Which Hardware Defines PC the most?

[mclaren85]

In a custom built system, which part do you think defines system the most? For example If I have an Asus case, MSI gpu, Corsair PSU and a Gigabyte motherboard, which brand could be considered as the system brand?

 

[3x0]

The one which is in your heart

 

[cvaldes]

The motherboard essentially dictates all the other components that can be attached to it.

Note that people have different usage cases for PCs. Some are working on Excel worksheets, some are running database clients, others are running CAD programs. Some might be watching cat videos on YouTube. A few design games. A few more play games.

I'm typing this on a Mac mini 2018. It's a vastly different system than my daily driver Windows desktop PC, my sole Windows notebook PC, and my gaming PC. The motherboards are all different because they all have different primary usage cases.

More choices isn't automatically better. Having the right choices is more important.

Apple has relatively few choices and focuses on fewer usage cases and a small range of price points (toward the high end). They have some of the highest satisfaction ratings in the PC industry.

 

[maxfly]

CPU

 

[Nike_486DX]

The motherboard essentially dictates all the other components that can be attached to it.

Note that people have different usage cases for PCs. Some are working on Excel worksheets, some are running database clients, others are running CAD programs. Some might be watching cat videos on YouTube. A few design games. A few more play games.

I'm typing this on a Mac mini 2018. It's a vastly different system than my daily driver Windows desktop PC, my sole Windows notebook PC, and my gaming PC. The motherboards are all different because they all have different primary usage cases.

More choices isn't automatically better. Having the right choices is more important.

Apple has relatively few choices and focuses on fewer usage cases and a small range of price points (toward the high end). They have some of the highest satisfaction ratings in the PC industry.

yea but it was apple's decision to solder the ssd onto the motherboard, making repairs and data recovery a pain in the butt. And every user will face it, regardless of their use case scenarios. High ned / Enthusiast grade means maximum modularity, and cutting edge tech. And modularity is a key factor for repairability and future proofing. Itx builds can get really close to a mac mini in terms of the footprint, yet you can easily have like 3 nvmes in there, and even a full fledged 4090 if you want to. And yess, hackintosh is always an option (intel + radeon recommended tho).

 

[Bill_Bright]

This is such an old question, asked and answered dozens of times.

Clearly, it is the motherboard. It is not the CPU, GPU, case, or PSU. You can easily swap CPUs and press on like nothing changed. You can totally erase the drive - even if soldered in - and you still have the same computer. You can delete the OS and install a different OS and you still have the same computer.

In fact, most software companies, including Microsoft, say, in terms of software licensing, you can swap out any part and the license remains valid - EXCEPT the motherboard. When you swap the motherboard, that constitutes a "new computer".

 

[Frick]

yea but it was apple's decision to solder the ssd onto the motherboard, making repairs and data recovery a pain in the butt. And every user will face it, regardless of their use case scenarios. High ned / Enthusiast grade means maximum modularity, and cutting edge tech. And modularity is a key factor for repairability and future proofing. Itx builds can get really close to a mac mini in terms of the footprint, yet you can easily have like 3 nvmes in there, and even a full fledged 4090 if you want to. And yess, hackintosh is always an option (intel + radeon recommended tho).

Is Hackintosh really an alternative to running native M1 though?

In any case the question doesn't really make sense, and it never has when talking about desktops, more so for the last >=15 years or so. And the distinction is meaningless to me. It's a computer. Whatever.

 

[freeagent]

Its an interesting question once you bring the case into it. It is the most visible after all.. but it all starts with the motherboard.. or does it??

 

[cvaldes]

Its an interesting question once you bring the case into it. It is the most visible after all.. but it all starts with the motherboard.. or does it??

All PC components start their lives on a test bench. Obviously you can't stick an ATX motherboard into an SFF case but you can stick a mini-ITX system in an ATX tower case.

The build described in my System Specs could be moved to another case like my Lian Li Lancool II Mesh Performance and it would still essentially be the same system. Thermal performance and acoustics might vary a little but functionally it would be the same.

