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com/tech/hardware/articles/what-is-motherboard/

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https://computertechnicians.com.au/14-most-common-motherboard-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/

12 Signs of Motherboard Failure: Everything

You Need To Know

There are many signs of motherboard failure, but in the event of such a
problem, diagnosing the exact signs of motherboard failure gets quite
difficult. Since a motherboard is the communication backbone of a
computer where all components and external peripherals interact as a
single unit, being able to pinpoint the root of any problem is very
important.

In this complete guide, we will cover all the major signs of motherboard
failure so that you will be able to understand where the problem lies and
how to solve it efficiently. If you are currently experiencing this issue,
there’s no need to worry as our experts have all the answers here.

Signs of Motherboard Failure Reasons

Abnormal restarts Due to a bad motherboard, the PC restarts while running.

Overheating Any overheated component leads to a motherboard failure.

BIOS failure If a BIOS update is interrupted, it can brick the motherboard.

Physical damages It causes damage to components connected with the motherboard.

 It shows errors when the operating system is at risk of potential
Blue screen of death
damage.

Computer freezing Performs well at the start and freezes after some time.

Power fluctuations Unstable power causes motherboard failure.

Defects in manufacturing
Subpar design of the motherboard causes its failure.
design

Failing to identify hardware Connected devices are not recognized by the motherboard.

Abnormal beep noises  Noises from PC indicate failure.

Dust particles Tiny particles enter the centre of circuits.

Ageing factor Use of a PC for a long time creates the need to update its components.

Contents [show]

List of the Common Signs of Motherboard Failure

A bad motherboard is not the only reason for a computer’s slow

processing, but it is one of the most common ones. Therefore, it’s
important to understand why your motherboard is underperforming or
not working properly.

Here are some common methods to diagnose a motherboard’s failure

and check where damage is occurring so that you can solve the problem.

1. Abnormal Restarts

In case your system automatically restarts while running, your

motherboard might be on the verge of failure. This happens usually due
to improper power supplied by the motherboard to components in
connection with it. Bear in mind that this isn’t always the result of a
defective motherboard.

One possible explanation for this could be that your computer is being
attacked by a virus. It can also occur occasionally if your power supply fails
to produce electricity regularly. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully
check out any possibility of a virus or an error on the hard disk before
checking the motherboard.

2. Overheating

The motherboard components need to be cooled while performing any

task. The common reason for overheating the motherboard is the
simultaneous running of many tasks like watching videos, uploading
data, playing games, and downloading or running multiple applications.
Overheating, or a component that isn’t compatible, can cause a burning
odor.

Keep in mind that each motherboard has its unique specs (i.e. every
motherboard has its own processor, RAM, video card, or hard disc among
other components). The use of an incompatible component could result
in significant issues or motherboard damage. If you continuously use a
computer with overheating signs, it may affect the other components of
the motherboard.

By giving your computer a break after prolonged use and cleaning the
vents and fans occasionally, you may avoid the motherboard from
overheating. Another thing you can do to prevent this problem is by
avoiding the use of your computer in spaces where temperatures are
high. You can also install temperature monitoring tools and software that
check the temperature of your computer and provide you with accurate
information to prevent overheating.

3. BIOS Failure

A failed BIOS update bricks the motherboard. Some motherboards have

two of these identical BIOS RAM chips on board. If an update fails, the
good copy from the other is loaded, and everything continues as normal.
However, if a BIOS update is aborted or a bad flash attempt failed, the
motherboard will no longer be able to function properly.

By merely removing the motherboard battery, you might be able to

resolve the faulty BIOS issue. Your BIOS will reset to default after you
remove the battery, hopefully allowing you to solve the issue.

4. Physical Damages

One of the most typical signs of motherboard failure is that the

motherboard refuses to work correctly after suffering physical harm. The
motherboard is a complicated circuit that depends on every part of it to
work. So if your motherboard suffers any kind of physical breakage, it
might prove to be disastrous.

If you suspect your motherboard to have suffered physical harm, you can
always try to check if the motherboard shows any obvious damage.
Although the majority of motherboards are durable, even simple mistakes
can cause internal damage, including the motherboard. This is especially
true for laptop motherboards.
5. Blue Screen of Death

One of the signs of a failing motherboard is the Blue Screen of Death,

which is often caused by hardware issues. However, there may be several
additional factors that could be behind your motherboard giving up.

You should always check the error code in google to see if the BSOD has
anything to do with the motherboard to determine this. If the error
appears to return even after troubleshooting, the motherboard may be at
fault.

6. Computer Freezing

In this situation, your computer will function correctly when you first turn
it ON, only to freeze as soon as you start using it again. Such signs of
motherboard failure could appear out of nowhere while you’re using
your computer. However, not all freezes and glitches may be attributed to
the motherboard, as software issues can also cause these problems.

