MOTHERBOARD
The MOTHERBOARD is the main circuit board of your
computer and is also known as the main board or logic board.
If you ever open your computer, the biggest piece of silicon
you see is the motherboard. Attached to the motherboard,
you'll find the CPU, ROM, memory RAM expansion
slots, PCI slots, and USB ports. It also includes controllers for
devices like the HARD DRIVE, DVD DRIVE, KEYBOARD, and
MOUSE. Basically, the MOTHERBOARD is what makes
everything in your computer work together.
FUNCTION OF THE MOTHERBOARD
A MOTHERBOARD houses the BIOS which is
the simple software run by a computer
when initially turned on. Other components
attach directly to it, such as
the memory, CPU (Central Processing Unit), graphics card, sound card,
hard-drive, disk drives, along with various external ports
and peripherals.
MOTHERBOARD is the unit that integrates all
your other parts into one system. Your
video card, sound card, processor chips, power, mouse,
keyboard all plug into it!
TYPES OF MOTHERBOARD
Socket A Motherboards
These motherboards are meant for the AMD and Durons processors. The Socket A
motherboard is also known as Socket 464 motherboard. The CPU socket in the
motherboard has 462 pins and it comes in a PGA (Pin Grid Array) packaging. The bus
speed of this type of motherboard is 100 to 200 MHz.
TYPES OF MOTHERBOARD
Socket 378 Motherboards
This type of motherboard is meant for the Pentium 4 processors. It also comes in a
PGA package and has 478 pins. The bus speed is 100 to 200 MHz. This motherboard
can also support Intel Pentium 4EE and Intel Pentium M processor. This type of
motherboard is also known as Socket N motherboard.
TYPES OF MOTHERBOARD
Socket T Motherboards
Also known as LGA 775, this type of motherboard is meant for Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel
Core 2 Quad and Inel Xeon processor. Of course, this motherboard can also support
other Intel processors such as the Celeron, P-4, Pentium D, Celeron D and Pentium XE
processor. Its specifications include 775 pins and a very high bus speed of 1600 MHz.
It also comes in a PGA package.
TYPES OF MOTHERBOARD
Socket 939
The Socket 939 is meant mainly for the AMD family. It can support AMD processors
like the Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2 and Opetron. It has 939 pins and can
have a bus speed from 200 to 1000 MHz. Just like the other computer motherboard
types described above, it also comes in a PGA package.
TYPES OF MOTHERBOARD
Socket AM3 Motherboards
Socket AM3 is among the most recently developed motherboards. Introduced in
2009, this motherboard is meant for the AMD Phenom II and AMD Athlon II
processors. It has 941 pins and a bus speed range of 200 to 3200 MHz. The packaging
for Socket AM3 motherboard is PGA.
TYPES OF MOTHERBOARD
The Socket H or LGA 1156
The Socket H or LGA 1156 is another recent motherboard that has been introduced in
the year 2009 and is meant for the Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5 and Intel Core
i7processors. It has 1156 pins and comes in LGA (Large Grid Array) packaging.
Motherboard Type Based on
Dimensions
ATX Motherboards
The ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) motherboard has a length of 12 inches and
a width of 7.5 inches. The I/O ports and USB ports meant for the motherboard are
integrated directly into it. The bus speed in ATX motherboard is 100 MHz. This board
is mainly meant for the Intel processors.
Motherboard Type Based on
Dimensions
Full AT Motherboards
This was the first type of motherboard, which were 12 inches wide and 11 inches
long. This motherboard suffered from a lot of problems like access to components
was cumbersome and most importantly, the heating problem.
Motherboard Type Based on
Dimensions
Baby AT Motherboards
With a dimension of 10 by 8.5 inches, this motherboard is meant for the classic
Pentium processors. The DIN keyboard connector at the top right corner of this
motherboard makes recognizing this motherboard a relatively simple task.
PARTS OF A MOTHERBOARD
CPU- Central Processing Unit
It is also known as the microprocessor or the
processor. It is the brain of the computer,
and it is responsible for fetching, decoding
and executing program instructions as well
as performing mathematical and logical
calculations.
The processor chip is identified by the
processor type and the manufacturer; and
this information is usually inscribed on the
processor chip e.g. Intel 386, Advanced
Micro Devices (AMD) 386, Cyrix 486,
Pentium MMX, (old processor types) Intel
Core 2Duo e.t.c.
PARTS OF A MOTHERBOARD
Main Memory / Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random access memory or RAM most commonly
refers to computer chips that temporarily store
dynamic data when you are working with your
computer to enhance the computer
performance. In other words, it is the working
place of your computer where active programs
and data are loaded so that any time the
processor requires them, it doesn't have to fetch
them from the hard disk which will take a longer
access time
PARTS OF A MOTHERBOARD
BIOS- Basic Input Output System
BIOS is a term that stands for basic input/output
system, which consists of low-level software that
controls the system hardware and acts as an interface
between the operating system and the hardware.
Most people know the term BIOS by another name—
device drivers, or justd rivers. In other words, the BIOS
is drivers, meaning all of them. BIOS is essentially the
link between hardware and software in a system.
PARTS OF A MOTHERBOARD
CMOS-Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
Motherboards also include a small separate block of
memory made from CMOS RAM chips which is kept
alive by a battery (known as a CMOS battery) even
when the PC’s power is off. This prevents
reconfiguration when the PC is powered on.
CMOS devices require very little power to operate.
The CMOS RAM is used to store basic Information
about the PC’s configuration e.g.
•Floppy disk and hard disk drive types
•CPU
•RAM size
•Date and time
•Serial and parallel port information
•Plug and Play information
•Power Saving settings
PARTS OF A MOTHERBOARD
Cache Memory
It is a small block of high-speed memory (RAM) that
enhances PC performance by pre-loading information
from the (relatively slow) main memory and passing it
to the processor on demand.
Most CPUS have an internal cache (in-built in the
processor) which is referred to as Level-I cache
memory or primary cache memory. This can be
supplemented by external cache memory fitted on the
motherboard. This is the Level-2 Cache memory or
secondary cache. Some CPUs have both L1 and L2
cache built-in and designate the separate cache chip
as Level 3 (L3) cache.
PARTS OF A MOTHERBOARD
Expansion Buses
An input/output pathway from the CPU to peripheral
devices typically made up of a series of slots on the
motherboard. Expansion boards (cards) plug into the
bus. PCI is the common expansion bus in a PC and
other hardware platforms. Buses carry signals, such as
data; memory addresses, power and control signals
from component to component.
Expansion buses enhance the PCs capabilities by
allowing users to add missing features in their
computers in form of adapter cards that are slotted in
expansion slots.The different types of buses include
PCI, ISA, and EISA expansion bus.
How Motherboard Works.mp4