Or I could dump it all on my kitchen table and it would still run the same. In fact, that's how I start a new build with new components. Motherboard, RAM, CPU, temporary cheap/stock CPU cooler, one drive, GPU, spare PSU. Power it up, install operating system, test, shutdown, and then move components to case.

 

[oobymach]

Frankenstein is what I calls my builds, because its usually a combination of different manufacturers parts.

pc is a whole unit, it no go without any 1 part, they all must run or nothing runs.

 

[maxfly]

Haha Frankenstein, Nice! Nothin like buildin a Custom Frankie.

Being that every component is replaceable. Go with the company you favor the most. Or the box that includes a case badge

 

[dirtyferret]

In fact, most software companies, including Microsoft, say, in terms of software licensing, you can swap out any part and the license remains valid - EXCEPT the motherboard. When you swap the motherboard, that constitutes a "new computer".

I agree the motherboard is the main part for PCs but he asked "which brand could be considered as the system brand" and I personally go with the CPU (followed by GPU) because most people don't say "I'm doing a "Gigabyte, Asus, MSI build" they say "I'm going with an Intel Build or AMD build" or for gamers it's an "Intel/Nvidia, All AMD, Intel/AMD, etc., build".

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

The motherboard essentially dictates all the other components that can be attached to it.

Note that people have different usage cases for PCs. Some are working on Excel worksheets, some are running database clients, others are running CAD programs. Some might be watching cat videos on YouTube. A few design games. A few more play games.

I'm typing this on a Mac mini 2018. It's a vastly different system than my daily driver Windows desktop PC, my sole Windows notebook PC, and my gaming PC. The motherboards are all different because they all have different primary usage cases.

More choices isn't automatically better. Having the right choices is more important.

Apple has relatively few choices and focuses on fewer usage cases and a small range of price points (toward the high end). They have some of the highest satisfaction ratings in the PC industry.

I agree but think the OPs question errant, his discretion is essentially what brand fanboy am I.
Asus in my case.

For me it's always been the CPU that defined a pc as a pc because it did and still does form the lynchpin of what made a pc useful and desirable in that it allows so many applications and different interconnect scenarios.

The fact a pc connects to soo so much with the right adapter makes it, and the CPU started all that.

@dirtyferret I actually thought your post mine for a sec +1

 

[Bill_Bright]

but it all starts with the motherboard.. or does it??

Of course it does. Why? Because the motherboard determines which CPUs you can use. The motherboard determines which RAM you can use. The motherboard even determines which operating systems you can use, and which type of cases you can use for your computer.

 

[freeagent]

Of course it does. Why? Because the motherboard determines which CPUs you can use. The motherboard determines which RAM you can use. The motherboard even determines which operating systems you can use, and which type of cases you can use for your computer.

And nowadays you have different chipsets with different connectivity options to further suit your needs

 

[3x0]

Dunno about you guys, but when I put Noctua fans in my PC I call it the Noctua build.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

Of course it does. Why? Because the motherboard determines which CPUs you can use. The motherboard determines which RAM you can use. The motherboard even determines which operating systems you can use, and which type of cases you can use for your computer.

I clearly have it the other way around, I always chose what CPU and what io spec I wanted, chose a CPU then picked out a motherboard.
Obviously I think you have a sound reasonable opinion and it's definitely close but I think the CPU still starts it all and makes it all possible, yeah the motherboard does too, it's a tight call eh.

 

[mplayerMuPDF]

I clearly have it the other way around, I always chose what CPU and what io spec I wanted, chose a CPU then picked out a motherboard.
Obviously I think you have a sound reasonable opinion and it's definitely close but I think the CPU still starts it all and makes it all possible, yeah the motherboard does too, it's a tight call eh.

I think that with CPUs moving to becoming SoCs (it started with APUs), they have become more important and now it is indeed really a close call between motherboard and APU/SoC.

 

[Bill_Bright]

And nowadays you have different chipsets with different connectivity options to further suit your needs

True but again, that is all based on the motherboard. You cannot change chipsets without changing the motherboard. You might be able to say the chipset defines the PC, but since the chipset is clearly an integral part "OF" the motherboard, it is still the motherboard that rules them all.

I clearly have it the other way around, I always chose what CPU and what io spec I wanted, chose a CPU then picked out a motherboard.

