Chipset
The chipset model installed in the motherboard. AMD's current chipset models are
B450,
A520,
B550,
X570,
X570S,
A620,
B650,
B650E,
X670 and
X670E. For Intel, in turn, the list of chipsets looks like this:
X299,
H410,
B460,
H470,
Z490,
H510,
B560,
H570,
Z590,
H610,
B660,
H670,
Z690,
B760,
Z790.
A chipset is a set of chips on the motherboard through which the individual components of the system interact directly: the processor, RAM, drives, audio and video adapters, network controllers, etc. Technically, such a set consists of two parts — the north and south bridges. The key element is the northbridge, it connects the processor, mem
...ory, graphics card and the southbridge (together with the devices it controls). Therefore, it is often the name of the north bridge that is indicated as the chipset model, and the south bridge model is specified separately (see below); it is this scheme that is used in traditional layout motherboards, where bridges are made in the form of separate microcircuits. There are also solutions where both bridges are combined in one chip; for them, the name of the entire chipset can be indicated.
Anyway, knowing the chipset model, you can find various additional data on it — from general reviews to special instructions. An ordinary user, usually, does not need such information, but it can be useful for various professional tasks.M.2
Electrical (logical) interfaces implemented through physical M.2 connectors on the motherboard.
See above for more details on such connectors. Here we note that they can work with two types of interfaces:
- SATA is a standard originally created for hard drives. M.2 usually supports the newest version, SATA 3; however, even it is noticeably inferior to PCI-E in terms of speed (600 MB / s) and functionality (only drives);
- PCI-E is the most common modern interface for connecting internal peripherals (otherwise NVMe). Suitable for both expansion cards (such as wireless adapters) and drives, while PCI-E speeds allow you to fully realize the potential of modern SSDs. The maximum communication speed depends on the version of this interface and on the number of lines. In modern M.2 connectors, you can find PCI-E versions 3.0 and 4.0, with speeds of about 1 GB / s and 2 GB / s per lane, respectively; and the number of lanes can be 1, 2 or 4 (PCI-E 1x, 2x and 4x respectively)
Specifically, the M.2 interface in the characteristics of motherboards is indicated by the number of connectors themselves and by the type of interfaces provided for in each of them. For example, the entry "3xSATA / PCI-E 4x" means three connectors that can work both in SATA format and in PCI-E 4x format; and the designation "1xSATA / PCI-E 4x, 1xPCI-E 2x" means two connectors, one of which works as SATA or PCI-E 4x, and the second — only as PCI-E 2x.
Integrated RAID controller
The presence of a built-in
RAID controller on the motherboard. This function allows you to create RAID arrays from drives connected to the system using only the tools of the motherboard itself, in other words, through the standard BIOS or UEFI (see above), without using additional hardware or software.
RAID is a set (array) of several interconnected drives, perceived by the system as a whole. Depending on the type of RAID, it can provide an increase in read speed or increased reliability of information storage. Here are some of the more popular types:
— RAID 0 — data is written one by one to each of the connected disks (one file may be written to different disks). Provides performance improvements, but not fault tolerance.
— RAID 1 — information written to one of the disks is "mirrored" on all the others. Provides increased reliability by reducing system effective capacity.
— RAID 5 — information is written one by one, as in RAID 0, however, in addition to the main data, the so-called disks are also written to disks. checksums that allow you to restore information in the event of a complete failure of one of the disks. It has good fault tolerance and does not reduce the useful volume of disks as much as RAID 1, however, it is relatively slow and requires a minimum of 3 disks (two are enough for the previous types).
There are other varieties, they are used less often. Different motherb
...oards may support different types of RAID, so before buying a model with this feature, it's ok to check the details separately.USB 3.2 gen1
The number
of USB 3.2 gen1 connectors provided on the motherboard.
USB connectors (all versions) are used to connect to the "motherboard" USB ports located on the outside of the case (usually on the front panel, less often on the top or side). With a special cable, such a port is connected to the connector, while one connector, usually, works with only one port. In other words, the number of connectors on the motherboard corresponds to the maximum number of case USB connectors that can be used with it. At the same time, we note that in this case we are talking about traditional USB A connectors; connectors for newer USB-C are mentioned separately in the specifications.
Specifically, USB 3.2 gen1 (formerly known as USB 3.1 gen1 and USB 3.0) provides transfer speeds of up to 4.8 Gbps and more power than the earlier USB 2.0 standard. At the same time, USB Power Delivery technology, which allows you to reach power up to 100 W, is usually not supported by this version of USB A connectors (although it can be implemented in USB-C connectors).
USB 2.0
The number of USB 2.0 connectors installed on the back of the motherboard.
Recall that USB is the most popular modern connector for connecting various external peripherals — from keyboards and mice to specialized equipment. And USB 2.0 is the oldest version of this interface that is relevant today; it is noticeably inferior to the newer USB 3.2 both in terms of speed (up to 480 Mbps), and in terms of power supply and additional functionality. On the other hand, even such characteristics are often enough for undemanding peripherals (like the same keyboards / mice); and devices of newer versions can be connected to the connectors of this standard — there would be enough power supply. So this version of USB is still found in modern motherboards, although there are fewer and fewer new models with USB 2.0 connectors.
Note that in addition to the connectors on the rear panel, connectors on the board itself (more precisely, ports on the PC case connected to such connectors) can also provide a USB connection. See below for more on this.
USB 3.2 gen1
The number of native USB 3.2 gen1 connectors provided on the back of the motherboard. In this case, traditional, full-size USB A ports are meant.
USB 3.2 gen1(formerly known as USB 3.1 gen1 and USB 3.0) is a direct successor and development of the USB 2.0 interface. The main differences are a 10-fold increase in the maximum data transfer rate — 4.8 Gbps — as well as higher power supply, which is important when connecting several devices to one port through a splitter (hub). At the same time, peripherals of other versions can be connected to this connector.
The more connectors provided in the design, the more peripheral devices can be connected to the motherboard without the use of additional equipment (USB splitters). There are boards on the market that have
more than 4 USB 3.2 gen1 ports on the back panel. At the same time, we note that in addition to the connectors on the rear panel, connectors on the board itself (more precisely, ports on the case connected to such connectors) can also provide a USB connection. See below for more on this.
