We must bear in mind that we currently have different types of motherboards. Classified according to the type of box on which it will be mounted. However, there is another categorization within each generation of processors and that is the fact that we have different chipsets within each generation and for each processor. Now we have to start from the fact that the function of the chipset today is no longer what it was in everyday life.
Why is there saturation of motherboard models?
Originally, the chipset consisted of two chips: Northbridge and Southbridge. The first of these was the memory controller and controlled access to RAM by processors and the rest of PC components. Today, this component is integrated into the CPU or processor. The second is still there and is the current chipset and is a hub for all interfaces or I/O ports for external devices and that’s what remains.
Well, if we look at the schematic of any motherboard, we will see that the chipset is connected via a PCI Express interface to the AMD or Intel processor. However, this observation brings us to a conclusion about the saturation of motherboard models because we can move such functionality to an external expansion card with the ports we need.
That is, more and more components have been integrated into the processor, the motherboard has been simplified and is no longer as complex as it was originally. Which makes the saturation of the models ultimately absurd.
Wouldn’t a single model of motherboard be preferable?
Instead of having different chipsets in each generation, it would be better to have a universal one, add an extra PCI Express x4 socket and sell adapter cards with as many different ports as the user needs. Today, inside the CPU, we not only have the memory controller, but also PCI Express interfaces for the graphics card, the SSD storage unit and even USB ports. In other words, it would be possible to build a desktop PC with the basics without the chipset.
Of course, the additional ports of the chipset are necessary in several cases, but all this creates saturation of the motherboards on the market. Of course, this differentiation allows them to mark the prices of these additional capacities and to extend the services in the highest ranges. However, the reality is that many users end up opting for mid-range chipsets because they are good enough for their needs.
In any case, all our opinion is based on our knowledge and on the fact that today the vast majority of users do not exploit a good part of the capacities of the motherboard. In other words, it would be better to only pay for abilities that we know we will use or that will not be useful in the future.
