What is a Motherboard’s Chipset and Why Does It Matter?
March 10, 2023
What is a motherboard’s chipset and what makes it so important?
Motherboard
![Best Z690 & Z790 Motherboards for Intel CPUs [13900K, 13700K, 13600K, 12900K]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/12/Best-z690-and-z790-Motherboards-for-Intel-CPUs-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
Best Z690 & Z790 Motherboards for Intel CPUs [13900K, 13700K, 13600K, 12900K]
February 8, 2023
Picking the right motherboard can be an ordeal, especially when there are only subtle differences between products.
![What Does The Red Light On My Motherboard Mean? [& How to fix]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/12/What-Does-the-Red-Light-on-My-Motherboard-Mean-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
What Does The Red Light On My Motherboard Mean? [& How to fix]
December 10, 2022
Some motherboards come with a dedicated set of LED diodes that indicate hardware errors — the kind that can occur when you try to boot up your system.
![ASUS vs Gigabyte Motherboards [A clear winner?]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/11/Asus-vs-Gigabyte-Motherboards-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
ASUS vs Gigabyte Motherboards [A clear winner?]
December 4, 2022
In the battle between ASUS and Gigabyte Motherboards, who comes out on top?
![What Does PCIe x16 Mean? [Beginner’s Guide]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/11/What-Does-PCIe-x16-Mean-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
What Does PCIe x16 Mean? [Beginner’s Guide]
November 24, 2022
What does PCIe x16 mean, and why does it matter?
![How Much does A PC Motherboard cost? [Motherboard Pricing Tiers explained]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/11/How-Motherboard-Size-Impacts-Pricing-Twitter-copy-420x236.jpg)
How Much does A PC Motherboard cost? [Motherboard Pricing Tiers explained]
February 4, 2023
How much is a motherboard, and how much should you be spending on one for your PC build?
![Does It Matter Which SATA Ports You Use? [It does.]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/10/Does-It-Matter-Which-SATA-Ports-You-Use-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
Does It Matter Which SATA Ports You Use? [It does.]
October 27, 2022
Have you ever built a PC or tried upgrading the storage of a PC and, right as you came to the final step of connecting your SATA storage to your motherboard, ran into this view?
What Is ErP Mode (ErP Ready) in BIOS and Should You Use It?
December 28, 2022
What does ErP Ready mean, why does it matter, and should you be making use of it?
AAFP Connector On Your Motherboard – What It’s For & How To Use It
December 10, 2022
Your motherboard (no matter its size) provides numerous different connectors and sockets, all of which have a singular purpose:
PC POST / POSTing explained and Guidelines to fix Power-On-Self-Test Errors
October 9, 2022
POST, short for power-on self-test, is a series of tests and procedures your PC runs through before loading the operating system.
![How To Reset An MSI BIOS? [All Possible Ways]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/09/How-To-Reset-MSI-BIOS-All-Possible-Ways-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
How To Reset An MSI BIOS? [All Possible Ways]
November 2, 2022
Your PC’s BIOS contains a myriad of different settings, all of which are designed to help you make the most out of your system and fine-tune its performance to your liking.
What Are USB Headers & How Do You Get More?
November 2, 2022
Ever asked yourself, “What are USB headers?
![Do Motherboards Have Integrated Graphics? [They don’t]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/08/Do-Motherboards-Have-Integrated-Graphics-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
Do Motherboards Have Integrated Graphics? [They don’t]
September 1, 2022
Integrated graphics have come a long way over the last few years, and we couldn’t be happier for that being the case!
How To Enter BIOS On Your Motherboard (MSI, Asus, Gigabyte, ASRock)
August 24, 2022
Being able to quickly access various system settings is of the utmost importance.
Can you Benefit from Dual-CPU Motherboards in a Non-Server Environment?
August 7, 2022
Ever wondered how dual CPU motherboards work and if they’re a worthwhile competitor to mainstream and HEDT motherboards?
