Key Motherboard Features and Specifications

Feature	Description
CPU Socket	Connects the processor to the motherboard. Different CPU sockets support specific processor generations and brands (Intel or AMD).
Chipset	The “brain” of the motherboard. Chipsets manage data flow between processor, RAM, storage, and peripherals. Newer chipsets enable faster components and more connectivity options.
RAM Slots	Hold the system’s memory modules. Modern boards include 2 to 8 DDR4 or DDR5 slots for up to 128GB RAM or more.
PCIe Slots	Expansion card slots for graphics cards, SSDs, sound cards, etc. PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 standards on newer boards allow for much faster GPUs and SSDs.
M.2 Slots	Dedicated slots for compact, fast M.2 format SSDs. Can use PCI Express or SATA protocols.
USB Headers	Onboard connectors for front panel and rear USB 2.0/3.x/4.0 ports. USB 4 offers 40Gbps speeds.
Storage Headers	SATA connectors for 2.5″ and 3.5″ hard drives and SSDs. Boards may also include SAS connectors for servers.
Audio Chipset	Onboard audio processor for multichannel HD audio. High-end boards may include premium audio capacitors and op-amps.
Networking	Gigabit Ethernet LAN port for wired networking. Select models also integrate Wi-Fi 6/6E and Bluetooth 5.x for wireless connectivity.
RGB Headers	Connectors for adding RGB lighting strips and accessories, controllable via software.
Cooling & Power	Fan and pump headers for CPU and case cooling. Beefier VRM heatsinks and power phases for stable overclocking.

Form Factor

The form factor refers to the motherboard’s physical size and layout. Different form factors are designed for various use cases and to fit in specific case sizes.

Form Factor	Dimensions	Description
ATX	12 × 9.6 in	The most common form factor for desktops. Offers the most expansion options.
Micro-ATX	9.6 × 9.6 in	Compact variant of ATX. Fewer expansion slots but fits in smaller cases. Popular for mainstream builds.
Mini-ITX	6.7 × 6.7 in	The smallest of the common form factors. Only one PCIe slot. Best for SFF PCs and HTPCs.
E-ATX	12 x 13 in	Extended ATX. Larger than standard ATX for extra PCIe slots, quad GPU configs, or server use. Requires a full tower case.

CPU Socket and Chipset

Motherboards are designed around specific CPU sockets to match different processor generations and brands. The socket and chipset determine which CPUs are compatible, as well as the features and capabilities the board can have.

Intel Chipsets

Chipset	Socket	Supported CPUs	Key Features
Z590	LGA 1200	10th & 11th Gen Core	PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, Overclocking
H570	LGA 1200	10th & 11th Gen Core	PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, No Overclocking
B560	LGA 1200	10th & 11th Gen Core	PCIe 4.0, Memory Overclocking, No CPU Overclocking
X299X	LGA 2066	Basin Falls Refresh	Up to 48 PCIe 3.0 Lanes, Quad Channel DDR4
C422	LGA 2066	Xeon W-3175, W-3265	48 PCIe 3.0 Lanes, Quad Channel DDR4, VROC, RAS
Z690	LGA 1700	12th & 13th Gen Core	PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Thunderbolt 4, Overclocking

AMD Chipsets

Chipset	Socket	Supported CPUs	Key Features
X570	AM4	Ryzen 3000, 5000	PCIe 4.0, Overclocking
B550	AM4	Ryzen 3000, 5000, G-Series	PCIe 4.0 to GPU and SSD, Overclocking, No Multi GPU
A520	AM4	Ryzen 3000, 5000, G-Series	Budget Oriented, PCIe 3.0, No Overclocking
TRX40	sTRX4	3rd Gen Threadripper	48-64 PCIe 4.0 Lanes, Quad Channel DDR4, Overclocking
X399	TR4	1st & 2nd Gen Threadripper	64 PCIe 3.0 Lanes, Quad Channel DDR4, Overclocking
X670/E	AM5	Ryzen 7000	PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Overclocking
B650/E	AM5	Ryzen 7000	PCIe 5.0, DDR5, Some PCIe 5.0 Lanes

RAM

The type, amount, and speed of RAM supported vary between motherboards. Newer mainstream boards rely on DDR4 or DDR5 modules. High performance workstations and servers may utilize quad-channel configurations.

RAM Type	Data Rate	Voltage	Max Size	Bandwidth
DDR4	1600-3200 MT/s	1.2V	32GB/DIMM	25.6 GB/s
DDR5	4400-8400 MT/s	1.1V	128GB/DIMM	67.2 GB/s

Motherboards can have anywhere from 2 to 8 or even 12 memory slots depending on the form factor and chipset. Most consumer boards will have 2 to 4 slots and support dual-channel configurations. Always consult your motherboard’s QVL (qualified vendor list) for compatible memory kits. Mixing and matching different brands or specifications can lead to stability issues.

Expansion Slots

Expansion slots allow you to install add-in cards like graphics cards, RAID controllers, capture cards, network cards, and more. The number and type of slots depend on the board’s form factor and chipset.

PCIe Slots

PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is the interface used for graphics cards and other high-bandwidth expansion cards. There are different sizes (x1, x4, x8, x16) that determine the number of data lanes, as well as evolving standards like PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 that offer increased speeds.

PCIe Generation	Line Code	Transfer Rate	x1 Bandwidth	x16 Bandwidth
1.0	8b/10b	2.5 GT/s	250 MB/s	4 GB/s
2.0	8b/10b	5 GT/s	500 MB/s	8 GB/s
3.0	128b/130b	8 GT/s	~1 GB/s	~16 GB/s
4.0	128b/130b	16 GT/s	~2 GB/s	~32 GB/s
5.0	128b/130b	32 GT/s	~4 GB/s	~64 GB/s

When installing expansion cards, be sure they are seated properly in the slot and secured. High-end graphics cards often require additional power connections from the PSU. SLI or CrossFire multi-GPU setups will need a board with the requisite number and spacing of PCIe x16 slots.

