Ann NTTI COMP MAINT

CHAPTER FOUR: MOTHERBOARD AND BUSES

Motherboard concepts

Introduction: it is the main circuit board of a microcomputer. The motherboard contains the
connectors for attaching additional boards. Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS,
memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers
required to control standard peripheral devices, such as the display screen, keyboard, and disk
drive. Collectively, all these chips that reside on the motherboard are known as the motherboard's
chipset.

On most PCs, it is possible to add memory chips directly to the motherboard. You may also be
able to upgrade to a faster PC by replacing the CPU chip. To add additional core features, you
may need to replace the motherboard entirely.

Consider the diagram below

Parts of Motherboard and their Functions

The main printed circuit board in a computer is known as the Motherboard. It is also known as
System Board, Main Board or Printed Wired Board (PWB). It is also sometimes abbreviated or
shortened to Mobo. Attached to it, we have numerous motherboard components that are crucial
in the functioning of the computer.

The motherboard acts as the connection point where major computer components are
attached to. It holds many of the crucial components of the system like the processor, memory,
expansion slots and connects directly or indirectly to every part of the PC.

The type of motherboard installed in a PC has a great effect on system speed and expansion
capabilities.
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Motherboard Components

The motherboard holds all the major logic components of the computer.

A motherboard showing some major components

A core 2 Duo Intel Processor

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CPU- Central Processing Unit

It is also known as the microprocessor or the processor. It is the brain of the computer, and it is
responsible for fetching, decoding and executing program instructions as well as performing
mathematical and logical calculations.

The processor chip is identified by the processor type and the manufacturer; and this information
is usually inscribed on the processor chip e.g. Intel 386, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) 386,
Cyrix 486, Pentium MMX, (old processor types) Intel Core 2Duo, iCore7 and many more.

If the processor chip is not on the motherboard, you can identify the processor socket as socket 1
to Socket 8, LGA 775 among others. This can help you identify the processor that fits in the
socket. For example a 486DX processor fits into Socket 3.

A labeled ASRock K7VT4A Pro Mainboard

Memory Modules

Main Memory / Random Access Memory (RAM)

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Random Access Memory or RAM most commonly refers to computer chips that temporarily
store dynamic data when you are working with your computer to enhance the computer
performance.

In other words, it is the working place of your computer where active programs and data are
loaded so that any time the processor requires them, it doesn't have to fetch them from the hard
disk which will take a longer access time.

Random access memory is volatile memory, meaning it loses its contents once power is turned
off. This is different from non-volatile memory such as hard disks and flash memory, which do
not require a power source to retain data.

When a computer shuts down properly, all data located in Random Access Memory is returned
back to permanent storage on the hard drive or flash drive. At the next boot-up, RAM begins to
fill with programs automatically loaded at startup, a process called booting. Later on, the user
opens other files and programs that are still loaded in the memory.

The computer BIOS

BIOS- Basic Input Output System

BIOS is a term that stands for Basic Input/Output System. BIOS is a Read Only Memory which
consists of low-level software that controls the system hardware and acts as an interface between
the operating system and the hardware. Most people know the term BIOS by another name—
device drivers, or just drivers. BIOS is essentially the link between the computer hardware and
software in a system.

All motherboards include a small block of Read Only Memory (ROM) which is separate from
the main system memory used for loading and running software. On PCs, the BIOS contains all
the code required to control the keyboard, display screen, disk drives, serial communications,
and a number of miscellaneous functions.

The system BIOS is a ROM chip on the motherboard used by the computer during the startup
routine (boot process) to check out the system and prepare to run the hardware. The BIOS is
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stored on a ROM chip because ROM retains information even when no power is being supplied
to the computer.

CMOS RAM - Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Random Access Memory

Motherboards also include a small separate block of memory made from CMOS RAM chips
which is kept alive by a battery (known as a CMOS battery) even when the PC’s power is off.
This prevents reconfiguration when the PC is powered on.

CMOS devices require very little power to operate.

The CMOS RAM is used to store basic Information about the PC’s configuration for instance:-

 Floppy disk and hard disk drive types

 Information about CPU
 RAM size
 Date and time
 Serial and parallel port information
 Plug and Play information
 Power Saving settings

The Other Important data kept in CMOS memory is the time and date, which is updated by a
Real Time Clock (RTC).

