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How To Check Motherboard And CPU Compatibility?

Check Motherboard and CPU Compatibility

A motherboard and a central processing unit (CPU) are integral elements of any working computer, without which running a PC is impossible. Before we get to their mutual compatibility, however, here is a short introduction to understand them for what they are.

A motherboard is the main circuit board of a PC and holds/allows communication between the rest of the crucial electronic components of the system via itself.

It can even provide connections to other peripherals and, in the analogy, is the string that keeps all the parts of the system tied to each other.

A CPU barely needs an introduction; it is also called a processor or ‘The main processor,’ and it is a chip that interprets commands, executes instructions, and is responsible for almost everything else.

By these words, it is apparent how central a role both these parts play in a system. Both of them are crucial and indispensable, and in light of all such facts, they must be compatible for proper function.

How To Check Motherboard And CPU Compatibility

In this world, there is not enough chance that when you randomly pick up a motherboard and a CPU, both of them will fit perfectly together.

CPUs have different sockets pertaining to their manufacturer, the same way motherboards have different chipsets depending on their brand. There are three things that ensure compatibility between the two:

  • The CPU socket.
  • The motherboard’s chipset.
  • BIOS.

CPU Socket Compatibility

The CPU socket of the motherboard is a connector designed specifically for the CPU to plug into. There is a variety of CPU sockets, each with its own unique physical dimensions and separate pin layouts.

Such a variety in the components facilitates CPU connectivity with the motherboard, and each brand has its own signature dimensions, which makes pairing a motherboard and a CPU from two separate brands almost impossible.

a close look a the rog z590 e motherboard

There is not much we can do about this incompatibility; not only does a motherboard need to be made to handle a specific CPU, but it must also have the correct socket for that particular CPU.

How Can I Find Out Which CPU Socket My Motherboard Has?

There are several ways around this problem, knowing the model of your motherboard and the name of the manufacturing company will enable you to solve this problem very easily.

If you bought the motherboard online, then you can extract this information from the delivery email and simply google it to find your answer.

However, if this option isn’t viable for you, you can acquire the model and manufacturer name another way.

  • Go to start and type system information. Open it.
  • You can look for either ‘Motherboard manufacturer’ or ‘Baseboard manufacturer.’
  • Click on it and note what you see.
Check your system information

Now that you have the necessary information regarding the model and manufacturing company, you can google it and find out what type of socket your motherboard has and if it is compatible with your CPU.

Motherboard Chipset Compatibility

The motherboard chipset is the main silicon circuit of a motherboard which is highly specific in nature. It works as a relay station between the CPU and many connected storage devices or expansion peripherals.

The chipset matters, in fact, it is essential and perhaps the most important deciding factor in compatibility whenever you pair it up with a CPU.

CPU and RAM models should be kept in memory whenever you decide to upgrade or simply change your motherboard. If not, it can raise some serious issues in your system.

More relevant stuff:

How Can I Find Out Which Chipset Is On My Motherboard?

The easiest solution to this problem would be to simply refer to the user manual that you received when you bought the said motherboard. In there, you could find the chipset model and all the other related information.

But in case you have lost it and now don’t know what to do, you don’t have to worry. You simply need to find the model and manufacturer of your motherboard, Google it, and you’ll find what chipset you are using.

find your motherboard chipset
  • To find the model and manufacturer:
  • Go to start and open system information.
  • Look for a ‘Baseboard’ or ‘Motherboard’ manufacturer.
  • Click it. Note it. Google it and find the chipset.

BIOS Compatibility

BIOS, short for (Basic input/output system) is a software program on your processor, which it uses to start the system after it has been turned on. It manages the flow of data between the operating system and the connected devices.

Having BIOS compatibility means having the correct version of it installed on your system. Each CPU has a requirement for a specific BIOS, and it would only be compatible with the motherboard if it has that version.

So, BIOS compatibility automatically becomes an important factor whenever you upgrade your PC or the motherboard.

How Do I Find What BIOS Version I Have?

To know if your BIOS is outdated or not, you’ll need to know what version you currently possess. You can either use;

  1. Command prompt method.
  2. Look it up in the system information.

In the command prompt method, open the windows search key and type ‘Command prompt’ or ‘CMD’ and open it.

Then enter the command line “wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion” press enter, and your BIOS version will be displayed.

In the second version, which is a bit tedious, in my opinion, you have to open the windows system information and look for ‘SMBIOS Version.’

– My Final Verdict:

In conclusion, if you are looking to upgrade your processor or motherboard or are looking to build a brand-new PC altogether, it would be in your best interest to buy parts that are compatible with each other.

This way, you avoid creating problems for yourself, like wasting time and money or a PC that is below average in performance.

Both the motherboard and the processor are integral to a system’s performance, and so it is imperative that they be compatible and in perfect harmony with each other.

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Hamza Naeem

Hamza Naeem

Enthusiastic about gaming and PC hardware, he found his gateway to the gaming world when he was young and first experienced the open world of Grand Theft Auto. Since then, he has developed a strong love for gaming. Being inspired by it, started working as a full-time writer on NeoGamr, sharing his love for games and knowledge about gaming hardware one article at a time. My expertise is in Gaming, Application software, Video Games, Software, and Computer Hardware.

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