You could face a motherboard failure if this freezing occurs frequently,

and in most cases, you might not even notice this issue until it’s far too
late. If your computer is running too many apps at once and your RAM is
at capacity, the probability of a freeze becomes much higher.

7. Power Fluctuations

Damage to the motherboard can often be directly related to power

instability. If your motherboard is unable to supply enough power and
data flow to the various components, your computer may occasionally
stop working and the CPU and graphics card, along with the speed of the
fans attached to the motherboard, may decrease.

The motherboard and power supply unit can change their voltage in
response to modest power surges, but high voltage fluctuations are not
something they can handle. These short circuits might be brought on by
issues with your area’s main power supply, with your wiring, or by
lightning striking a power line, which would cause the motherboard’s
circuits to fry.

Similarly, if the voltage keeps fluctuating, there’s a chance that a short

circuit will occur, which is among the most common motherboard
overheating symptoms.

8. Defects in Manufacturing Design

Since motherboards are manufactured in large quantities, manufacturing

flaws are possible. Inexpensive motherboards also frequently
malfunction, mostly because the installed capacitors might be flawed
and lead to issues. It’s also possible that the board’s bus design was
wrongly developed, which would lead to you seeing one of the signs of a
shorted motherboard.

A frequent mistake that results in motherboard problems is that people

try to put inferior or non-compatible components on a motherboard.
Before putting a PC together, it is crucial to confirm that all of the parts
are compatible.

9. Unable To Identify Hardware

Hardware attached to the motherboard may not function properly if the
motherboard fails. The majority of the accessories you’ve connected to
your computers, like the mouse, keyboard, hard drives, and other internal
components will malfunction in this case.

Now, it’s quite possible that such a failure may be due to faults in the
components, but there remains the possibility that the issue could also be
one of the signs of the motherboard faltering.

If you’re facing this problem and you’re not sure whether it’s the
motherboard or the components that are at fault, there’s an easy way to
know this. You can simply connect the equipment to another healthy
motherboard and try to operate it. If the computer can detect it, you can
be sure that the hardware is not the problem in this situation, and it’s the
motherboard that’s causing the problem.

10. Abnormal Beeping Noises

A motherboard will typically give a pattern of beep codes when it

experiences failure. You should listen to your computer when it starts
up in case you’re facing any trouble with the startup process. It’s quite
likely that your issue can be diagnosed by understanding the pattern of
beeps.

One beep, then three, four, or five more typically indicate a motherboard
failure. If there are four beeps, followed by two, three, or four beeps, the
motherboard might be damaged, or this pattern might also signal serial
or parallel port problems (beep patterns vary depending on different
motherboard models). There will be no beep codes at all in case of a dead
motherboard.

11. Dust Particles

Another well-known adversary of electrical circuits is dust, which might be

the reason behind you seeing the signs of motherboard failure.
Occasionally, these tiny particles tend to enter the center of an electric
circuit, which causes dust to burn. Dust accumulates next to the vents
and on the motherboard as a result of the intake fans sucking it in.

Dust can lead to computer overheating and malfunction if it is not

regularly cleared. In an unclean setting, dust, debris, or other impurities
may adhere to PCBs or become stuck in the solder, preventing the
formation of solid connections and eventually leading to conductivity
problems.

Interestingly, dust acts as an insulator as well. It can therefore collect the

heat generated by the PC’s case. In addition, dust might eventually clog
the cooling fan that exhausts the hot air. Every electrical component and
circuit heats as a result. Therefore, you should make sure to periodically
clean the motherboard with a brush or compressed air to keep it from
overheating

12. Ageing Factor

Electronics most certainly don’t live forever, as nothing lasts forever!

Having said that, there are times when the parts inside your case may
begin to malfunction. Each of them has a specific guarantee or
warranty duration as a result. However, taking good care of your
motherboard can help it live longer.

It is preferable to replace the motherboard with a new one if the current

one is in poor condition.

Conclusion

While the majority of your computer’s issues may have originated with the
motherboard, you cannot attribute every issue with your computer to the
motherboard. In such cases, it’s best to have a diagnosis to be sure about
the problem before attempting any motherboard failure solutions.

 It is recommended to carefully check to check out any possibility of a

virus or an error on the hard disk before checking the motherboard.
 Blown-out power circuits might be brought on by issues with the
main power supply, with your wiring, or by lightning striking a power
line, which would cause the motherboard’s circuits to fry.
 You should always check the error code in google to see if the BSOD
has anything to do with the motherboard.
 One beep, then three, four, or five more typically indicate a
motherboard failure. If there are four beeps, followed by two, three,
or four beeps, the motherboard might be damaged, or this pattern
might also signal serial or parallel port problems.

