Choosing the right motherboard

The motherboard is the basic component of the computer: Depending on this choice the resulting choice of the processor (CPU), the type of memory (RAM) and extension ports: number of graphics ports, number of connections sata for hard drives and optical drives, ...

The fundamental component of the motherboard is the chipset:
it determines which CPU can work on this motherboard (they must be compatible socket), it also determines the type of managed RAM (DDR2, DDR3 or DDR2 / DDR3)

To choose a motherboard, you must pay attention to two main points:

compatibility with other components of the PC: To be perfectly compatible, they should be part of the same generation, and sometimes even from the same manufacturer. A new generation processor will not run on a motherboard too old, even with a BIOS update.

scalability of the connection: To assemble a computer capable of evolving and paste to future technological progress, the scalability of the connector of your motherboard is crucial. To her you must connect the new elements: it must supports. To add elements, the main ports in sufficient numbers (USB) and types (e-SATA, FireWire, HDMI ,...)
Of course, what you want to make your PC is critical that your needs will not be the same for a PC dedicated to the simple office and surfing the web for PC gamers that video games turn 3D.
Duo motherboard / processor

Without harmony between these 2 elements, not good performance. In short, do not invest in a high performance processor (quad-core type) if your motherboard (and especially its chipset) is unable to rotate. It is advisable to choose a motherboard chipset with the same brand as your processor, but not required. AMD or Intel, the war of the two brands and raged processor motherboards are compatible with a brand: thus, first choose your CPU.
Since the release of Core 2 Duo in the summer of 2006, Intel dominates the CPU market in terms of performance, but also in terms over-clocking (for those interested), that it is the Dual Cores and Quad Cores.
They are all in socket LGA-775.
However, some AMD CPU may be interesting from a performance / price, as the old Athlon X2 6000 + and 6400 +, or new Phenom II, whose performances are also Intel CPUs.
They are generally socket AM2/AM2 + and some socket AM3.
Choice of chipset

Once the chosen CPU, the chipset of choice arises.

If we opt for an Intel CPU, there are motherboards with Intel chipset and others with an nVidia chipset. What is the difference between these 2 brands?

Intel chipsets are planned for the Crossfire, a technique that is to combine 2 graphics cards ATI.
The most common early 2009 are the P45 and X48.
The P45 supports CrossFire in the right conditions, the X48 allows CrossFire without restriction.
They are also very good for overclocking, they rise in frequency, especially at P45, engraved in 65nm (instead of 90 nm), but the FSB: RAM is done by discrete values (not continuous).

NVidia chipsets are provided for SLI, which is to combine 2 graphics cards from nVidia.
They are a bit worse in overclocking, because they heat much, but the FSB: RAM can be adjusted continuously.
The most common early 2009 are the 750i SLI, the 780i and 790i LI SLI.
The 750i SLI SLI provides the correct conditions in the 780i and 790i allow 3way-SLI without restriction.

Similarly, if one chooses an AMD CPU, a choice must be for the chipset: AMD or nVidia?

AMD chipsets are planned for the Crossfire.
The 2 most interesting chipsets from AMD currently in socket AM2 + is the 790FX and 790GX:
they enable CrossFire without restriction.

As for platforms Intel CPU, nVidia chipsets are provided for SLI.
The 2 most interesting chipsets from nVidia currently in socket AM2 + is the 750a SLI and 780a SLI:
The 750a SLI SLI provides the correct conditions in;
The 780a SLI SLI allows unrestricted, and the 3-way SLI in conditions.

Note that in the case of a motherboard to I7 processor, the X58 chipset supports CrossFire as well as SLI.
Ports and Connectors

These are the "taken" on which items are to connect to the motherboard. On a motherboard, you must find USB 2.0 connectors in sufficient numbers, but also an e-SATA port to connect to hot external hard drive, and a FireWire port for digital video. The ports are for SATA hard disks and drives (the IDE or PATA port is endangered).
You should check the number of ports and connectors to make sure that you can connect all the components you need. If you want to upgrade your computer, ports must be available.
Integrated Devices and the formats

ls are increasingly common in recent motherboards, but are generally bound to use "quiet" graphics card, sound card, firewall. Here is the use command to run 3D games, an additional graphics card is required, as well, a sound card on PCI is recommended if your speakers are particularly successful.

Do not be surprised, finally, by the format (size factor): for a single PC, this is the ATX format, the most common currently compatible with virtually all configurations.
For a mini PC, there are several sizes smaller, the most common being the micro-ATX.
You can see all the formats motherboard guide in the motherboard.

Always changing, the quantities and formats of memory cards are not accepted by all motherboards: DDR2, DDR3, or DDR2/DDR3.
Generally, these are indications of compatibility on the descriptions of the cards. Just what kind of machines you want to create and for what purpose.
Equipment Selections

These specifications are specified, you should be able to choose a motherboard based on the CPU and the type of use you want for your PC.

