What does it do?

The motherboard is responsible for connecting all other parts of the computer. It has specialized sockets to connect all the other components as well as supply power to certain ones. It is also responsible for connecting all your peripherals, and most of the sockets on the back of your PC, including USB and Ethernet ports, are directly integrated into the motherboard

What specs should you look out for?

Form Factor: The size of the motherboard. This also determines the number of interfaces that are able to fit on the board. The most common form factors on the consumer market are ATX, micro-ATX (mATX), and mini-ITX (ITX).
CPU Socket/Chipset: As stated on the CPU page, this determines what type of CPU your motherboard will be able to support. The most common socket types are AM4 for AMD CPUs and LGA 1151 for Intel.
PCI-E Slots: These slots will be used to connect devices such as graphics cards, capture cards, or WIFI cards. They will be divided into different types based on their size, most commonly including x1, x4, x8, and x16.
SATA 3 Ports: These are used to connect SATA devices such as hard drives and SSDs. Most modern motherboards have at least 4-6 of these ports.
RAM Slots: These are where your memory cards will fit onto the motherboard. Most motherboards will only support a specific version of this, with DDR4 being overwhelmingly the most common. Your motherboard also determines the clock speed of your RAM and if you can overclock it.
USB Ports: A motherboard can have several USB ports of various types on its back, as well as a few to connect internal components like the CPU cooler. The number of USB ports will usually be determined by the form factor.
Inbuilt WIFI: This shows if the motherboard has a built-in capability to connect to WIFI. Without it, you will need extra parts for internet access such as an Ethernet connection or the previously mentioned WIFI card.
M.2 Support: This shows if the motherboard will be able to connect a M.2 SSD storage device.

What does it do?

What specs should you look out for?

Form Factor: The size of the motherboard. This also determines the number of interfaces that are able to fit on the board. The most common form factors on the consumer market are ATX, micro-ATX (mATX), and mini-ITX (ITX).

CPU Socket/Chipset: As stated on the CPU page, this determines what type of CPU your motherboard will be able to support. The most common socket types are AM4 for AMD CPUs and LGA 1151 for Intel.

PCI-E Slots: These slots will be used to connect devices such as graphics cards, capture cards, or WIFI cards. They will be divided into different types based on their size, most commonly including x1, x4, x8, and x16.

SATA 3 Ports: These are used to connect SATA devices such as hard drives and SSDs. Most modern motherboards have at least 4-6 of these ports.

RAM Slots: These are where your memory cards will fit onto the motherboard. Most motherboards will only support a specific version of this, with DDR4 being overwhelmingly the most common. Your motherboard also determines the clock speed of your RAM and if you can overclock it.

USB Ports: A motherboard can have several USB ports of various types on its back, as well as a few to connect internal components like the CPU cooler. The number of USB ports will usually be determined by the form factor.

Inbuilt WIFI: This shows if the motherboard has a built-in capability to connect to WIFI. Without it, you will need extra parts for internet access such as an Ethernet connection or the previously mentioned WIFI card.

M.2 Support: This shows if the motherboard will be able to connect a M.2 SSD storage device.

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