Hopefully, the information about signs of motherboard failure causes

shared with you in this guie will help you prevent the failure of such a
sensitive part of the computer. Nevertheless, you now have the
knowledge to diagnose your motherboard issues!
 What Is a Motherboard? Definition, Types,
Components, and Functions
A motherboard is a circuit board inside computers that stores electrical components and helps them
communicate.

<IMG SRC= "HTTPS://PIMAGES.TOOLBOX.COM/100X100/8A/B9/7CBCB175486B8EC297CB9ACB689C/CHIRADEEP.JPG"

ALT="CHIRADEEP BASUMALLICK" CLASS="AUTHOR-THUM-IMG" WIDTH="40" HEIGHT="40"> CHIRADEEP BASUMALLICK TECHNICAL
WRITER

February 10, 2023

 A motherboard is a circuit board inside general-purpose computing

systems, including personal computers, smart televisions, smart
monitors, and other similar devices, which supports communication
between different electrical components and houses components
such as the CPU, memory, etc. 
 It is typically made of fiberglass and copper. 
 This article defines a motherboard and explains its components and
functions.

Table of Contents
 What Is a Motherboard?
 Types of Motherboards
 12 Key Components of a Motherboard
 Functions of Motherboards

What Is a Motherboard?
A computer’s motherboard is typically the largest printed circuit board in a
machine’s chassis. It distributes electricity and facilitates communication
between and to the central processing unit (CPU), random access memory
(RAM), and any other component of the computer’s hardware. There is a
broad range of motherboards, each of which is intended to be compatible
with a specific model and size of the computer.

Since different kinds of processors and memories are intended to function

best with certain types of motherboards, it is difficult to find a motherboard
that is compatible with every type of CPU and memory. Hard drives, on the
other hand, are generally compatible with a wide variety of motherboards and
may be used with most brands and types.

A computer motherboard may be found inside a computer casing, which is

the point of connection for most of the computer’s elements and peripherals.
When it comes to tower computers, one may look for a motherboard on either
the right or left side of the tower; the circuit board is the most significant.

The earliest motherboards for personal computers included relatively fewer

real components. Only a CPU and some card ports were included on the very
first IBM PC motherboard. Users inserted various components, including
memory and controllers for floppy drives, into the slots provided. 

Compaq became the first company to utilize a motherboard that was not
based on a design created by IBM. The new architecture utilized a CPU made
by Intel. When Compaq’s sales began to take off, other businesses quickly
followed suit, even though several companies in the industry believed it was
a risky move.

But by the 1990s, Intel had a dominant share of the market for personal
computer motherboards. Asus, Gigabyte Technology, and Micro-Star
International (MSI) are the three most influential companies in this industry.
However, Intel remains one of the ten best motherboard manufacturers in the
world, even though Asus is now the largest motherboard maker on the planet.

See More: What Is the Internet of Things? Definition, Role, Examples, and
Trends for 2022
Types of Motherboards
To comprehend what motherboards are and what they do, we must first
examine their various types and specifications.
1. Advanced Technology (AT) motherboard

Due to their larger physical dimensions (which can be measured in

hundredths of millimeters), these motherboards do not work properly with
computers that fall into the category of smaller desktops. A larger physical
size makes it more difficult to install new hardware drivers. 

The power connections on these motherboards are in the form of sockets and
plugs with six prongs each. Due to the difficulty in recognizing these power
connections, users often have issues while trying to connect and operate
them. In the 1980s, motherboards of this sort were all the rage, and they
continued to be manufactured far into the 2000s.
2. Standard ATX motherboard

ATX is an enhanced version of the AT motherboard that Intel created in the

1990s. Its name means “advanced technology extended,” and its initials stand
for “advanced technology.” Unlike AT, it is much more compact and enables
the associated components to be interchanged. The connection elements have
witnessed significant progress and development.
3. Micro ATX motherboard

The length and width of these motherboards, measured in millimeters, are

also 244 mm (size metrics will differ as per the manufacturer). This
motherboard has fewer ports and slots than the Standard ATX board. 

Users who do not want excessive connections and subsequent upgrades, like
adding more RAM, an extra GPU, or other Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) cards, are better suited for this kind of motherboard than
others. 

This motherboard may be installed in any case with enough space to

accommodate 244 mm by 244 mm. It can also be installed in larger cases that
are compatible with Standard ATX or eXTENDED ATX motherboards.
4. eXtended ATX motherboard

The dimensions of this motherboard are 344 millimeters by 330 millimeters

(dimensions will differ with different manufacturers). This motherboard
supports a single or a twin CPU configuration and has up to eight RAM
slots. 

