The Major Motherboard Components and their FunctionsTHE MOTHERBOARD The main printed circuit board in a computer is known as the Motherboard. It is also known as System Board, Main Board or Printed Wired Board (PWB). Attached to it, we have numerous motherboard components that are crucial in the functioning of the computer. The motherboard acts as the connection point where major computer components are attached to. It holds many of the crucial components of the system like the processor, memory, expansion slots and connects directly or indirectly to every part of the PC. The type of motherboard installed in a PC has a great effect on system speed and expansion capabilities. MOTHERBOARD COMPONENTS The motherboard holds all the major logic components of the computer. Here we are going to see with no particular order, some of those major motherboard componets and their function in a computer or to be more precise in your computer. A core 2 Duo Intel Processor which do not require a power source to retain data. all data located in random access memory is returned back to permanent storage on the hard drive or flash drive.c. RAM begins to fill with programs automatically loaded at startup. meaning it loses its contents once power is turned off. it is the working place of your computer where active programs and data are loaded so that any time time the processor requres them. On PCs. and with files opened by the user a process called booting. Cyrix 486. it doesn't have to fetch them from the hard disk which will take a longer access time.t. BIOS is essentially the link between hardware and software in a system. The processor chip is identified by the processor type and the manufacturer. the BIOS is drivers.Central Processing Unit It is also known as the microprocessor or the processor. BIOS Chip BIOS.t. and it is responsible for fetching.Basic Input Output System BIOS is a term that stands for basic input/output system.g. In other words. or just drivers. Memory Modules Main Memory / Random Access Memory (RAM) Random access memory or RAM most commonly refers to computer chips that temporarily store dynamic data when you are working with your computer to enhance the computer performance.CPU. Intel 386. At the next boot-up. For example a 486DX processor fits into Socket 3. All motherboards include a small block of Read Only Memory (ROM) which is separate from the main system memory used for loading and running software. decoding and executing program instructions as well as performing mathematical and logical calculations. meaning all of them.c. This can help you identify the processor that fits in the socket. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) 386. Random access memory is volatile memory. When a computer shuts down properly. This is different from non-volatile memory such as hard disks and flash memory. LGA 775 e. which consists of low-level software that controls the system hardware and acts as an interface between the operating system and the hardware. Most people know the term BIOS by another name—device drivers. the BIOS contains all the . (old processor types) Intel Core 2Duo e. Pentium MMX. and this information is usually inscribed on the processor chip e. you can identify the processor socket as socket 1 to Socket 8. In other words. If the processor chip is not on the motherboard. It is the brain of the computer. • Floppy disk and hard disk drive types • CPU • RAM size • Date and time • Serial and parallel port information • Plug and Play information • Power Saving settings The Other Important data kept in CMOS memory is the time and date. display screen. The BIOS is stored on a ROM chip because ROM retains information even when no power is being supplied to the computer. disk drives. The system BIOS is a ROM chip on the motherboard used by the computer during the startup routine (boot process) to check out the system and prepare to run the hardware. CMOS Battery CMOS-Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Motherboards also include a small separate block of memory made from CMOS RAM chips which is kept alive by a battery (known as a CMOS battery) even when the PC’s power is off.g. serial communications. . CMOS devices require very little power to operate. which is updated by a Real Time Clock (RTC).code required to control the keyboard. This prevents reconfiguration when the PC is powered on. The CMOS RAM is used to store basic Information about the PC’s configuration e. and a number of miscellaneous functions. MSI 890FXA-GD70 AMD Phenom II 890FX Socket AM3 DDR3 800/2133* ATX Motherboard Current Bid: $118. and EISA expansion bus.99 Toshiba Satellite U505-S2950 Intel Motherboard 69N0VGM19A01 69N0VGM1JA01 Current Bid: $124. power and control signals from component to component. The different types of buses include PCI. PCI is the common expansion bus in a PC and other hardware platforms. PCI Slots Expansion Buses An input/output pathway from the CPU to peripheral devices typically made up of a series of slots on the motherboard.95 . Buses carry signals. Most CPUS have an internal cache (in-built in the processor) which is referred to as Level-I cache memory or primary cache memory. Expansion boards (cards) plug into the bus. This can be supplemented by external cache memory fitted on the motherboard. memory addresses. Some CPUs have both L1 and L2 cache built-in and designate the separate cache chip as Level 3 (L3) cache. such as data. Expansion buses enhance the PCs capabilities by allowing users to add missing features in their computers in form of adapter cards that are slotted in expansion slots. 60 Days Warranty !! Current Bid: $125.L2 Cache on an old Motherboard Cache Memory It is a small block of high-speed memory (RAM) that enhances PC performance by pre-loading information from the (relatively slow) main memory and passing it to the processor on demand.99 DELL Inspiron 1440 Motherboard P/N K137P. ISA. This is the Level-2 Cache memory or secondary cache.58 BIOSTAR N68S3+ AM3 NVIDIA MCP68S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard Current Bid: $39. a 200 MHz CPU receives 200 million pulses per second from the clock. the secondary cache and any devices situated on the buses." keeps track of the time of day and makes this data available to the software. • The SouthBridge (also called the input/output controller or expansion controller) handles communications between peripheral devices. For example.99 Dell Inspiron 1545 Intel MotherBoard G849F / 0G849F TESTED Current Bid: $61. Chipset manufacturers include SIS." also called the "system clock. which is way it is located physically near the processor.Dell U880P Inspiron 537 537s LGA775 SMT SFF Motherboard Current Bid: $39. A "timesharing clock" interrupts the CPU at regular intervals and allows the operating system to divide its time between active users and/or applications. a clock may be used to synchronize the data pulses between sender and receiver. A computer has got two main chipsets:• The NorthBridge (also called the memory controller) is in charge of controlling transfers between the processor and the RAM. VIA. The tem bridge is generally used to designate a component which connects two buses. Cpu Clock The clock synchronizes the operation of all parts of the PC and provides the basic timing signal for the CPU. and other devices connected to the IDE channels. This includes the CPU itself. A "real-time clock. The chipset also controls data flow to and from hard disks. the CPU clock breathes life into the microprocessor by feeding it a constant flow of pulses. Similarly. It is sometimes called the GMCH. in a communications device. Using a quartz crystal. ALI. . It is also called the ICH (I/O Controller Hub). Dip switch on an old motherboard. the main memory.c. forGraphic and Memory Controller Hub. A 2 GHz CPU gets two billion pulses per second. OPTI e.t.60 Chipset A chipset is a group of small circuits that coordinate the flow of data to and from key components of a PC. you can change a board's parameters. This device is called a bridge or a jumper cap. bent paper clip or pen top. When the bridge is connected to any two pins via a shorting link. a jumper consists of a plastic plug that fits over a pair of protruding pins. Jumpers are sometimes used to configure expansion boards. Care should be taken when cleaning near DIP switches as some solvents may destroy them. By placing a jumper plug over a different set of pins. it completes the circuit and a certain configuration has been achieved. Jumper pins Jumpers are small pins on the board with plastic or metal devices that go over the pins. They are very small and so are usually flipped with a pointed object such as a screwdriver.Jumper pins with a cap on Switches and Jumpers DIP (Dual In-line Package) switches are small electronic switches found on the circuit board that can be turned on or off just like a normal switch. Jumper cap A metal bridge that closes an electrical circuit. . Typically.
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