What is a Motherboard?

Somehow, the circuit card is launched to minimize the efforts of the gears. Are you curious about what it means? Let us elaborate on our saying that what is a motherboard in any system? Well! It works like the main board that plays a significant role in every uninterrupted performance of the other components. Do not get confused by the other terms of the motherboard:

The mainboard, the backbone of the gear, backplane board, board, mobo, mb, logic board, or system’s board.

It looks like a printed circuit board and is a significant part of any gear. In the system, it is a giant board in size. Although it assigns power to the gear components, it also allows communication between the CPU, memory, and other components.

Motherboard overview

Do you know about the motherboard in detail? What does it mean? Well! Here we have brought an overview of the motherboard that will help us understand many things quickly. Let’s start with the connectivity; the motherboard offers the connections between the hardware components and the computing system. The connection may be with the CPU, hard drive, RAM, and video card. The market has introduced many types of motherboards with distinct features and functionality. They are different in sizes, styles, form factors, and design. Every motherboard is specifically designed to give compatibility to specific processors and memory. Moreover, the latest hard drives are designed as universal drives to work with most motherboards.

Where is the motherboard located?

Are you confused about the placement of the motherboard in gear? It’s not as challenging as you are thinking. Undoubtedly, the large size is not the reason to get confused. You will also be familiar with the computer case if you have full gear. The computer case is the place where we connect the motherboard. In addition, it is where many other components and peripheral connections are connected. If we talk about the tower computing systems, the circuit cards are located on the right or left side of the tower.

Motherboard components

We all know about the motherboard; some will learn a little, and others may know too much. Here we have enlisted the motherboard components to make everyone familiar with it differently.

Let’s start to know about them:

• Expansion slots (PCI Express, PCI, and AGP): We have started in a manner; the first is the expansion slot. You are not bound to one term, also known as the bus slot or expansion port. It works as an installation connector in gear.

• 3-pin case fan connectors: Do we all know what a fan does in the systems? Well! You need fan connectors to connect the fans in the system. It blows the cool air in the system and throws the hot air away from it.

• Back pane connectors: They allow the connection between the plug or connector into any port. If we take the example of the mouse, it has to be connected to the system to perform the tasks.

• Heat sink: The latest technology helps the fans and cooling technology maximize the system’s cooling. You have two choices for this: one is an active heatsink, and the other is a passive heatsink.

• 4-pin (P4) power connector: Here, we have the 4-pin power connector, a cable with 12V power. The 4-pin connectors may be used with the motherboard. The latest standardized power connector has four wires connected to a single connector.

• Inductor: The electromagnetic coil produces the inductor to store its magnetic energy. These coils eliminate the power spikes and dips.

• Capacitor: Well! The capacitors are built with two conducting plates with an insulator. These plates have a covering of ceramic and plastic containers. Another type of capacitor is available in the market: electrolytic.

• CPU socket: It connects the CPU and the gear, allowing you to connect the processor to the system.

• Northbridge: It is built-in in the motherboard and referred to with nb and PAC. Its integration allows communication between the AGP, memory, and processor.

• Screw hole: You must be familiar with the term standoffs or standouts. The screw hole is the same thing. These screws are small in size and keep the motherboard in place within the case.

• Memory slot: If you are looking for a place to insert the RAM, here is the memory slot. You must insert the RAM in the case via memory slots on the motherboard.

• Super I/O: These circuits are embedded on the motherboard, which is helpful for the slow and least used input and output ports.

• ATA / IDE disk drive primary connection: If you have no idea about the ATA or IDE, you may know the term parallel ATA. The IDE’s controllers are on each drive, which means they can connect directly to the motherboard.

• 24-pin ATX power supply connector: Well! It replaces the P9 and P8 style connectors. It is the largest connector that holds the power cables inside the system.

• Serial ATA connections: IBM used the serial ATA connections to replace the parallel ATA interface in their computers. It supports external peripherals and can deliver a performance rate with a speed of 1.5Gps.