Cache Memory

It is a small block of high-speed memory (RAM) that enhances PC performance by pre-loading

information from the (relatively slow) main memory and passing it to the processor on demand.

Most CPUs have an internal cache memory (in-built in the processor) which is referred to as
Level 1 cache memory or primary cache memory. This can be supplemented by external cache
memory fitted on the motherboard. This is the Level 2 Cache memory or secondary cache.

In modern computers, we are having Level 1 and 2 cache memory build into the processor die. If
a third cache is implemented outside the die, it is referred to as the Level 3 (L3) cache.

L2 Cache on an old Motherboard

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PCI Slots

Expansion Bus
This is an input/output pathway from the CPU to peripheral devices typically made up of a series
of slots on the motherboard. Expansion boards (cards) plug into the bus. PCI is the common
expansion bus in a PC and other hardware platforms. Buses carry signals, such as data, memory
addresses, power, and control signals from component to component.

Expansion buses enhance the PCs capabilities by allowing users to add missing features in their
computers in form of adapter cards that are slotted in expansion slots.

The different types of buses include PCI, ISA, and EISA expansion bus among others.

Chipsets

A chipset is a group of small circuits that coordinate the flow of data to and from key
components of a PC. This includes the CPU itself, the main memory, the secondary cache and
any devices situated on the buses. The chipset also controls data flow to and from hard disks, and
other devices connected to the IDE channels. A computer has got two main chipsets:-

 The Northbridge (also called the memory controller) is in charge of controlling transfers
between the processor and the RAM, which is why it is located physically near the
processor. It is sometimes called the GMCH, for Graphic and Memory Controller Hub.

 The Southbridge (also called the input/output controller or expansion controller)

handles communications between slower peripheral devices. It is also called the ICH
(I/O Controller Hub). The term bridge is generally used to designate a component which
connects two buses.

Chipset manufacturers include SIS, VIA, ALI, OPTI among others.

CPU Clock

The clock synchronizes the operation of all parts of the PC and provides the basic timing
signal for the CPU. Using a quartz crystal, the CPU clock breathes life into the microprocessor
by feeding it a constant flow of pulses.
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For example, a 200 MHz CPU receives 200 million pulses per second from the clock. A 2 GHz
CPU gets two billion pulses per second. Similarly, in any communications device, a clock may
be used to synchronize the data pulses between sender and receiver.

A "real-time clock," also called the "system clock," keeps track of the time of day and makes this
data available to the software. A "time-sharing clock" interrupts the CPU at regular intervals and
allows the operating system to divide its time between active users and/or applications.

Dip switch on an old motherboard.

Jumper pins with a cap on

Switches and Jumpers

DIP (Dual In-line Package) switches are small electronic switches found on the circuit board that
can be turned on or off just like a normal switch. They are very small and so are usually flipped
with a pointed object such as the tip of a screwdriver, bent paper clip or pen top. Care should be
taken when cleaning near DIP switches as some solvents may destroy them. Dip switches are
obsolete as you will not find them in modern systems.

Jumper pins
Jumpers are small protruding pins on the motherboard. A jumper cap or bridge is used to
interconnect or short a pair of the jumper pins. When the bridge is connected to any two pins via
a shorting link, it completes the circuit and a certain configuration has been achieved.

Jumper cap
A metal bridge that closes an electrical circuit. Typically, a jumper consists of a plastic plug that
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fits over a pair of protruding pins. Jumpers are sometimes used to configure expansion boards.
By placing a jumper plug over a different set of pins, you can change a board's parameters.

NOTE: A sure place you can check jumper pins and jumper cap is at the back of an IDE hard
disk and CD/DVD ROM/Writer.

Motherboard Form Factors

Types of motherboards form factors

The motherboard form factor describes its general shape, the type of case and power supply it
can use, and its physical organization (layout of the motherboard). Over time, in the computer
industry, we have had a number of different motherboard form factors being developed.

AT and Baby AT (Advanced Technology)

In the early days of the computer, the AT and baby AT form factors were the most common
motherboard form factors. These two variants differ primarily in width: the older full AT board
is 12" wide. It is an obsolete motherboard form factor only found in older machines, 386 class or
earlier.

