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Choosing the right PC components can be very important for memory overclocking. There's something more important than just customizing a memory kit to the motherboard, and that's choosing the right level of motherboard, processor, power supply, case, and cooler that will affect stability and maximum achievable speed.
In a previous article, we discussed using the combined Configuration Tool from Kingston and a motherboard's qualified part list (QVL) to select a compatible memory kit that can be overclocked. In this article, we take a closer look at the other components that make up a PC and provide advice on selecting the components that will contribute to overclocking potency and stability.
First, it will assume that you are starting a new PC build and not performing a PC upgrade, although various aspects of this article will also apply to PC upgrades.
Every new PC build generally starts with a budget. Planning how much you want to spend will help you decide between using more basic specs or choosing higher-level specs, as well as components for which you'll be given a bigger budget. Assembling a good system is quite possible without spending a lot of money. Nearly all component suppliers feature the right product portfolio for the needs of the budget-conscious computer builder.
Motherboards
Motherboards can be a confusing starting point because there are so many choices on the market. One way to reduce the choice is to determine which processor to use from the two main brands of this processor: Intel or AMD. Both brands offer models that range from low to high level. High-end models usually feature more processor cores and higher speeds, as well as the ability to overclock memory.
Lower-tier models may be better for power saving and perform well enough for most applications, but sometimes limit or block memory overclocking. One important consideration is whether to buy a processor with built-in graphics support, or go with a graphics card. If you decide to build a system without using a graphics card and want to take advantage of the processor's integrated graphics capabilities, you should review processor models that offer this feature.
Every year, Intel and AMD introduce a new generation of processors and chipsets. Chipset refers to the main components and interconnects that manage the flow of data across the motherboard. Processors and chipsets are closely related, although there are also older motherboards that can use newer generations of processors with updated firmware (BIOS).
An example of a chipset and processor combination is the Intel 700 series which is related to the 13th Gen Intel Core processor family. Intel's 700 series consists of the Z790, H770, and B760 chipsets. AMD's 600 series chipsets are the X670E, X670, and B650, and are related to the Ryzen 7000 series processors. There are also high-tier platforms that offer more memory channels and higher processor core counts, such as Intel's X299 and AMD TRX40.
In addition to increased processor capabilities and support for faster memory technologies, each chipset generation adds new technologies and improvements over the previous generation. The new technologies and improvements include updates to the USB interface, ethernet speed, storage interconnect, and the PCIe generation.
Motherboards are available in three main sizes: ATX, microATX (mATX), and mini-ITX. ATX is the most common sized motherboard for desktop PCs and provides the most features, such as a large number of M.2 and PCIe slots, and multi-channel memory sockets. Most PC cases are made to fit this motherboard. MicroATX boards are shorter than ATX motherboards, resulting in a decrease in the number of PCIe and M.2 slots.
MicroATX boards are also usually cheaper than ATX boards for this reason. Mini-ITX motherboards are becoming increasingly popular as PC enthusiasts start building small form factor PCs. These boards can be more expensive than regular ATX boards as manufacturers try to cram the features of ATX boards into smaller spaces.
