Has the curiosity of what exactly a chipset is boggled your mind into searching endlessly for an answer? Well, you’re in luck! I’ve got a quick and easy guide on what a chipset is and the different types of chipsets you could be looking for in motherboards—whether you’re building a custom gaming PC, server or a workstation computer.
Intel Desktop Chipset Guide
Desktop chipsets are the most popular form of chipset used by your everyday consumer. Whether you’re gaming, running demanding applications, or just taking care of daily tasks, desktop chipsets power it all. They’re a great choice for those building a custom gaming PC.
Here are a few examples: Intel W880 Chipset, Intel B860 Chipset, and Intel Z890 Chipset. You’ll find the differences between these below:
| Chipsets | Supported Overclocking | Base Power | PCIe Express Revision |
| Intel® Z890 | IA, BCLK, Memory | 6 W | 4.0 |
| Intel® B860 | Memory | 6 W | 4.0 |
| Intel® W880 | Memory | 6 W | 4.0 |
Intel Mobile Chipsets
Mobile chipsets are primarily made for—you guessed it—mobile devices. They’re known for high performance and a rich set of features packed into compact designs. Whether it’s for laptops or portable systems, these chipsets bring solid power.
Some examples include Intel® HM670, Intel® HM870, and Intel® RM590E. Check out the differences below:
| Chipsets | Supported Overclocking | Base Power | PCIe Express Revision |
| Intel® HM670 | IA, Memory | 3.7 W | 3.0, 4.0 |
| Intel® HM870 | IA, BCLK, Memory | 3.7 W | 4.0 |
| Intel® RM590E | None | 3.4 W | 3.0 |
Intel Server Chipsets
Now we’re talking heavy hitters. Server chipsets are built for workstation computer and enterprise servers. These chipsets handle demanding tasks like cloud computing, network infrastructure, storage solutions, and more. Perfect for businesses or users who need serious power under the hood.
Some examples of server chipsets include Intel® C256, Intel® C741E, and Intel® C266:
| Chipsets | Total Supported SATA Ports | Base Power | PCIe Express Revision |
| Intel® C256 | 8 | 6 W | 3.0 |
| Intel® C741E | 20 | 11 W | Gen 2 |
| Intel® C266 | 8 | 6 W | 3.0, 4.0 |
Whether you’re building a powerhouse custom gaming PC, or a robust workstation computer, understanding chipsets is a key step toward choosing the right motherboard. Hopefully, this breakdown clears up some confusion and gets you one step closer to the perfect build.
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