Does motherboard matter for gaming in 2023?

If you are a true pro gamer, you probably wonder if motherboard matters for gaming in 2023. To answer that question, let's look at what makes up your computer system and the role of the motherboard. The video card is responsible for rendering graphics on your monitor or TV screen; it takes instructions from the CPU to display pictures on the screen.

The motherboard connects all components and allows them to work together as one unit. Without a motherboard, there would be no way to get any information into or out of your computer system (since most video cards don't have an onboard sound chip).

Curious if you should invest in a higher-end board? I think that depends on how much you're willing to spend. Let's dive into more details below.

Read more: How To Keep Gaming Laptop Cool

What is the motherboard?

The motherboard connects all components and allows them to work together as one unit. The board is an essential component in a computer that enables other units to communicate. The motherboard comprises several critical electronic components such as the microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU), random access memory chips, RAM, and many more.

Does Motherboard Matter For Gaming in 2023

If you are wondering whether motherboard matters for gaming in 2021, I would have to say yes! Since the video card takes input from the CPU to display pictures on your screen, motherboards are essential because there wouldn't be any way to get information into or out of your computer system without them.

One area where the motherboard does not make a big difference is overclocking enabling gamers to boost their CPU's performance by increasing its frequency (clock speed). But if you purchase an unlocked CPU, you should remember that not all motherboards support overclocking.

The Best Gaming Motherboards

The best gaming motherboards will have overclocking support, good thermal management, and plenty of USB and SATA ports. They should also be compatible with the latest CPUs and graphics cards. Some motherboards even come with built-in graphics or sound cards, saving you money on your overall build.

If you're looking for a high-end gaming motherboard, then the below list is for you. Choose the best and buy now!

TOP 3 PICKS

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Things to consider before buying a motherboard

Chipset:

It is an integral part of the motherboard. It is a group of microchips that work together to process computer signals inside the PC. When buying a motherboard for gaming, it is generally advised to go for chipsets higher up in their respective Series. For example, a motherboard from the H67 Series is recommended when using an Intel Core i5 CPU.

Number of Slots for RAM:

Most motherboards have 4 slots for RAM (2 on each side), with some motherboards offering 6 slots (3 on each side). The number of slots generally doesn't affect the PC's performance.

USB Ports:

Most motherboards have 2 USB 3.0 ports and 14-16 USB 2.0 ports, though such numbers vary with motherboard chipset and board design. Some boards come with more than 20 USB ports connecting peripherals like printers, external hard drives, etc. USB 3.0 ports are backward compatible and work with all USB devices, while USB 2.0 ports can be connected to mice, keyboards, and flash drives.

Onboard Video Chipset:

Every motherboard has an integrated chipset primarily used for processing video content (for integrated graphics). However, higher-end motherboards come with dedicated graphics cards (in place of the chipset) for processing high-end graphics

Number and Type of Onboard SATA Ports

Almost all motherboards have 2 or more SATA ports (3GB/s and 6 GB/s, respectively). Some boards come with 4 ports, whereas others might come with 6 or more. If you are planning to use multiple SATA hard drives (for storage), then it is recommended that you look for motherboards that come with at least 4 SATA ports.

Socket Type

The motherboard's socket type determines what CPU can be used in the PC. Since there are 3 main types, it is important to check which socket type your CPU uses before buying the motherboard.

Compatibility with Other Peripheral Components:

It is always considered to go for a motherboard fully compatible with the peripherals planned to be used in the PC (like Graphic Card, RAM, etc.). For example, if you plan to use an AMD Graphic Card on your PC, you should buy a motherboard that uses the same socket type as the Graphic Card.

Price:

The motherboard's price depends on its chipset, features, and quality. For example, Intel H77 Chipset-based motherboards are much cheaper than Intel Z77 chipset-based boards.

PCIe Expansion Slot:

Some motherboards come with 1 or 2 PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) expansion slots. These slots connect video cards, sound cards, and other add-on components like Wi-Fi / Bluetooth modules. For playing games on high-end graphics, installing a dedicated card in one of the PCIe slots is recommended for increased performance.

M.2 Slot

Some motherboards come with an M.2 slot for connecting components like Wi-Fi cards. PCIe and PCI expansion slots are preferred over the M.2 slot as they allow more bandwidth and better performance.

Fan Headers:

The motherboard should have at least 2 fan headers - one for the CPU cooling fan and the other for the case fans. Motherboards with 4 or more fan headers allow easy system cooling management by enabling complete control over all PC fans.

Front Panel Headers:

The motherboard should have at least 2 front panel headers – one for the power button and the other for the reset button. A dedicated USB 3.0 header is also preferred as it allows faster data transfer from USB ports on the front of the case to the motherboard.

Power Connectors

Buy a motherboard with an ATX power supply connector (20 or 24 pins) and an additional 4-pin power connector for increased stability.

Does motherboard affect fps:

Many different factors affect the frame rate or fps of a video game. These include the graphics card, processor, and amount of RAM. But what about the motherboard? Does it impact fps as well? to find out, several gamers tested different motherboards to see if there was a difference in frame rate. The results were inconclusive. While some gamers saw a slight difference in fps, others did not. So it seems that the motherboard does not significantly impact fps after all.

Worth a try?

If you want a new motherboard to play with, this might be worth a try. You can use it to upgrade your existing gaming rig or build a new one.

Difference between Intel and AMD motherboards

Intel:

An Intel motherboard has an LGA (Land Grid Array) CPU socket incompatible with the newer AMD processors.

• No compatibility with AMD
• Higher single-core performance than AMD
• Overclocking is limited
• Expensive as compared to AMD motherboards

AMD:

An AMD motherboard uses an AM4 or TR4 CPU slot to install its Ryzen chips. The main difference between these sockets is that the AM4 supports both APUs and CPUs, whereas TR4 supports both mainstream and high-end CPUs. Ryzen APUs use the AM4 socket, whereas mainstream and high-end CPUs use the TR4 socket.

• Higher multi-core performance as compared to Intel's higher-end processors.
• Compatibility with Intel processors
• Limited overclocking options
• Cheaper as compared to Intel motherboards)

Conclusion

With the above information, it is clear that motherboards play a vital role in making sure you get optimum performance from your device and ensure durability. If you are thinking to buy a new processor, then make sure you buy a motherboard that supports either AM4 or TR4 sockets and ensures compatibility with other devices like RAM, graphics card etc.

This information is also useful for gamers who want to upgrade their systems or build a new one. It's up to you which specific motherboard you buy but make sure it has all the necessary features and supports your device before buying it.

Lastly, I hope this article helped provide details about the best motherboards available in the market