• Coin cell battery (CMOS backup battery): Every user knows the term CMOS; it is an onboard battery that empowers the system’s semiconductor chip to store the data. The data can be about the system’s time, date, or hardware settings.

• RAID: Do you know what the term RAI stands for? Well! Let us guide you; RAID means the redundant array of independent disks. It protects the system’s storage performance and is used within the higher servers or systems.

• System panel connectors: The front panel connector controls some system features. It can control the LEDs, power button, and reset button.

• FWH: Do you have any idea about the firmware hub? If not, it’s not a thing to get worried about in time. The part of the Intel accelerated hub contains both Integrated BIOS and the system’s BIOS on one part. It is directly connected to the input/output Hub without using any ISA bus.

• Southbridge: Southbridge is integrated into the motherboard and is responsible for the drive controls, hardware, and input/output controllers. This IC integration on the circuit card is known as southbridge as it is allocated on the south of the PCI bus.

• Serial port connector: These are the ports integrated into the computer to connect the devices in a serial. It can simultaneously transmit the signal from the system in one bit. They are easily recognizable on the IBM system’s compatibility as communication ports.

• USB headers: Do not consider it a USB; the USB headers are the pin connections that are added to the computer. You can install the USD add-on on any drive bay of your system, allowing your USB header to connect some additional USBs.

• Jumpers: If you want any integration on the motherboard that allows your gear to close the electrical circuits, then you have the jumpers. They allow the current flow in the circuit board to perform a function. Small plastic boxes cover the tiny pins of the jumpers.

• Integrated circuit: Undoubtedly, you will be familiar with integrated circuits in any motherboard. It has a stunning package with silicon circuits, transistors, logic gates, and more. In actuality, they are the building blocks of the system’s hardware.

• 1394 headers: Do not bother yourself with the name of the 1394 headers. They serve the motherboard as USB headers do. The pins allow you to provide the link between the circuit card and the USB peripherals.

• SPDIF: The users who show interest in the sound quality or check the audio jacks know the significance of the SPDIF in their systems. Well! It transmits the digital audio between the audio jack and home theater gear. You choose which cable you want to select for signals transmission: coaxial or fiber optics.

• CD-IN: before any query, we want to inform you that it is the alternative to the optical drive audio connector. It is found in the form of a 4-pin connector on the motherboard connecting the audio of the optical drive.

Older motherboard components

The information about the latest components doesn’t need to be enough for you. You should show interest in the knowledge of the older components too. Here you may think about why it is crucial. Do you want to know what is a motherboard holds in its older components? Then you will understand more about the arrival of new and improved components.

Let’s start to count down the list of the older parts that are:

• BIOS: Many times, you have heard about the system’s BIOS. In time, it is the abbreviation of the primary input & output system. To understand the concept, you should know that it is a ROM chip integrated into the motherboard. Moreover, you can access and apply settings to your system at the primary level.

• Bus: In any system, the data travels from one place to another by using some functions or components. Here, the bus is a significant source to send and carry the data in the system. The address bus links the components or devices connected to the computing system.

• Cache memory: no matter, cache memory is in the older component. What matters is it’s working in the system that will amaze you. It is just like you are talking about the physical piece. It is the area that provides high-speed access to the data. It is a significant part of the memory to store the data. Apart from this, it has two parts: one is a disk cache, and the other is a memory cache.

• Chipset: No one can deny the significance of the electronic components embedded in circuits. It plays a vital role in the data transmission among the different parts of the system. The features that are engaged by the chipset for data transfer are CPU, I/O devices, memory, and storage.

• Diode: A diode helps manage the current flow in one direction. It is the semiconductor device that affects the performance.

• Dip switches: It is a small switch that is known as the dual in one package. When you change the position of the Dip switch, it changes the operating mode of any technology. It can configure the system’s external devices such as modems, motherboards, and hard drives. Sometimes, you can use it as a jumper in the computing system.

• Electrolytic: The electrolytes are the capacitors with higher capacitance in a small pack. When a capacitor fails, it affects the performance of that component in the system.

