Choosing a motherboard is the most important decision you'll make when building your own computer. Almost every component in your system connects and communicates through your mainboard, so do your research and choose wisely.

Most do-it-yourselfers choose an ATX board for their project. This form factor is, by far, the most popular and will give you the most options when choosing the rest of your components.

I generally recommend that you stick with a well recognized manufacturer when choosing a motherboard--this is one component that you shouldn't scrimp on. Now, I'm not saying that you should go out and spend $500 on a top of the line board, there are plenty of boards out there from mainstream manufacturers at very decent prices--just be careful that you don't sacrifice quality to save an extra 50 bucks.

Your CPU (Processor)

Have you decided on the type of CPU you'll be installing in your new computer? I highly recommend that you select your processor/CPU before selecting your motherboard. If you haven't yet selected your CPU, then visit here first!.

The Chipset and other Integrated Components

When you choose your mainboard, you're also choosing a particular chipset that goes along with it. Your chipset will determine what components will be included along with your motherboard. If you're a light-duty computer user (no high performance games,etc), the a chipset providing onbaord sound, video, ethernet, etc would probably suit your needs. If you're building a serious gaming system, then most onbaord graphics controllers aren't going to meet your expectations. You'll need to step up to a higher performance video card. Your mainboard's onboard components will generally save you money and expansion slot space. For the vast majority of computer users, the onboard audio on most boards is more than adequate. Check to ensure there is an adequate number of USB ports available. Look for at least two-four ports on the rear connector panel and onboard connectors for front-panel USB connections. Look for at least one PCI Express (PCI-E) slot for a video card. If you're purchasing a new hard drive for your computer, go with SATA and ensure that the mainboard supports it.

Your next step: Choosing a Computer Case