Mother board DEF:

 A mother board is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer. The motherboard
is a computer's central communications backbone connectivity point, through which all
components and external peripherals are connected. Motherboards can be found in
virtually all computers, especially desktop and laptop PCs
 A motherboard is a circuit board inside general-purpose computing systems, including
personal computers, smart televisions, smart monitors, and other similar devices, which
supports communication between different electrical components and components such
as the CPU, memory, etc.

Description of Motherboard
 The motherboard is mounted inside the case and is securely attached via small screws
through pre-drilled holes.
 Motherboard contains ports to connect all of the internal components.
 It provides a single socket for CPU, whereas for memory, normally one or more slots
are available.
 Motherboards provide ports to attach the floppy drive, hard drive, and optical drives
via ribbon cables.
 Motherboard carries fans and a special port designed for power supply.
 There is a peripheral card slot in front of the motherboard using which video cards,
sound cards, and other expansion cards can be connected to the motherboard.
 Motherboards carry a number of ports to connect the monitor, printer, mouse, keyboard,
speaker, and network cables.
 Motherboards also provide USB ports, which allow compatible devices to be connected
in plug-in/plug-out fashion. For example, pen drive, digital cameras, etc.

20 Major Motherboard Components

1) CPU (Central Processing Unit) chip
2) RAM (Random Access Memory) slots
3) Southbridge/Northbridge
4) BIOS (Basic Input/output System)
5) I/O port
6) USB (Universal Serial Bus)
7) CPU slot
8) PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slot
9) AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot
10) ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) slot
11) Parallel port
12) FDC (Floppy-Disk Controller)
13) IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller
14) CMOS (Complementary Metal-oxide-semiconductor) battery
15) Power supply connector
16) Mouse and keyboard ports
17) DIP (Dual In-line Package) switch
18) Jumper
19) Heat sink/heatsink (cooling system)
20) Clock generator
1. CPU (Central Processing Unit) chip
CPU is the electronic circuitry in a computer that executes instructions that make up a program.
It is also known as a central processor or the main processor. The CPU executes the basic logic,
arithmetic, controlling as well as input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions in
the desktop programs.

2. RAM (Random Access Memory) slots

RAM is a kind of computer memory that can be read and written. It is mainly used to save data
and machine code. A RAM device permits data to be read or written in nearly the same amount
of time no matter where the data’s physical location is in the memory. Compared to the direct-
access storage devices like hard drives, CD/DVD and magnetic tapes, RAM media is much
faster for data reading and writing.

3. Southbridge/northbridge
They are the two chips in the core logic chipset on the motherboard. Typically, the Southbridge
implements the slower capabilities of the motherboard in a northbridge/southbridge chipset
computer architecture.
The northbridge, also known as host-bridge or Memory Controller Hub, is connected directly
to the CPU via the front-side bus (FSB). It is responsible for tasks requiring the highest
performance. Together with the Southbridge, they manage communications between the CPU
and other motherboard components.

4. BIOS (Basic Input / Output System)

BIOS, also called system BIOS, PC BIOS or ROM BIOS, is firmware that is used to perform
hardware initialization during the booting process; and to provide runtime services for
operating system and programs. The BIOS firmware is the first software to run when powered
on; it is re-installed on a PC’s system board.

5. I/O port
Input/output ports are the connections between the CPU and peripheral devices on a
motherboard. There are two complementary methods to perform input and output processes:
memory-mapped I/O (MMIO) and port-mapped I/O (PMIO). Alternatively, you can use
dedicated I/O processors, called channels on mainframe computers, which execute their own
instructions.

6. USB (Universal Serial Bus)

USB is an industry standard that creates specifications for connectors, cables and protocols for
connection; power supply (interfacing) and communication among computers, computer
peripherals as well as other desktops. There are a great many USB hardware including several
different connectors, of which USB-C is the latest kind.

7. CPU slot
A CPU slot, also called a CPU socket or Processor socket, contains one or more mechanical
components that provide mechanical and electrical connections between the PCB and a
microprocessor (CPU). Therefore, you can install a CPU on a motherboard without soldering.

8. PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slot

Peripheral Component Interconnect is a local computer bus for connecting hardware to a
computer. It supports all the functions of a processor bus. PCI is usually been called
Conventional PCI to distinguish it from its successor PCI Express (PCIe, PCI-e or PCI-E).
PCI Express is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard designed to replace the
older PCI, PCI-X and AGP bus standard. It is a general-use motherboard interface for the
graphics card, SSDs, hard drives, Wi-Fi as well as Ethernet hardware connections.

9. AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot

AGP was designed as a high-speed point-to-point channel for connecting a video card (graphics
card) to a computer system. Primarily, it was used to assist in the acceleration of 3D computer
graphics. AGP is originally designed to be a descendant of the PCI

10. ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) slot

ISA is the 16-bit internal bus of IMB PC/AT and similar computers that are based on Intel
80286 and its immediate successors during the 1980s. It was backward compatible with the 8-
bit bus of the 8088-based IBM PC largely. There once was an attempt to extend ISA into a 32-
bit bus, called Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA). The attempt wasn’t very
successful and the EISA was largely replaced by the later VESA Local Bus and the PCI bus.

11. Parallel port

A parallel port is a kind of interface for attaching peripherals on desktops. The name of this
kind of port is derived from the way the data is sent. That is, the parallel ports send multiple
bits of data at the same time. Serial interfaces, on the contrary, send bits one data at once. To
achieve parallel data transfer, there are multiple data lines in the parallel port cables. The
parallel port cable is larger than the cable of a contemporary serial port, which only has one
data line within.

12. FDC (Floppy-Disk Controller)

FDC is a special-purpose chip and associated disk controller circuitry. It controls and directs
reading from and writing to a computer’s floppy disk drive (FDD).
13. IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller
The devices used for connecting IDE, Ethernet, FireWire, USB and other systems can be called
host adapter. So, the IDE controller refers to the host adapter. A host adapter, also called a host
controller or a host bus adapter (HBA), connects a computer (acting as the host system) to other
network and storage devices

14. CMOS (Complementary Metal-oxide-semiconductor) battery

CMOS battery, also called memory battery, clock battery or real-time clock (RTC), is generally
a CR2032 lithium coin cell. The lifespan of the CMOS battery is estimated to be three years
when the power supply unit (PSU) is unplugged or switch off.

15. Power supply connector

A power supply provides the necessary electrical power to let the computer to work. It takes
standard 110-Volt AC (Alternative Current) power to DC (Direct Current) power of 12 Volt, 5
Volt, 3.3 Volt, etc.

16. Mouse and keyboard ports

All computers have a keyboard port connected directly to the motherboard. There are two types
of connectors. The oldest one is a special DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) connector
while the newest one is the mini DIN PS/2-style connector. Many PCs use the PS/2-style
connectors for both keyboard and mouse; and the connectors are marked clearly for different
usage.

17. DIP (Dual In-line Package) switch

A DIP switch is a manual electric switch packaged with others in a standard dual in-line
package. The term may refer to an individual switch or the whole unit. The DIP switch is
designed to be used on a printed circuit board (motherboard) together with other
electronic motherboard components. It is usually used to customize the behavior of an
electronic device for specific situations.

18. Jumper
A jumper is a short length of conductor that is used to close, open or bypass part of an electronic
circuit. Typically, jumpers are used to set up or configure printed circuit boards like the
motherboard.

19. Heat sink/heatsink (cooling system)

A heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by parts
of motherboard into a fluid medium like liquid or air. The fluid medium will dissipate away
from the device. Thus, the temperature of the device is kept within a tolerable range. On the
motherboard, the heatsink is usually used to cool CPU, GPU (graphics processing unit),
chipsets and RAM modules.

20. Clock generator

A clock generator is an electronic oscillator (circuit) that produces a clock signal for usage in
synchronizing a circuit’s operation. The clock signal ranges between high and low frequencies,
thus creating a metronome for the coordination of actions.
Motherboard:
A computer’s motherboard is typically the largest printed circuit board. It distributes electricity
and facilitates communication between and to the central processing unit (CPU), random access
memory (RAM), and any other component of the computer’s hardware.