That has nothing to do with what defines the computer. You can indeed, decide what CPU you want first. But then you MUST select a motherboard that supports that CPU. After that, you install the OS, setup all your security and personal apps, attach your drives and peripherals and setup your computer.

Then guess what? You can swap out your CPU and nothing else changes. So again, it is the motherboard (hence the "mother" connotation) that defines the PC.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

True but again, that is all based on the motherboard. You cannot change chipsets without changing the motherboard. You might be able to say the chipset defines the PC, but since the chipset is clearly an integral part "OF" the motherboard, it is still the motherboard that rules them all.


That has nothing to do with what defines the computer. You can indeed, decide what CPU you want first. But then you MUST select a motherboard that supports that CPU. After that, you install the OS, setup all your security and personal apps, attach your drives and peripherals and setup your computer.

Then guess what? You can swap out your CPU and nothing else changes. So again, it is the motherboard (hence the "mother" connotation) that defines the PC.

Your opinion is not changing mine, sound as patronising as you want it's not working.
Exactly how useful and unique is a motherboard?!.

Even a little arm Dev board has a motherboard but it's an Arm based pc like a Intel or AMD one it's stemming from the CPU chose.
And you would be swapping a CPU for pretty much exactly the same CPU so moot point,whereas motherboard varey massively. And only enhance or Cater to the features of the CPU.

 

[kapone32]

I trust Asus MBs more than the rest but don't ever get Prime. Corsair are my PSU and headset. I appreciate Gigabyte GPUs because there is a flaw in design that doesn't properly apply the thermal paste so they tend to run hot and suffer more black screens than the others making them cheaper but As Rock isn't doing bad at the low end either. I trust Adata and Gskill for DRAM, Alphacool for Water cooling and Phanteks and Noctua for peripherals. Of all of them my Corsair HX1200I has powered whatever my PC has been from AM3, TR4 and now AM4. There was a GPU from Sapphire Vega 64 Nitro that came with a 4 pin fan header(s) on the GPU that made it so sweet to have connected to the fans on your rad too.

 

[cvaldes]

Even a little arm Dev board has a motherboard but it's an Arm based pc like a Intel or AMD one it's stemming from the CPU chose.
And you would be swapping a CPU for pretty much exactly the same CPU so moot point,whereas motherboard varey massively. And only enhance or Cater to the features of the CPU.

Read the original post. This question is clearly framed in the Personal Computer perspective, not things like Raspberry Pis, smartphones, video game consoles, automotive entertainment systems or ICBM warhead guidance packages.

Let's stay with the inquirer's original train of thought in this discussion thread.

 

[theFOoL]

Dumb people = "Oh the case!" Nerds = circuit boards computer builders = the Motherboard

 

[Frick]

This is such an old question, asked and answered dozens of times.

Clearly, it is the motherboard. It is not the CPU, GPU, case, or PSU. You can easily swap CPUs and press on like nothing changed. You can totally erase the drive - even if soldered in - and you still have the same computer. You can delete the OS and install a different OS and you still have the same computer.

In fact, most software companies, including Microsoft, say, in terms of software licensing, you can swap out any part and the license remains valid - EXCEPT the motherboard. When you swap the motherboard, that constitutes a "new computer".

At one time MS had a kind of a point system when it came to determine what makes a new system. Different kinds of hardware had different weight when determining the hardware ID. CPU's and HDDs didn't matter much, but for some reason the NIC made up a big chunk of the score, and when they started to be integrated with the motherboard it came to be that new motherboars = new OEM license.

Dumb people = "Oh the case!" Nerds = circuit boards computer builders = the Motherboard

Personally I go by the paint colour. Black in my case and I miss Beige.

 

[maxfly]

Everyone has and will always refer to their builds as their AMD rig or Intel rig. Can't say that I've ever heard someone say, Yeah I'm going start my MSI build tomorrow.
To each their own of course. Saying one easily replaceable component is more important than another is simply opinion. There is no wrong answer quite frankly.
Like I said, call it whichever company you happen to get a case badge from. Or, better yet, have your favorite companies logo cut out of some thexy, sexy vinyl and slap those badass stickers all over your case!