3. What is a Motherboard?
● The motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a
computer, connecting and enabling communication
between all the essential components of the system.
● Acts as the backbone of the computer, distributing power
and allowing hardware components to communicate.
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5. Back Panel Ports
Ports for connecting the computer to external devices such
as display ports, audio ports, USB ports, Ethernet ports, PS/2 ports etc.
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6. Back Panel Connectors &
Ports
VGA Cable
● Also known as D-sub cable, analog
video cable
● Connect one end to: computer
monitor, television (PC input port)
● Connect other end to: VGA port on
processor
● 640x480px resolution
● Analog signals
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7. Back Panel Connectors &
Ports
DVI Port & Connector
● DVI is a video interface used to connect
monitors, projectors, and other display
devices to a computer. It supports both
analog and digital video signals over a
single connector)
● 1920x1200px
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8. Back Panel Connectors &
Ports
HDMI Port & Connector
● An HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia
Interface) port on a PC allows you to
connect audio and video devices to your
computer using a single cable.
● You can use HDMI to connect your PC to a
TV, monitor, or projector.
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9. Back Panel Connectors &
Ports
PS/2 port
● The PS/2 port is a 6-pin mini-DIN connector
used for connecting keyboards and mouse
to a PC (Electric connector)
● Its name comes from the IBM Personal
System/2 series of personal computers,
with which it was introduced in 1987
○ Purple PS/2 port: keyboard
○ Green PS/2 port: mouse
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10. Back Panel Connectors &
Ports
Ethernet port
● Ethernet ports can also be referred to
as sockets or jacks.
● The main function of an ethernet port is
to create an ethernet connection.
● Ethernet connections can be created
between computers, servers, switches,
hubs, routers, modems, gaming consoles,
printers and much more.
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11. 17
Back Panel Connectors &
Ports
3.5 m m Audio Port
● Connect one end to: computer
speakers,
3.5mm headphones, 3.5mm microphone
● Connect other end to: audio ports
on computer
○ Green audio port: computer
speakers or
headphones
○ Pink audio port: microphone
○ Blue audio port: MP3 player, CD player,
DVD player, turntable, electric guitar
devices)
12. Back Panel Connectors &
Ports
USB Port
● USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a widely
used technology for connecting
devices to computers.
● It is commonly used for transferring
data between computers and other
peripherals such as printers, external
hard drives, keyboards, and more.
○ USB 2.0 ports have black tips
○ USB 3.0 ports have blue tips.
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13. PCI
Slots
● PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect
● Slot for older expansion cards such as
sound cards, network cards, connector
cards.
● Have been largely replaced by PCI-Express
x1 slots
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14. PCI Express x1
Slots
● Slot for modern expansion cards such as
sound cards, network cards (Wi-Fi, Ethernet,
Bluetooth), connector cards (USB) and
certain low-end graphics cards.
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15. PCI Express x16
Slot
● Slot for discrete graphic cards and high
bandwidth devices such as top-end solid
state drives..
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16. Northbridge Chipset
● The northbridge is a chip that is part
of a computer's motherboard, and it
plays a crucial role in connecting the
processor, memory, and high-speed
peripherals.
● The northbridge acts as a
communication hub between the
processor and other components of
the computer system, including the
memory, graphics card, and some
peripheral devices.
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17. Southbridge
Chipset
● The southbridge's main purpose is
to handle the input/output (I/O)
functions of the computer.
● It acts as a bridge between the
central processing unit (CPU) and
other peripheral devices, facilitating
communication and data transfer.
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18. CPU
Socket
● A CPU socket, also known as a CPU
slot, is a physical connection between
a computer's central processing unit
(CPU) and its motherboard.
● It allows the CPU to be installed
or replaced without soldering.
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19. IDE Connector
● Integrated Drive Electronics
● Connects to older hard drive disks
and optical drives for data transfer.
