ASRock Z690 Taichi Review | PC Gamer
Our Verdict
ASRock has delivered a mature and feature rich offering, but like all too many PC components in 2021, its pricing is difficult to accept.
For
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 Type-C
- Mega VRM
- Good networking
Against
- Only three M.2 slots
- Like all high end Z690 boards, it’s expensive
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Intel’s 12th Gen CPUs may be impressive chips, but you need a good motherboard home for them. The new Z690 chipset is the high-end offering, and we’ve got the ASRock Z690 Taichi here to put through its paces. But what difference can a motherboard really make when all is said and done?
When ASRock first launched its Taichi brand, we were impressed with its less-is-more design approach. It offered a good feature set and value for money without the excessive RGB overload that was common to gaming boards a few years ago. The brand has now evolved into a genuinely high end one. The yet-to-be-seen Aqua is the company’s top model, but with its expected limited-edition nature and likely stratospheric price, the Taichi will essentially be ASRock’s premium Z690 motherboard.
It’s designed to compete with the likes of the Aorus Master, MSIs MEG Ace and the Asus Maximus range. There’s some tough competition among that lot to be sure. Let’s see what makes the ASRock Z690 Taichi tick, and tick it does. Literally.
The look of the board is definitely unique, and though looks are in the eye of the beholder, for me the Taichi’s cyberpunk theme, with its copper coloring, looks great.
You get a good splash of RGB and there are cogs above the I/O that actually move. It looks expensive. If you use Razer products, there’s a Razer themed Z690 Taichi for easy integration into the Chroma ecosystem, too.
An overview of the board reveals some interesting features and design choices. You get dual PCIe 5.0 slots that operate at either x16/0 or x8/x8. There’s a PCIe 4.0 slot and a PCIe 3.0 1x slot. The latter may be valuable for many as some competing boards, such as the Aorus Master and Asus Hero, include just the three x16 slots.
Z690 Taichi specs
Socket: Intel LGA 1700
CPU compatibility: Intel 12th Gen
Form factor: ATX
Storage: 3x M.2; 6x SATA
USB: 2x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C; Up to 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 9x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 3x USB 2.0
Video out: 1x HDMI
Networking: Killer Wi-Fi 6E; Killer E3100G 2.5G and Intel I219V 1G LAN
Audio: Realtek ALC1220 7.
1 Channel HD Audio
Price: $590 | £530
There are a total of seven SATA ports, one of which (along with a single USB port) is independent from the others. Asrock says these can function as a protection from malware. You also get a VGA holder bracket to prevent your GPU from sagging.
It’s worth noting is the location of two of the CPU fan headers, which are positioned above the primary M.2 slot. Does this help or hinder cable management options? It depends on your configuration, but it’s worth considering when you put your build together.
Perhaps the main feature weakness of the board is its M.2 complement. There are only three slots, with one of them supporting PCIe 3.0 x2 only. It may not be an issue for a typical gamer with a couple of M.2 drives and a SATA drive or two, but the Taichi does lack a little compared to some other boards in this price range, ones that support up to five M.2 drives.
(Image credit: ASRock)
If you’ve read our Core i9-12900K review , you’d have read that under stock operation, it can pull a serious amount of power, and that’s before even thinking about overclocking.
As is the case with most high end Z690 boards, the ASRock has a very strong VRM solution. With its 20-phase 105A stages, even a heavily overclocked 12900K won’t stress it.
It seems likely that vendors designed the boards to cope with power guzzling AVX-512 loads, a feature that was subsequently removed. Officially anyway . The Taichi’s VRM heatsinks have less surface area than some, but note there is an internal fan adjacent to the I/O area. We’ll admit we didn’t even know it was there until after disassembling the system.
Should you require further cooling, ASRock bundles a tiny 30mm fan and a bracket for an optional 40mm fan. Not that you should need to use them unless you have terrible case airflow. Our VRM test, consisting of 20 minutes of Cinebench looping delivered a 53°C VRM temp.
That’s not even close to being worrying.
The highlight of the rear I/O features are the dual Thunderbolt 4 ports. These are joined by two 3.2 Gen 2 ports and four 3.2 Gen 1 ports.
We think six type-A ports is not enough for a high-end board, but the point is moot as ASRock includes a PCI bracket if you wish to add a couple more USB 2.0 ports via a header.