There is a broad range of motherboards, each of which is intended to be compatible with a

specific model and size of the computer.

Since different kinds of processors and memories are intended to function best with certain
types of motherboards, it is difficult to find a motherboard that is compatible with every type
of CPU and memory. Hard drives, on the other hand, are generally compatible with a wide
variety of motherboards and may be used with most brands and types.

A computer motherboard may be found inside a computer casing, which is the point of
connection for most of the computer’s elements and peripherals.

The earliest motherboards for personal computers included relatively fewer real components.
Only a CPU and some card ports were included on the very first IBM PC motherboard. Users
inserted various components, including memory and controllers for floppy drives, into the slots
provided.

Compaq became the first company to utilize a motherboard that was not based on a design
created by IBM. The new architecture utilized a CPU made by Intel. When Compaq’s sales
began to take off, other businesses quickly followed suit, even though several companies in the
industry believed it was a risky move.

But by the 1990s, Intel had a dominant share of the market for personal computer
motherboards. Asus, Gigabyte Technology, and Micro-Star International (MSI) are the
three most influential companies in this industry. However, Intel remains one of the ten best
motherboard manufacturers in the world, even though Asus is now the largest motherboard
maker on the planet.

The form factor determines the specifications on how a motherboard is built, from the size,
shape, casing, power supply, mounting holes, and the overall layout. The most common form
factor is ATX, which evolved to mini-ATX, Nano-ATX, pico-ATX, and further
Types of Motherboards & Specifications:

1. Advanced Technology (AT) motherboard:

 Due to their larger physical dimensions (which can be measured in hundredths of
millimetres), these motherboards do not work properly with computers that fall into
the category of smaller desktops. A larger physical size makes it more difficult to
install new hardware drivers.
 The power connections on these motherboards are in the form of sockets and plugs with
six prongs each. Due to the difficulty in recognizing these power connections, users
often have issues while trying to connect and operate them. In the 1980s, motherboards
of this sort were all the rage, and they continued to be manufactured far into the 2000s.

2. Standard ATX motherboard

 ATX is an enhanced version of the AT motherboard that Intel created in the 1990s. Its
name means “advanced technology extended,” and its initials stand for “advanced
technology.” Unlike AT, it is much more compact and enables the associated
components to be interchanged. The connection elements have witnessed significant
progress and development.
3. Micro ATX motherboard
 The length and width of these motherboards, measured in millimeters, are also 244 mm
(size metrics will differ as per the manufacturer). This motherboard has fewer ports and
slots than the Standard ATX board.
 Users who do not want excessive connections and subsequent upgrades, like adding
more RAM, an extra GPU, or other Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) cards,
are better suited for this kind of motherboard than others.
 This motherboard may be installed in any case with enough space to accommodate 244
mm by 244 mm. It can also be installed in larger cases that are compatible with Standard
ATX or eXTENDED ATX motherboards.

4. eXtended ATX motherboard

 The dimensions of this motherboard are 344 millimeters by 330 millimeters
(dimensions will differ with different manufacturers). This motherboard supports a
single or a twin CPU configuration and has up to eight RAM slots.
 Additionally, it has a higher number of PCIe (where e is for Express) and PCI slots,
which may be used to add PCI cards for a wide range of applications. Workstations and
servers are both able to use this software. There is sufficient room on all eATX
motherboards, making them ideal for desktop computers, thanks to the significant space
provided for airflow and the attachment of various components.

5. Flex ATX motherboard

 These ATX Form Factor mainboards do not enjoy the same degree of popularity as
their ATX Form Factor counterparts. They are the ones within the ATX family that are
considered the most compact. They were designed to occupy a minimal amount of
space and had a minimal price tag. Flex ATX is a modification of mini ATX that Intel
created between1999-2000. It is a motherboard standard.

