button, USB ports, and audio jacks on the computer case. |
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Power Connectors |
ATX power connector (24-pin), CPU power connector (8-pin or 4+4 pin), and PCIe power connectors for graphics cards. |
Motherboard Form Factors
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ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) |
Standard size, offers the most expansion slots and features. |
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Micro-ATX |
Smaller than ATX, fewer expansion slots, suitable for mid-sized builds. |
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Mini-ITX |
Smallest size, limited expansion, ideal for compact builds. |
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E-ATX (Extended ATX) |
Larger than ATX, offers more expansion slots and features, often used for high-end builds. |
Chipsets and Compatibility
Intel Chipsets (Examples)
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Z790 |
High-end, supports CPU overclocking, multiple GPUs, and advanced features (e.g., PCIe 5.0). |
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B760 |
Mid-range, supports most features, but typically lacks overclocking capabilities. |
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H710 |
Entry-level, fewer features and limited expansion options. |
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W680 |
Workstation chipset, supports ECC memory and professional features. |
AMD Chipsets (Examples)
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X670E |
High-end, supports CPU overclocking, multiple GPUs, and advanced features (e.g., PCIe 5.0). |
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B650 |
Mid-range, supports most features, but typically fewer PCIe lanes than X670. |
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A620 |
Entry-level, fewer features and limited expansion options. |
Compatibility Considerations
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BIOS/UEFI and Overclocking
BIOS/UEFI Basics
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Accessing BIOS/UEFI |
Press |
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Boot Order |
Set the boot order to prioritize your operating system drive. |
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System Information |
View CPU, RAM, and storage information. |
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Fan Control |
Adjust fan speeds to optimize cooling and noise levels. |
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Secure Boot |
Enable/disable secure boot for operating system security. |
Overclocking (Advanced)
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CPU Overclocking |
Adjust CPU frequency and voltage to increase performance (voids warranty, requires good cooling). |
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RAM Overclocking (XMP) |
Enable XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) to run RAM at its rated speed and timings. |
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Voltage Adjustments |
Adjust CPU, RAM, and chipset voltages for stability during overclocking (requires caution). |
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Monitoring |
Monitor CPU temperature, voltage, and frequency to ensure safe overclocking. |
Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Common Issues
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Maintenance Tips
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