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Pick the perfect motherboard with these 5 tips – PCWorld

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What should you look for when choosing a motherboard? The best CPUs might get all the attention, but motherboard choice can be just as crucial. We’ll show you how to buy based on the features that you need—without breaking the bank.
Your first decision also involves the CPU. Your choice here is either AMD or Intel. Motherboards only work with the specific families of processors they’re designed for. Our guide to the best CPUs can help you pick the ideal processor for any budget; your needs there should drive most of your decision making.
Without wading too deeply into the heated CPU wars, let’s breakdown some objective reasons why you’d choose either Intel or AMD over the other party.
Most PC builders should select a motherboard based on the standard ATX form factor. If you’re looking to do a smaller build, you will be limited to mini-ITX motherboards.
Prices for mini-ITX motherboards will be higher for the features that you get, and you’ll have fewer physical PCIe slots, which are used for graphics card, storage, sound cards, and other add-in cards. But in return you gain the ability to create a compact gaming PC. Some smaller motherboards, like the mini-DTX-based Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Impact with AMD’s x570 chipset, even offer terrific VRM cooling performance for their size. That said, many smaller units typically offer less cooling performance than a similarly priced ATX motherboard, since they simply can’t squeeze in extra heatsinks or fans.
Micro-ATX (or M-ATX) motherboards, while less common, sit square in the middle of the other choices. This holds true for its size as well as general feature set.
Larger E-ATX motherboards, like the Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Extreme, are physically wider—much wider. These enthusiast level units generally are packed full of features,  with prices to match.
Buying a motherboard based on the features you need is vital to the selection process if you want to maximize price to performance. Here are some of the most important features to consider:
Buying based on the features you need will direct you to the correct budget level. You don’t need a tricked-out luxe motherboard like the $700+ Asus ROG Rampage VI Extreme Encore if you just want to play games and not overclock. On the other hand, you’ll want board like that if you plan on running multiple NVMe drives, overclocking your CPU, using 10GB networking, and need a ton of USB ports.
Many PC builders will find themselves in the Goldilocks zone—right in the middle, just right! You’ll want a motherboard with just enough features, performance, and aesthetics for most power users, while coming in cheaper than the top boards, which can include borderline-overkill features like fan controllers, PCIe NVMe drive adapters, et cetera. If you’re running a standard PC gaming rig, you’ll probably be able to find a decently built motherboard that fits your needs for somewhere between $150 and $300, such as the $260 MSI MPG X570 Gaming Pro Carbon WiFi.
Choosing the features you want aren’t limited to practical considerations along. Want to synchronize a carefully crafted RGB light show between your motherboard, graphics card, cooler, and case? You’ll want a motherboard that has integrated RGB headers. Many offer built-in software to help coordinate all the colored lights, like Asus’s Aura Sync software. Even if you prefer to take a “Dark” approach without glittering LEDs, a nice clean design can also add to your build aesthetic.
What’s the difference between cheaper and expensive motherboards here? The more expensive motherboards will often include more RGB integration, along with fancier heatshields and “Armor” plates to cover up what’s underneath. Cheaper motherboards may have more of the black or green PCB revealed, and more limited RGB options (if any).
Now that you’ve run through the checklist of CPU/chipset choice, size, feature set, and aesthetic preferences, you can narrow down your budget. If you’re into a no-frills, cost-effective setup and never plan on overclocking, most mid-range motherboards work absolutely fine, especially with mainstream gaming processors like the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and Intel Core i5-11600K. Avoid the absolute cheapest options, however, as they can often cause CPU performance to throttle due to limited cooling and cutting corners in other aspects of design.
If you’re happy in the standard feature set “middle zone,” you’ll do great even with a higher-end CPU like a 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 5950X or the 8-core Intel Core i9-11900K by sticking with motherboards from established enthusiast brands, like the Strix or Hero lines from Asus, MSI’s Ace offerings, and Gigabyte’s Aorus Master series.
If you absolutely must have the best, you’ll have to pay for it. Some feature-packed motherboards (again, like the $700+ Asus ROG Rampage VI Extreme Encore) may offer the features that you need, but you’ll often pay for other unassociated extras to get them.
Don’t overpay for a name though. At the end of the day, the branding of many expensive motherboards also plays a role in the pricing. Often you can go with a cheaper, midrange motherboard that offers the vast majority of the same features as their pricier cousins for considerably less price—take the Asus “Extreme” line of motherboards versus the much more affordable Strix lineup for example. The actual CPU performance difference between those mid- and high-end boards is often negligible, so you’re paying more for those extra features you may never end up using.
Keep this list in mind, shop smart, and you’ll have the perfect motherboard to go with your fancy new CPU in no time.
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details.
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Muhammad Mubeen Hassan

Hi. I am Muhammad Mubeen Hassan. I am SEO Expat and WordPress Websites Developer &  Blogger. 30 years old. I help entrepreneurs become go-to in their industry. And, I like helping the next one in line. You can follow my journey on my blog, for list Click Here If you need any post so you can email me on my this Email: mubeenh782@gmail.com  

Hi. I am Muhammad Mubeen Hassan. I am SEO Expat and Wordpress Websites Developer &  Blogger. 30 years old. I help entrepreneurs become go-to in their industry. And, I like helping the next one in line. You can follow my journey on my blog, for list Click Here If you need any post so you can email me on my this Email: mubeenh782@gmail.com  

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Realm Scans: Navigating the Uncharted Territories of Digital Discovery

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In the expansive landscape of digital exploration, there exists a realm where information becomes an adventure—Realm Scans. Beyond a mere scanning service, this digital haven is where curiosity converges with innovation, and the uncharted territories of digital discovery come to life. Join us as we embark on a journey to unravel the unique dynamics of Realm Scans, navigating through the realms where information is not just scanned but transformed into a digital odyssey.

“Digital Horizons: Exploring the Essence of Realm Scans” is not just a title; it’s an exploration into the multifaceted dimensions of a scanning service that transcends the mundane. This article is an invitation to delve into the layers of technological prowess, user-centric design, and the transformative impact that defines Realm Scans in the dynamic world of digital information.

At the core of Realm Scans lies a commitment to redefining how we interact with information. “Digital Horizons” delves into the innovative features and functionalities that make Realm Scans more than just a scanning service. It’s a digital gateway where documents become gateways to exploration, and information is a portal to new discoveries.

A standout feature is the user-centric approach that defines the Realm Scans experience. “Digital Horizons” explores how user interface design, accessibility, and intuitive navigation are seamlessly integrated to create an environment where users don’t just scan documents—they embark on a digital journey of discovery.

Realm Scans is not confined by the traditional boundaries of scanning; it is a catalyst for a digital revolution. “Digital Horizons” illustrates how Realm Scans empowers users to go beyond the expected, transforming the act of scanning into a dynamic and enriching experience that transcends conventional notions.

As we navigate through the digital horizons of Realm Scans, the article becomes a celebration of the fusion between technology and user experience. It is a recognition that in the world of digital services, there are realms where functionality meets innovation, and where information is a gateway to new digital frontiers.

“Digital Horizons: Exploring the Essence of Realm Scans” is not just an article; it’s an ode to the tech enthusiasts, the information seekers, and the digital explorers who recognize the profound impact of a scanning service that goes beyond the surface. It’s an acknowledgment that in the realms of digital discovery, Realm Scans stands as a beacon, inviting users to embrace the transformative power of information in the digital age.

As Realm Scans continues to redefine the digital scanning landscape, “Digital Horizons” invites us to appreciate the nuances of a service that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary—an exploration where every scan is not just a document but a digital adventure waiting to be unfolded.

Harry Clam

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