Networking duties are handled by Killer E3100G 2.5G and AX1675 Wi-Fi 6E controllers. Intel owns Rivet networks now, the company behind Killer NICs, so really, it’s all Intel. They are joined by an Intel I219V Gigabit controller. At this end of the market, 5 or 10G Lan controller would be welcome but then again, some users love to have dual LAN. The rest of the I/O panel is fairly standard, with HDMI 2.1 and ALC 1220 audio. We’re happy to see ASRock include a good quality ESS Sabre 9218 DAC; that’s a good step up from generic onboard audio.
System performance
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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Somewhat unexpectedly, given that BIOS’ and Windows 11 have some room to mature, the Taichi and the other Z690 boards we’ve tested are very close in performance to one another.
This is likely due to Intel’s new turbo definitions which means the CPU clocks don’t vary a lot between boards.
Gaming performance
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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)
Test rig
CPU: Intel Core i9 12900K
GPU: Zotac RTX 3080 Ti Amp Extreme Holo
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-6000 C36
Storage: Adata XPG Gammix S70 2TB
Power Supply: Corsair AX1000
Case: Thermaltake Core P8
Cooling: MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360
OS: Windows 11 Pro
Notably, the Taichi did well at gaming tests, often leading the pack. Though 1 fps here or there isn’t significant, it’s better to lead than trail. The board was happy to run DDR5-6400 memory, something not all Z690s could do with our pre-release testing. This indicates a nice level of maturity, though as is often the case with a brand-new platform and standard, there is surely some refinement to come.
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(Image credit: ASRock)(Image credit: ASRock)(Image credit: ASRock)
The ASRock Z690 Taichi looks every inch a premium product. Its unique aesthetic will appeal to many. Its key features including Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, a solid audio solution, and strong early memory support weigh in its favor.
At $590 (£530) it’s an expensive motherboard, though boards like the Asus Maximus Hero and Aorus Master aren’t exactly bargains either. It’s just sad the way the market is now, that boards at these prices are a new normal. But, let’s keep an open mind. In a few months’ time, the value for money analysis could be a whole lot different.
The Taichi’s great looks, solid performance and strong feature list (apart from its below par M2 support) make it a serious competitor in its price range. Let’s just hope that early adopter pricing, component shortages and DDR5 availability improves. Then a 12th Gen upgrade becomes a lot more compelling, because right now it’s firmly sat in the dreamland rig build category.
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ASRock Z690 Taichi
ASRock has delivered a mature and feature rich offering, but like all too many PC components in 2021, its pricing is difficult to accept.
Chris’ gaming experiences go back to the mid-nineties when he conned his parents into buying an ‘educational PC’ that was conveniently overpowered to play Doom and Tie Fighter. He developed a love of extreme overclocking that destroyed his savings despite the cheaper hardware on offer via his job at a PC store. To afford more LN2 he began moonlighting as a reviewer for VR-Zone before jumping the fence to work for MSI Australia. Since then, he’s gone back to journalism, enthusiastically reviewing the latest and greatest components for PC & Tech Authority, PC Powerplay and currently Australian Personal Computer magazine and PC Gamer. Chris still puts far too many hours into Borderlands 3, always striving to become a more efficient killer.
Best Micro ATX Motherboard 2023
mATX motherboards for your compact PC
By Kevin Lee, Danielle Abraham
Updated: Jan 3, 2023 8:15 pm
Posted: Oct 9, 2022 1:01 pm
When you’re picking out a gaming motherboard that will serve as the backbone of your gaming PC, it’s worth thinking about whether or not you need all the extras that come with a full-size ATX motherboard.
Unless you’re planning to load up on PCIe add-in cards or do some wild overclocking, you’ll likely find that a Micro ATX motherboard has everything you need to complete your build while also costing a good deal less than an ATX board. The smaller size also affords you the opportunity to build a more compact gaming PC. This means you can go for a sleeper or a more portable design.
We’ve picked out a variety of Micro ATX motherboards, giving you options for AMD and Intel CPUs. You can even find boards with multiple PCIe x16 expansion slots ready for dual-GPU builds, models with PCIe 5.0, and some with truly stunning memory support. From budget builds to high-end rigs, you’ll find a compact motherboard that can do the job here.
