| In the next few months, more and more buzz will be | | | | graphic processing for best effects. |
| generated for new motherboards. That's because | | | | Enthusiasts should check whether the motherboard |
| with the launch of Intel Core i7 processors, only new | | | | has SLI (Scalable Link Interface) support. SLI is a |
| motherboards with the X58 chipset can be used. In | | | | technology developed by nVidia, and it's used for |
| other words, if an enthusiast wants to upgrade a | | | | multi-GPU processing. Not all motherboards support |
| CPU, the motherboard has to be upgraded as well. | | | | this feature because manufacturers are required to |
| A lot of information has been released by technology | | | | pay a royalty to nVidia if they want to offer support |
| news websites on various motherboards such as the | | | | for SLI. |
| ASUS P6T Deluxe OC Palm, Intel DX58SO, MSI | | | | Since SLI is meant for intensive graphics processing, |
| Eclipse and EVGA's X58 SLI motherboard. In order | | | | only those who need it for business applications or |
| not to be overwhelmed by the plethora of articles on | | | | gaming need to consider having this feature. |
| these motherboards, it may be a good idea to be | | | | Crucial element 3: Memory. |
| clear headed and focus our attention on the crucial | | | | The memory on a system affects the overall speed |
| elements. | | | | of the computer. With powerful processors, |
| Crucial element 1: Speed | | | | enthusiasts have to make sure that there won't be a |
| The overall speed of the computer system depends | | | | bottleneck when it comes to memory. Having |
| on the multiplier values of the system. For example, | | | | insufficient memory could mean that the system will |
| you can achieve higher performance if you tweak | | | | run at substandard performance. |
| the multiplier values of the CPU or the memory. | | | | Motherboards with the X58 chipset offer support for |
| Overclocking enthusiasts will be most interested to | | | | triple channel DDR3 memory kits. Various memory |
| know if the system can run reliability at the | | | | manufacturers from Taiwan and China have already |
| overclocked values. | | | | released memory kits that are timed perfectly for |
| In this area, the ASUS P6T motherboard offers an | | | | the Core i7 processors. |
| extra in the 2.5" LCD displays that presents system | | | | Enthusiasts should pay attention to the number of |
| configuration information, overclocking data, etc. This | | | | slots available. For instance, the ASUS P6T |
| is useful for overclockers who want to tweak and | | | | motherboard has 6 memory slots, allowing a max |
| monitor the system while it runs. | | | | memory of 12 GB. Other motherboard options may |
| Crucial element 2: Graphics | | | | have only 3. |
| The graphics of a computer system is another major | | | | As far as the motherboard is concerned, there are |
| component to take into consideration. Many software | | | | various editions available. Of course, one can expect |
| applications require a lot of graphics processing power | | | | the high-end editions to be much more costly. |
| to run smoothly. This includes professional software, | | | | However, enthusiasts can still enjoy the increased |
| such as video and audio editing software that | | | | performance at an affordable price if options are |
| performs a lot of zooming, panning, modeling of 3D | | | | selected wisely. |
| objects, etc. Many 3D games also require powerful | | | | |