Motherboards (Lesson Notes)
Purpose
The motherboard is a connection device. It facilitates communication between all components, including the CPU, RAM, and video card. Think of it like the nervous system: everything routes through it to reach the CPU, which acts like the brain.
Bus System
Buses are sets of parallel wires that carry data between chips. Bus widths vary and may be 4-bit, 8-bit, 128-bit, or other sizes.
| Bus | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Memory bus | CPU and RAM communication |
| Data bus | CPU and storage or other systems communication |
| Video bus | CPU and video card communication, such as PCI-based connections |
| Front side bus | Related to the chipset |
Connectors
Connectors vary by motherboard, but common examples include memory slots, the CPU socket, SATA ports for drives, USB headers, expansion slots, and rear I/O ports such as ethernet, audio, HDMI, and USB.
Form Factors
- Proprietary - Brand-specific, such as Dell, and usually fits only its original case.
- ATX - A standardized form factor that fits many cases and power supplies.
- ITX - Another popular standard, often used in smaller builds.
Expansion Slots (PCI)
Expansion slots are used to add or upgrade components.
| Slot | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| PCIe x16 | Video cards |
| PCIe x8 / x4 / x1 | Sound cards, network cards, and other expansion cards |
| PCI (original) | Legacy expansion cards |
Key Takeaway
Know your connectors and slots by sight. That is critical for both building and troubleshooting.