TL;DR – These are the Best Micro ATX Motherboards:
- Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4
- Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E
- ASRock H670M Pro
- Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM
- ASRock X570M Pro4
- MSI MAG B550M Bazooka
- Asus Prime B550M-A AC
Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4
Best Intel Micro ATX Motherboard
Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: Z690 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 5,333MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.
0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes), 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 3 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.2 Slot (Key E)
If you’re looking for the latest and greatest Intel motherboard that’s also not going to break the bank, the Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4 is it. This hardware is ready for Windows 11 and offers the latest LGA1700 socket and PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen connectivity. With that full-speed PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, you can slide in a graphics card or other peripherals that benefit from this high bandwidth. And somehow, this mATX board still manages to squeeze on a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 3.0 x1 slots for additional add-in cards.
The Asus Prime Z690M-Plus D4 provides some other convenient features as well. The DDR4 support means you can pack it with tons of RAM and clock it up to 5,333MHz. The three M.2 SSD slots running at PCIe 4.0 x4 also provide quick load times and boot-up speeds. And there are a bunch of options for connectivity, including a higher-speed USB 3.
2 Gen2x2 Type-C with 20Gbps transfer rates, a front panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, and Thunderbolt 4 support. To keep everything running smoothly, this motherboard packs several heatsinks and headers for fans. There are even dual mounting holes compatible with both Intel LGA1700 and LGA1200 cooling brackets.
Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E
Best High-End Intel Micro ATX Motherboard
Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: Z690 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR5 6,000MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 5.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes), 1 x PCIe 3.0 x 1 | M.2 Slots: 3 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (M Key) | Wi-Fi: Intel Wi-Fi 6E
Going small doesn’t mean you miss out on the premium features a full-sized motherboard can offer. The Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E is an investment, packing loads of high-end features and support for the latest 12th-Gen Intel Core processors.
You can take advantage of the insane bandwidth thanks to the PCIe 5.0 support, while the additional PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and PCIe 3.0 x1 are perfect for sound, capture, or other expansion cards. Beyond that, three M.2 slots using PCIe 4.0 x 4 means you can slot in multiple high-capacity SSDs and get speedy load times. This rig even comes toting DDR5 memory slots, so you’ll be overclocking the RAM at a wild 6,000MHz, all while using less voltage.
The Asus ROG Strix Z690-G Gaming WiFi 6E brings some advanced connectivity to the table. Beyond a plethora of high-speed USB ports ranging from 5Gbps to 20Gbps, Asus has loaded in support for some blazing fast internet. You can go for a wired connection with 2.5Gb Ethernet or max out on Wi-Fi, as it supports Wi-Fi 6E — hence the name. With all this capability, Asus was sure to include advanced cooling opportunities, including heatsinks, 4-pin PWM fan headers, and an AIO pump header. And if this is part of your gaming PC build, you’ll appreciate the addressable RGB headers.
ASRock H670M Pro
Best Midrange Intel Micro ATX Motherboard
ASRock H670M Pro
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: H670 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 4,800MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.2 Slot (Key E)
The H670 platform offers modern perks at a strong value, and the ASRock H670M Pro is a solid example of this. It costs only $120 but supports the latest 12th-Gen Intel Core processors with its LGA1700 socket. Once you’ve got a processor slotted in, you’ll experience faster and more efficient gaming. This motherboard doesn’t tote the latest PCIe 5.0 slot, but the PCIe 4.0 x 16 slot provides plenty of bandwidth, so your graphics card should perform marvelously in there. ASRock also managed to squeeze in an extra PCIe x16-length slot and a PCIe x1 slot for more add-in cards.
The ASRock H670M Pro is packing tons more despite its small size. You get two speedy PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for SSDs, so your build will have loads of storage. And though you don’t get the DDR5 memory slots, the DDR4 support still gets you overclocking the RAM at an impressive 4,800MHz. Since this motherboard doesn’t have Wi-Fi built-in, the Key E M.2 slot makes it simple to add. Plus, if you’ve got a case with glass or mesh panels, there’s built-in RGB illumination along with RGB headers and an addressable RGB header to bring some pizzazz to your setup.
Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM
Best Budget Intel Micro ATX Motherboard
Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM
CPU Socket: LGA1700 | Chipset: H610 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 3,200MHz up to 64GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 4, 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 2 (Key M) | Wi-Fi: M.
