Sector guide: Motherboards and processors

No computer would work without a motherboard or a processor. Between them they perform the most basic – and vital – functions as well as handling the processing and coordination for more advanced tasks.

The processor is responsible for every data process within a PC, and as a result is often hailed as the most important part of a machine. Despite this, the motherboard is no less vital – it links every component, providing the bridge between memory, processing and storage. As a result, even if a PC has the best processor, the best RAM and the best hard drive, a slow motherboard will negate every advantage that high-end components can bring.

As well as offering all these advantages, the recent release of Intel’s Sandy Bridge chips has also pushed the processor and motherboard to even greater prominence. As these devices feature integrated graphics, the possibilities for smaller form factor PCs are opened up and makes the possibility of a true gaming laptop much more likely.

Meanwhile, AMD has also been working in the field of integrated graphics with its family of Fusion accelerated processing units.

To see the two most prominent chip manufacturers pioneering new areas of computing is extremely exciting, raising the possibility of some truly revolutionary innovations ahead.

GIGABYTE H61M-USB3-B3
SRP: £59.99
Distributor: EntaTech

Specs: Intel H61 Express Chipset, LGA 1155 socket, supports Core i3/i5/i7, up to 16GB of DDR3 system memory, 4 x SATA 3Gbps connectors, 8 x USB 2.0 ports.

GIGABYTE GA-H67A-UD3H
SRP: £130
Distributor: EntaTech

Specs: Intel H67 chipset, socket 1155, RAID support, SATA support, five USB 2.0 ports, up to 16GB dual channel DDR3 RAM.

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD4
SRP: £165
Distributor: EntaTech

Specs: Micro ATX form factor, Intel P67 chipset, Socket 1155, 8 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.0, RAID support, SATA support, ATI CrossFireX, up to 16GB dual channel DDR3.

INTEL CORE I7
SRP: £245.23
Distributor: EntaTech

They say: Hardcore multitaskers rejoice. The Intel Core i7 processor delivers maximum processing power in response to peak demands. You’ll fly through everything you do on your PC.

Specs: Sandy Bridge, eight core, 32nm, LGA 1155 socket, 3.4GHz L1 cache, 4 x 246 KB L2 cache, 8192 KB L3 cache, integrated Intel HD 850MHz graphics.

FOXCONN H67S MINI-ITX
SRP: £57
Distributor: EntaTech

Specs: Socket 1155 (Sandy Bridge), supports Intel 32nm Hi-K CPU, Dual channel DDR3 1333/1066 x 2 DIMMs (Max. 8GB), one PCIe2.0 x16, one SATA II , two SATA III , one eSATA II, 7.1 channel HDA, Gigabit LAN, ten USB 2.0 ports.

INTEL CORE I3
SRP: £95.30
Distributor: EntaTech

They say: The Intel Core i3 processor provides the basis for an affordable business PC. This dualcore processor with 4-way multitasking capability has built-in performance head- room for software upgrades, providing an excellent return on investment.

Specs: Dual core, Intel hyperthreading technology, LGA 1155 socket, integrated Intel HD graphics, 1333MHz dual channel DDR3 memory.

INTEL CORE I5
SRP: £167.98
Distributor: EntaTech

They say: With intelligent performance that accelerates in response to demanding tasks, such as playing games and editing photos, the Intel Core i5 processor moves faster when you do.

Specs: Sandy Bridge, four core, 3.3GHz L1 cache, 4 x 256KB L2 cache, 6144KB L3 cache, LGA1155 socket, 64-bit architecture, 850MHz integrated Intel HD graphics.

FOXCONN P67A-S
SRP: £85
Distributor: EntaTech

Specs: Supports Intel Sandy Bridge processors, LGA1155 socket, supports Intel 32nm Hi-K CPU, dual channel DDR3 1800(oc)/1600(oc)/1333 GHz x 4 DIMMs (max. 16GB), two PCIe2.0 x16, three PCIe x1, two PCI, four SATA II , two SATA III, two eSATA, 7.1 channel HAD, Gigabit LAN, 12 USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports.

