Buying a Motherboard - Choosing the right platform

When your going to purchase a motherboard you will have to remember that at some point every piece of equipment that your PC contains will send a signal through your Motherboard at some point. This means that the motherboard is a very important piece of equipment. The motherboard can be the most tricky component to buy. This is mainly because everything has to be compatible with it and everything has to physically fit into it. 

The first thing to Really consider is what platform your motherboard has to be. In order to find out which platform you need, you have to find out what CPU is going into it. There are several platforms that CPU's use. They range from the older socket 7 to the Newer Socket AM2. The guide below should help you in finding out which platform you require by showing which CPU fits in which motherboard platform. Some CPUs have progressed through several socket types and appear more than once in the table

When purchasing a CPU remember to get the correct version for your motherboard. For example using the table above you will notice the Pentium 4 comes in many formats for many platforms. When purchasing a CPU the store will normally state the required motherboard platform for you.

Its well worth noting that although a certain CPU goes in a certain platform it does NOT mean that the motherboard will support it for certain. In some cases a BIOS upgrade is all that is required so that it can be supported after flashing the BIOS.

Both the Slot 1 and Slot A have been discontinued by Intel and AMD respectively. Intel Stopped making the Slot 1 PIII's and went back to the socket system after finding out that the speed they required could be produced by the socket system. AMD ceased to make the Athlon for the Slot A shortly after presumably for the same reason. 

With the Exception of the Socket 7 and 370 platforms it seems the two major players in the CPU industry (Intel and AMD) seem to create there own platforms and are not interchangeable. They do this to ensure that if you want to upgrade your CPU you will have to stay with the same company or change the motherboard as well. Another good reason to be absolutely sure you know what you want when you buy. 

Before purchasing a motherboard always make sure you have read the manual or an online version of the manual and make sure that it states that it supports the exact CPU and speed that you are intending to put in. It will also be wise to check what the max speed of the board is in case you wish to change the CPU in the Future. If you are buying from a local retailer, it would be a good idea just to say exactly what you are looking for in terms of CPU and expansion cards and see what they think is a good board. You don't have to go with what they say, but at least you will have the assurance that what you buy will be OK to use with the components you have or you have the right to return it.

Next Your Graphics card