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Now if you happen to have a picture of a motherboard in front of you, or even if you don�t you�ll soon notice that there is a slot that doesn�t exactly fit my description of IDE or PCI slots. Don�t panic, this is what�s called the AGP slot. The AGP slot is there for one and only one purpose, to pump the most performance out of you computer, the video side that is. All of the latest and greatest video cards today operate off of the AGP slot, providing system users with the most performance and least processor use possible. However, there is an exception, video cards from the Voodoo line also operate off of the slower PCI card slot, however are just as good if not better then many other video cards out there.
Finally, another important factor to include in your motherboard choice is the type of processor configuration it supports. I will go into more detail about the different configurations but they come in the following: Slot 1, Socket 7, Socket 370, Slot A, Socket A. As a general rule if you�re buying a motherboard stick to the socket versions, they�re much more popular and recent, with the exception of the older socket 7. The most recent processors are going to be released in Socket 370 and Socket configurations.
Now that you�ve selected a motherboard, the next step is to install it. Installing the motherboard isn�t rocket science, but it can get real frustrating real quick. Now, just as a reminder I�m assuming that you�ve selected a matching motherboard and case combination. Before you remove the actual motherboard from it�s casing, read the manual of both it and the case so you know exactly what you�re doing before you tackle the project. Once you�ve thoroughly read both manuals and have the installation instructions in front of you, go ahead. Different motherboards use different instructions and they�ll have better details than I can go through.
Now that you�re read up on the installation, get a anti-static wrist strap and ground it to a metal part of the case itself as you install the motherboard, that little shock may not mean much to you but it can ruin a motherboard easily. Once you�re properly grounded (RTFM) you can take out the motherboard, and start with the instructions in front of you. Always make sure that no metal parts of the motherboard are touching metal parts of the case, and that all screws are tightened secure, but not stressful on the board. If any step you are working on requires more force then you expected, halt what you�re doing and double-check the instructions and any parts you are using.
Now that you have your motherboard all picked out and are (hopefully) completely sure that your components will work with it, it�s time to move on to the processor. Processors are measured in terms of Mhz, so the larger the number, the better.
>Reader note: Some newer systems will come with a rating of 1Ghz (gigahertz) a gigahertz is equal to 1000 MHz, so don�t pass them off as a slower measure of speed, it�s just a larger term of measure. (E.G. 1 meter * 1000 = 1km)
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