• Floppy connection: Well! Floppy connection means the floppy cable that is a ribbon in the computing systems. It connects two or more two floppy disk drives to the computer.

• Fuse: You may know about the fuse and its works. Well! It works almost the same in gear. It acts like a mini circuit breaker as a low tolerance resistor. It prevents the gear from failing when the excessive current passes through it.

• Game port and MIDI header: You can say it is the type header integrated on the motherboard. The game port was developed by the IBM compatibility, located on the Game adaptor. Traditionally, it works as a connector with the joystick on MIDI devices.

• Internal speaker: You may understand it more by the alternative name onboard speakers. Its integration into the motherboard does some specific performance. It generates beeps and mono tones if we say about its functionality. It works like a primary speaker and does not function for the game’s music player or any complex sound generation.

• Keyboard controller: It is found on the motherboards with stunning IBM computing compatibilities. What does a keyboard controller handle in the system? Well! It holds the input from the system’s keyboard. The information may be A20 lines, resetting, PS/2 mouse, etc. With time, these keyboard controllers were replaced by microcontrollers with microprocessors, I/O slots, and RAM.

• LCC: Undoubtedly, it is short for the leadless chip carrier to perform in the motherboard. If you are thinking about its working and need it, let us help you know it. The method is specifically designed for the socket to allow an object to place the chip on the motherboard.

• Network header: The header connects the motherboard and carries transparent information or data packs about the transmission.

• Obsolete expansion slots: AMR, CNR, EISA, ISA, and VESA

  • AMR: Okay! So we have some obsolete expansion slots come along the motherboard. The first one is AMR which is the abbreviation of the audio/modem riser. It allows the OEM systems to make a card that can work like a modem, audio card, or both. The expansion slots will enable you to connect the peripherals with the system. PCIe has gotten more attention and massive traffic than AMR ever did. With time, AMR was no longer manufactured and could not be found in the latest motherboards.

  • CNR: Secondly, we have CNR slots, the short form of the communication and network riser. It was designed to support the audio, USB, LAN, and modem. It was developed by intel in 2000 and mainly by the leading hardware and software developers.

  • EISA: It’s time to know the third expansion slot that is EISA. With the complete form of extended ISA, it was first introduced by the IBM compatible systems to give competition to the MCA bus. It provided the bus with a 32-bit slot with higher processors. Apart from this, EISA is compatible with the old devices, so it is no longer available for the latest computers.

  • ISA: The fourth one is the ISA, the abbreviation of the industry standard architecture. The IBM-compatible computer introduced the first ISA slot, the 8-bit bus. After some time, the bus was expanded to 16-bit by the manufacturer. After realizing the bus in the market, it is noticeable that it only allows IBM to generate the peripherals and interface. Well! The ISA slots are no longer available as the PCI slots have taken their place in modern computer.

  • VESA: The fifth and last is the VESA slot with the full form video electronics standard association. A group of monitors and video card creators set the video display and standards of the bus. It was developed by the NEC and is known as the standardized VL bus.

• Obsolete memory slots: SIMM

  • SIMM: The complete form of the SIMM is the single memory module. It was developed by the Wang laboratories in the era of 1983. The circuit board holds six to nine chips on each board. Well! Here is the ninth chip that is used as an error-checking chip. It is used with the initial Intel Pentium and its compatible processors. Moreover, you have to install two SIMM slots because they are 32-bit wide, and the system is 64-bits. Later, the mighty DIMM slots replaced the single memory module.

• Onboard LED: Apart from this, the term LED is abbreviated by the light-emitting diode. Are you familiar with the semiconductor and its working? If yes, you will quickly understand this, as it is the semiconductor that illuminates when an electric current passes through it. If we talk about the laminating color, it shows red, green, or amber. But they can vary in color depending on the assortment of other colors with the case lightning.

• Parallel port header: It is the block that contains the integration of the parallel port on the motherboard. It transmits the data in multiple streams of signals at a time. It transfers the data by sending bits in parallel form. It may use 4, 8, or 16 bits of data sending and receiving.

