2. What is Motherboard
Allows all parts of your computer to receive
power and communicate with one another
Backbone of the Computer
It integrates all Hardware components into one system
Motherboard is the main component of the CPU
Fig.1: Motherboard
4. Processor Socket
The processor socket is the central piece of a motherboard.
usually being located near the centre of the motherboard.
It’s also the central piece because it holds the processor – the brain of your
computer.
Fig.3: Processor Socket
5. Power Connectors
Power connector are used to provide power to motherboard and all other
components.
The power connector, commonly a 20 or 24-pin connector.
Newer motherboards have an additional
4-pin or 8-pin connector near the
processor.
Fig.4: Power Connector
6. Memory Slots
Located in the upper-right part of the motherboard.
The memory slots are used to house the computer’s memory modules.
Newer motherboards support DDR3 memory, the current industry standard
memory architecture, but motherboards with DDR2 memory slots and even
DDR1 memory slots are still present on the market.
Fig.5: Memory Slots
7. Video Card Slot
The video card slot is situated right below the processor.
It is not uncommon for older motherboards, especially those that target
the office segment, to lack this slot, meaning that you won’t be able to
install a discrete video card, thus having to rely on the integrated one.
Fig.6: Video Card Slot
8. Expansion Slots
Expansions have the role of letting you install additional components to enhance or
expand the functionality of your PC.
These ports are located under the video card slot, and come in the form of PCI
slots (on older motherboards) or a scaled-down version of PCI-Express slots (on
newer motherboards).
Fig.7: Expansion Slots
9. BIOS Chip
The BIOS chip contains the basic code needed to take your computer
through the boot process, up to the point where the operating system takes
over. Since the BIOS code is stored on a memory chip that needs constant
power to function.
Fig,8: BIOS Chip
10. CMOS Battery
The complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) is a small
battery on the system board that powers the CMOS memory.
The CMOS memory keep very important settings in the computer
such as date, time, configuration of the hard drive etc. in such a way
that when the computer is switched off such settings are maintained.
Fig.9: CMOS Battery
11. Keyboard Connector
It's connector is located on the motherboard.
Keyboard connectors have two main types, the AT
and the PS/2 Connector.
The AT has round connecting interface into the
motherboard, while the PS/2 connector is rectangular
in shape and is smaller
Fig.11: Keyboard Connector
12. Mouse Connector
The mouse is also a very important input device on the computer. Its
connecting port is located on the motherboard. The connecting interface
is usually round or a USB like interface.
Fig.12: Mouse Connector
13. Floppy & Hard Disk Connectors
The Hard drive is the mass storage device of the computer system, same
with the floppy disk. They are on-board connecting interfaces that enable the
computer communicate with both drives.
Fig.13: Floppy & Hard Disk Connectors
14. Jumpers and DIP switches
Jumpers and DIP switches used to configure the system board serving as
a regulator for the amount of voltage supply as required by the various
components on the motherboard especially the processor.
15. Northbridge and Southbridge
The Northbridge is responsible for
coordinating the data flow between the
memory, the video card and the processor.
A secondary chip, known as Southbridge, has
a similar function, coordinating the data flow
between the processor and peripherals such as
sound cards or network cards.
Fig.10: Northbridge & Southbridge
16. Front Panel Connectors
The front panel connector is where all the elements present on the front
of your case are connected. Power button, reset button, power led, audio
connectors and USB connectors
17. Rear Connectors
These connectors are the bridge between the outside of your computer and
the inside.
The connectors are actually located on the left edge of the motherboard
however, since these connectors are accessible from the outside.
External peripherals such as keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers and so on
are all connected via these connectors.
18. Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random Access Memory, or RAM, usually refers to computer chips that temporarily
store dynamic data to enhance computer performance while you are working.
Random access memory is volatile, meaning it loses its contents once power is turned
off.
When a computer shuts down properly, all data located in RAM is returned back to
permanent storage on the hard drive or flash drive.
