Maryia_K/Shutterstock.comThe motherboard is where it all starts for the PC. It’s the component underlying everything. There are so many different analogies you could draw, but here’s our favorite: It’s like the computer’s nervous system. Its primary job is to send information in the form of electrical signals between the various components in your PC. Multiple Form Factors There are multiple form factors of the motherboard, which are all different sizes and suited for different uses. Here’s a look at the differences between form factors like ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX if you want more detail on them. In general, however, most people are looking for an ATX board unless they intend on building a more compact PC. Smaller boards are not recommended for first-time builders, as the smaller space can lead to frustration for novices. RELATED: Motherboards Explained: What Are ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX? The Essential Stuff The CPU socket on a B450 motherboard for an AMD processor.When we look at a bare motherboard, there are some key parts that are immediately noticeable. At one end of the board, we have the CPU socket. That socket is built to fit a specific set of AMD or Intel CPUs. An AMD CPU can never fit in an Intel-compatible board and vice versa. Not only that, but motherboard socket types can change between generations, and one generation of motherboard can be compatible with multiple generations of processors. Thus, an AMD motherboard will not automatically be compatible with any AMD CPU. To tell whether a motherboard… Click below to read the full story from How To Geek
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