Additionally, it has a higher number of PCIe (where e is for Express) and PCI
slots, which may be used to add PCI cards for a wide range of applications.
Workstations and servers are both able to use this software. There is
sufficient room on all eATX motherboards, making them ideal for desktop
computers, thanks to the significant space provided for airflow and the
attachment of various components.
5. Flex ATX motherboard

These ATX Form Factor mainboards do not enjoy the same degree of
popularity as their ATX Form Factor counterparts. They are the ones within
the ATX family that are considered the most compact. They were designed to
occupy a minimal amount of space and had a minimal price tag. Flex ATX is
a modification of mini ATX that Intel created between 1999-2000. It is a
motherboard standard.
6. Low-Profile EXtended (LPX) motherboard

In comparison to previous iterations, this has two significant enhancements.

The first change was that the output and input ports were moved to the rear of
the device, and the second change was the addition of a riser card, which
enables the device to have additional slots and makes it easier to attach
components. 

There is an implementation of some of these functionalities on the AT

motherboard. The primary drawback of this board is that it does not have any
accelerated graphic port (AGP) ports, resulting in a connection to PCI that is
made directly. The new low-profile extended (NLX) boards are where issues
present in these motherboards have been addressed.
7. BTX motherboard
Balanced technology extended, abbreviated as BTX, is a strategy developed
to fulfill the requirements of emerging technologies, which call for increased
power consumption and, as a result, emanate more heat. During the middle of
the 2000s, Intel ceased the future production of BTX boards to concentrate on
low-power CPUs.
8. Pico BTX motherboard

Given their diminutive size compared to a typical motherboard, these boards

are called Pico. Even though the upper half of the BTX is shared, support is
provided for two expansion slots. Its distinguishing characteristics are the
half-height or riser cards, and it is designed to meet the needs of digital
applications.
9. Mini ITX motherboard

It is important to note that there is no regular-sized version of the information

technology extended (ITX) motherboard. In its place, the motherboard has
been downsized into a more compact form than in earlier iterations. It was
developed in the 2000s, and its measurements are 17 by 17 centimeters. 

Due to its reduced power consumption and quicker cooling capabilities, it is

primarily used in computers with a small form factor (SFF). Given that it has
a relatively low level of fan noise, the motherboard is the one that is
recommended the most for use in home theater systems because it will
enhance the overall performance of the system. 
10. Mini STX motherboard

The name “Intel 5×5” was initially given to the motherboard now known as
the Mini-STX, which stands for mini socket technology extended. Although
it was introduced in 2015, the motherboard has dimensions of 147
millimeters by 140 millimeters. This converts to a length of 5.8 inches and a
width of 5.5 inches; hence, the 5×5 name is rather misleading. 

The Mini-STX board is 7 millimeters longer from front to back, making it

somewhat rectangular in shape. This is in contrast to the shape of other tiny
form factor boards, like the Next Unit of Computing (NUC) or the mini-ITX,
which are square.
See More: What Is a Computer Network? Definition, Objectives,
Components, Types, and Best Practices 
How does a motherboard work?

When you turn your computer on, the power supply transfers electricity to the
motherboard to be used by the computer. Data is transported between the
chipset components via data buses and travels between the southbridge and
northbridge sections.

The data connections to the CPU, RAM, or PCIe are made through the
northbridge component. The operations performed by the RAM are first
“interpreted” by the CPU as being output after the RAM begins to deliver
inputs to the CPU. After being written to the PCIe, the data is either copied or
moved to the expansion card, based on the kind of card you have.

The data connection to the basic input/output system (BIOS), the universal
serial bus (USB), the serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), and the
PCI bus are managed by the southbridge component. Your computer can start
up because of signals sent to the BIOS, and the data sent to the SATA
“awakens” your optical, hard disc, and solid-state drives. The video card,
network card, and sound card receive power from the information stored on
the SATA.

The remaining components interact via an electrical signal, which serves as a

hub for them. These data buses pass via a microchip’s northbridge or
southbridge elements, which then branch off to other components like the
CPU, RAM, PCI, and PCIe, amongst other elements.

The information sent over buses will be encoded using a programming

language (1 and 0). When a signal is sent to a motherboard from one of its
components, the motherboard will process it and translate it into a language
the other component can comprehend. On most of today’s computing
systems, all of this will occur in a split second, and there is almost no delay
between the input and the output.

12 Key Components of a Motherboard

The following are the key components of a motherboard:

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1. Mouse and keyboard connectors 

 

Computer motherboards must have two separate connectors that allow users
to connect their external mouse and keyboard. These connectors are
responsible for sending instructions and receiving responses from the
computer. There are two keyboard and mouse connectors, the PS/2 and the
USB. The personal system/2(PS/2) port is a mini-DIN plug that contains six
pins and connects the mouse or keyboard to an IBM-compatible computer.
Other computers use the USB port to connect the mouse or keyboard.
2. Universal serial bus (USB)

