These are what slot into your motherboards CPU socket, so youll need to buy one that fits correctly.
AMDs Ryzen chips consistent use the AM4 socket.
The next thing is deciding which chipset to go for.
This is the circuitry inside the motherboard itself.
Intel in particular like to make things complicated, always launching new chipset series alongside new CPU generations.
This means you could install more PCIe devices (like NVMe SSDs) than the other, cheaper chipsets.
An Intel LGA 1200 socket. Upwards-facing pins make contact with tiny plates on the CPU.
Higher-end motherboards also have a wider range of USB ports and better RAID support for multiple storage drives.
In the meantime, you could find some quality 4.0 picks on ourbest SSDs for gaminglist.
Heres how the Red Team options currently stack up on cost:
Anything else I should know?
An Intel LGA 1200 socket. Upwards-facing pins make contact with tiny plates on the CPU.
From there, its pretty much up to you what kind of extra features you go for.
It probably goes without saying that you should also pick a motherboard that actually fits inside your intended case.
Need help installing your motherboard or CPU in your PC?
An AMD AM4 socket. Note the many holes, into which the CPU’s pins will slot.
Read our step-by-stepHow to install a motherboardandhow to install a CPUguides for the full deets.
Some chipsets will dictate the size of the motherboard in addition to features. A mini-ITX motherboard (left) is much smaller than an ATX motherboard (right), so make sure you get the right one for your case.
