How to Choose the Right PC Components - Part 4 - the Motherboard and Case
In previous posts, we talked about CPU, RAM, Hard Drive, and Optical Drives. So what’s left? Many components that used to be add-ons are now built into the motherboard. Most motherboards come with onboard video, so you typically don’t have a choice of video cards. Happily, unless you are running application that utilizes 3D imaging or playing state of the art video games, the video card included with the system is usually sufficient. Audio is another component typically built onto the motherboard. Again, unless you’re a gamer or plan on working with hi-fi audio, the onboard sound should be sufficient to notify you of mail and play the sound on those You Tube videos.
Also onboard the motherboard is a network controller. You’ll typically see two types: a 10/100Mbits adapter or a Gigabit adapter (10/100/1000MBits.) The gigabit adapter is faster, but you’ll only get that speed if you are connected to a network switch that supports that speed. If you are a home user using the network adapter to connect to a cable or DSL modem, the 10/100Mbits adapter would be sufficient since your broadband Internet connections would never reach those speeds.
Lastly, your computer case or chassis is the home to all these components. You may have a choice of a mid-tower case or a slimline or desktop case. The mid-tower cases are larger and have more room to grow, allowing you to add a number of 5 ¼” external devices, such as a DVD drive or tape drive. A slimline or small form factor case, as the name suggest is smaller and will take up less real estate by your desk. However, you’ll only have room for a single hard drive and one optical drive, so there’s little room for expansion. Another downside to the small form factor cases is they often use slim CD (or DVD) drives, which are more expensive than a normal sized drive.
Beyond the form factor, a chassis also houses the power supply. The standard spec for power supplies is ATX12v which support motherboards of the same style. Since the power supply must be compatible with the motherboard which in tern must be compatible with the CPU, you won’t have much choice in this matter.
Mike Tanney
Product Manager
HLP Associates, Inc.
www.hlp.net
Also onboard the motherboard is a network controller. You’ll typically see two types: a 10/100Mbits adapter or a Gigabit adapter (10/100/1000MBits.) The gigabit adapter is faster, but you’ll only get that speed if you are connected to a network switch that supports that speed. If you are a home user using the network adapter to connect to a cable or DSL modem, the 10/100Mbits adapter would be sufficient since your broadband Internet connections would never reach those speeds.
Lastly, your computer case or chassis is the home to all these components. You may have a choice of a mid-tower case or a slimline or desktop case. The mid-tower cases are larger and have more room to grow, allowing you to add a number of 5 ¼” external devices, such as a DVD drive or tape drive. A slimline or small form factor case, as the name suggest is smaller and will take up less real estate by your desk. However, you’ll only have room for a single hard drive and one optical drive, so there’s little room for expansion. Another downside to the small form factor cases is they often use slim CD (or DVD) drives, which are more expensive than a normal sized drive.
Beyond the form factor, a chassis also houses the power supply. The standard spec for power supplies is ATX12v which support motherboards of the same style. Since the power supply must be compatible with the motherboard which in tern must be compatible with the CPU, you won’t have much choice in this matter.
Mike Tanney
Product Manager
HLP Associates, Inc.
www.hlp.net
posted by Derek Rowan at
10:48 AM
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