Comparison MSI B450M-A PRO MAX II vs Gigabyte B450M K

The number of processor power phases provided on the motherboard.

Very simplistically, phases can be described as electronic blocks of a special design, through which power is supplied to the processor. The task of such blocks is to optimize this power, in particular, to minimize power surges when the load on the processor changes. In general, the more phases, the lower the load on each of them, the more stable the power supply and the more durable the electronics of the board. And the more powerful the CPU and the more cores it has, the more phases it needs; this number increases even more if the processor is planned to be overclocked. For example, for a conventional quad-core chip, only four phases are often enough, and for an overclocked one, at least eight may be needed. It is because of this that powerful processors can have problems when used on inexpensive low-phase motherboards.

Detailed recommendations on choosing the number of phases for specific CPU series and models can be found in special sources (including the documentation for CPU itself). Here we note that with numerous phases on the motherboard (more than 8), some of them can be virtual. To do this, real electronic blocks are supplemented with doublers or even triplers, which, formally, increases the number of phases: for example, 12 claimed phases can represent 6 physical blocks with doublers. However, virtual phases are much inferior to real ones in terms of capabilities — in fact, t...hey are just additions that slightly improve the characteristics of real phases. So, let's say, in our example, it is more correct to speak not about twelve, but only about six (though improved) phases. These nuances must be specified when choosing a motherboard.

Motherboard dimensions in height and width. It is assumed that the traditional placement of motherboards is vertical, so in this case one of the dimensions is called not the length, but the height.

Motherboard sizes are largely determined by their form factors (see above), however, the size of a particular motherboard may differ slightly from the standard adopted for this form factor. In addition, it is usually easier to clarify the dimensions according to the characteristics of a particular motherboard than to look for or remember general information on the form factor. Therefore, size data can be given even for models that fully comply with the standard.

The third dimension — thickness — is considered less important for a number of reasons, so it is often omitted.

The maximum RAM clock speed supported by the motherboard. The actual clock frequency of the installed RAM modules should not exceed this indicator — otherwise, malfunctions are possible, and the capabilities of the “RAM” cannot be used to the fullest.

For modern PCs, a RAM frequency of 1500 – 2000 MHz or less is considered very low, 2000 – 2500 MHz is modest, 2500 – 3000 MHz is average, 3000 – 3500 MHz is above average, and the most advanced boards can support frequencies of 3500 – 4000 MHz and even more than 4000 MHz.

The motherboard has its own DVI output; this clause also specifies the specific form of this interface.

Such an output is intended for transmitting video from an integrated graphics card (see above) or a processor with integrated graphics (we emphasize that it is impossible to output a signal from a discrete graphics card through the motherboard chipset). As for DVI specifically, this is a standard originally created for digital video devices, however, it also allows an analogue signal format, depending on the type. In modern computer technology, including motherboards, you can find two types of DVI:

— DVI-D. A standard that provides for the transmission of a signal only in digital form. Depending on the supported mode, the maximum resolution of such video can be 1920x1200 (single-link Single Link) or 2560x1600 (two-channel Dual Link); however, Single Link plugs can be connected to Dual Link ports, but not vice versa. Also note that such connectors are compatible with HDMI via adapters, while in some cases even sound transmission may be provided (although this function is not initially supported in DVI-D, and its availability should be specified separately).

— DVI-I. A standard that combines the DVI-D described above with analogue DVI-A and allows the signal to be output in both digital and analogue formats. DVI-A in its characteristics corresponds to VGA (see above): it supports resolutions up to 1280x1024...inclusive and allows you to connect VGA screens through a simple adapter.

HDMI connector version (see above) installed in the motherboard.

— v.1.4. The earliest of the standards found nowadays, which appeared back in 2009. Supports resolutions up to 4096x2160 inclusive and allows you to play Full HD video with a frame rate of up to 120 fps — this is enough even for 3D playback.

— v.1.4b. A modified version of v.1.4 described above, which introduced a number of minor updates and improvements — in particular, support for two additional 3D formats.

— v.2.0. Also known as HDMI UHD, this version introduced full 4K support, with frame rates up to 60 fps, as well as the ability to work with 21:9 ultra-widescreen video. In addition, thanks to the increased bandwidth, the number of simultaneously reproduced audio channels has grown to 32, and audio streams to 4. And in the v.2.0a improvement, HDR support has also been added to all this.