● Have been replaced over by
SATA connectors
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20. SATA
Connectors
● SATA (Serial ATA) is a computer
interface standard that allows for
the transfer of data between
storage devices, such as hard disk
drives (HDDs), solid-state drives
(SSDs), and optical drives, and a
computer's motherboard.
● Connects to modern hard disk
drives, solid state drives and optical
drives for data transfer.
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21. RAM Slots
● RAM slots are physical connectors
on a computer's motherboard that
hold Random Access Memory (RAM)
modules.
● Typically, motherboards have a total
of 4 RAM slots.
● Some high-end motherboards may
contain as many as eight slots, and
in supercomputers, there may be
multiple motherboards per system,
up to 32 slots total.
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22. RAM
Slots
● A CMOS (Complementary Metal-
Oxide- Semiconductor) battery is a
small, coin- shaped battery found on
a computer's motherboard.
● It provides power to the CMOS chip,
which stores important system
information such as the date, time,
and hardware settings in the CMOS
memory.
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23. Power Connector
● A motherboard's power connector is a cable
that supplies power to the motherboard's
circuits.
● The main power connector is the ATX 24-pin
connector, which connects to the power
supply unit (PSU).
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24. Types of Motherboards
● AT Motherboard (Advanced Technology Motherboard)
○ The AT motherboard was one of the earliest types
used in computers during the 1980s and 1990s.
○ Form Factor: Large in size, typically 12 inches x 13.8
inches,
requiring large cases.
○ Power Connector: Used a 12-pin connector, which is
now outdated.
○ Limitations:
■ Bulky size made it difficult to install and upgrade.
■ Lack of proper power management.
■ Not compatible with modern computer systems. 24
25. Types of Motherboards
● ATX Motherboard (Advanced Technology Extended)
○ Introduced by Intel in the mid-1990s, the ATX motherboard
became the standard for personal computers.
○ Form Factor: Available in a range of sizes, the full ATX board
typically
measures 12 inches x 9.6 inches.
○ Features:
■ Efficient layout with components easily accessible.
■ Battery enabled power connectors (20/24-pin).
■ Supports high-performance CPUs and RAM.
○ Use Cases: Widely used in desktops, workstations,
and gaming PCs.
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26. Types of Motherboards
● Micro-ATX Motherboard
○ A smaller version of the ATX motherboard, designed
for compact cases.
○ Form Factor: Measures 9.6 inches x 9.6 inches.
○ Features:
■ Fewer expansion slots compared to ATX.
■ Compatible with most ATX cases.
■ Suitable for mid-range computers with
moderate
expansion needs.
○ Use Cases: Home PCs, budget gaming systems, and
office computers.
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27. Types of Motherboards
● Mini-ITX Motherboard
● The Mini-ITX motherboard is a compact form factor
designed for space-saving devices.
● Form Factor: Measures 6.7 inches x 6.7 inches.
● Features:
○ Limited to one PCI slot.
○ Low power consumption.
○ Supports smaller cases and quieter systems.
● Use Cases: HTPCs (Home Theater PCs), small form factor
(SFF) builds, and low-power applications.
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28. Types of Motherboards
● E-ATX Motherboard (Extended ATX)Description:
● A larger version of the ATX motherboard, designed for
high- performance systems.
● Form Factor: Measures 12 inches x 13 inches.
● Features:
○ More expansion slots and ports than standard ATX.
○ Supports extensive cooling solutions.
○ Ideal for high-end CPUs.
● Use Cases: High-performance gaming rigs, workstations,
and servers.
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29. Types of Motherboards
● BTX Motherboard (Balanced Technology Extended)
● Designed as an alternative to ATX, the BTX motherboard
aimed to improve thermal performance and layout
efficiency.
● Form Factor: Slightly different from ATX, with a focus on
airflow
and cooling.
● Features:
○ Better airflow for CPU cooling.
○ Rearranged components for efficiency.
● Limitations: It was not widely adopted and is now
largely discontinued. 29