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A motherboard acts as a hub for computer devices, connecting the CPU, RAM, and drives, and can also support video and sound cards. It has numerous microchips and components, including the north and south bridge, which enable communication between the CPU and memory. The motherboard’s socket houses the CPU, which must be compatible with the motherboard. The motherboard also affects the amount and type of RAM that can be installed, and has expansion slots and drive connections for peripherals. It comes in different sizes and requires a power supply with the right connections.
A motherboard is the underlying main circuit board of a computer. The central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), and various discs or optical drives are all connected to interfaces on it. You can also embed or add a video interface and sound card, and additional connections are used by peripherals and various devices.
Purpose of motherboards
One of the main functions of a motherboard is to act as a “hub” to which other computer devices connect. A card can come in many configurations to suit different needs and budgets. In its most basic form, it has several interfaces for necessary components and numerous microchips that control how the computer starts up. Many computer enthusiasts prefer one type of card over another and choose a manufacturer based on the firmware installed on it or the types of hardware it supports.
Numerous chips and components are physically installed on a board, including the north and south bridge. These are two chipsets that are used with the CPU to enable communication between the processor and memory. All important components are directly or indirectly connected to the board, so it acts as a computer’s “nervous system”.
Motherboards and Processors
An important feature of a motherboard is the socket used to house the CPU. Different types of sockets are found on various boards, with different configurations for the processor pins. These plug into the socket, allowing it to act as a computer’s main processor.
Motherboards typically support a specific type of CPU, such as a processor made by AMD or Intel. Among the available processors, there are different grades of CPUs. A 64-bit AMD processor requires a different CPU socket than a 32-bit AMD processor. Anyone buying parts to build a computer needs to make sure that the CPU and motherboard are compatible.
Different RAM and cards
Motherboards also affect the amount and type of RAM users can install in a computer. It’s often best for someone to use a card that supports more RAM than they need. If a new RAM technology is available, getting a card that supports the latest type can help future-proof the hardware. Different types of RAM are available, denoted by terms like “Double Data Rate” (DDR) or “Dual In-line Memory Module” (DIMM), with new forms being introduced fairly regularly.
The cards also have a limit on the total amount of RAM they can support. It is important for someone to choose memory sticks that do not exceed this limit. Each stick may also have a memory limit set by the type of card used, which is indicated in a card’s manual provided by the manufacturer.
Expansion slots and drive connections
The number of Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) slots varies from one motherboard to another, which may include an accelerated graphics port (AGP) designed specifically for video cards. These slots are used to connect peripheral components within a computer case, such as video and sound cards or modems. New formats are often introduced that improve connection speed, so older motherboards may not support newer hardware.
The cards also have a set of Serial AT Attachment (SATA) ports or Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) connections for use with hard drives and optical devices. Just like other connections on motherboards, these change over time as new technologies are introduced. Adapters may be usable in some cases, although usually a new card will be needed when connecting a unit with newer patch cables.
Size and power supply
A motherboard also comes in one of a few standard footprints or sizes. This can affect the type of system case the card fits into. Many motherboard manufacturers also recommend particular power supplies that have been tested with their hardware. It is important that a large enough power source is used with a card and that the power supply has the right type of connections to plug it into.