— v.2.1. Another name is HDMI Ultra High Speed. Compared to the previous version, the interface bandwidth has really increased significantly — it is enough to transmit video at resolutions up to 10K at 120 frames per second, as well as to work with the extended BT.2020 colour space (the latter may be useful for some professional tasks). HDMI Ultra High Speed cables are required to use the full capabilities of HDMI v2.1, but older standard features are available with regular cables.

The model of the audio chip (a module for processing and outputting sound) installed on the motherboard. Data on the exact name of the sound chip will be useful when looking for detailed information about it.

Modern "motherboards" can be equipped with fairly advanced audio modules, with high sound quality and extensive features, which makes them suitable even for gaming and multimedia PCs (although professional audio work will still most likely require a separate sound card). Here are the most popular modern audio chips: Realtek ALC887, Realtek ALC892, Realtek ALC1150, Realtek ALC1200, Realtek ALC1220, Realtek ALC4050, Realtek ALC4080, Supreme FX.

The type of LAN interface provided in the design of the motherboard. LAN (also known as RJ-45 and Ethernet) — a standard connector for wired connection to computer networks; can be used for both local and Internet. The type of such a connector is indicated by the maximum speed. Note that nowadays, even inexpensive "motherboards" are usually equipped with fairly fast LAN adapters — at least gigabit ones. The meaning of such characteristics is not only (and often not so much) to speed up the transfer of large amounts of data, but also to reduce lags in the network connection. This can be important for tasks that require good responsiveness or precise synchronization, such as online games.

— 1 Gbps. The standard used in the vast majority of desktop (non-server) motherboards. On the one hand, it provides more than a decent connection speed, sufficient even for large amounts of information; on the other hand, it is inexpensive and can be installed even in the simplest low-cost motherboards.

— 2.5 Gbps. An improved version of the gigabit standard, it is also a simplified and somewhat cheaper version of the 5-gigabit standard. It is found in separate "motherboards" for gaming purposes.

— 5 Gbps. A kind of transitional option between a relatively simple gigabit LAN (see above) and an advanced 10-gigabit LAN (see below). Found in some gaming motherboards....This standard costs less than the 10-gigabit one, while the communication speed still turns out to be quite decent, and the lags are low.

— 10 Gbps. Such a data transfer rate is indispensable for large volumes of information; in addition, it provides a high speed of passing individual data blocks, which is important for reducing lags in online games. At the same time, this interface appeared relatively recently and is not cheap. Therefore, it is mainly used in top-end "motherboards" for gaming and server purposes (see "In the direction").

— 100 Mbps. A very popular standard in its time, which is now considered obsolete in light of the spread of faster versions of the LAN. It is extremely rare, mainly in separate low-cost boards.

Model of the LAN controller installed in the motherboard.

The LAN controller provides data exchange between the card and the network port(s) of the computer. Accordingly, both general characteristics and individual features of the network functionality of the "motherboard" depend on the characteristics of this module: support for special technologies, connection quality in case of unstable communication, etc. Knowing the model of the LAN controller, you can find detailed data on it — including including practical reviews; this information is rarely needed by the average user, but it can be useful for online game enthusiasts and for some specific tasks.

Thus, the LAN controller model is specified mainly in cases where it is a rather advanced solution that is noticeably superior to standard models. Such solutions are currently produced mainly under the brands Intel(middle level), Realtek(relatively simple models), Aquntia and Killer(mostly advanced solutions).

The type of connector for powering the processor installed on the motherboard.

Most modern boards use a 4-pin connector, and most power supplies in ATX cases are also designed for it. In addition, there are other types of power connectors, they all have an even number of pins — 2, 6 or 8. Two-pin power is used mainly in motherboards of miniature form factors like thin mini-ITX, designed for low-power processors. 8-pin connectors, on the contrary, are designed to power the most powerful modern processors. It is believed that such a connector provides a more stable power supply and more precise tuning of its parameters. But connectors for 6 pins are not found separately, they usually complement 8-pin connectors in high-performance motherboards, in particular, gaming ones.

Also note that some boards have 2 or even 3 power connectors — most often in the format 8 + 4, 8 + 8 and 8 + 8 + 6 pins. This functionality is designed for high-end CPUs with high power and power consumption, for which one connector is not enough. There is another specific option — “motherboards” without a separate processor power supply : these are models equipped with an integrated CPU, which receives energy through its own board circuits without a sp...ecial power connector.