A laptop motherboard is a printed circuit board (PCB) that houses important components of a laptop. It contains the hard disk, CPU, RAM, GPU, and various parts that interface with them. The physical layout of the motherboard has changed where more features and connectivity options are added, but the basic concept remains the same.
How to Choose a Laptop Motherboard?
A motherboard is a central board present on any laptop. The right motherboard can improve your laptop’s performance and efficiency. We have listed a few factors to consider before choosing the right laptop motherboard.
Platform
It’s important to choose the motherboard that includes the right socket and chipset as per your selected CPU. AMD and Intel are two popular names in the market for the best CPU manufacturers. When you are looking to buy a motherboard, go with the one that supports the CPU processor.
Form Factor
Form factor indicates the size and capacity of the motherboard to hold various components. A larger motherboard will fit more components, but it is of no use if it doesn’t fit in your laptop case. The form factor you need to find should fit your laptop’s size and space.
Expansion Slots
The expansion slots refer to slots that allow you to expand the hardware capabilities of your motherboard. The motherboard hosts various of parts, and they are connected to the motherboard via PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slots.
PCIe slots come in four sizes; x1, x4, x8, and x16. The commonly used PCIe standards with AMD- and Intel-compatible boards are PCIe 3.0 and PCIe 4.0. Some motherboards feature extra expansion slots to help you with your future needs. Consider buying such models, but do look for the right size that suits your upgradable hardware.
Reviews of MSI MPG Z390 show that this motherboard comes with 6 USB slots and 2 DDR4 HDMI ports.
RAM
A RAM is a crucial component of any laptop motherboard. It helps you multitask and run a variety of programs at the same time. The right RAM capacity depends on your CPU needs. Go with 4GB or 8GB RAM if you are a light user with low multitasking needs. You should go with a RAM capacity of 16GB or more if you perform graphics-oriented tasks or if you are a gamer.
The gaming laptops require more RAM storage. Read our blog to understand how much RAM you need for gaming.
Storage
High storage means large space for your heavy files, programs, games, and other data. A laptop motherboard can come with SSD storage or HDD storage. An SSD is a solid-state drive and is faster than HDD (hard disk drive). You can go with any mode as per your budget and requirement. Make sure you choose the right storage capacity.
GPU
GPU is a graphic processing unit of the laptop motherboard. It fits in PCIe slots of 3.0 and of size x16. Choosing a motherboard that fits your GPU is important. Identify what specs your GPU requires and match them with your selected motherboard model. It is best to use two GPUs when there are two PCIe slots.
The Intel Core i5-9600KF Desktop Processor has 6 cores and 6 threads with a junction temperature of 100°C. It has got excellent reviews for its max turbo frequency of up to 4.60 GHz.
Connectivity
A laptop motherboard like ASUS ROG Strix B450-F has different connectivity slots, including PCIe, DIMM, HDMI, and USB. Some slots are for internal connections, while others are for establishing external connections. The external slots are present on the I/O panel. Buy a motherboard that has enough connectivity options. The right number of connectivity slots will depend on your connection requirements.
Deciding between Touch Screen Laptops vs Non-Touch Laptops can be tough. Read our blog to get more clarity.
Is it Worth to Replace a Laptop Motherboard?
Buying a new laptop can cost you a significant amount. Upgrading your laptop motherboard is undoubtedly a worthy decision. It also depends on your requirements too. If you want an upgraded graphic performance, higher processing speed, and updated hardware, replacing a laptop motherboard is a great option.
What is The Cost of a Laptop Motherboard?
The laptop motherboard can cost anywhere between $30 to $200 and more. The high-end models will cost around $100 and more.
You can buy the Intel Core i3-10100 Desktop Processor for just $108.99. It is compatible with Intel 400 series chipset-based motherboards. It has got good reviews for its CPU speed of 3.6 GHz.
Conclusion
The motherboard is the most important component of your laptop. It consists of parts that play a major role in keeping your laptop’s performance high. You should choose a motherboard with advanced specs if you are buying the best gaming laptops. Check our blog to find the best 4K gaming laptop in 2025.
BestSellers rates and recommends hundreds of best motherboards based on performance, ease of installation, and build quality.