M.2 Slots

M.2 is a smaller slot designed for SSDs and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth cards. M.2 SSDs can use either SATA or NVMe protocols – NVMe offers much higher speeds as it connects directly via PCIe rather than going through the SATA controller. Each M.2 slot will support certain sizes (2242, 2260, 2280, 22110) – make sure your M.2 card is the proper size.

Many motherboards now include built-in heatsinks or thermal pads for M.2 slots to prevent thermal throttling on high-speed PCIe 4.0 drives. Check that your SSD is compatible, as the increased height may interfere with graphics cards or other components.

Internal Headers & Front Panel Connectors

Header	Description
24-pin ATX	Main power connector from PSU
8-pin EPS12V	Additional CPU power connector
CPU Fan	4-pin PWM header for CPU cooler
Chassis Fan	4-pin PWM or 3-pin DC headers for case fans
USB 2.0/3.x	9-pin headers for front panel USB ports
HD Audio	Connector for front panel audio jacks
TPM	Header for trusted platform module for hardware encryption
Front Panel	Power/reset/HDD activity lights, power/reset switches

Other headers you may find include additional 6-pin PCIe power for GPUs or 4-pin Molex for older accessories, ThunderBolt add-in card headers, RGB lighting headers, and water pump headers for custom liquid cooling.

Rear I/O

The rear I/O panel contains an assortment of ports for connecting peripherals and devices. Higher-end boards will have more USB ports, faster networking, and premium audio codecs.

Port	Description
USB	2.0, 3.x, and/or 4.0 Type-A and Type-C ports
Video	DisplayPort, HDMI for APUs, sometimes VGA/DVI
Audio	3.5mm jacks for speakers, mic, line in/out
Ethernet	RJ45 jack for LAN, usually Gigabit or faster
PS/2	Legacy 6-pin connector for older keyboards and mice
SPDIF	Digital audio out, optical or coaxial

You may also see eSATA ports for external drives, antenna jacks for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and in rare cases Thunderbolt 3 connections.

UEFI BIOS

The UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) has replaced the old-school BIOS on modern motherboards. It is the low-level software that initializes hardware during the boot process before handing off to the operating system.

Motherboard manufacturers include their own custom graphical interfaces for the UEFI with tools for monitoring system info, configuring boot order and RAID arrays, and tweaking settings like fan curves, memory profiles (XMP), or overclocking. Many now offer software for adjusting some of these settings within Windows.

More advanced UEFIs allow you to update the firmware without having to boot from a USB drive. Be cautious when updating BIOS versions, as a failed update can brick your board. If you do not need the fixes or features of a new version, it is often best to stick with the one that came installed.

Premium Motherboard Features

Certain flagship and enthusiast-level motherboards boast premium features and designs for the most demanding users:

• Robust VRM (voltage regulator module) solutions with beefy heatsinks for stable power delivery when overclocking
• Aggressive styling with RGB lighting, digital displays, and reinforced expansion slots
• Onboard power/reset buttons and numeric debug displays
• Dual BIOS chips as a backup in case of failed updates
• Clear CMOS button on rear I/O for easily resetting BIOS
• Integrated I/O shield for easier installation and EMI shielding
• High-quality onboard audio with DACs, amp, and premium capacitors
• Multiple LAN ports with traffic shaping features or 5G/10G connectivity
• Thunderbolt 4.0 onboard or via header

While these enthusiast-class boards are overkill for most mainstream users, the additional quality and features can provide the best performance and overall user experience.

FAQ

How do I know what CPU is compatible with a motherboard?

Check the CPU socket and chipset. For example, an Intel LGA 1700 socket board with a Z690 chipset will be compatible with 12th and 13th generation Core processors. An AMD AM4 board with an X570 chipset supports Ryzen 3000 and 5000 series CPUs. Some boards may require a BIOS update to work with newer processors on the same socket.

How much do motherboards cost?

Motherboard prices can range anywhere from $50 for a basic, no-frills model up to $1500 or more for the highest-end enthusiast boards. Most mid-range systems will utilize boards in the $150-300 price bracket, which offer a great balance of features and performance. More expensive workstation or server boards with specialized chipsets and features can fall in the $500+ range.

What should I look for when buying a motherboard?

Consider what CPU you will be using, how much RAM you need, what type and how many PCIe/M.2 slots you require for your graphics card and storage, and what sort of rear I/O connectivity you want. Factor in any additional features like Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, premium audio, RGB lighting, or Thunderbolt support. Make sure to choose a reliable brand and a board with solid power delivery if you plan on overclocking.

Are more expensive motherboards better?

Not necessarily. A $1000 flagship motherboard with all the bells and whistles is going to be overkill for all but the most demanding enthusiasts and overclockers. Spending more usually gets you better power delivery, more robust cooling solutions, additional PCIe slots and M.2 connectors, faster networking, and more premium features. However, a ~$200 model is more than sufficient for most gaming and mainstream productivity systems. Determine which features you actually need and look for the most affordable board that ticks all your boxes.

When should I upgrade my motherboard?

Upgrading your motherboard is usually only necessary when you want to upgrade your processor to a new generation that is incompatible with your current board. Since the CPU socket and chipset are physically soldered, they cannot be upgraded. A motherboard upgrade would also be warranted if you want to add features missing from your current setup, like PCIe 4.0/5.0 support, more M.2 slots, faster USB ports, or Thunderbolt connectivity.