6. Low-Profile EXtended (LPX) motherboard

 In comparison to previous iterations, this has two significant enhancements. The first
change was that the output and input ports were moved to the rear of the device, and
the second change was the addition of a riser card, which enables the device to have
additional slots and makes it easier to attach components.
 There is an implementation of some of these functionalities on the AT motherboard.
The primary drawback of this board is that it does not have any accelerated graphic port
(AGP) ports, resulting in a connection to PCI that is made directly. The new low-profile
extended (NLX) boards are where issues present in these motherboards have been
addressed.

7. BTX motherboard
 Balanced technology extended, abbreviated as BTX, is a strategy developed to fulfill
the requirements of emerging technologies, which call for increased power
consumption and, as a result, emanate more heat. During the middle of the 2000s, Intel
ceased the future production of BTX boards to concentrate on low-power CPUs.

8. Pico BTX motherboard

 Given their diminutive size compared to a typical motherboard, these boards are called
Pico. Even though the upper half of the BTX is shared, support is provided for two
 expansion slots. Its distinguishing characteristics are the half-height or riser cards, and
it is designed to meet the needs of digital applications.

9. Mini ITX motherboard

 It is important to note that there is no regular-sized version of the information
technology extended (ITX) motherboard. In its place, the motherboard has been
downsized into a more compact form than in earlier iterations. It was developed in the
2000s, and its measurements are 17 by 17 centimetres.
 Due to its reduced power consumption and quicker cooling capabilities, it is primarily
used in computers with a small form factor (SFF). Given that it has a relatively low
level of fan noise, the motherboard is the one that is recommended the most for use in
home theatre systems because it will enhance the overall performance of the system.

10. Mini STX motherboard

 The name “Intel 5×5” was initially given to the motherboard now known as the Mini-
STX, which stands for mini socket technology extended. Although it was introduced in
2015, the motherboard has dimensions of 147 millimeters by 140 millimeters. This
converts to a length of 5.8 inches and a width of 5.5 inches; hence, the 5×5 name is
rather misleading.
 The Mini-STX board is 7 millimeters longer from front to back, making it somewhat
rectangular in shape. This is in contrast to the shape of other tiny form factor boards,
like the Next Unit of Computing (NUC) or the mini-ITX, which are square.

How does a motherboard work?

 When computer is turned on, the power supply transfers electricity to the motherboard
to be used by the computer. Data is transported between the chipset components via
data
 The data connections to the CPU, RAM. The operations performed by the RAM are
first “interpreted” by the CPU as being output after the RAM begins to deliver inputs
to the CPU. After being written to the PCIe, the data is either copied or moved to the
expansion card, based on the kind of card you have.
 The data connection to the basic input/output system (BIOS), the universal serial bus
(USB), the serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), and the PCI bus are
managed by the Southbridge component. Your computer can start up because of signals
sent to the BIOS, and the data sent to the SATA “awakens” your optical, hard disc, and
solid-state drives. The video card, network card, and sound card receive power from
the information stored on the SATA.
 The remaining components interact via an electrical signal, which serves as a hub for
them. These data buses pass via a microchip’s northbridge or Southbridge elements,
which then branch off to other components like the CPU, RAM, PCI, and PCIe,
amongst other elements.
 The information sent over buses will be encoded using a programming language (1 and
0). When a signal is sent to a motherboard from one of its components, the motherboard
will process it and translate it into a language the other component can comprehend.
On most of today’s computing systems, all of this will occur in a split second, and there
is almost no delay between the input and the output.
12 Key Components of a Motherboard

1. Mouse and keyboard connectors:

Computer motherboards must have two separate connectors that allow users to connect
their external mouse and keyboard. These connectors are responsible for sending
instructions and receiving responses from the computer. There are two keyboard and
mouse connectors, the PS/2 and the USB. The personal system/2(PS/2) port is a mini-
DIN plug that contains six pins and connects the mouse or keyboard to an IBM-
compatible computer. Other computers use the USB port to connect the mouse or
keyboard.