2 Slot (Key E)
If you’re building a PC on a budget, the last thing you want to do is get stuck buying a motherboard that costs more than your processor. The Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM is an affordable Intel build option that still comes loaded with the latest technology. It’s ready for 12th-Gen Intel Core processors, but if you want to keep prices down, the LGA1700 socket still supports Pentium Gold and Celeron. However, you’ll probably want to stick with a 12th Gen to get the best gaming experience and to take full advantage of all this mATX motherboard offers.
With the Asus Prime H610M-A D4-CSM, you get a PCIe 4.0 expansion slot with loads of bandwidth ready to house your graphics card, while an additional PCIe 3.0 x 1 slot is ready for an add-in card. Unfortunately, you only get those two slots and no PCIe 5.0 support, but at this price, it’s understandable. And even if you skip a dedicated graphics card, aiming for a smaller, more affordable build, you can still run multiple displays, as the motherboard features an HDMI port and a DisplayPort connection on the rear.
Beyond add-in cards, two dedicated M.2 slots running on PCIe 3.0 provide a home for your SSDs, while DDR4 memory support up to 64GB means you can build a decently powerful rig. It also doesn’t come packing Wi-Fi, but you can easily add it with the M.2 Slot in Key E.
ASRock X570M Pro4
Best AMD Micro ATX Motherboard
ASRock X570M Pro4
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: X570 | Memory Support: 4 x DDR4 4,466MHz up to 128 GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16 (4 lanes) | M.2 Slots: 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M)
Whether you’re trying to gear out a Ryzen 3000 series or Ryzen 5000 series system, the ASRock X570M Pro4 lets you take full advantage of the latest and greatest AMD chips as well as the PCIe 4.0 capabilities they provide. It has a 10-phase power delivery to give your processor stable power, and the support for RAM speeds beyond 4,466MHz mean you can feed your processor with high-speed memory.
Add-in cards get a boost, too. You’ll find a pair of PCIe x16 slots that let you run one at full PCIe 4.0 x16 bandwidth and the second at x4 bandwidth. There’s a PCIe 4.0 x1 slot as well.
The ASRock X570M Pro4 offers plenty in the way of adding peripherals. For flashy lighting, you get two RGB headers and an addressable RGB header, while a powerful heatsink alongside headers and connectors for fans or coolers ensures your rig stays safe from overheating. There are even multiple 10Gbps USB ports on the rear I/O to plugin more. ASRock tops it off with a pair of PCIe 4.0 x4 capable M.2 slots for the fastest storage support. You can’t ask for much more on a Micro ATX board.
MSI MAG B550M Bazooka
Best Mid-Range AMD Micro ATX Motherboard
MSI MAG B550M Bazooka
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: B550 | Memory Slots: 4 x DDR4 4,400MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.
2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M), 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 4 (Key M)
If you want support for the latest AMD processors on a slightly more affordable motherboard, grab the MSI MAG B550M Bazooka. Sure, you lose out on a few PCI lanes, but mATX motherboards often focus less on offering a bunch of expansion lanes. You still get one PCIe 4.0 x 16 slot that provides loads of bandwidth for your graphics card, and you can slot in other add-ins on the two PCIe 3.0 x 1 lanes. It also supports four sticks of RAM and will even let you run them at over 4,000MHz. You also get one high-bandwidth PCIe 4.0 slot for a speedy SSD. So, this motherboard really offers a solid foundation for your Ryzen rig.
There’s plenty more MSI MAG B550M Bazooka can offer your build. A few headers are included to support RGB lighting, while a PWM heatsink and enhanced circuit design ensure your system continues to run smoothly even during extreme conditions. For other peripherals, you get several high-speed USB 3.
2 ports and USB 2.0 ports, plus a DisplayPort and HDMI for monitors.
Asus Prime B550M-A AC
Best Budget AMD Micro ATX Motherboard
Asus Prime B550M-A AC
CPU Socket: AM4 | Chipset: B550 | Memory Slots: 4 x DDR4 4,866MHz up to 128GB | Expansion Slots: 1 x PCIe 4.0 x16, 2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 | M.2 Slots: 1 x M.2 slot PCIe 4.0 x 4 (Key M), 2 x M.2 slot PCIe 3.0 x 2 (Key M)
Are you looking to pair the latest Ryzen 5000 processor with a motherboard on the cheap? Enter the Asus Prime B550M-A AC. You can snag it for a little over $100, but it won’t leave you lacking much. The B550 chipset ensures you get the support of PCIe 4.0 on the x16 slot for a capable add-in card, while you can slot cards that require less bandwidth in the PCIe 3.0 slots like a Wi-Fi adapter or an extra-fast networking card. You also get an M.2 slot with PCIe 4.0 x4 speeds for a fast SSD, and the two other M.2 PCIe 3.
