Motherboard

From TPU Reference

A motherboard is the main PCB in a computer. The motherboard is the central part in a computer, and contains the mounts for the CPU,ram, and expansion slots (ie, PCIE, PCI, AGP, ect).

The parts of a motherboard include (but are not limited to)

• CPU socket. The CPU socket mates with the contacts on the bottom of the CPU, and provides power, to the CPU, as well as providing data flow.

• RAM slots. The RAM slots are slot like connectors which mate with the contacts on the bottom of the RAM. The amount of slots vary from 1 slot, to 8+ on server style motherboards.

• Expansion slots. These are slot like connectors on the back of the motherboard that can connect to PCI, PCIE, AGP, or any other card for which has a supporting slot on the motherboard.

• Power header. The power header is a 20 (or 24) pin header on the motherboard which connects to the motherboard connector on the PSU. On some motherboards, there may be additional 4 pin power headers.

• Mounting holes. The mounting holes are holes that are screwed into standoffs on the case.

• Chipset. The chipset handles operations on the motherboard. The chipset also dictates what kind of, and how many expansion slots there will be. The chipset can include the northbridge and southbridge

• Drive connection headers. These are used to connect drives to the motherboard. These can include ide, sata, or even scsi.

• Front panel headers. These are strips of pins which connect the front panel (power led, HDD act led, power button, and reset button) to the motherboard.