A motherboard is the central nervous system of a computer. It is responsible for everything from booting up your computer to running complex applications.
Even if you don’t know much about computers, you’ve probably heard of the term “motherboard” before.
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The term “motherboard” actually refers to two things: the physical board itself and the chipset. The chipset is a group of integrated circuits (ICs) that are responsible for communication between different parts of the computer.
The physical board is what everything mounts to and connects together.
The average motherboard has dozens of different slots and connectors. Here is a quick rundown of some of the most common ones:
CPU socket: This is where the CPU (central processing unit) plugs in. Most CPUs have their own built-in heatsink and fan, so you’ll need to make sure there’s enough clearance around this socket for proper airflow.
DIMM slots: These are where you’ll install memory (RAM) modules. RAM comes in various speeds and capacities, so be sure to check what’s compatible with your motherboard before purchasing any.
PCI slots: PCI stands for “Peripheral Component Interconnect.” These slots are used to install expansion cards like sound cards, network cards, and GPUs (graphics processing units).
There are several different types of PCI slots, so again, be sure to check compatibility before buying anything.
IDE/PATA connectors: These are used to connect devices like hard drives and optical drives (CD/DVD drives). PATA is an older standard that has been mostly replaced by SATA, but you may still find IDE connectors on some older motherboards.
SATA connectors: SATA stands for “Serial ATA.” These are used to connect SATA hard drives, SSDs (solid state drives), and optical drives.
SATA is the newer standard and offers faster data transfer speeds than PATA.
Power connectors: The motherboard needs power from the PSU (power supply unit) in order to function. There are usually several different types of power connectors on a motherboard, so be sure to check which one(s) your PSU uses before connecting anything.
USB ports: USB stands for “Universal Serial Bus.” These are used to connect all sorts of devices like keyboards, mice, printers, and external storage drives.
Most motherboards have several USB ports, but some also have special USB headers that can be used to connect internal devices like case fans and front panel USB ports.
