May 09, 2001 02:58 PM
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Warning: Please keep in mind that this review may sound slightly technical as it is intended for user who like to play with their pc.
This is my second review on Assembled versus Branded Computers. Here I would like to draw your attention on “the mother of all issues” – the motherboard. The motherboard is the foundation of a pc. All other peripheral depends on it, Branded or assembled, how many of us do actually know what kind of motherboard is inside our pc? Big question huh! We get to hear P-III, Intel, Celeron, 500 mhz, 700 mhz and now P-4, 1 G mhz. What is it all about?
In fact in a branded computer we have less or no option to have a motherboard of our own choice. So, considering you are going to buy an assembled pc, what are your options? It depends on what type of user you are and what is your budget. It also applies if you are planning to upgrade your pc. Many a time we keep increasing the RAM(refer to my earlier review on same issue) of our pc from 32 -> 64 -> 128 with no significant change in the speed of the machine.
Now lets dissect a motherboard into its different sub systems.
Processor sub system: This is where your processor sits. By processor I mean Intel P-III, P-4, Celeron, AMD etc. It also determines the compatibility of the processor with the motherboard, thus optimizing it for best performance.
Memory sub system: This is the most important sub system because it determines the entire data highway in your pc. In other words, this is where our RAM sits.
Disk sub system: This sub system is important only if you are a high end user, using applications like video editing, 3D animation for broadcast etc. where you need to use a high amount of bandwidth for the data transfer.
Graphics sub system: Many of you must have heard of AGP. AGP is nothing but the graphic display card, which plays a very important role in the life of a gamer or graphic artist. This sub system communicates with your AGP and keeps it well fed with data and power.
These are the major sub systems a motherboard is made of. I will write about the other parts like slots, ports…. etc in the next review. Do post your comments on this review.
Note: I have taken reference from CHIP magazine for this review.