The USB is a computer interface that connects computers to other devices,

such as phones. The USB port is a significant part of a motherboard that
allows users to connect external peripheral devices such as printers, scanners,
and pen drives to the computer. Moreover, it enables users to transfer data
between the device and the computer. A USB port allows users to connect
peripheral devices without restarting the system. Types of USB include USB-
A, USB-B, USB-mini, micro-USB, USB-C, and USB-3.
3. CPU

The central processing unit (CPU) is commonly referred to as the computer’s

brain. The CPU controls all the functions of a computer. CPUs are available
in different form factors, each requiring a particular slot on the motherboard.
A CPU can contain one or multiple cores. A CPU with a single core can only
perform a single task at a time, while those with multiple cores can execute
multiple tasks simultaneously.
4. RAM memory

RAM slots connect the random access memory (RAM) to the motherboard.
RAM allows the computer to temporarily store files and programs that are
being accessed by the CPU. Computers with more RAM capacity can hold
and process larger files and programs, thus enhancing performance.
However, RAM contents are erased when the computer is shut down. A
computer usually has two RAM slots. However, some computers have up to
four RAM slots in the motherboard to increase the available memory.
5. Basic input/output (BIOS) system

The BIOS contains the firmware of the motherboard. It consists of

instructions about what to do when the computer is turned on. It is
responsible for initializing the hardware components and loading the
computer’s operating system. The BIOS also allows the computer’s operating
system to interact and respond with input and output devices such as a mouse
and keyboard.

In some motherboards, the legacy BIOS is replaced by the modern extensible

firmware interface (EFI) or the unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI).
UEFI and EFI allow the computer to boot faster, provide more diagnostic and
repair tools, and provide a more efficient interface between the operating
system and computer components.
6. Chipsets

The chipsets of a computer control how the computer hardware and buses
interact with the CPU and other components. Chipsets also determine the
amount of memory users can add to a motherboard and the type of connectors
that the motherboard can have.

The first type of chipset is the northbridge chipset. The northbridge manages
the speed at which the CPU communicates with the components. It also
controls the processor, the AGP video slot, and the RAM.

The second type of chipset is the southbridge chipset. The southbridge

chipset controls the rest of the components connected to the computer,
including communication between the processor and expansion ports such as
USB ports and sound cards.

See More: LTE vs. 4G: Understanding The 8 Key Differences

7. Cooling fans

The heat generated when electric current flows between components can
make a computer run slowly. If too much heat is left to build up unchecked, it
could damage computer components. Thus, a computer performs better when
kept cool. Cooling fans increase the airflow, which helps to remove heat from
the computer. Some elements, such as video adapter cards, have dedicated
cooling fans.
8. Adapter cards and expansion slots

Adapter cards are integrated into the motherboard to enhance a computer’s

functionality. Examples include sound and video adapters. The expansion
slots allow users to install compatible adapter cards. Examples of expansion
slots include the peripheral component interconnect (PCI) slot, the AGP slot
(which enables the insertion of video cards), the PCI Express serial bus slot,
and the PCI-extended slot.
9. CMOS battery

The CMOS battery is a small round battery found on the motherboard of

every computer. It provides power to the complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) chip. The CMOS chip stores BIOS information and
computer settings, even when powered down. The CMOS battery allows
users to skip resetting BIOS configurations, such as boot order, date, and time
settings, each time they power on their computer.
10. Storage devices

Storage drives store data permanently or retrieve data from a media disk. The
storage devices can either be installed in the computer as hard drives or in
removable drives that can connect to the computer through the USB ports.
Hard disk drives(HDD) or solid-state drives (SSD) are computers’ primary
storage drives. Computers with SSDs execute tasks much faster and perform
better than HDDs. Users can also use optical drives such as compact discs to
store information.
11. Front panel connectors

Front panel connectors connect the light-emitting diode (LED) lights on the
front of the case to the hard drive, the power button, the reset button, and the
internal speaker for testing. Some USB and audio devices also have LED
lights.
These front panel connectors are usually plugged into small pins on the
motherboard. Although the pins are grouped and color-coded, their layout
structure varies depending on the model of the motherboard.
12. Power connector

The power connector provides an electric supply to the computer to function

as intended. The power supply connector has 20 pins and converts 110-V AC
power into +/-12-Volt, +/-5-Volt, and 3.3-Volt direct current (DC) power. 