0 slots should be plenty speedy as well. Plus, you can give your processor some high-speed memory with the support of RAM speeds well above 4,000MHz.
Surprisingly, the Asus Prime B550M-A AC also has you covered for even more connections. You’ll find no shortage of USB ports on the back or headers to front-panel ports, and the HDMI port is also convenient. As far as RGB lighting goes, there isn’t any built-in, but you get headers to take advantage of it. A heatsink and fan connectors also ensure that your whole system runs smoothly.
What to Look For in a Micro ATX Motherboard
Micro ATX motherboards might be great for saving you a bit of space and are often cheaper than full-sized ATX motherboards, but you should know you’re making a few sacrifices. Chiefly these smaller boards often come with fewer PCIe slots—or even just one on certain models. So, you should think about how many graphics cards, sound cards, capture cards, and other PCIe cards you want to install when deciding which mATX motherboard is right for you.
Also, be sure you’re grabbing a board with at least one PCIe 4.0 x 16 slot, so you can take advantage of that high bandwidth. Some of the Intel boards even come toting support for PCIe 5.0.
The smaller printed circuit board you get with mATX motherboards also means you’re probably going to have fewer M.2 slots for NVMe and SATA SSDs. The good news is most boards of this size have a least two M.2 slots, but don’t expect there to be four or five like on some of the most premium ATX parts.
Other important factors to consider are the same as what you’d look for on traditional motherboards. You want CPU sockets that support the latest processors. For Intel boards, you should look for LGA1700 sockets. While on AMD boards, you should seek out AM4. Also, be sure to look for speedy memory support. You want a board that can support your RAM.
Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
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Motherboard detail
Published: 22.01.2017
Greetings, friends.
In this article we will take a closer look at the motherboard and everything connected with it. Let’s figure out what a socket, chipset is, what internal connectors exist on the motherboard. Let’s find out what they are used for. We will learn to understand the differences between motherboards and choose them correctly for your computer.
The motherboard (English motherboard or mainboard) is the basis of the computer to which all other elements of the PC are connected. It is a textolite multilayer printed circuit board on which various radio elements and connectors are installed. Serves as an intermediary in the interaction of various nodes of the computer. nine0003
Despite the fact that the entire configuration is assembled on the motherboard, it is still not the main element of the system.
It should be chosen based on the characteristics of the rest of the equipment we need.
Motherboards may differ from each other by manufacturer, set of additional features, differences in form factor, chipset, socket, set of external and internal connectors.
The form factor of the motherboard is a standard that defines the dimensions of the board, the places where it is attached to the case, the places and number of connectors, and the type of power supply to be connected. These specifications are not mandatory, but most manufacturers try to comply with them for the sake of compatibility with other equipment. At the moment, these standards are used only in PCs and do not apply to other computer equipment such as laptops or tablets. nine0003
There are a large number of form factors, but today we will not consider them all in detail. Let’s focus on the 3 most commonly used: ATX, Mini-ATX and Micro-ATX. Their main difference is in the size and PCI slots.
Form factor is selected based on the need for connectors for connected equipment.
So, for example, a Mini-ATX motherboard will suffice for an office computer. It will be smaller and cheaper than the full size. In turn, a full-size ATX motherboard is the preferred choice when building a gaming PC or PC for graphics. It accommodates a larger number of connectors with which you can connect additional equipment. For example, additional RAM sticks, more hard drives, 2 video cards, etc. nine0003
Remember, when choosing the form factor of the motherboard, do not forget about the dimensions of the case. When assembling, it will be extremely unpleasant to suddenly discover that the mat. The board does not fit into the case.
The processor socket is the connection between the processor and the motherboard. The socket is one of the main parameters when choosing a motherboard. It must be the same as on the processor.
