Motherboard

Motherboard is the backbone of the computer. It is the component present in the system unit. All the components of the computer are connected to the motherboard.

Motherboard Components:

• Processor socket

                It is the socket (connector) for connecting the processor with the motherboard.

• RAM slot

                It is the slot (connector) for connecting the RAM with the motherboard.

• Adapter slot

                It is the slot (connector) for connecting adapter cards, graphics card and sound cards with the board.

• Port

                  Serial Port

                        Serial port consists of pins. Serial port is used to transfer 1 bit data at a time. 

                  Parallel Port

                       Parallel port consists of holes. The parallel port is used to transfer 8 bits data at a time.

• Drive Interfaces

              The drive interface is the interface (connection) between hard disk with the motherboard.

                     1. PATA - Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment 

           2. SATA - Serial Advanced Technology Attachment

  
        
          3. SCSI - Small Computers System Interface

• North Bridge

                  North bridge is the communication part (or path) between RAM and processor.

• South Bridge

                  South bridge is the communication part between processor with the other components (ports).

• BIOS

                 Basic Input Output System. BIOS is used to provide the basic services for the system. BIOS is the initial program executed (runned) after the system is switched on. BIOS initiates the other system processes.

• CMOS

                  Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. It contains:

1. Boot sequence - Assigning the boot option (booting from Hard disk, CD ROM, etc)
2. BIOS sequence
3. Date & Time settings
4. Display device (monitor) information (i.e., brightness, contrast, color depth)

Types:

• Fullsize Advanced Technology (Fullsize AT)

               Specifically designed for server machines. Only the port for the keyboard is in-built, the remaining ports should be added using adapter cards. It supports only Static RAM (SRAM).

• Baby AT

             Designed for client machines. It is developed by IBM. Only the port for the keyboard is in-built, the remaining ports should be added using adapter cards. It supports only Static RAM (SRAM).

• Advanced Technology Extended (ATX)

             ATX board has all the ports are built-in port except the ethernet port (which is used for connecting to a network). ATX board supports both the client and the server machines. ATX board supports DDR1 RAM and SRAM.

• Low Profile Extended (LPX)

                LPX board supports RISER card, which acts as a daughter board.

• New Low Profile Extended (NLX)

               NLX board supports RISER card, which acts as a daughter board.

• Micro Advanced Technology Extended (MTX)

                All the ports in the MTX board are in-built ports including ethernet port. This is the board which is currently being used. The main advantage of the board is its compact design.

• Balanced Advanced Technology Extended (BTX)

                  BTX board was launched in the year 2009. Only few processors (like i5, i7) are supported by this motherboard.