A motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer that connects and allows communication between all its components. It serves as the backbone of the system, providing electrical pathways for data and power.
Key Functions of a Motherboard:
- Houses the CPU (Processor): The motherboard has a CPU socket where the processor is installed.
- RAM Slots: It contains slots for RAM (Random Access Memory), which is used for temporary data storage.
- Storage Connections: Supports HDDs, SSDs, and NVMe drives via SATA or M.2 slots.
- Power Distribution: Connects to the power supply unit (PSU) to distribute power to different components.
- Expansion Slots: Includes PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slots for graphics cards, sound cards, and other expansion cards.
- Input/Output Ports: Has USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and audio ports for peripherals and networking.
- BIOS/UEFI Firmware: Stores basic system settings and allows the computer to boot up.
- Cooling and Sensors: Monitors temperature and fan speeds to prevent overheating.
Types of Motherboards:
- ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended): Standard size for desktops.
- Micro-ATX: Smaller than ATX, fewer expansion slots.
- Mini-ITX: Very compact, ideal for small builds.
- E-ATX (Extended ATX): Larger with extra features, used in high-end systems.
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