Computer Motherboard

Introduction: 

Motherboard is the most important component of a Computer; it is a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) where all the components of a system are connected. The Central Processing Unit (CPU)' memory, hard drives and every other part of a system is connected to the motherboard by means of socket, slots and connectors. Generally, a motherboard chipset controls the features and abilities of the motherboard. The motherboard chipset is a series of chips that are part of the motherboard. The chipset is very important for the operation of the system.

Types of Motherboards 

Motherboards, the capacity and efficiency of motherboards differ according to the type of system you use. Motherboards are classified depending on the devices they support,

• Integrated
• Non-integrated

Motherboards which have all the ports for connecting various devices on board are known as Integrated motherboards. All the latest desktop, server and laptop boards are of the integrated type. Motherboards which do not support connecting devices are known as Non-Integrated motherboards. Older desktop and server motherboards were of non-integrated types.

Otherwise motherboards are classified on the basis where it is used:

• Desktop Motherboard
• Server Motherboard
• Laptop Motherboard

Desktop Motherboards 

Desktop motherboards are used in personal or desktop computers. As it is used for applications at home and in office, this type of motherboard is the most basic type,

Server Motherboards 

Server motherboards are more advanced than desktop motherboards and are designed to offer high-end services which are more reliable and ready to operate in 24*7 environments. These motherboards support expansion and future upgrades and can handle major applications, Server motherboards also offer multiple sockets, slots and connectors as compared to desktop motherboards to support more number of devices for redundancy.

Laptop Motherboards 

Laptop motherboard is used to connect different parts of a laptop system. These motherboards generally have very advanced features as compared to the desktop motherboards and most of the functions have been integrated into the laptop motherboards.

Manufacturers of Motherboard

Motherboards are available in various sizes and configurations. Some motherboards support 32 and 64-bit processor as well as operating systems. It is manufactured by many companies such as Asus, Intel, MSI and Gigabyte. Every company manufactures boards with certain standard configuration, these motherboards support only certain types of peripheral devices configuration.

Top 10 Motherboard Manufacturer

Intel.

GigaByte.

Asus.

MSI.

ASRock.

Biostar.

Digilite.

ECS.

Xcess

Acer

Motherboard Connectors

The different connectors on the motherboard enable connection of different devices, The different connectors on the motherboard are:

System panel Connector

Accommodates different front panel system functions such as system power LED, hard disk LED, Switch ON, Reset.

USB headers 

Functions as connectors for USB module that can provide four additional USB ports, if the USB ports are inadequate.

Digital audio connector 

Connects to a module that provides digital sound output, instead of analog.

MDC connector 

Connects to a modem card module,

Case Fan connectors 

Connects to the system cooling fans.

GAME/MIDI connector 

Connects to a GAME/MIDI module that can connect to MIDI devices.

System Management Bus (SM Bus) connector

Used to connect SM Bus devices.

ATX 12V connector 

Connects to the AT X 12V power supply, the power supply plug will fit these connectors in only one orientation.

ATX Power Connector

Connects to the AT X power supply.

CPU fan connector (10) 

Connects to the processor cooling fane

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) connectors 

Connects To the SATA devices. Like Hard disk, DVD Writer.

IDE connectors

Connects to the IDE devices. Like Hard disk, DVD Writer

Floppy disk drive connector

Connects to the floppy drive through the drive ribbon cable.

USB Connectors 

Connects to USB devices,

Jumpers

Used to change the different functions of motherboard CMOS clear setting.

Motherboard in Simple Words  

The motherboard is a printed circuit board that is the most important part of a system.

Every component of the system connects to the motherboard directly or indirectly

The different types of motherboard are: 

Desktop motherboard 

Server motherboard 

Laptop motherboard 

The leading manufacturers of chipsets include Intel, SiS, VIA and AMD.

The chipset on a motherboard is a group of integrated circuits and microprocessors

and also determines the functionality of a motherboard.

The final solution came when the chipset manufacturers started using a new approach: using a dedicated high-speed bus between north and south bridges called DMI and connecting the PCI bus devices to the south bridge.

The North Bridge is replaced by the Memory Controller Hub (MCH) and the South  Bridge is succeeded by the I/O Controller Hub (ICH).

The different components on the motherboard can be classified as:

CPU Socket

Memory Slots

Super I/O Chip

BIOS Chip

CMOS Battery

Expansion Slots

CPU Voltage Regulators

The Northbridge and Southbridge which constitute a modern chipset are the most important components on the motherboard.

The motherboard has a CMOS battery that provides backup power to the CMOS.

You can connect different parts of the system to the motherboard using the connectors and expansion slots.

The jumpers on the motherboard enable you to configure the motherboard.

You must follow the instructions in the motherboard manual when performing configuration, installation or troubleshooting of the motherboard.

Thank You