2. Universal serial bus (USB)

The USB is a computer interface that connects computers to other devices, such as
phones. The USB port is a significant part of a motherboard that allows users to connect
external peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and pen drives to the computer.
Moreover, it enables users to transfer data between the device and the computer. A USB
port allows users to connect peripheral devices without restarting the system. Types of
USB include USB-A, USB-B, USB-mini, micro-USB, USB-C, and USB-3.

3. CPU
The central processing unit (CPU) is commonly referred to as the computer’s brain.
The CPU controls all the functions of a computer. CPUs are available in different form
factors, each requiring a particular slot on the motherboard. A CPU can contain one or
multiple cores. A CPU with a single core can only perform a single task at a time, while
those with multiple cores can execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
4. RAM memory
RAM slots connect the random access memory (RAM) to the motherboard. RAM
allows the computer to temporarily store files and programs that are being accessed by
the CPU. Computers with more RAM capacity can hold and process larger files and
programs, thus enhancing performance. However, RAM contents are erased when the
computer is shut down. A computer usually has two RAM slots. However, some
computers have up to four RAM slots in the motherboard to increase the available
memory.

5. Basic input/output (BIOS) system

The BIOS contains the firmware of the motherboard. It consists of instructions about
what to do when the computer is turned on. It is responsible for initializing the hardware
components and loading the computer’s operating system. The BIOS also allows the
computer’s operating system to interact and respond with input and output devices such
as a mouse and keyboard.
In some motherboards, the BIOS is replaced by the modern extensible firmware
interface (EFI) or the unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI). UEFI and EFI allow
the computer to boot faster, provide more diagnostic and repair tools, and provide a
more efficient interface between the operating system and computer components.

6. Chipsets
The chipsets of a computer control how the computer hardware and buses interact with
the CPU and other components. Chipsets also determine the amount of memory users
can add to a motherboard and the type of connectors that the motherboard can have.
The first type of chipset is the northbridge chipset. The northbridge manages the speed
at which the CPU communicates with the components. It also controls the processor,
the AGP video slot, and the RAM.
The second type of chipset is the Southbridge chipset. The Southbridge chipset controls
the rest of the components connected to the computer, including communication
between the processor and expansion ports such as USB ports and sound cards.

7. Cooling fans
The heat generated when electric current flows between components can make a
computer run slowly. If too much heat is left to build up unchecked, it could damage
computer components. Thus, a computer performs better when kept cool. Cooling fans
increase the airflow, which helps to remove heat from the computer. Some elements,
such as video adapter cards, have dedicated cooling fans.

8. Adapter cards and expansion slots

Adapter cards are integrated into the motherboard to enhance a computer’s
functionality. Examples include sound and video adapters. The expansion slots allow
users to install compatible adapter cards. Examples of expansion slots include the
peripheral component interconnect (PCI) slot, the AGP slot (which enables the insertion
of video cards), the PCI Express serial bus slot, and the PCI-extended slot.

9. CMOS battery
The CMOS battery is a small round battery found on the motherboard of every
computer. It provides power to the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
chip. The CMOS chip stores BIOS information and computer settings, even when
 powered down. The CMOS battery allows users to skip resetting BIOS configurations,
such as boot order, date, and time settings, each time they power on their computer.

10. Storage devices

Storage drives store data permanently or retrieve data from a media disk. The storage
devices can either be installed in the computer as hard drives or in removable drives
that can connect to the computer through the USB ports. Hard disk drives(HDD) or
solid-state drives (SSD) are computers’ primary storage drives. Computers with SSDs
execute tasks much faster and perform better than HDDs. Users can also use optical
drives such as compact discs to store information.

11. Front panel connectors:

Front panel connectors connect the light-emitting diode (LED) lights on the front of the
case to the hard drive, the power button, the reset button, and the internal speaker for
testing. Some USB and audio devices also have LED lights.
These front panel connectors are usually plugged into small pins on the motherboard.
Although the pins are grouped and color-coded, their layout structure varies depending
on the model of the motherboard.

