[Motherboard fundamentals: compilation of functions and specifications] what do parts do? Where will the difference in price and specification affect the homemade PC?
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Learn about text by Maromassat as the basis of self-made PC
There are many kinds of PC parts and their prices vary greatly, so many people don't know what to choose based on. Because parts evolve rapidly, even experienced people often lose the point of choosing products if they stay away from their works for a while. Therefore, in this series, we not only briefly explain the basic knowledge such as the function and structure of PC components, but also guide the trends and selection methods of the latest components.
For the third time in the series, we will take a look at the "motherboard", which is the largest substrate in the internal parts of self-made PC. Only very large, the number of parts on the substrate is very large, and there are a lot of connected parts on the motherboard, which is one of the important parts in the core of PC. The products are also rich and colorful, with a wide range of prices. The choice of motherboard is not only an important factor in determining the self-made direction of PC, but also the essence of interesting thinking. Today, with the continuous development of the replacement of CPU, memory and interface, we should also master and update its basic knowledge.
「マザーボード」って何をするパーツ?Note differences in motherboard CPU, memory, expansion cards, installation CPU as storage control axes, generational differences and compatibility that connect all important components.
The most important substrate that connects all parts
The motherboard is the core of the system. All the components required to configure the PC system are connected to the motherboard, such as CPU, memory, storage, video cards, and power units.
PCの内部を見ると、大きな基板の上にいくつものパーツやケーブルが接続されている。この大きな基板こそがすべての土台となる“マザーボード”だA plurality of sockets, slots, connectors and pins for connecting these parts are installed on the motherboard. The type and quantity of parts that can be used will change according to what specifications they correspond to and how many they are.
マザーボード上のカバーやヒートシンク(放熱板)を取り外したスッピン状態の基板。さまざまなソケット/スロットや端子、細かな部品が並んでいるFor example, the CPU used is determined by the type of CPU socket, and the type, speed and maximum capacity of the memory used are determined according to the specification and number of DIMM sockets. Similarly, how many PCI Express4.0x4 compatible M.2SSD and how many PCI Express cards can be used will vary according to the specifications of the motherboard.
In addition, the function of the motherboard itself is also multi-functional, involving wired / wireless LAN, audio, USB, display output, LED luminous control. In other words, according to what kind of motherboard to choose, it determines the performance, function, expansibility, connectivity and other large frame parts of the PC system. Because of this, it is very important and difficult to choose the motherboard on the homemade PC, and because of this, it is also a very interesting place. It can be said that one of the joys of homemade PC.
【PCパーツはマザーに取り付ける】マザーボードにはPCのほぼすべてのパーツを接続するため、マザーボード上にはさまざまな形状のインターフェースやスロット、ピン類がところ狭しと並んでいる。パーツにより接続する場所は決められているが、マニュアルや端子同士の形状を確認しながら進めればOKだ。写真は最新のIntel Coreプロセッサーに対応したマザーボード(1)USB機器やディスプレイなどの外部機器、ネットワークはここに接続。無線LANに対応している場合はアンテナもここに取り付ける場合がほとんど(2)CPUやメモリなどはマザーボード経由で電源ユニットから電力が供給される(3)頭脳であるCPUはマザー上のもっとも重要なパーツ。冷却を行なうクーラーもここに取り付ける。CPUクーラーのファンやポンプの電源、アドレサブルRGBの制御端子も基本的にはマザーボードに接続する(4)DDR5用とDDR4用は互換性がないため注意(写真の製品の場合はDDR5)。スロット数は4本が定番で、小型マザーは2本の場合が多い。超ハイエンドには8本使えるものもある(5)ゲーマーに必須のパーツ。PCI Expressスロットに取り付ける(6)マザーにケーブルレスで取り付けるM.2、従来型のSerial ATAがある(7)有線LANはほぼ標準装備になり、最近ではミドルレンジ~ハイエンド製品や小型マザーでは無線LANを標準装備する製品も多い(8)高音質なサウンド再生もマザーの差別化ポイント。ヘッドホンなどはバックパネルに接続こちらはAMD Ryzenに対応したマザーボード。使用可能なCPUとメモリが異なるものの、そのほかのパーツはIntel環境と同じものが使用できる。逆に言うと、一見そっくりなマザーボードでも、使用可能なCPUやメモリが異なる場合がある、ということは十分に注意する必要がある。詳細は次項で解説するAbsolutely need a motherboard that supports CPU!