• PS/2 header: It contains the round connectors with the six pins connection. It connects the keyboard and the mouse to the computing system.

• Resistor: Whenever we explain the motherboard’s components, we have found that the resistor is the part in the circuit that is somehow neglected much. They play a role in restricting and impeding the current flow in the circuit.

• RTC: It is embedded on the system’s motherboard and is an abbreviation of the real-time clock. Without any query, it is empowered by the CMOS battery to perform in the system. It is responsible for providing the accurate date and time of the system. In addition, RTC allows the regulation of the time and speed of all functions in the computer.

• Serial port header: The block contains the number of serial ports to connect the devices in series. They are integrated into the motherboard and transmit a one-bit signal from the system.

• SCSI: What do you know about the SCSI in any system’s motherboard? First, its complete form is a small computer system interface. In addition, you can also call it Scuzzy, an interface for the potent disk drives. Without any question, it can support eight or sixteen devices.

• Solenoid: It’s time to know about the solenoid, a thin looped wire or wrapped wire along the metallic object. When the current passes through this wrapped wire, it generates the magnetic field. It can also work as a transducer that converts the energy in a linear motion. In addition, you can use it as a switch to turn on/off anything. Motherboards can perform multiple functions with the solenoids, like regulating power from the power supply. It will help to minimize the risk of any spark or damage.

• Voltage regulator: Well! It is an integrated circuit on the motherboard. Let us elaborate on its working in the system. It works as an unregulated power source and manages the voltage to stay at a fixed level.

• VRM (voltage regulator module): The VRM is also known by the name of the processor power module, and it is the abbreviation of the voltage regulator module. You can have it on the motherboard or as a separate small circuit board. It regulates and supplies the voltage to the processor. AMD and Intel adjust the processor’s power using the VRM instead of a power supply.

Motherboard form factors and types

Every system has distinct compatibility with the motherboard. Form factor, size, quality, and great aesthetics are particular in functionality. We can say that if one system is compatible with the ATX board, it will do great.

Here we have enlisted the stunning form factors and types of the motherboards:

• AT: The first form factor of the card was used in the 1980s. We all know IBM computer compatibility has launched the AT form factor motherboard. It is a full-sized motherboard with 12 width and 13.8 inches in depth. When the users need it, they can fit it in the system of full tower design.

• ATX: The first ATX board was introduced by Intel, and it has been updated to many versions with time. Undoubtedly, advanced technology extended is used for the motherboard’s configuration and dimensions that help in improving the standardization. The size of the Full-ATX is 12 inches wide and 9.6 inches deep. 

• Baby AT: It was launched by IBM as the replacement for the full AT. You can call it a BAT or baby AT with the size of 8.57 inches in width and 13.04 inches in depth. It has a resemblance in size with the original IBM XT but fits in an AT-style case.

• BTX: Do you know what BTX represents? Well! It is known to short for the balanced technology extended. Intel first launched the motherboard’s form factor in 2003. It was the replacement of the ATX form factor. It is a low-profile form factor with an efficient layout that can facilitate cooling. While in 2006, Intel announced to stop manufacturing the BTX motherboards.

• D02TX: The form factor is designed for the motherboards. If you look at it, it looks like the variation of the ATX form factor that AMD designed. The design fits in the smaller computers like media center computers.

• LPX: When you know about the motherboard’s form factors, you will see the term LPX. But officially, it was in use from the 1980s to the 1990s. The size of the LPX motherboard is 9 inches in width and 13 inches in depth. Western Digital develops the low profile extension in the era of 1987. In addition, it uses the riser card and allows precise placement of the video, serial, and parallel ports.

• Full AT: It was initially developed by IBM computing compatibility and was introduced in the 1980s. They are full-sized motherboard that has a width of 12 inches and a depth of 13.8 inches. It requires full tower systems if you want its size to fit in.

• Full ATX: The stunning form factor is named ATX, the advanced technology extended. Intel developed it in 1995 and came with an updated version in 2002. Without any doubt, it has a size of 12 inches in width and 9.6 inches in depth. The form factor works like the ATX motherboard. It configures the circuit board and dimensions for improving the standards.

