Computer Motherboard
This is one of the most important parts of your new computer. All of the computer components that you will be buying are connected to the motherboard, and have to be compatible with it, so it can get a bit tricky and one can easily make a mistake when buying a motherboard.
Therefore, when buying a motherboard, it is very important for you to be careful that your motherboard is compatible with the rest of the computer parts that you will connecting to it.
For example, Intel and AMD processors do NOT use same mother boards. Make sure that your motherboard can support your hardware and also, to be upgradeable for the future.
For example, right now you want a motherboard that can support 4GB of RAM, and that has at least 3 slots for RAM modules, support CPU speed that is higher than your current CPU speed, so you can upgrade it, have intergraded LAN and sound (unless you plan on buying these parts as separate) - external sound card vs integraded one is more explained here.
It should definitely have a PCI express slot, for the graphic card. This is important in case that you plan on playing games on your computer, and hence you will need this slot in your motherboard, to be compatible with your new PCI express graphic card. PCI express slot is used by all new graphic cards, so do not make a mistake of buying an AGP graphic card and a motherboard without PCI express slot.
As a reference, at any given time, a mother board in the $80 price range should have all appropriate features, and is good enough for most users.
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