Most people are unaware of the parts of a motherboard, but before that, you need to know what a motherboard is. In other terms, a logic board or a main board works like a circuit board for the computer system The motherboard plays a vital role in controlling all the components of your system and even helps in setting a link between all the components.
Components including ROM, CPU, RAM, PCI etc. You might have noticed that the motherboard has a device for the controller, such as a mouse, keyboard etc. As soon as the system starts using the motherboard, all the components act like the backbone to help the system. For both desktop and laptop, the motherboard act as a printed circuit board (PCB).
The Components of The Motherboard and Their Functions
There are a lot of components available in a motherboard, and over here, we will be discussing some of the major motherboard components. This list will prove to be very helpful.
We have done the research and incorporated the information.
- Southbridge /Northbridge
In the core logic chipset, two chips are available on the motherboard. If you go for the comparison, then the Southbridge instructs slower capacity than the Northbridge chipset of the computer architecture.
The northbridge is also familiar with the host bridge or the memory controller Hub. Through the front-side bus (FSB), it connects the CPU directly. It takes charge of any high performance required for any task. Southbridge and Northbridge transfer the communication between the CPU and other motherboard components.
- CPU (Central Processing Unit) Chip
We all are quite well aware of the full form of CPU, the central processing unit. To explain properly we can say it is electronic machinery in a computer that carries out the instructions to construct a program. Along with that, it carries out the instructions that are specified in the desktop program, like the basic logo, arithmetic, controlling and input/output operation.
- RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM stands for random access memory. It works like computer memory that can only read and write. The main function is to save data and machine code. It allows the data to read and write with quite a similar amount of time, irrespective of the physical location in the memory. If you compare it with a hard drive or any other direct access storage, RAM is much faster to read and write the data.
- I/O
The input/output ports on the motherboard work as an interconnection between the CPU and peripheral devices. To function input and output processes, there are two methods available. The first is the memory-mapped I/O (MMIO), and the second is the port-mapped I/O (PMIO). At times you can also use dedicated I/O processors known as channels on mainframe computers which carry out their own instructions.
- BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
In the booting process, BIOS is used to perform hardware initialisation and provide service duration for the operating system and program. When the computer is turned on, the BIOS firmware is re-installed on the system board and becomes the first software to run when powered on.
- CPU Slot
The other name of the CPU socket is the Processor socket which includes more than one mechanical component. The components provide mechanical and electrical connections linking the PCB and the microprocessor (CPU). Henceforth without soldering, you can install the CPU on a motherboard.
- USB (Universal Serial Bus)
USB stands for a universal serial bus and is a current standard that creates descriptions for connectors, cables, etc. It also helps with power supply, computer peripherals, and other desktop interactions among computers. You will find amazing USB hardware that has several different connectors and the USB-C is the latest one.
- AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) Slot
AGP was depicted as a high-range connection that can connect a video card to a computer system. It was mainly designed to aid in speeding up the 3D computer graphics. The AGP was originally a successor of the PCI series for video cards. Still, it was replaced by the PCIe slots.
- Clock Generator
A clock generator is an electronic circuit that helps produce a clock signal that can be used in synchronising a circuit operation. The range is between high and low frequencies. Henceforth creating an action coordinate metronome.
- Heat Sink/ Heatsink
It is used as a passive heat exchanger. It helps in transferring the heat generated by the parts of the motherboard into a fluid medium. The fluid medium will be separated away from the device. Henceforth the temperature is kept within the tolerated range. The heat sink on the motherboard is generally used to cool down the CPU, GPU, RAM module and chipset.
- Jumper
A jumper can be described as the low length of a conductor for closing, opening and bypassing purposes in an electronic circuit. You can use a jumper to set up the motherboard or any other printed circuit board.
- DIP (Dual In-Line Package) Switch
You can describe the DIP switch as a manual electric switch packaged along with the others in a standard package. Thus it can either refer to a whole unit or an individual switch. The main purpose of this switch on the motherboard is to work together with other motherboard components. You will be able to customise the behaviour for the specific situations of an electronic device.
- Keyboard And Mouse Port
You have definitely seen that your keyboard is directly connected to the motherboard. Two types of connectors are available. DIN (Deutsches Institut Fur Normung) connector is the oldest one, and the newer one is named a miniDIN PS/2-style connector. In most cases, the newer one is used, which works like a connector for both the keyboard and mouse.
- Power Supply Connector
In order to make the computer workable, it needs proper electric work and that is what the power supply connector provides. The standard power is 110 volt AC to 12 volts, 5 volts etc., DC.
- CMOS Battery
CMOS stands for a complementary metal oxide semiconductor, and you can also call it a memory battery, clock battery etc. Moreover, the CMOS battery is a CP2032 lithium coined cell. It has been estimated that the lifespan is around three years if the power supply unit is switched off or unplugged.
- IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) Controller
A host adapter is the one that a device uses for connecting IDE, USB, IDE etc. And this host adapter is referred to as an IDE controller. The other name of the host adapter is a host controller or even a host bus adapter. It aids by connecting the computer with other networks along with storage devices.
- FDC (Floppy Disk Controller)
It is a chip for special use and connects disk controller circuitry. Its function is to control and direct the reading and writing of the computer.
- Parallel Ports
It works like an interface that aids by attaching the peripherals to the desktop. This kind of port gains its name from processing the data that has been sent. Henceforth, the parallel ports send different bits of data simultaneously. On the other hand, for the serial interface, send the data one at a time. There will be multiple data lines in the parallel port cables to transfer parallel data. Compared with the serial ports, parallel port cable are larger that includes a single data line.
- ISA
ISA can be said to be a 16-bit internal bus of IBM PC/AT. Other systems built on intel 80286 and its immediate successors of 1980 can be referred to as ISA. The ISA is largely compatible with an 8-bit bus of the 8088-based IBM PC. The extended version of ISA is known as an extended industry standard architecture
- PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Slot
It is defined as a local computer bus that connects hardware to a computer. Moreover, to distinguish from the successor PCI Express, the PCI is known as conventional PCI. The older PCI has been replaced by PCI Express, which has an expansion bus standard along with high speed.
Conclusion….
Hence these were the 20 major parts of the motherboard. Accordingly, the necessary details are given so you can clearly understand them. The two major components of the motherboard are the CPU and RAM. These components have different importance in different situations.
