Dual CPU motherboards are for users requiring high computing power for demanding tasks like gaming and content creation. Some systems come with dual CPU-compatible cases. With two processors, the number of cores and threads doubles, providing increased computing power and multi-tasking efficiency. The motherboards also have more memory bandwidth, RAM slots, and channels to handle more memory.
In short, dual CPU motherboards can significantly enhance performance for gamers and content creators. They are twice as powerful as single CPU motherboards. But finding a good-quality dual-CPU motherboard is a challenging task. You should know how to choose best dual CPU motherboard according to your need that comes with excellent performance, the best value for the money, and benefits. Let’s learn!
Best Dual CPU Motherboards
Although you can read this buying guide to find a suitable dual-CPU motherboard, it takes a lot of time. This is why we also have done this homework on our platform. We have chosen several such motherboards, tested them according to our criterion, and reviewed a few in this guide: best dual CPU motherboards. Suppose you don’t have much time to read this guide and choose one yourself. Skip to this list and check it to save you time.
Factors to consider
You must consider some crucial factors when selecting a motherboard from the one that are mentioned in this section of the post. Those include as follow:
Brand
Multiple motherboard brands are available, each renowned for unique characteristics. Some are known for the excellent designs of their motherboard, while some tell a whole different story; they are famous for performance and overclocking. A few well-known brands include ASUS, ASRock, MSI, and Gigabyte, with ASUS being a dominant player. The question is, what brand to choose?
Well, you must consider your usage, particular needs, and requirements when selecting a motherboard rather than simply going for a well-known brand name. While performance is undoubtedly crucial, the brand name should not be the determining factor. Instead, focus on finding a motherboard that meets your specific requirements and will provide you with the performance you need.
Memory
One aspect differentiating the typical motherboards from the dual-CPU motherboards is their capability to accommodate more RAM. Most of the good-quality dual-CPU mother circuits are usually embedded with a lot of memory and have double the amount of RAM slots, memory capacity, and storage capacity compared to regular motherboards.
Some can accommodate up to 2TB DDR4 RAM, while a few sit back at 512GB DDR4 RAM without any issue. Although even the minimum amount isn’t that much compared to the typical motherboard, you still have to know your needs and can buy a motherboard that can accommodate enough memory. Ensure to read the motherboard’s specifications.
Socket Compatibility
A dual CPU setup requires a motherboard with two sockets compatible with the CPU you want to use. If the sockets on the motherboard are not the same type as the CPU you have chosen, the setup won’t work. So, verifying the motherboard and CPU’s compatibility is essential before making a purchase.
For your information, both sockets on a dual CPU motherboard usually have the same type. Therefore, it’s important to buy two processors that also come with the same sockets according to the sockets on the motherboard. Suppose the sockets on the motherboard are different. In such a case, buy CPUs accordingly.
Size
Only a handful of dual-CPU motherboards come with the standard ATX form factor. Most of them have the extended-ATX form factors. This is because they have to accommodate more memory to support the dual-CPU setup, so they have a bigger size than the usual motherboards. This fact is totally understandable.
But you have to do one thing: measure the PC case and estimate whether it allows an extended-ATX motherboard to sit into it. You can also read the documentation of the PC case or check its specifications on the internet to check the space for the motherboard. In short, buying a motherboard is essential, according to the PC case.
Chipset
When buying a dual CPU motherboard, you must pay close attention to your chosen motherboard’s chipset. The chipset affects a range of factors, including the features and compatibility of the motherboard. If you select an incorrect chipset, the motherboard may not work properly with your specific CPU, leading to potential compatibility issues. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the required chipset for the CPU before making a purchase.
For this, all you have to do is to check the chipsets on the motherboard. Once done, open the specifications table of the processors you have. Check the chipset support section and ensure whether the processors support that particular chipset or not. If yes, you’re good to go for the motherboard. On the other hand, you have to check the next motherboard and repeat the same process until you find a compatible motherboard with a compatible chipset.
Multi-GPU Support
Checking GPU support in a dual CPU motherboard is vital because the GPU is a crucial component for graphics and video processing, and having a compatible GPU is necessary for optimal performance. A dual CPU motherboard with inadequate GPU support may limit the types and capabilities of GPUs that can be used, which can impact the overall performance and functionality of the system.
It is vital to verify compatibility to ensure that the GPU will work seamlessly with the motherboard, enabling high-quality graphics, video playback, and other GPU-intensive tasks. For this, you can check the PCIe slots available on the motherboard that can be used to connect the graphics card. You can also use the multi-GPU support if there are multiple PCIe x16 or other slots for the graphics cards.
Connectivity
Although dual-CPU motherboards are known for having a large number of ports to accommodate a wide range of devices and peripherals, it’s still crucial to check the connectivity options when buying one. In most cases, these motherboards come equipped with double the standard number of SATA and USB ports, making it easier for you to connect multiple storage devices and peripherals to your system.
In addition to SATA and USB ports, it is important to check the presence of other essential ports such as LAN, M.2, HDMI, and others. These ports are critical for connecting your system to the internet, connecting solid-state drives for fast storage, and displaying high-definition video. By carefully checking these ports, you can ensure that you have a motherboard that meets your specific needs and requirements.
Also, ensure that the motherboard you’re buying has wireless connectivity options like WiFi and Bluetooth if you need these features. Although you can use an external WiFi module to connect using the Key-E slot, it’s recommended to have a motherboard with onboard support; ensure to have the required Key-E slot if you want to connect an external WiFi module. In short, look for necessary connectivity options.