![Guide To Motherboard VRMs [The Secret To CPU Overclocking]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/07/Guide-To-Motherboard-VRMs-The-Secret-To-CPU-Overclocking-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
Guide To Motherboard VRMs [The Secret To CPU Overclocking]
November 2, 2022
Motherboard VRMs are a surprisingly important part of every modern motherboard but are often overlooked in marketing and reviews, or not properly explained if mentioned.
Motherboard HDMI Not Working (Troubleshooting Guide)
September 3, 2022
Your motherboard is incredibly important as it connects all the different pieces of your system – it is the connective tissue that makes the entire PC and its peripherals work and function properly.
Motherboard Audio Ports/Jacks Explained By Color
September 3, 2022
If you’ve ever plugged in anything audio-related to your motherboard, I’m sure you’ve seen the abundance of audio ports scattered on the side of your motherboard.
How To Turn On A Motherboard Without A Case Or Power Switch
December 28, 2022
Turning on a motherboard or a PC without a case or power switch might seem impossible, but that actually couldn’t be further from the truth!
All Types Of PCIe Slots Explained & Compared
December 28, 2022
Ever wondered what PCIe slots actually are and which kinds of different types exist?
What Does ATX Stand For In A Motherboard?
June 3, 2022
What does ATX stand for in a Motherboard, and why should it matter to you?
![What Are Motherboards Made Of? [Main Components & Manufacturing]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/05/What-are-Motherboards-Made-of-420x236.jpg)
What Are Motherboards Made Of? [Main Components & Manufacturing]
December 27, 2022
What goes into making a motherboard, anyway?
![How And Where To Plug In All Your Fans On The Motherboard [Updated Guide]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2022/05/How-to-and-Where-to-ConnectPlug-in-All-Your-Fans-to-the-Motherboard-Twitter-420x236.jpg)
How to Connect Your PSU Cables to Your Motherboard — Power Supply Cable Guide
September 3, 2022
Connecting your power supply cables sure can seem like a daunting task.
No RGB Header On Motherboard – What now?
June 17, 2022
The day has finally come and you’re just about to do a colorful upgrade of your system to bask in the sweet glory of all things RGB… only to realize your motherboard doesn’t have an RGB header.
CHA_FAN On Your Motherboard – Everything You Need to Know
December 28, 2022
Motherboards these days come in all shapes and sizes.
Do You Have to Reinstall Windows After Upgrading CPU, GPU or Motherboard?
September 3, 2022
Do you have to reinstall Windows after installing new hardware, let’s say, the processor (CPU), motherboard, or graphics card?
ATX vs Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX: What’s the Difference?
September 3, 2022
Like so many other components, motherboards, too, come in different sizes and form factors.
Guide to Motherboard Standoffs – Everything you need to know
September 3, 2022
Motherboard standoffs, the brass pillars upon which your motherboard is most likely standing on.
How To Clear CMOS On Your Motherboard?
October 22, 2022
Clearing your CMOS can help you with a wide array of problems.
Troubleshooting ASUS Motherboard Error Q-Codes — Everything you need to know
August 15, 2022
Has your ASUS motherboard ever given you some numbers or letters (also known as error codes) on that tiny display that’s on there nestled in the corner?
What RAM (Memory) Is Compatible With My Motherboard?
December 21, 2022
Not only are there many different types of RAM modules but many kinds of motherboards as well.
Motherboard Temperature Guide – What is a Safe Motherboard Temp?
September 3, 2022
What’s a normal Motherboard temperature, and when should you be worried?
What Is CSM In Your BIOS And What Is It Good For?
June 17, 2022
What is CSM, and how can you use it to get the most out of your computer?
How To Find Out Which CPU is compatible With Your Motherboard
November 21, 2022
Figuring out which CPUs are compatible with your motherboard can be tricky because of the many factors to consider.
Which RAM Slots Should You Use?
November 25, 2022
RAM is one of the most well-known and deceptively simple parts of a computer.
Does a Motherboard affect performance? Workloads Explored.
March 18, 2022
Gone are the days when motherboards drastically affected PC performance, or are they?
How to update your BIOS without a CPU
November 12, 2022
If you’re building a new computer and can’t turn it on, you may need to update the BIOS.
Which PCIe Slot is best for your Graphics Card?