Functions of a Motherboard
The following are seven functions of a motherboard:

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1. Manages data flow 

The BIOS component of the motherboard ensures that the operating system
interacts well with input and output devices, such as the keyboard and mouse,
to process instructions. This ensures that the data sent to the computer moves
as expected to perform the intended purpose. It also manages data flow
through its USB ports, allowing for data transfer between devices.
Additionally, it ensures the processor can access information from the RAM
to boost efficiency.
2. Conserves resources

The motherboard saves consumers time, energy, and money by connecting all
the computer connects. The motherboard provides a platform on which
manufacturers can connect all the necessary components to ensure that the
computer functions. Thus, saving consumers’ time and energy as they do not
have to assemble and connect different parts manually. Moreover, collecting
the individual components can prove costly as consumers would be forced to
incur additional transport and other miscellaneous costs.
3. Optimizes power distribution

The motherboard provides and distributes power optimally. Computers

require electricity to function. The motherboard has a power connector plug
that connects the computer to a power source and converts it into a form of
electrical power that the computer can use. After that, the motherboard
ensures that the electric current is distributed optimally to different system
components. 
The motherboard has an integrated circuit technology with pre-defined
connections that ensure each element gets the necessary power. Moreover,
the circuits ensure less energy is consumed to make the computer an energy-
efficient machine.
4. Drives communication

The motherboard makes communication between different components

easier. For a computer to process a particular set of instructions, sometimes it
may require several components to communicate and work together to
complete the task. In such scenarios, the motherboard relies on its circuit
technology to enable communication between these components. The
motherboard may also depend on some of its components, such as the CPU,
BIOS, expansion ports, and USB ports, to interact with the computer’s
operating system.
5. Enhances performance

The motherboard boosts the capabilities of a computer. Motherboards often

transform the capabilities of a computer. For instance, they have additional
features and functionalities, such as built-in sound and video capabilities that
can enhance the computer’s output. Motherboards also allow users to connect
peripheral devices such as printers, enabling computers to perform additional
tasks such as printing documents. Additionally, users can expand and
upgrade factory-made motherboard parts such as memory slots or hard disks
to boost the capabilities of their computers.
6. Improves reliability 

A good motherboard boosts the overall reliability of the computer. A high-

quality motherboard provides a stable foundation for its components to
operate on. A good motherboard has proper cooling, and its integrated circuit
technology is set in place. These factors enable it to control the computer’s
hardware efficiently by ensuring that each element functions as expected and
communicates with the other components. A reliable computer performs
tasks efficiently and thus enhances the user experience. 
7. Enables productivity
The motherboard reduces effort duplication and simplifies work for computer
users. While traditional computers came pre-installed with BIOS, modern
ones are pre-installed with EFI and UEFI. BIOS, EFI, and UEFI enable
computers to boot without requiring users to reconfigure basic settings, time,
and date. They also load the operating system into the memory. Therefore,
these motherboard components allow users to focus on other productive
tasks.

See More: What Is the Metaverse? Meaning, Features, and Importance

Takeaway

Motherboards are such an essential part of computing systems that even

miniaturized models like Raspberry Pi have one on board. They drive the
entire working of the computer by letting other parts (the CPU, drivers, ports,
etc.) communicate with each other. A powerful motherboard is also
expensive to manufacture and replace and is one of the most durable
components of a PC. 

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hear from you! 

Motherboard overview
A motherboard provides connectivity between the hardware
components of a computer, like the processor (CPU), memory (RAM),
hard drive, and video card. There are multiple types of motherboards,
designed to fit different types and sizes of computers.

Each type of motherboard is designed to work with specific types of

processors and memory, so they don't work with every processor and
type of memory. However, hard drives are mostly universal and work
with most motherboards, regardless of the type or brand.
Below is a picture of the ASUS P5AD2-E motherboard with labels next
to each of its major components. Clicking the image directs you to a
larger and more detailed version.

Where is the motherboard located?

A computer motherboard is located inside the computer case and is
where most of the parts and computer peripherals connect. With tower
computers, the motherboard is on the left or right side of the tower
and is the biggest circuit board.

Motherboard components
Below are links to pages with more details for each of the motherboard
components mentioned in the previous section. The links are listed in
clockwise order starting from the top-left corner of the image.
Components not labeled on the image above are found in sections
later on this page.

 Expansion slots (PCI Express, PCI, and AGP)

 3-pin case fan connectors
 Back pane connectors
 Heat sink
 4-pin (P4) power connector
 Inductor
 Capacitor
 CPU socket
 Northbridge
 Screw hole
 Memory slot
 Super I/O
 ATA / IDE disk drive primary connection
 24-pin ATX power supply connector
 Serial ATA connections
 Coin cell battery (CMOS backup battery)
 RAID
 System panel connectors
 FWH
 Southbridge
 Serial port connector
 USB headers
 Jumpers
 Integrated circuit
 1394 headers
 SPDIF
 CD-IN

Older motherboard components

The following list contains links to components that are not shown in
the picture above or were part of older computer motherboards.
  BIOS
 Bus
 Cache memory
 Chipset
 Diode
 Dip switches
 Electrolytic
 Floppy connection
 Fuse
 Game port and MIDI header.
 Internal speaker
 Keyboard controller
 LCC
 Network header
 Obsolete expansion slots: AMR, CNR, EISA, ISA, and VESA.
 Obsolete memory slots: SIMM.
 Onboard LED
 Parallel port header
 PS/2 header
 Resistor
 RTC
 Serial port header
 SCSI
 Solenoid
 Voltage regulator
 VRM (voltage regulator module).