One of the major problems with the width of this board (aside from limiting its use in smaller
cases) is that a good percentage of the board "overlaps" with the drive bays. This makes
installation, troubleshooting and upgrading more difficult.

A Baby AT motherboard is 8.5" wide and 13" long. The reduced width means much less overlap
in most cases with the drive bays, although there usually is still some overlap at the front of the
case.

Baby AT motherboards are distinguished by their shape, and usually by the presence of a single,
full-sized keyboard connector soldered onto the board. The serial and parallel port connectors
are almost always attached using cables (ribbons) that go between the physical connectors
mounted on the case, and pin "headers" located on the motherboard. Most of the boards use AT
power supplies and the system units tend to be tower casing.
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AT motherboard. Note: at the top right hand corner of the board, we have the AT keyboard port

Advantages of the Baby AT design

1. The size of 8.5” by 10” makes it easier to design smaller desktop PCs
2. Most of the board is easily accessible for upgrades and expansion

Disadvantages of the Baby AT design

1. CPU location- with the processor and heat sink in place, it is difficult to fit a long
expansion card into one of the expansion slots. This is the main problem encountered
with the AT-style motherboard-the CPU can get in the way of the expansion cards.
2. Motherboard mounting - some system cases are not drilled or punched to support all the
mounting holes on a Baby AT mother-board. Therefore, the front edge of the system
board tends to be left unsupported and over time this edge can warp (bend) leading to
loose components and expansion cards causing intermittent problems.

ATX and Mini ATX

Full-ATX – (12" wide x 9.6" deep) / Mini-ATX – (11.2" wide x 8.2" deep).

The ATX, Created by Intel in 1995, was developed as an evolution of the Baby AT form factor
and was defined to address four areas of improvement: enhanced ease of use, better support for
current and future I/O, better support for current and future processor technology, and reduced
total system cost.

The ATX is basically a Baby AT rotated 90 degrees and providing a new mounting configuration
for the power supply. The processor is relocated away from the expansion slots, (unlike Baby
AT) allowing them to hold full length add-in cards.
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The longer side of the board is used to host more on-board I/O. The ATX power supply, rather
than blowing air out of the chassis, as in most Baby AT platforms, provides air-flow through the
chassis and across the processor.

ATX-Motherboard

Some improvements of the ATX motherboard form factors:-

 Integrated I/O Port Connectors: Baby AT motherboards use headers which stick up
from the board, and a cable that goes from them to the physical serial and parallel port
connectors mounted on to the case. The ATX has these connectors soldered directly onto
the motherboard.
 Integrated PS/2 Mouse Connector: ATX motherboards have the PS/2 port built into the
motherboard.
 Reduced Drive Bay Interference: Since the board is essentially "rotated" 90 degrees
from the baby AT style, there is much less "overlap" between where the board is and
where the drives are thus making it easy to access the board, and fewer cooling problems.
 Reduced Expansion Card Interference: The processor socket/slot and memory sockets
are moved from the front of the board to the back right side, near the power supply. This
eliminates the clearance problem with baby AT style motherboards and allows full length
cards to be used in most (if not all) of the system bus slots.
 Better Power Supply Connector: The ATX motherboard uses a single 20-pin connector
instead of the confusing pair of near-identical 6-pin connectors on the baby AT form
factor.
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 "Soft Power" Support:The ATX power supply is turned on and off using signaling
from the motherboard, not a physical toggle switch. This allows the PC to be turned on
and off under software control, allowing much improved power management.
 3.3V Power Support: The ATX style motherboard has support for 3.3V power from the
ATX power supply.
 Improved Design for Upgradability: In part because it is the newest design, the ATX is
the choice "for the future". More than that, its design makes upgrading easier because of
more efficient access to the components on the motherboard.

MicroATX

This form factor was developed as a natural evolution of the ATX form factor to address new
market trends and PC technologies. MicroATX supports:

 Current processor technologies

 The transition to newer processor technologies
 AGP high performance graphics solutions
 Smaller motherboard size
 Smaller power supply form factor

Flex ATX

A subset of microATX developed by Intel in 1999. Allows more flexible motherboard design,
component positioning and shape. Can be smaller than regular microATX.

