Are you seeking ways to enhance the performance of your PC? Do you want to upgrade your existing PC without replacing your existing processor i7 7700k? If yes, then you need to find a motherboard that is compatible with your processor.

People like professional gamers and those who do multitasking know how a motherboard is a heart and the nervous system of PC. It can significantly impact the performance of the system. Hence, it is crucial to choose your motherboard very carefully. However, with countless numbers of options available, choosing the right motherboard is quite tricky. There are many variables that need to be considered when choosing a motherboard.

Hence, before you look forward to replacing your motherboard & seek a recommended motherboard for i7 7700k, you need to know the factors you should consider while buying a motherboard. In this guide, we are going to tell the same. Without wasting much time, let’s get started.

Processor sockets

In the past, different types of sockets were used. But now, only three processor sockets are used – PGA, LGA, and BGA; all these sockets have different designs. The most widely used are the LGA and the PGA, while the BGA is not so popular because they aren’t compatible with all motherboards. Hence, it restricts the users from upgrading their PCs in the future. So, always check for the processor sockets before buying a motherboard.

Form factor

Motherboards come in different sizes, which is technically known as the form factor of the motherboard. It is one of the most important things to consider while picking up a new motherboard. Like processor sockets, the form factor is also of three types – Mini ITX, Micro ATX, and ATX. You also have the largest motherboard form factor – eATX, but it is rarely used for professional gaming PCs. While ATX is the standard size, Mini ITX and Macro ATX are smaller form factors and designed to fit in less spacious units. Hence, choose the motherboard foam factor as per the PC case. And if you are not sure of the size specifications of the motherboard you need, you can measure your previous motherboard or look for them on the internet.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM is a fundamental component of any computer. RAM is the source of all the functions and operations on the computer. Hence, the choice of your motherboard also depends on the RAM type, RAM speed, RAM capacity, and the number of RAM slots.

● Today, you have two choices for RAM type – DDR3 and DDR4. And a motherboard will either support DDR3 or DDR4. Hence, you need to check which RAM type you want to use for your PC. If you want DDR3 RAM, then choose the DDDR3 motherboard, or if you want DDR4 RAM, then pick the DDR4 motherboard.

● Apart from this, it is crucial to decide how much RAM you need for your computer activities. If you are using it for general purposes, then it is recommended to choose a motherboard that can run RAM up to 16 GB. And if you are using for intense gaming and multitasking, then choose up to 32GB RAM.

● Now, talking about the RAM slots, usually, motherboards come with min 4 RAM slots these days. Choosing a motherboard with more number of slots allows you to upgrade your PC in the future, even if you’re using just one or two RAM slots in the beginning. You will always have space to improve your system’s performance by adding more RAM chips. Also, the motherboard would be able to handle the new chipsets.

Expansion slots

Other than the conventional CPU, there are lots of other things that you might need to connect to your with the motherboard. These extension slots are what will help you connect your memory drives, graphic processors, sound cards, networking cards, and other devices you would want to connect to your computer.

These extensions slots are called Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe 3.0) or its previous version, the PCI. This PCIe and the PCI come in four configurations x1, x4, x8, and x16. Each device requires a different configuration in these slots. So, make sure that all the slots are present on the motherboard you’re choosing. This way, you can connect everything you want on your computer to the motherboard.

Note:

Make sure that there is enough space between the ports to avoid not being able to connect the components as the ports to too close to each other. 

Additional features

In most cases, the audio card is inbuilt with the motherboard. And if you can spend a bit more on the motherboard, you will even get an inbuilt Wi-fi and Bluetooth card. Hence, it is recommended to decide which features you want on your PC. If you are looking to max out these features, you are advised buying a motherboard that has multiple SATA slots and other PCIe and PCI slots so that you can connect other components to your computer.

Conclusion

Arguably, a motherboard is one of the most critical parts of a computer. It’s the board where your all components will be connected, and it is responsible for relaying information between all the devices. Hence, pay more attention when choosing a motherboard for your PC. If you show carelessness, you will end up buying a low-quality motherboard, which will further cause issues and affect the speed and performance of your PC. So, always do proper research and know your needs before purchasing the motherboard that would most suit your day to day needs.

Alice Thomson is a researcher and writer at https://www.gamingfeature.com. Alice is heavily into console gaming and loves video games and everything about them. How games have made an impact on our society and our pop culture. She’s more into single players games, everything from small indie games to the biggest releases of the year. Alice usually spends her time writing about game guides, communication here on GamingFeature or handling every-day business. Her console of choice is currently the PlayStation 4. Her all time favorite game is The Last of Us and have probably played it one too many times by now.