Motherboard form factors and types

As computers advanced, so have motherboards. Below is a list of the
various motherboard form factors and additional information about
each, including ATX, which is the most common.

 AT
 ATX
 Baby AT
 BTX
 DTX
 LPX
 Full AT
  Full ATX
 microATX
 NLX

How many connections, ports, or slots are on a

motherboard?
There's no set standard to how many connections, ports, or expansion
slots are on a motherboard. The best method of determining how
many connections, ports, or slots are available for your motherboard is
to look up the specifications contained in its documentation. If you've
lost or discarded your motherboard's documentation, you can often
download a free PDF version from the manufacturer's website.

 How to find the type of computer motherboard.

Why are the slots and connections different

colors?
The slots, ports, and connections on a motherboard may be color-
coded to help identify the type of slot, port, or connector. For example,
with our motherboard picture, the IDE connectors are different colors
to help identify the primary and secondary connectors. When the
memory slots are different colors, it indicates the memory slots are
dual-channel, and pairs of memory should be installed on the same
channel (color). For example, in our picture, the yellow memory slots
are Channel A, and Channel B are the black slots. If you were only
installing two memory sticks, you'd want to install both of them in
Channel A (yellow slots) for optimal performance.

Tip
See our color-coded page for information and examples
of the color of the ports on the back of the motherboard.
How does a motherboard connect to a computer
case?
A computer motherboard connects to a desktop computer case using
standouts. Once the motherboard is attached to the case, all other
devices connect to the motherboard itself or an expansion card.

 How to install a computer motherboard.

What was the first motherboard?

The first motherboard is considered to be one used in the IBM Personal
Computer, released in 1981. At the time, IBM called it a "planar"
instead of a motherboard. The IBM Personal Computer and the
motherboard inside it would set the standard for IBM-compatible
computer hardware going forward.

Since there is a motherboard, is there a

fatherboard?
No, there is no such thing as a fatherboard when referring to a
computer. However, there is such a thing as a daughterboard.

Where did the motherboard get its name?

The daughterboards we mentioned in the previous section are circuit
boards that all plug into one larger central circuit board; a
motherboard. The smaller boards can be thought of as the main
board's "children," hence the name motherboard.

Are Dell, HP, and other OEM motherboards

different?
 Yes, OEM motherboards from manufacturers like Dell and HP are
slightly different than other motherboards you'd find from a retailer.
An OEM designs their motherboard for their needs for each model of
computer. Some OEMs may even make drastic changes that go
beyond the typical motherboard form factor. However, although an
OEM motherboard may have it's differences, visually they often look
very similar. Also, if there hasn't been too many changes, it may be
possible to replace the OEM motherboard with a retail motherboard.
For OEM computers with differences, you'll need a replacement from
the OEM or through a third-party that sells parts from used computers.

Is there a motherboard in a laptop, smartphone,

and tablet?
Yes, although the board is often called a "logic board" and not a
motherboard. The logic board is very similar to a motherboard and
operates the same way. However, because of size requirements with
most logic boards, components like the processor and RAM (in tablets
and smartphones) are soldered onto the board. Also, because many of
these devices have no upgrade options, there are no slots or sockets
like a traditional computer motherboard.

Motherboard Anatomy: Connections and

Components of the PC Motherboard
 Post last modified:December 14, 2022
Introduction to Motherboards
While the motherboard may not be the most exciting part of your PC build, it’s just as essential
as any other component. If you don’t have one (or you buy one that’s incompatible with another
part) your rig simply won’t work.
This is because everything is connected to the motherboard in some way, shape, or form. Your
CPU, storage drives, memory, graphics card, peripherals, and even case are all either directly
seated in the motherboard or connected via cable, either directly or indirectly.
Due to its paramount importance, it’s highly beneficial to understand the basic layout and
function of the components in a motherboard. Doing so will make you a more competent PC-
builder and improve your ability to troubleshoot if things go awry.

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Diagram of Motherboard Components and Connectors
Below, we’ve put together a diagram of the most important parts of the motherboard.
Motherboard layouts may vary between models (for instance, higher-end boards may have more
heatsinks, memory slots, or M.2 slots), however all modern boards tend to have the same general
layout, regardless of manufacturer or chipset.

The motherboard shown below is an ASRock B560M-HDV. We chose it due to its lack of
heatsinks, which allows for high visibility of all major components.
ASRock B560M-HDV (Credit: ASRock)

The Parts of the Motherboard

Let’s look at the basic function of each component shown above.

Power Connectors

The power supply is connected to the motherboard in two locations via power connectors.

