With a better grasp of the components on our motherboard, we can take a closer look at how they affect layout, and how layout is affected by them. I'm using the same Biostar motherboard from the previous page, since its high-contrast color scheme makes connectors easy to see. Now it's sitting upright though, which is how it'd appear in a gamer's tower chassis.

Graphics card spacing is a primary layout consideration in gaming-oriented PCs. The above example spaces its first and second PCIe x16 slots with two single-lane connectors between them, since some of today’s fastest graphics cards have coolers that occupy more than two slot spaces. The same consideration isn’t given to the third PCIe x16 slot because there’s simply no room to put it.
There could have been, though. That top slot corresponds to an ATX case’s second slot opening. Biostar wanted to make extra room between the back of a long graphics card and the DIMM latches, making it easier to add or replace memory with a card already installed.
The board does still support three graphics cards, as long as the thermal solution monopolizes no more than a second slot’s space. Even then, you'll need a case with an eighth slot at the bottom, since a two-slot card would clearly overhang the motherboard. This layout has become so common that a large number of enthusiast-oriented cases now have the requisite extra slot hole.
Six of this motherboard’s seven SATA ports face forward so that the cable ends fit under any heat sink and fan attached to extra-long graphics cards. Most ATX cases are now designed with space behind the lower drive cages for these cables to pass through. The seventh SATA port points straight out from the motherboard’s surface, which is acceptable since it’s located above the top graphics card.
Also notice that the blue USB 3.0 port on the bottom edge is located beneath the white slot's latch. Because USB 3.0 cables are stiff, they cannot be folded over and under a graphics card cooler in the same manner as most other front-panel cables. That means this connector can’t be used if you have a third double-slot graphics card installed. Most newer motherboards place this connector above the top PCIe x16 slot, roughly where this particular platform's outward-facing SATA port is found.
The top edge is preferred for the ATX12V/EPS12V connector because it allows the cable to be pulled up behind the motherboard tray in cases with a power supply mounted at the bottom. Most high-amperage power supplies are built with cables long enough to accommodate such a configuration. This specific board takes up to two eight-pin power connectors for hardcore overclockers who push equally extreme power levels into their CPUs (even though this motherboard’s power regulator doesn’t appear sufficient to overdraw the capacity of a single cable).
The larger 20- or 24-pin ATX/EPS power connector is placed at the motherboard’s front edge to allow easy access in cases with a power supply up top or down below, without blocking the CPU cooler or any expansion slots. Serial ATA cables beneath it are also raised slightly from the lower corner.
Front-panel audio connectors have been a contentious matter since Intel said they should be placed in the lower-rear corner in 1997. Many builders prefer to route this cable behind the motherboard tray. Unfortunately, the cables in many cases are too short to reach. In the image above, Biostar moved its connector forward by around an inch to alleviate an issue caused by Intel and aggravated by careless case companies.
A final layout consideration is fan connector quantity and placement. Biostar's Tpower X79 provides a perfect minimum configuration. It enables a CPU fan connector near the lower-right corner of the processor interface, an exhaust fan header near the supplemental graphics power connector, and an intake fan connector in the front-lower corner. Two intake and two exhaust fan headers are preferable, and connections for any side and top fans should also be considered. Adapters may be used to connect additional fans directly to the power supply, though this method removes the motherboard’s ability to control fan speed.
Admittedly, I am one of the most vocal critics of layout and positioning issues you'll find online, but my goal is to point out possible problems before they cause you trouble, not to eliminate any particular product from further consideration. If SATA port orientation or FP-Audio header placement appears problematic, our case reviews should be able to clear up any doubts.
Does the mobo have enough pci-e x16 slots
Does the mobo have the right chipset for the cpu
Does the mobo have enough ram sockets
Enough for your 'beginner'
[EDIT]
I suppose perhaps you might need to ensure form factor is correct.