SLI motherboard - contributed

Should your next motherboard be BTX and support both SLI (crossfire) and DDR2 or/and DDR3?

Don't know what that means or don't know much about this technology? Don't be embarrassed; stick with this column and we will have you speaking 'tech' language in less time than it takes to burn a DVD.

Motherboard: The importance of a good motherboard can't be overemphasized. Every byte of data your computer processes must pass between several components before it reaches you. And the motherboard is the highway. The last thing you need is a metaphorical traffic jam between your CPU RAM and videocard when playing a game or running any other program for that matter.

Processor (CPU): Before you buy a motherboard, you must first decide if you're going to reuse your old CPU or upgrade to something new. If you're going new, will it be AMD's Quad FX, Intel Blazing Core 2 Extreme QX6800 or something in between or lower?

Chipset: The chipset is also found on the motherboard (no it's not the processor) and choosing a core-logic chipset is as important as your CPU choice. Intel, NVIDIA and VIA all make excellent chipsets for the mid and high-end processors.

Memory: If you are building a mid or high-end computer, ensure that your motherboard will support DDR2, and can also accommodate between two and eight gigabytes of RAM. Most people will not use more than two gigabytes of Ram, but do not buy a motherboard that will limit your computer's capacity.

PCI-Express: This is the successor to the AGP slot, and has become the new standard for connecting peripheral cards to the PC (videocards). PCI Express slots and cards are not interchangeable with conventional PCI cards.

SATA Ports (Serial Advance Technology Attachment): This is the serial interface used to connect Hard drives and Optical drives (DVD ROMS etc.) to the computer, and will replace PATA (Parallel Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) commonly called IDE by most users. Mid-high end computers should have at least a minimum of four SATA Ports on the mother board.

SLI (crossfire)-Compatible: This feature is basically for 'gamers' or for those people that are running applications that require a lot of video power such as video editing. A motherboard that is SLI ready will have the capacity to house two or more video cards simultaneously, and have them working together for better performance. Note the videocard must also be SLI compatible for this feature to work.

See Part 2 to purchasing a computer motherboard next week.

By technical writer

Kamar McIntyre

Explorers Computer Sales and Service Limited

34-36 Old Hope Road, Kingston 5,

Tel; 908-2945, Fax; 754-0920

Email: sales@explorercomputerjm.com