Motherboard Power Connector

The motherboard power connector, also called the ATX Power Connector, is a 24-pin plugin that
supplies the entire motherboard with power. It’s typically found on the far right side of the
motherboard. PCIe slots, SATA ports, RAM modules, and more are all supplied power from this
plugin.
CPU Power Connector

Typically found near the top of the motherboard towards the left side, the CPU power connector
(also called the ATX 12V Power Connector) is where the power supply plugs into the
motherboard, supplying electricity to the processor.

CPU Socket

The CPU socket, as its name suggests, is the location in which the processor is housed. All major
components are connected to the CPU socket, allowing the processor to control and interact with
the memory, graphics card, storage drives, and more.

VRMs

VRMs, or Voltage Regulator Modules, are groups of transistors that deliver power to
components and regulate it so that they don’t receive too much. The most important VRM is the
one that regulates your CPU’s power, which is typically located to the left and above the CPU
socket.

VRMs are composed of two types of transistors, called power chokes and capacitors. Power
chokes are the square-shaped transistors, and capacitors are the cylindrical ones next to them.

Higher-end motherboards tend to have VRM heatsinks since these modules tend to get pretty
hot, especially when overclocking your CPU. If this is the case, your VRMs may not be visible.

It’s unlikely that you’ll ever need to mess with your VRMs, however it’s good to understand
them so you can make an informed decision when buying a motherboard. For a more in-depth
look at VRMs, we recommend Logical Increments’ article on the topic.
Fan Headers

Most motherboards have three or more fan headers, the connectors into which any CPU or case
fans are plugged. These provide power to the fans.

Motherboards will typically have a specific connector labeled as the “CPU Fan” header, which is
almost always the one closest to the CPU socket. It’s important to plug your CPU cooler into this
one specifically, since some motherboards will perceive that the CPU cooler isn’t plugged in at
all if you don’t.

DIMM Slots

DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Module) slots, often called RAM or memory slots, are the
notches in which your RAM is seated. They’re connected to the CPU, allowing fast data transfer
between your memory and processor.

Mainstream motherboards come with either two or four DIMM slots.

SATA Ports

Two SATA ports

If you’re using a SATA SSD or HDD, you’ll almost certainly attach these to the motherboard via
SATA cable. These cables plug into the motherboard’s SATA ports, allowing the storage drive
and CPU to interact.

Motherboards typically come with at least four SATA ports, and often have even more. It’s
common for some to be facing upwards and some to be perpendicular to the board, as in the
graph above (the side-facing SATA ports are directly below the upwards-facing ones).

M.2 Slots

An M.2 Slot

M.2 slots are ports in the motherboard which are primarily used to connect M.2 storage drives or
WiFi/Bluetooth expansion cards.

Most modern motherboards come with at least two of these, and they’re often covered with a
heatsink. M.2 slots most commonly use the PCIe protocol to transfer data, but some support
SATA as well.

See Also: How to Install an M.2 SSD

If a motherboard supports PCIe gen 4, it will usually have at least one M.2 slot that also supports
gen 4. This allows for extremely fast data transfer speeds with a gen 4 SSD.
PCIe Slots
 Four PCIe slots on
an MSI Z370 motherboard

PCIe slots are used to connect expansion cards to the motherboard. They can come in a variety of
sizes; the bigger they are, the more “lanes” they support.

CPUs support only a limited number of PCIe lanes, and the quantity varies between models. A
PCIe x16 slot, for example, uses 16 of these lanes, while a PCIe x4 slot uses only four.

Different components use different numbers of lanes. For instance, discrete graphics cards use
16, while PCIe SSDs use four apiece.

Motherboards use different combinations of PCIe slots. For instance, the B560M-HDV shown in
the diagram uses only one PCIe x16 and two PCIe x1 slots, in addition to the M.2 slots. Other
boards like the Z590 Aorus Xtreme use three PCIe x16 slots.
It’s important to note that smaller cards, such as a PCIe x4 card, can be plugged into larger slots,
such as a PCIe x16. PCIe slots typically come in four sizes: x1, x4, x8, and x16.

USB Headers

If you want to plug USB devices directly into your chassis, you’ll need to connect the cables
provided with the case into the motherboard’s USB headers.

USB headers nowadays typically come in two varieties: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. As you could
probably guess, USB 3.0 supports a significantly higher data transfer bandwidth: USB 2.0
supports up to 480 Mb/s, while 3.0 can transfer 4800 Mb/s.
HD Audio Header

The HD Audio header is similar to the USB headers, in that it allows you to use peripherals that
are plugged directly into your case. In this instance, those peripherals are audio devices like
headsets, microphones, or audio interfaces.
System Panel Header

If you want to power on your PC with the power button (which we highly recommend), you’ll
need to make use of the system panel header. This is where the rest of your chassis cables are
connected, including the ones that control the power switch, power button LEDs, and reset
button.

I/O Ports