Socket connectors are divided into 2 types, depending on the manufacturer of the processor. For Intel processors, the presence of the letters LGA and a digital designation (LGA1155 or LGA775) is specific in the name.
AMD is characterized by a one- or two-letter designation with a digital prefix of 1 or 2 digits, possibly with a + symbol (AM3+ or FM2). nine0003
A chipset is a chip or group of chips that coordinates the operation of connected equipment.
The
chipset is a very important part of the motherboard. The maximum speed of operation and the number of connectors on the board depend on it. Most often, the chipset is covered by a heatsink. They are also divided by manufacturer, the most common Intel chipsets at the moment are 7 series chips (Z77 and H77), and AMD chipsets are represented by 900 series (990FX, 990X, 970).
The difference in chipsets affects the price of the motherboard quite a lot. Also, more powerful chipsets consume more electricity and generate more heat, therefore, they are more demanding on cooling. For office computers, a more powerful chipset will be a burden, but for gaming machines it is necessary. On cheaper chipsets, the connected equipment will not be able to fully reveal itself and work with maximum performance.
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An important component of motherboards is its control system. This is the BIOS. In newer UEFI boards. UEFI is a more advanced version of the BIOS. It has a more informative graphical interface and can display not only sets of startup options, but also the status of the system as a whole and individual elements, such as temperature, occupied connectors, or the amount of RAM.
Internal connectors are used to connect equipment that remains inside the system unit. For example RAM or hard drive. Consider in detail the main motherboard connectors:
RAM is installed in specially designed slots. The number of slots ranges from 1 to 32. Most often there are boards with two or four slots for RAM. Modern memory strips come in 2 types: DDR3 and DDR4. The latter has lower power consumption and higher data transfer rate (frequency). If there are 4 or more slots, then the slots work in pairs. They are also marked in pairs on the motherboard. Pairs are marked with different colors.
To increase performance, you should buy paired memory sticks and connect them in pairs to the connectors. nine0003
These connectors are found in 3 main form factors: PCI, PCI-Express x1 and PCI-Express x16. The number of these slots may vary depending on the motherboard type and manufacturer.
PCI-Express x16 slots are designed for equipment with high data transfer rates. Most often used to connect various video cards.
PCI-Express x1 connectors are used to connect low speed equipment such as additional USB controllers or TV tuners. nine0003
The
PCI slots are more obsolete than the previous ones, but are still used in modern computers. It has a lower speed, but is still actively used for various peripherals such as network or sound cards.
This type of bus is most often used to connect hard drives and optical drives (CD, DVD, Bluray drives). These connectors come in 3 main revisions: SATA1, SATA2 and SATA3. Each next generation is twice as fast as the previous one.
They are backward compatible and allow you to connect to each other without any problems, but the speed will be considered in this case according to the slowest one. Most often, motherboards combine the presence of these connectors and separate their types in different colors. nine0003
These are legacy connectors that were previously used to connect hard drives, CD-DVD drives and Floppy drives. At the moment, they are completely outdated and have been supplanted by SATA connectors.
Rectified voltage is supplied to the motherboard through the power connectors. For the operation of different elements of the computer, different voltages are needed, so there are so many pins in this connector. The most common are 24 pin connectors. Also often there are additional 4- or 6-pin processor power connectors. nine0003
Small 2 or 4 pin power connectors are used to connect cooling systems. The 4-pin connectors have speed sensors and are controlled by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).
Most often, the connectors on the motherboard can be from 1 to 4. The main cooler is used to connect the processor cooling, its power connector is labeled cpu_fun.
Also, depending on the type and class of the motherboard, it may have additional connectors. The main group of these connectors is located at the bottom of the motherboard. There are connectors for connecting the case buttons on / off and rebooting the PC, outputs to the front audio connectors and additional USB + monitoring systems (processor load, interaction with the hard drive). The description of connecting these connectors is printed on the motherboard next to them or described in more detail in the instructions for the motherboard. nine–330 mm)
2 x 8.2″ (284 x 208 mm) VIA39
8×10.5 «(325×267 mm) 9007 mm) 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000. or MCH, Memory Controller Hub) provides interconnection between the processor, RAM and specialized buses (PCI, PCI Express, etc.). It is the capabilities of the north bridge that determine which RAM (SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3) can be installed on the motherboard, what is the maximum amount that can be installed, in what modes it can operate.