• microATX: Well! Here we have the microATX, which is also known as the mATX. Initially, it was developed in 1997 by Intel and is smaller to use in ATX or a minor system’s case. The form factor of the motherboard has a size of 9.6 inches in width and 9.6 inches in depth. It can be smaller than the mentioned size, up to 6.7 inches in width and 6.7 inches in depth.

• NLX: It was initially developed by the well-known Intel. The full form of the NLX is the New Low profile Extended which uses the riser board. It was the replacement of the nonstandard LPX. With the NLX form factor, you can remove the motherboard without removing the expansion cards.

How many connections, ports, or slots are on a motherboard?

When someone wants to know about the motherboards, they look for the sites that sell or publish something about it. You can search for your required technology, whether it is an old or the latest version. When it comes to motherboards, let us add some helpful information in it. Well! You may get confused by the number of connections on the circuit card. The circuit card has many ports or slots embedded in it. Every motherboard is distinct from each other; they are not standardized to have the same sets. You can check the specifications of the circuit card to make you aware of the number of connections, ports, or slots. Unfortunately, if someone lost their documentation, they can find the specifications from the original websites where their free PDF are available and allows downloading.

Why are the slots and connections different colors?

Do you have ever noticed by looking at the motherboard why the integration of the slots, ports, and connections have different colors? If yes, don’t you want to know why they do so? Well! It may be a color code to help users identify the port, slot, or connection type. Let us explain by using an example of the different colors of the memory slots, which indicates that they are dual-channel and need a paired memory to install the same color channel.

How does a motherboard connect to a computer case?

Have you invested in the motherboard and don’t know how to connect it with the system? Well! The answer is simple you can connect the circuit card with the gear via standouts. If you have connected the motherboard correctly, don’t worry about the placement of other components. It is so because adjusting the motherboard allows the easy adjustment of different components.

What was the first motherboard?

You now know what is a motherboard, but do you know about the development of the motherboard? How was it developed or something like this? Let us tell you about the very first motherboard. In 1981, IBM used the first motherboard in their computing system. Initially, people used to call IBM a planar rather than a motherboard. The integrated motherboard in the IBM system has set the benchmark for the IBM compatibility hardware that goes on with the time.

Since there is a motherboard, is there a fatherboard?

Well! Somehow a question arises in many users' minds if the manufacturers have made the motherboard, have they introduced any board with the name father board? The answer is no; just because there’s a daughterboard doesn’t mean there will be a father board, too, which refers to the computing system.

Where did the motherboard get its name?

Have you ever heard of the name daughterboards? If not yet, here we have some immersive information for you. These circuit cards allow plugging in one sizeable main circuit board, named a motherboard. All the smaller circuit cards perform mini or particular tasks so that you can consider them as the children of the leading large board. That’s how these circuit cards were named as the motherboard.

Are Dell, HP, and other OEM motherboards different?

Without any further query, it’s a yes. All three Dell, HP, and OEM circuit cards are a little distinct from any cards you have ever found. If we talk about the OEM motherboard, it is specifically designed to fulfill the need for one system model. In contrast, these OEM circuit cards can make drastic changes that can be more immersive than the typical card’s form factor. However, these boards have some distinctions over others, no matter if they have a resemblance in layout. You can switch if you say there are no changes between the typical and OEM circuit cards. If you want to change many things from the OEM systems, you must replace them with the other OEM.

Is there a motherboard on a laptop, smartphone, or tablet?

Undoubtedly, whenever you hear the board’s name, the first thing that comes to mind is the gear’s motherboard. You will wonder why it’s always a gear component. Well! Not always because the board also refers to a logic board. It works like a motherboard in many ways. You need to know the size required with the logic boards, for example, the size requirement for the RAM or CPU. In addition, smartphones and tablets have no upgradation options because they have no integration of the ports, slots, and sockets like any standardized gear’s circuit card.