About PC Motherboards

The motherboard or system board of a computer is a printer-circuit board that all the internal components are connected to. The motherboard distributes power and relays information between the components that plug into it. Typically, the motherboard houses or has connections for the processor, RAM, chipsets, ROM, hard drive and peripheral connectors and slots.

Size

The size and shape of the motherboard is also termed its form factor. Form factors differ based on the computer manufacturer and the size of the computer (i.e., desktop vs. laptop). The current standard form factor is called the ATX.

Stability

Motherboard stability is important; if the motherboard malfunctions, the computer will not run as expected and may stop working even though all components are in good condition. Random crashes, reboots and failure to boot are classic signs on an unstable or damaged motherboard.

Processor Support

The two largest manufacturers of processors are Intel and AMD. They are not compatible. Motherboards that support Intel chips are called Intel platforms. Those that support AMD chips are AMD platforms.

Chipsets

Chipsets are a vital part of a motherboard. The chipsets control the board and its capabilities. A chipset supports the processor by relaying information between vital computer components. A chipset is built into the motherboard and cannot be replaced without upgrading the whole board. AMD, Intel, NVidia and Via are the main manufacturers of chipsets.

RAM and Expansion Slots

Motherboards have a limited number of slots for RAM (Random Access Memory), the main memory used to run software applications. It is a good idea to buy a motherboard with more room for RAM than you currently need so it can be upgraded in the future to support more advanced software. Other connectors and expansion slots include USB slots, serial ports, Video-out ports and so on.

Resources

• Motherboard Assembly