After compatibility, wtf else matters?

[oldezwe]

I've been researching for sometime now, and pretty much know what to look for when it comes to all parts of the computer... except for the motherboard.

I am sitting on newegg and have whittled down my specifications to the correct memory standard(DDR3 1333) and socket type(AM3) for the ram and processor I plan on purchasing...

I have also ruled out the Micro ATX forms...

I now see a price range from $49.99 to $187.99.

*The motherboards all have 1 or 2 PCI-Express 2.0 slots(I only ever plan on putting one GPU into this motherboard)
*They all have 2600MHz FSB (although I do not know what this means?)
*They all support 16gb or 32gb of ram(I never plan on using more than 8)
etc...
...as I go down the line it seems that all of the specs are identical or are just a difference in the quantity of the same type of port.


Are the drastic differences in prices caused by these specifications only?

aka.
Is there some hidden speed i should know about that will have an affect on my gaming experience?

 

[scottiemedic]

Usually has to do with what internal and external ports they have, the quality of capacitors/chokes/etc, heatsinks on the north and southbridges, power phasing (more=better for OCing), company name/support, and things like you already said, how much RAM, PCI-e slots and the such.

I'd look at what components you have now and whittle it down more. Do you have a PS2 KB/mouse and need a PS2 port? Does it have 2 or 4 RAM slots (for upgradeability), PCI (regular PCI) slots for internal cards like wifi or TV tuners you already own or want and need a slot for, and things like that. Otherwise you'll end up with a nice board and have to rebuy other components or do without certain components that don't 'fit' what you currently have/want.

Hope that helps...