12. Power connector

The power connector provides an electric supply to the computer to function as
intended. The power supply connector has 20 pins and converts 110-V AC power into
+/-12-Volt, +/-5-Volt, and 3.3-Volt direct current (DC) power.

Functions of a Motherboard
The motherboard serves as a single platform to connect all of the parts of a computer together.
It connects the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound card, and other
ports and expansion cards directly or via cables.
The motherboard is the backbone that ties the computer's components together at one spot and
allows them to talk to each other. Without it, none of the computer pieces, such as the CPU,
GPU, or hard drive, could interact. Total motherboard functionality is necessary for a computer
to work well.

The following are seven functions of a motherboard:

1. Manages data flow
The BIOS component of the motherboard ensures that the operating system interacts
well with input and output devices, such as the keyboard and mouse, to process
instructions. This ensures that the data sent to the computer moves as expected to
perform the intended purpose.
It also manages data flow through its USB ports, allowing for data transfer between
devices. Additionally, it ensures the processor can access information from the RAM
to boost efficiency.

2. Conserves resources
The motherboard saves consumers time, energy, and money by connecting all the
computer connects. The motherboard provides a platform on which manufacturers can
connect all the necessary components to ensure that the computer functions. Thus,
saving consumers’ time and energy as they do not have to assemble and connect
different parts manually. Moreover, collecting the individual components can prove
costly as consumers would be forced to incur additional transport and other
miscellaneous costs.

3. Optimizes power distribution

The motherboard provides and distributes power optimally. Computers require
electricity to function. The motherboard has a power connector plug that connects the
computer to a power source and converts it into a form of electrical power that the
computer can use. After that, the motherboard ensures that the electric current is
distributed optimally to different system components.
The motherboard has an integrated circuit technology with pre-defined connections that
ensure each element gets the necessary power. Moreover, the circuits ensure less energy
is consumed to make the computer an energy-efficient machine.

4. Drives communication
The motherboard makes communication between different components easier. For a
computer to process a particular set of instructions, sometimes it may require several
components to communicate and work together to complete the task. In such scenarios,
the motherboard relies on its circuit technology to enable communication between these
components.
The motherboard may also depend on some of its components, such as the CPU, BIOS,
expansion ports, and USB ports, to interact with the computer’s operating system.
 5. Enhances performance
The motherboard boosts the capabilities of a computer. Motherboards often transform
the capabilities of a computer. For instance, they have additional features and
functionalities, such as built-in sound and video capabilities that can enhance the
computer’s output. Motherboards also allow users to connect peripheral devices such
as printers, enabling computers to perform additional tasks such as printing documents.
Additionally, users can expand and upgrade factory-made motherboard parts such as
memory slots or hard disks to boost the capabilities of their computers.

6. Improves reliability
A good motherboard boosts the overall reliability of the computer. A high-quality
motherboard provides a stable foundation for its components to operate on. A good
motherboard has proper cooling, and its integrated circuit technology is set in place.
These factors enable it to control the computer’s hardware efficiently by ensuring that
each element functions as expected and communicates with the other components. A
reliable computer performs tasks efficiently and thus enhances the user experience.

7. Enables productivity
The motherboard reduces effort duplication and simplifies work for computer users.
While traditional computers came pre-installed with BIOS, modern ones are pre-
installed with EFI and UEFI. BIOS, EFI, and UEFI enable computers to boot without
requiring users to reconfigure basic settings, time, and date. They also load the
operating system into the memory. Therefore, these motherboard components allow
users to focus on other productive tasks.

Features of Motherboard: A motherboard comes with following features −

 Motherboard varies greatly in supporting various types of components.
 Motherboard supports a single type of CPU and few types of memories.
 Video cards, hard disks, sound cards have to be compatible with the motherboard to
function properly.
 Motherboards, cases, and power supplies must be compatible to work properly.

Popular Manufacturers of the motherboard.

 Intel
 ASUS
 AOpen (An Acer Group Company)
 ABIT
 Biostar
 Gigabyte
 MSI

Note: Acer, ASUS, and Gigabyte, MSI is another Taiwanese company that makes a variety
of computer products, including monitors.