When building a computer for the first time, this question could pop up in your mind?
Whether a CPU comes bundled with the motherboard?
And if not, how the pair them the right way.
Well, this guide answers this exact question.
So, lets jump right in.
Do Motherboards Come With a CPU?
No, a desktop CPU does not come bundled with a motherboard.
As for laptops, the CPU and motherboard are soldered and come together as a single unit.
However, there are some exceptions to this.
Intel NUCsare prime examples of such systems.
Some Chinese manufacturers such as Beelink, Minisforum, etc.
also make compact systems withAMD can be great for gaming.
But if you want anITX motherboardwith a bundled processor, you will be disheartened.
Mostly you will find Celeron and Pentium chips used here.
ASRock makes some solutions using Pentium J5040, J3455, and J1800 processors.
These are quad-core processors based on the Jemini-Lake laptop architecture.
But it does not come cheap at close to 500 dollars.
The main use for these embedded processors is in the industrial /development space.
You will find some of these motherboards made specifically for IOT applications that are deployed remotely.
How to choose the Best CPU for you
Choosing a processor can be daunting.
You really need to choose it wisely as it is the most expensive component of your PC.
(Okay, second maybe?
So how to decide which one to go for?
First, decide what are you planning to do with your machine.
Depending on the use case you’ve got the option to decide which processor to go for.
But, you’re free to save some money by going for Intels 12-gen or AMD 5000 series.
Lets take a look at some of the best processors that you could get as per workload.
Intels 12 and 13 gen processor comes with the LGA 1700 socket.
For Ryzen 5000 series, you have the AM4 socket while Ryzen 7000 supports the AM5 chipset.
Now, which chipset do you should probably choose from?
For Intel, we have three tiers of motherboards.
The H series is for affordable PCs.
The B is for mid-range PCs that can game and edit videos too.
Finally, the Z series is the one if you wish to overclock and run bleeding-edge hardware.
On the Ryzen front, we have the A, B, and X series.
They follow a similar hierarchy to Intel.
The main difference between an entry-level, mid, and high-end motherboard isoverclocking supportandthe number of PCIe lanes.
The top tierIntel and AMD CPU supports PCIe 5.0for the fastest connection.
You also get more USB ports, faster ethernet ports, and additional RAM slots.
If running multi-GPU is your thing, you get that option here too.
This table should clarify which motherboard chipset is the best for you.
Whats Next?
Yes, those are a lot of components, and building a PC from scratch is no easy task.
Selecting the RAM is easy.
Choose either DDR4 or DDR5 and get the one with the fastest speeds supported by your motherboard.
Thedifference between DDR4 and DD5is massive, and choosing the DDR5 will give you huge advantage in work.
As for the Graphics cards, go for the Nvidia 4000 or 3000 series if you favor RTX.
Otherwise, the Radeon 7000 and 6000 have some fantastic cards which provide the best bang for your buck.
Getting a PSU is closely related to the overall power requirement of your setup.
Choose a Gold or higher-tier model that can provide more power than what your PC needs.
And to serve the great.
And as for the case, you’re free to go either for RGB or without it.
Choose a case with good airflow and one that allows you to manage the cables efficiently.
Compare the prices across different retailers for the individual components to get a good deal.
Shopping during deals provided by websites is also a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get any CPU in my motherboard?
No, you cannot add any CPU to your motherboard.
It only supports the processors that has the same socket as the motherboard.
A quick search on the motherboard manufacturers website should clear this.
Will I lose my data if I change my motherboard?
No, your data is stored in your HDD and SSDs instead of the motherboard.
The motherboard is responsible for maintaining connections across all the components instead.
Is CPU part of the motherboard?
A CPU does not come with your motherboard.
Instead, you have to buy a processor separately which is supported, and then connect it.
Final Words
A Motherboard and CPU are the core components of your box.
I hope this article made the process of selecting the processor and motherboard easier for you.
With that said, its time to say goodbye.