Manufacturers are quite few, the manufacture of motherboards is mostly due to 3 major manufacturers: Asus, Gigabyte and MSI, but there are some outsiders, such as Abit, Foxconn.
Asrock is not a manufacturer, it is a subsidiary of Asus producing maps at low cost.

Most maps running with DDR2 since early 2009, DDR3 still costs significantly more expensive for a negligible gain in practice: DDR2 vs DDR3
Only high-end solutions will be interested to buy DDR3 right now, because the bandwidth is much higher.

Some motherboards particular interest are listed below.
PC motherboards (affordable)

===AMD selections====

Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H:
This is a motherboard that uses the latest AMD chipset, the 780G. He took advantage of a circuit integrated DirectX 10 graphics for full compatibility with Windows Vista.

The card format micro-ATX supply connector output a complete view of the output since found a DVI and HDMI.
There are a PCI-Express 2.0 16x and PCI-Express 1x, two PCI slots, 5 and Serial-ATA connectors and an e-Sata.
Intel Selections

ASRock G43Twins-FullHD:

This motherboard supports the latest Intel processors, up to Core 2 Quad engraved in 45 nm, it supports FSB 1333 and manages the DDR2 and DDR3 (2 slots each).
Its integrated graphics controller, the GMA X4500 is DirectX 10 class, it benefits from Intel ClearVideo for accelerated playback of HD video streams.
The card format micro-ATX has a DVI-D (support HDCP function) and a VGA connector and a connector with Display Port (via additional cate).
There are a PCI-Express 2.0 16x and PCI-Express 1x, two PCI slots, and 6 connectors Serial-ATA 3 Gb/s
PC motherboards (mid-classes)

Intel 775 selections

Asus P5Q E (CrossFire)
Based on the Intel P45 chipset, this motherboard has 2 PCI-Express 16x v2.0, but running in CrossFire 8x.
They work with DDR2 memory up to 1200 Mhz.
Level compatible processors, it supports up to FSB 1600 MHz and 45nm CPU burned.
The P5Q-E also offers 2 PCI-Express 1x, PCI, and two ports 8 Serial-ATA connectors including an eSATA connector.

Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H (SLI)
This is a motherboard that uses the new chipset from nVidia, GeForce 9400: this chipset with integrated graphics solution manages Intel 45nm burned with FSB 1333 and supports DirectX 10 when it offers the PureVideo HD technology. It decodes without problem all video formats.
The card format micro-ATX allows its installation in a small living room PC, and provides output connection complete view of the output, as with a DVI connector, VGA connector and an HDMI terminal, allowing connecting the PC to a TV Full HD (1080p) without loss of definition.
There is also a PCI-Express x16, one PCI-Express 1x and two PCI slots and five Serial ATA ports and a FireWire port.
AMD AM2+ selections

Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H (CrossFire)
Based on AMD 790GX chipset, it has 2 PCI-Express 16x v2.0, but in case of CrossFire, the ports are x8.
It works with the DDR2 667Mhz to 1066Mhz.
The card has 4 connectors Serial-ATA 3 Gb / s, and a PATA connector. It has a 7.1 surround audio channels.
It has also taken FireWire and Ethernet Gigabit type.


Asus M3N-HT Deluxe HDMI (SLI)
Based on the chipset NVIDIA nForce 780a SLI, it supports SLI technology, 3-Way SLI and Hybrid-SLI.
It accepts the X2 and the Phenom X3 and X4 II, DDR2 and runs up to 1066Mhz.
It has 3 PCI-Express 16x, 6 SATA II ports, 1 FireWire port and a Gigabit network port.
PC motherboards (high class)

Intel 775 Selections

Gigabyte GA-X48T-DQ6 (CrossFire)
Based on the Intel X48 chipset, the motherboard is a complete cooling system, it has two PCI-Express 16x v2.0, fully compatible CrossFire.
It works with DDR3 memory up to 1900MHz, and manages up to 1600MHz FSB.
It has 6 SATA II ports and one PATA port (IDE), a FireWire, a Gigabit network port, and 1 e-Sata port.
Intel 1366 Selections

Asus P6T Deluxe
Structured around the Intel X58 chipset, it accepts the i7 processors, has a passive cooling system, fairly large, and has six slots for DDR3 memory.
With 3 PCI-Express 2.0 16x, the card is compatible with the technologies CrossFire and NVIDIA SLI. With two graphics cards, both PCI-Express 16x to 16x are then wired with three graphics cards distribution lines PCI-Express change: 16x for the first card, 8x for each other.
There are a total of 8 connectors Serial-ATA 3Gb / s connector and eSATA, FireWire network.
AMD Am3 Selections

Asus M4A79T Deluxe
It is distinguished by its socket AM3 (therefore not compatible with processors AM2 and AM2 +) and its support for DDR3 memory.
It has 4 PCI-Express 16x 2.0 for managing AMD CrossFire solution, including the Quad CrossFire. Note that 2 of the three PCI-Express 16x to 16x are wired, the latest being on cable 8x only.