Picking a motherboard: sockets, chipsets and upgrade room

A motherboard rarely makes a machine faster. It decides what that machine can become, which is why it is worth more thought than it usually gets.

The socket locks you in

The socket has to match the processor exactly, and manufacturers change sockets between generations. Choosing a board on a socket that is near the end of its life means the next processor upgrade is a new board as well.

Chipset sets the features

Within one socket there are usually budget, mid and high tiers. They differ in how many fast storage slots you get, how many USB ports, and whether you can overclock. Read the specific board, since manufacturers vary what they fit.

Form factor decides the case

ATX is full size, micro-ATX is the common compromise, mini-ITX is small and drops expansion slots to get there. The board must match the case, and a smaller board usually means fewer slots for later additions.

Count the ports you actually use

Memory slots, M.2 slots, USB headers and network speed are all easy to overlook and impossible to add later. Two memory slots instead of four is the upgrade path most people regret first.