Gamers Overlook Key Motherboard Features in PC Builds
The motherboard often presents a complex challenge for gamers looking to build or upgrade their PCs. Unlike other components such as the CPU, GPU, or SSD, which have clear specifications and fewer variables, selecting the right motherboard involves navigating a myriad of features and claims. Despite the multitude of options available, many of these features hold little significance for the average gamer.
Understanding the Essentials
As new chipsets are released, the bar for what constitutes a decent motherboard continues to rise. Consumers now have access to features previously considered premium, such as onboard Wi-Fi, M.2 heatsinks, PCIe 5.0 support, and USB-C ports, even on budget motherboards. Nevertheless, certain features, like 5Gb or 10Gb Ethernet ports, remain relatively uncommon and unnecessary for most gamers.
The average global internet speeds do not even saturate a 1GbE Ethernet connection, let alone the higher specifications. For gaming, a wired connection is often sufficient, making the demand for multi-gig Ethernet ports largely irrelevant. Only home lab users and those with Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices truly benefit from such high-bandwidth options.
Features That Matter
Another feature that gamers frequently overlook is the dual BIOS. Although having a backup BIOS can be useful, the increasingly common BIOS flashback functionality provides a reliable solution to recover a bricked motherboard. Most gamers do not prioritize this feature, as even budget motherboards typically offer BIOS flashback capabilities.
Storage options also reveal a trend among gamers. For most gaming setups, a 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSD is the sweet spot. The typical configuration is either a single 2TB drive or two 1TB drives, making triple or quad M.2 slots unnecessary for most users. While some may argue for the inclusion of additional M.2 slots, they are rarely utilized in gaming builds.
When it comes to DDR5 RAM, the focus often shifts towards speed. While motherboards must support higher frequencies, the reality is that speeds beyond 6,000MT/s do not confer significant advantages in gaming. Most gamers do not seek out motherboards that boast compatibility with DDR5-8000 or DDR5-7200 kits, as the performance gains are marginal compared to what 6,000MT/s RAM provides.
The design of voltage regulator modules (VRMs) also garners attention, yet it remains a niche concern. Elaborate VRM designs with numerous phases and oversized heatsinks cater mainly to overclockers and enthusiasts. Most budget motherboards, equipped with robust VRM solutions, handle typical gaming and overclocking scenarios without issue. Consequently, gamers prioritize features such as a solid I/O stack and adequate expansion slots over high-end VRM designs.
Ultimately, the modern motherboard landscape offers a wealth of features that may seem enticing but are often irrelevant to the average gamer. As long as users avoid the lowest-end models, most motherboards priced around $130 to $150 and above provide sufficient performance for gaming needs. Gamers can confidently ignore the so-called “must-have” features that cater primarily to a small segment of enthusiast users. Instead, focusing on essential functionalities like I/O capabilities, expansion slots, and adequate cooling will lead to a satisfying gaming experience.