FOXCONN H67M-S MICRO ATX
SRP: £69
Distributor: EntaTech

Specs: Supports Intel Sandy Bridge processors, LGA1155 socket, Supports Intel 32nm Hi-K CPU, dual channel DDR3 1333/1066 x 4 DIMMs (max. 16GB), one PCIe2.0 x16, one PCIe x1 , two PCI, four SATA II, two SATA III, 7.1 channel HAD, Gigabit LAN, 12 USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports.

ZOTAC H67 ITX WIFI
SRP: £119
Distributor: Realtime

Specs: Intel H67 Express, LGA 1155 socket, Mini ITX form factor, integrated Intel HD graphics, 4 x SATA 3Gbps connectors, 2 x SATA 6Gbps, 2 x DIMM slots, 4 x USB 3.0 ports, 8 x USB 2.0 ports.

ASUS P8P67-M
SRP: £112.82
Distributor: VIP Computers

Specs: Intel P67 chipset, micro ATX form factor, LGA 1155 socket, supports Intel Core i3/i5/i7, up to 32GB DDR3 system memory, 4 x 240-pin RAM slots, 4 x SATA 3Gbps connectors, 2 x SATA 6Gbps connectors, RAID support, quad CrossFireX support.

SAPPHIRE PUREFUSION MINI E350
SRP: £114.99
Distributor: Realtime

Specs: Mini ITX form factor, AMD dual-core processor with Radeon HD 6310 graphics, Hudson M1 chipset, 1 x PCIe slot, 1 x Mini PCIe slot, 5 x SATA III 6Gbps connectors, 4 x USB 2.0 ports, 2 x USB 3.0 slots.

ASUS E35M1-I
SRP: £102.85
Distributor: VIP Computers

Specs: AMD Hudson M1 chipset, integrated AMD Zacate E350 dual core processor, 2 x DIMM, supports up to 8GB system memory, integrated AMD Radeon HD 6310, 5 x SATA 6Gbps connectors, 1 x external SATA 6Gbps connector, 4 x USB 3.0 ports, 8 x USB 2.0 ports.

ASUS P8H61-M
SRP: £61.81
Distributor: VIP Computers

Specs: Intel H61(B3) Express chipset, Intel 1155 socket, supports 32nm Intel Core i3/i5/i7, 2 x DIMM, supports up to 16GB system memory, dual display support, 4 x SATA 6Gbps connectors.

AMD PHENOM II X6 1100 BLACK EDITION
SRP: £159
Distributor: VIP Computers

They say: AMD Phenom II is for high definition entertainment, gaming, creativity, and beyond. With AMD Phenom II processors as the foundation, you’ll enjoy a level of responsiveness and visual intensity. AMD puts high definition computing within everyone’s reach.

Specs: Advanced Bit Manipulation, AMD64 technology, AMD-V (virtualization) technology, Enhanced Virus Protection, Turbo Core technology, Cool n Quiet 3.0, includes heatsink and fan.

AMD PHENOM II X6 1055T
SRP: £129
Distributor: VIP Computers

They say: Unbeatable multi-core value with AMD Phenom II processors. They deliver the ultimate visual experience for high definition entertainment, advanced multitasking performance, and power-saving innovations for smaller, cooler machines that are energy efficient.

Specs: Six cores, AM3 socket, integrated DDR3 Memory Controller, HyperTransport 3.x technology, Advanced Bit Manipulation, AMD64 technology, AMD-V (virtualization) technology, Enhanced Virus Protection, Turbo Core technology.

ASUS CROSSHAIR IV FORMULA
SRP: £131.25
Distributor: VIP Computers

Specs: AMD 890FX chipset, AMD AM3 socket, 4 x DIMM, supports up to 16GB system memory, ATI CrossFireX support, 6 x SATA 6Gbps connectors, 1 x SATA 3Gbps connector, RAID support.

Contacts:

EntaTech: 0333 101 1000
Realtime Distribution: 01480 435 881
VIP Computers: 0871 622 7500