motherboard

What is a motherboard?

The primary printed circuit board (PCB) of a computer is called the motherboard. All of the internal parts and external peripherals of a computer connect to the motherboard, which serves as its main communications hub.

Almost all computers, particularly desktop and laptop PCs, include motherboards. Memory, CPUs, and chipsets are among the parts that are connected by means of them. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and graphics cards with the graphics processing unit, or GPU, are examples of external peripherals.

Acer, ASRock, Asus, Gigabyte Technology, Intel, and Micro-Star International are some of the motherboard makers.

How do motherboards operate?

A big motherboard's printed circuit board (PCB) could include six to fourteen layers of fibreglass, copper connection lines, and copper planes for signal and power isolation. An expansion slot on a motherboard allows for the addition of additional components. These include of power supply connectors, CPU sockets, two in-line memory modules, PCI Express (PCIe), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), and M.2 slots for solid-state drives.

The heat that components like the CPU create is managed via a fan and heatsink. Additional connection, such as PCI, USB, Thunderbolt, Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, or SATA, is typically provided by motherboards via a Southbridge chip.

Typically, the CPU is linked to PCIe, double data rate 3 (DDR3), DDR4, DDR5, or onboard     . Point-to-point interconnects like HyperTransport, Intel's QuickPath Interconnect, and Ultra Path Interconnect are used for this. Many functions supported by a computer are typically determined by the motherboard that is used.

Desktop computers usually use the ATX motherboard, which is an enhanced version of IBM's AT design from Intel. Other designers of form factors include as follows:

• extended ATX

• mini-ATX

• micro ATX

• BTX

• micro BTX

• mini-ITX

• micro ITX

• nano-ITX

Since certain memory controllers are now integrated into CPUs, motherboard-based Northbridge chips that handled memory management are no longer necessary. Graphics-enabled CPUs have replaced motherboard-slotted peripherals with integrated video.

The Southbridge chipset is optional in AMD's Ryzen system-on-a-chip architecture. The cost to motherboard makers has decreased due to CPU integration. They are able to provide entry-level and workstation base systems as well as bespoke processor implementations that allow platform upgrades.

Designed for high-end PCs, gaming motherboards are more feature-rich and powerful than motherboards for desktop and laptop computers.

components of a motherboard

Memory and CPUs are two examples of the specialised components that each motherboard is made to accommodate. The majority of hard disc and peripheral types are compatible with them.

The following are the main parts of motherboards:

• CPU, which executes instructions from programmes, the operating system, and other computer components using its logic circuits;

• memory where data and instructions are momentarily performed and stored;

• solid-state or hard disc drive storage interface for storing applications and permanent data;

• ROM BIOS offers non-volatile memory for firmware storage, including BIOS (basic input/output system);

• the Northbridge chipset, which links the processor, memory, storage, and other parts;

• the Southbridge chipset, which links the Northbridge and peripheral components to the motherboard;

• cooling fans that keep their internal working temperature at a proper level;

• slots for peripheral connectors that accept plugin cards, including communications and graphics adapters;

• USB ports and other external device connections, among other connectors for peripheral devices;

• the backup battery, which guarantees the preservation of crucial system configuration information in the event of main power outage; and

• the power connection, which is used to attach to an outside power supply.

• A standard motherboard is composed of several different components. Consider a motherboard as a large electrical connection maze connecting all the components of a computer.