| Everyone knows what a computer is, even | | | | system's overall speed higher. Each new |
| though not all of them know how to use one. | | | | development is meant to increase the overall |
| There are many components that come into play | | | | performance of the components. |
| when it comes to a running computer, each | | | | |
| with its own purpose, but none of them is as | | | | Motherboards have an integrated chipset which |
| important as the motherboard. | | | | serves the purpose of building an interface |
| | | | between the front-side bus of the CPU and the |
| A computer has many different parts. Among | | | | main memory and the other peripheral buses. |
| them we can name the CPU, the brain of the | | | | Without this, the CPU cannot communicate with |
| computer, the hard drive, for storage, the | | | | external devices. |
| RAM memory, which store data for quick and | | | | |
| easy access, graphics card, for better 3D | | | | Another important component of motherboards |
| performances, sound cards, to enhance the | | | | is the Basic Input/Output System, or short |
| audio experience, a networking card, so you | | | | BIOS. When a computer is turned on for the |
| can link your computer to others and many | | | | first time, the code run by that computer is |
| more. | | | | BIOS. The function of this code is to |
| | | | identify and initiate other hardware |
| While each of them is very important for the | | | | components found on the system, like floppy |
| performance of a computer, all of them are | | | | disk drives, hard drives, or CD-ROM drives. |
| linked together for proper functioning by one | | | | |
| thing: the motherboard. A glossary definition | | | | The clock generator of a motherboard |
| for its purpose would be to provide logical | | | | synchronizes various components. Nearly every |
| and electrical connections through which the | | | | motherboard today includes connectors that |
| other system components communicate. | | | | can support devices used commonly. Among them |
| | | | we can name PS/2 and Universal Serial Bus |
| Motherboards link together the various | | | | connectors. |
| components through conductive pathways, | | | | |
| usually made from copper, which are placed | | | | Since the manufacturers of motherboards |
| onto a non-conductive substrate. They include | | | | decided that they should set a standard so |
| various connectors for those components to be | | | | universally compatible hardware can be |
| inserted in or attached to. | | | | created, there were lots of improvements in |
| | | | the field. PCI and AMR slots can be found in |
| What do you usually find on motherboards? The | | | | almost every product, and in them we can |
| first thing is the socket for the CPU. The | | | | insert networking cards, audio cards, modems |
| sockets are designed according to the CPUs, | | | | and other components specially designed for |
| forming an electrical interface with them, | | | | these slots. |
| which means that you cannot place any CPU | | | | |
| into a particular socket. | | | | Another connector found on a motherboard is |
| | | | the power connector. This receives the |
| Other very important slots are the ones where | | | | electrical power form the PSU and it is |
| the main memory is inserted. They store data | | | | distributed among the components so they can |
| for the CPU to access quickly, in order to | | | | function properly. |
| perform the needed functions, making the | | | | |