June 17, 2022
If your motherboard has more than one PCI Express slot, it may not be immediately clear which one is going to be the best for your graphics card to use.
What Is JFP1 And How Do You Use It On Your Motherboard?
March 1, 2022
Ever seen a connector on your motherboard called JFP1?
What Is JCOM1 And How Do You Use It On Your Motherboard?
March 1, 2022
Ever seen a connector on your motherboard called JCOM1?
PWM vs. DC vs. Auto Fan Modes for System & Case Fans
June 3, 2022
If you’ve ever gone rummaging through your BIOS, you might have stumbled across the terms PWM, DC, and Auto in the fan control section.
Troubleshooting MSI EZ Debug LEDs: Everything You need to know
December 10, 2022
MSI’s EZ debug LEDs might seem like a trivial feature when purchasing a new motherboard, but it can save you hours when troubleshooting in case something does go wrong.
Best Z590 Motherboards for Intel 11900K, 11700(K), 11600(K)
November 9, 2021
If you have a specific budget in mind, here’s a list of good motherboards that will help you get the most out of your brand-new Intel processor.
Guide to XMP Memory Profiles – How to set XMP Profiles in your BIOS
November 8, 2021
First-time PC builders often shy away from tinkering in the BIOS (understandably).
How to fix bent Pins on a CPU and Motherboard (LGA & PGA)
August 15, 2022
Bent pins can cause a variety of peculiarities.
The Best Motherboard Brands (And what to beware of)
May 9, 2022
We often get questions like – ‘What’s the best motherboard brand?
Guide to PCIe Lanes: How many do you need for your workload?
December 10, 2022
When choosing the motherboard and processor for a PC build, a feature we see most builders often overlook is picking the right amount of PCIe lanes.
![2023 Motherboard Buying Guide for Workstations [How to Buy a Motherboard]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2021/03/Motherboard-Buying-Guide-for-Workstations_Twitter-1200x675-1-420x236.jpg)
2023 Motherboard Buying Guide for Workstations [How to Buy a Motherboard]
February 8, 2023
Picking the right motherboard is one of the most complicated but critical tasks when you’re getting parts together for a brand-new PC build.
CPU FAN vs. CPU OPT (When to use which)
December 12, 2022
Wondering what the difference between all those fan headers on your motherboard is?
![Best B550 Motherboards for AMD Ryzen CPUs [Updated Guide]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2020/07/BestB550Motherboards_Twitter-1200x675-1-420x236.jpg)
Best B550 Motherboards for AMD Ryzen CPUs [Updated Guide]
January 3, 2023
After numerous delays, motherboards with the B550 chipset for AMD processors have finally started popping up on the market.
Best Motherboards for 3rd Gen AMD Threadripper CPUs 3990X, 3970X, 3960X
December 10, 2022
With the release of AMD’s Threadripper 3000 processors (3rd Generation Threadripper), Intel has finally lost the lead in both single-core and multi-threaded workloads.
![Best Motherboards for i9 9900k, i7 9700k [Intel 9th Gen CPUs]](https://www.cgdirector.com/wp-content/uploads/media/2019/11/BestMotherboards-Twitter_1200x675-420x236.jpg)
Best Motherboards for i9 9900k, i7 9700k [Intel 9th Gen CPUs]
December 10, 2022
Intel’s consumer CPUs have always remained a step ahead of their AMD counterparts when it comes to single-thread performance.
Best Motherboards for AMD Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs 5950X, 5900X, 5600X
February 8, 2023
On the lookout for a motherboard that pairs well with a Ryzen 5000 CPU like the 5950X?
Parts Needed to Build a PC (Computer Parts List & Explanation)
November 7, 2022
What Computer Parts do you need to build a PC, you ask?
PC-Builder: Find The Best Parts For Your PC & Workstation
February 8, 2023
Quickly find the best Parts for your PC & Workstation.
Best Workstation Computer for 3D Modeling and Rendering
January 26, 2023
The most interesting thing you’ll come across when looking for a computer or workstation for 3D modeling and rendering is that 3D modeling and (CPU) rendering are two very different workloads.