 Supports current socketed processor technologies

 Smaller motherboard size
 ATX 2.03 I/O panel
 Same mounting holes as microATX
 Socket only processors to keep the size small
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LPX Motherboard. The white slot at the centre is the Riser slot where a riser card is mounted.

The riser card, where adapter cards are connected

LPX and Mini LPX (Low Profile casing eXtended)

The LPX motherboard form factors are designed to be used in small Slimline or "low profile"
cases typically found on these sorts of desktop systems. The primary design goal behind the LPX
form factor is reducing space usage (and cost).

The most distinguishing feature is the riser card that is used to hold expansion slots. The riser
card of the LPX motherboard form factor is situated at the center of the motherboard. Expansion
cards plug into the riser card; usually, a maximum of just three. This means that the expansion
cards are parallel to the plane of the motherboard.

This allows the height of the case to be greatly reduced, since the height of the expansion cards is
the main reason full-sized desktop cases are as tall as they are. The problem is that you are
limited to only two or three expansion slots!

While the LPX form factor can be used by a manufacturer to save money and space in the
construction of a custom product, these systems suffer from non-standardization, poor
expandability, poor upgradability, poor cooling and difficulty of use for the do-it-yourself.

NLX Motherboard. The gold contacts on the left side is where the riser card is connected.

NLX (New Low profile eXtended)

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The need for a modern, small motherboard standard has lead to the development of the new NLX
form factor. In many ways, NLX is similar to LPX. Also like ATX, the NLX standard was
developed by Intel Corporation in 1998.

NLX still uses the same general design as LPX, with a smaller motherboard and a riser card for
expansion cards. The riser card is pushed to one extreme edge of the motherboard.

NLX makes the following main changes:-

 Revised design to support larger memory modules and modern DIMM memory
packaging.
 Support for the newest processor technologies, including the new Pentium II using SEC
packaging.
 Support for AGP video cards.
 Better thermal characteristics, to support modern CPUs that run hotter than old ones.
 More optimal location of CPU on the board to allow easier access and better cooling.
 More flexibility in how the motherboard can be set up and configured.
 Enhanced design features, such as the ability to mount the motherboard so it can slide in
or out of the system case easily.
 Support for desktop and tower cases.

System Bus in Computers: Definition, Lesson & Quiz

A computer bus transfers data between components of a computer system. A system bus is a
single computer bus for the data transfer between the central processing unit and the memory.
The transfer speed of the system bus is a critical element of the overall performance of a
computer.

Definitions

A computer system consists of a central processing unit (CPU) for processing data, main
memory to store the data being processed and multiple input and output devices. There various
components have to be connected to each other for the transfer of data. A computer bus is a
subsystem of the computer that makes these transfers happen. In early computer systems all
transfers used actual cables. Large bundles of wires were organized using 'bus bars,' which is
where the term bus comes from.

Cables are still used in present-day computer systems, in particular to connect external devices.
The most common type of connection is a Universal Serial Bus (USB). Many peripheral
devices, such as printers and scanners, use a USB connection. Transfers between internal
components of a computer can also use cables, but some types have been replaced by integrated
electronic circuitry, such as those found on a motherboard.
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The most critical connection of any computer system is the system bus. This is a single
computer bus that controls the transfers between the CPU, the main memory, and the
input/output devices.

How the System Bus Works

The system bus carries three types of information: address, data, and control. The address
information describes where data is located and where it needs to go during a particular
operation. The data are the actual digital pieces of information that need to be transferred. The
control information manages the flow of the address and data information, including the
direction of the transfer and exactly how data needs to be routed through the computer system.
Because of these three different types of information, the system bus actually consists of three
buses, as illustrated in the figure below.

The general design of a single system bus

The system bus is like the internal transportation system of your computer. Consider the
following example. You want to listen to some music that is residing on your hard disk drive as
an MP3 file. So the MP3 file is the data. These data have to be transferred to the sound card and
converted to an analog signal so you can listen to it on your speakers. So the address information
is the location of the MP3 file on your hard disk and the location of your sound card. The control
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information manages how this transfer is going to take place - which direction and through
which components. All of this is managed by the brains of your computer (the CPU), but the
system bus makes the actual transfers happen.