Motherboard
The motherboard is the base board what holds the vast majority of internal components together to interconnect and function with one another. Dependent on what internal components are integrated on the motherboard originally the components are usually interchangeable allowing access to remove, repair or upgrade existing hardware components.
Form Factors
The motherboard comes in different "form factors" which vary in size and specifications for different computer systems. The largest form factor is a WTX (Workstation Technology eXtended) which was use for high-end processing, multiple hard disk servers and workstations.
The most common form factors in more modern PC's are the ATX, EATX, ITX, NLX, MicroATX and Mini-ITX/ATX they range in size from smallest to biggest and the computer case must be considered when building a computer to make sure it fits with the right size motherboard.
BIOS
The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is stored on non-volatile memory so every time the computer shuts down the basic settings are saved. It is the first component to boot and in older PC's if BIOS was stored on ROM (Read Only Memory) then BIOS was reliant on small information in the CMOS battery to boot
CMOS Battery
In more modern computer systems the CMOS battery is only used to store and maintain date and time (continuously while either turned on and off) in a computer system if the BIOS is stored on flash memory.
In older computers the CMOS battery was used for storing a small amount of data for BIOS so the BIOS configurations (e.g. if you changed the BIOS boot order process, or the date and time) are not reset every time the computer system powers off. CMOS battery can be internal or attached and connected onto the motherboard.
RAM Slots
The RAM slots are the vertical slots on the motherboard which store the RAM (Random Access Memory). The RAM works with the hard drive in fetching information, the more RAM the system has inside of it the more data for the processor it can fetch and hold, when downloading and using big files that need to use a lot of instructions, e.g. CAD design software, game design software etc. If the system only holds 2GB of RAM memory in the system then the RAM isn't going to be able to contain all the data that the processor will be asking for.
Front/Back Panel Connectors
The front and back panel connectors are the ports at the end of the internal hardware components to allow peripheral connectivity between the computer system and the peripheral devices the user wants to use with the computer system.
PCI Slots
These are used for connecting the specialized cards e.g. graphics cards, network cards.
Form Factors
The motherboard comes in different "form factors" which vary in size and specifications for different computer systems. The largest form factor is a WTX (Workstation Technology eXtended) which was use for high-end processing, multiple hard disk servers and workstations.
The most common form factors in more modern PC's are the ATX, EATX, ITX, NLX, MicroATX and Mini-ITX/ATX they range in size from smallest to biggest and the computer case must be considered when building a computer to make sure it fits with the right size motherboard.
BIOS
The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is stored on non-volatile memory so every time the computer shuts down the basic settings are saved. It is the first component to boot and in older PC's if BIOS was stored on ROM (Read Only Memory) then BIOS was reliant on small information in the CMOS battery to boot
CMOS Battery
In more modern computer systems the CMOS battery is only used to store and maintain date and time (continuously while either turned on and off) in a computer system if the BIOS is stored on flash memory.
In older computers the CMOS battery was used for storing a small amount of data for BIOS so the BIOS configurations (e.g. if you changed the BIOS boot order process, or the date and time) are not reset every time the computer system powers off. CMOS battery can be internal or attached and connected onto the motherboard.
RAM Slots
The RAM slots are the vertical slots on the motherboard which store the RAM (Random Access Memory). The RAM works with the hard drive in fetching information, the more RAM the system has inside of it the more data for the processor it can fetch and hold, when downloading and using big files that need to use a lot of instructions, e.g. CAD design software, game design software etc. If the system only holds 2GB of RAM memory in the system then the RAM isn't going to be able to contain all the data that the processor will be asking for.
Front/Back Panel Connectors
The front and back panel connectors are the ports at the end of the internal hardware components to allow peripheral connectivity between the computer system and the peripheral devices the user wants to use with the computer system.
PCI Slots
These are used for connecting the specialized cards e.g. graphics cards, network cards.
Northbridge Chipset
Allowing Communication via front side bus between the CPU, PCI-E slots and memory.
Southbridge Chipset
Allowing Communication between the rest of the motherboard, e.g. PCI Slots, peripherals, BIOS and power connectors.
CPU Socket
The CPU socket is a socket on the motherboard that stores and allows connectivity between the CPU and the motherboard.
Fan Headers
This is where you would connect the fan for either the CPU/case/northbridge. Most computer cases computer integrated with case fan headers.
Power Connectors
The power connectors are used to connect the power supply unit to most of the other components on the motherboard. It supplies power and functionality to the other components.
The CPU socket is a socket on the motherboard that stores and allows connectivity between the CPU and the motherboard.
Fan Headers
This is where you would connect the fan for either the CPU/case/northbridge. Most computer cases computer integrated with case fan headers.
Power Connectors
The power connectors are used to connect the power supply unit to most of the other components on the motherboard. It supplies power and functionality to the other components.
Unit 2 P1 - Motherboard
