The Motherboard
What is a motherboard?
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The motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer that links all other components together.
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Components can communicate by sending signals and data across pathways called buses.
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Some components, like the CPU and RAM, are directly installed in special sockets on the motherboard.
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There are expansion slots for further components like a graphics card.
What is connected to the motherboard?
Central​ Processing Unit
Random Access Memory
Graphics​ Processing Unit
Read Only Memory
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Cache Memory
Sound Card
Hard Disk Drive
Power Supply Unit
What is a motherboard's form factor?
Form factor relates to the motherboard's size, shape and how many components it can fit. The three most common form factors are compared below:
ATX
Micro ATX
Mini ITX
Standard
Small
Very Small
32 GB
64 GB
128 GB
7
4
1
Size
Max RAM
Expansion Card Slots
GB stands for gigabytes
What ports does a motherboard have?
The motherboard contains several ports on the back panel, allowing cables to be connected to input or output data. Below are some of the common ports:
USB (Type-A)
Connects input devices like keyboards and mice or storage devices like a USB memory stick.
USB (Type-C)
A newer type of USB that is faster and commonly used to charge devices or transfer data.
Ethernet
Allows a device to connect to a wired network, most commonly to a router, for internet access.
HDMI
Connects to a monitor or TV to show the computer's audio and visual output.