The function of the motherboard is closely related to the CPU, so it is impossible to separate the CPU from the motherboard. Of course, it is impossible to use Intel's CPU and AMD's CPU on the same motherboard, even between Intel and AMD, if there is no correspondence between the "socket" of CPU installed on the CPU used and the "chipset" connecting the various components and functions of CPU and PC.
【IntelかAMDか、第〇世代対応か、には要注意!!】Intel最新の第12世代Coreが使えるのは、LGA1700ソケットとIntel 600シリーズチップセットを搭載したマザーボードのみ。AMDは長くSocket AM4が使われているが、ソケットが同じなら全部使えるかと言えばそうとも言えず、世代によっては対応していなかったり、ウリの機能が使えなかったりする。世代が違う組み合わせで使いたい場合は対応状況や機能の制限などをしっかり確認したいIntel over the past two years, LGA1151 "LGA1200" LGA1700 and CPU sockets have alternated from generation to generation. The latest 12th-generation Core processors can only use the latest products with LGA1700 sockets and Z690 chipsets. AMD's main CPU socket remains unchanged in Socket AM4 for the time being, but it also has the following limitations: the chipset after X570 does not support the first generation Ryzen, or the latest combination of Ryzen and pre-X470 chipset cannot use some of the functions such as PCI Express 4.0.
In the product development process of CPU and motherboard, prepare the chipset according to CPU, and develop the motherboard equipped with the chipset. Therefore, when deciding the composition of the self-made PC, we first select the CPU, confirm the corresponding chipset, narrow it to the motherboard with the chipset, and finally select it according to the price and function, which is a smooth step.
The basic specifications and functions of each chipset are different.
When choosing a motherboard, what you need to take a good look at is the chipset. This is the core semiconductor of the motherboard, and the generation and number of lanes of the PCI Express are determined by the chipset. As the product name of the motherboard is also part of the name of the chipset, if you have a rough grasp of the location and function of the chipset, the product selection is successful. For example, if you want to install multiple high-speed SSD, if you want to use high-performance expansion cards, better advanced chipsets. If you want to control costs, lower-level chipsets are also selected, and so on.
Below, try to pick out the big differences in the specifications of the major chipsets of the old and new generations of Intel and AMD. Please sort out the general differences here. Each table is a chipset with a higher level to the left (= the price of the motherboard is also high), and the latest generation has higher performance as a whole. In addition, the specifications of the PCI Express slots directly connected to the CPU are also different according to the CPU used and the design of each motherboard. Please confirm the details through the specification table of each motherboard. In addition, the USB3.1 in the table is synonymous with USB3.2 Gen2 (transmission speed 10Gbps).
チップセット | Z690 | H670 | B660 |
対応CPU | 第12世代Core | ||
CPUオーバークロック | 〇 | × | × |
CPU直結PCI Express | 5.0+4.0 | 5.0+4.0 | 5.0+4.0 |
チップセット接続PCI Expressレーン数 | 4.0×12+3.0×16 | 4.0×12+3.0×12 | 4.0×6+3.0×8 |
チップセット接続USB | 3.2 Gen 2x2×4ほか | 3.2 Gen 2x2×2ほか | 3.2 Gen 2x2×2ほか |
チップセット | Z590 | H570 | B560 |
対応CPU | 第11世代+第10世代Core | ||
CPUオーバークロック | 〇 | × | × |
CPU直結PCI Express | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
チップセット接続PCI Expressレーン数 | 3.0×24 | 3.0×20 | 3.0×12 |
チップセット接続USB | 3.2 Gen 2x2×3ほか | 3.2 Gen 2x2×2ほか | 3.2 Gen 2x2×2ほか |
チップセット | X570 | B550 | A520 |
対応CPU | Ryzen 5000/3000/2000 | Ryzen 5000/3000 | |
CPUオーバークロック | 〇 | 〇 | × |
CPU直結PCI Express | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
チップセット接続PCI Expressレーン数 | 4.0×16 | 3.0×10 | 3.0×6 |
チップセット接続USB | 3.1×8ほか | 3.1×2ほか | 3.1×1ほか |
チップセット | X470 | B450 |
対応CPU | Ryzen 5000/3000/2000/1000 | |
CPUオーバークロック | 〇 | 〇 |
CPU直結PCI Express | 3.0 | 3.0 |
チップセット接続PCI Expressレーン数 | 2.0×8 | 2.0×6 |
チップセット接続USB | 3.1×2ほか | 3.1×2ほか |
In the next public post, we will explain the knowledge needed to eventually reduce the size of the motherboard to be purchased, that is, how to see the level of the motherboard and the trends in design and specifications. In addition, we will introduce a homemade PC configuration plan that focuses on the different uses and budgets considered by the motherboard (and CPU).