What is the main feature of gaming motherboard (or basic motherboard)

VRM IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR MOTHERBOARD

VRM stands for voltage regulator module. Some modern CPUs and GPUs(aka graphics cards) use VRMs to control and lower the voltage (V) sent to these components in order to avoid exceeding their maximum voltage capabilities. VRMs are especially important for overclocking a CPU or GPU. In theory, VRMs should mean the power supplied to the component is consistent and steady. VRMs are buck connectors, meaning they are DC-to-DC power converters.

A poor VRM can lead to degraded performance and limit a processor’s ability to function under load. It can even lead to unexpected shutdowns, especially when overclocking. In fact, before the exact software cause was known, insufficient VRM design was implicated in Apple’s recent throttling problems with i9 MacBook Pros.

VRM COMPONENTS

The VRM uses three components to do its job:

MOSFETs - (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor)
Inductors (also called chokes)
Capacitors

VRM Phase Numbering and Truth in Advertising

VRMs are typically sold as something like “8+3” or “6+2.” The number before the plus indicates the number of phases dedicated to cleaning power for the CPU. The number after the plus indicates the VRM phases left to power other motherboard components like RAM.

When the first number is greater than 8, such as “12+1,” “18+1,” or even higher, the manufacturer often makes use of a device called a doubler. A doubler allows them to multiply the benefit of the existing phases without building additional phases into the board. While this isn’t quite as effective as wholly separated phases, it does allow for some electrical improvements at less cost. And since it allows manufacturers to raise a buyer-facing number at small expense to themselves, they often take advantage.

If you think of your CPU as the brains of your computer that's responsible for all the real-time calculations needed to run applications and games, the motherboard is the heart and central nervous system of your PC. Your motherboard (sometimes also called a mainboard) is where all the other parts of your computer connects to and interconnects/communicates with one another.

Let's quickly look at the main locations on a motherboard to be familiar with. Motherboards are most definitely too cool for biology school, but here's the "anatomy" of a motherboard if you will:

A. CPU Socket Where you install the CPU. Different CPUs require different sockets, so you must choose the right motherboard for your particular CPU (we'll get to that).

B. PCIe Expansion Slot Where you install a graphics card. Like any modern motherboard, this board has multiple PCIe slots for connecting other cards like a second graphics card, network adapter, sound card, etc.

C. M.2 Slot Where you install a M.2 SSD. You can't actually see the slot as it's hidden underneath the cover, which is used to protect the drive and help keep it cool. This board has multiple M.2 slots, and if you're installing just the 1 M.2 drive then you should use use the top slot.

D. Fan Headers These are connectors where you plug in your computer case's fans. Like most motherboards, there are other fan headers located around the board (for your CPU fan/s, but also for other case fans).

E. Front Panel Headers These connectors are to plug in your case's front panel features such as the power-on button, reset switch, audio jack, and USB ports. F. SATA Ports This is where you plug in SATA SSDs or HDDs (2.5 inch or 3.5 inch drives) if you are using any for your build.

G. RAM Slots Technically called DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Module) slots, this is where you install RAM modules. Most motherboards will have either 2 or 4 slots, with the latter being ideal in order to keep 2 slots free to accommodate a future RAM upgrade (if buying 2 modules like most people do, though buying 4 from the get-go for extreme builds is just fine).

H. Power Connectors These two connectors are used when connecting your power supply cables, and are needed to power the CPU (top socket in the image above) and the motherboard itself (right socket).

I. WiFi Antenna Connectors If your motherboard has onboard/built-in WiFi (not all models do as explained in the FAQ at the end of this guide), this is where you attach the antenna/s that should come shipped in the motherboard box.

If you're building your first PC and perhaps a little overwhelmed by the references above to various stages of the installation process, don't worry as when you follow a complete step by step tutorial on building a PC, you'll be gradually taken through each step one at a time in the correct order (so that you won't get lost). Anyway, let's get back to choosing the right motherboard for your PC.