Motherboard: Prepared by

MOTHERBOARD
Prepared by:
Tapas Kr Bayen
Lecturer in Computer Science and Technology
S. N. Bose Govt. Polytechnic
Ratua, Malda
1
Important Parts of a Motherboard and Their
Function
The main printed circuit board in a computer is known as the

motherboard. Other names for this central computer unit are
system board, main board, or printed wired board (PWB). The
motherboard is sometimes shortened to Mobo.
Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Function
Numerous major components, crucial for the functioning of the

computer, are attached to the motherboard. These include the
processor, memory, and expansion slots. The motherboard
connects directly or indirectly to every part of the PC.
The type of motherboard installed in a PC has a great effect on a

computer's system speed and expansion capabilities

Function

The Computer's Microprocessor
Also known as the microprocessor or the processor, the CPU is the

computer's brain. 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. This information is usually inscribed on the chip itself. For
example, Intel 386, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) 386, Cyrix 486,
Pentium MMX, Intel Core 2Duo, or Core i7.

The Computer's Microprocessor
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, rPGA
988A/Socket G1 will fit any of the following processors;
 Intel Core i7 (600, 700, 800, 900 series)

 Intel Core i5 (400, 500 series)
 Intel Core i3 (300 series)
 Intel Pentium (P6000 series)
 Intel Celeron (P4000 series)
6

The Computer's Microprocessor Socket
CPU Socket
Another vital motherboard component is the CPU socket which is used to install
the processor on the motherboard. Some important sockets are explained below.
• Socket7. It is a 321 pin socket that supported older processors like Intel
Pentium 1/2/MMX, AMD k5/K6, and Cyrix M2.
• Socket370. It is a 370 pin socket that supports Celeron processors and
Pentium-3 processors.
• Socket 775. It is a 775-pin socket that supports Inter dual core, C2D, P-4 and
Xeon processors.
• Socket 1156. Found on latest types of motherboards, it is an 1156-pin socket
that supports latest Intel i-3, i-5 and i-7 processors.
7
• Socket 1366. The socket is of 1366 pins and supports latest i-7 900 processors
The Computer's Microprocessor Socket
CPU Socket
Another vital motherboard component is the CPU socket which is used to install
the processor on the motherboard. Some important sockets are explained below.
• Socket7. It is a 321 pin socket that supported older processors like Intel
Pentium 1/2/MMX, AMD k5/K6, and Cyrix M2.
• Socket370. It is a 370 pin socket that supports Celeron processors and
Pentium-3 processors.
• Socket 775. It is a 775-pin socket that supports Inter dual core, C2D, P-4 and
Xeon processors.
• Socket 1156. Found on latest types of motherboards, it is an 1156-pin socket
that supports latest Intel i-3, i-5 and i-7 processors.
8
• Socket 1366. The socket is of 1366 pins and supports latest i-7 900 processors
The Computer Memory
Random-Access Memory is volatile, 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 RAM is returned
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 memory.
9

The Computer Memory (RAM(memory))
slots
• SIMM slots. The full form is a single in-line memory module. These
slots were found in older motherboards, up to 486-boards. The SIMM
supports 32-bit bus.
• DIMM slots. The full form of DIMM is a Double inline memory

module. These are the latest RAM slots which run on a faster 64-bit bus.
The DIMM used on Laptop boards are called SO-DIMM.
10

Basic Input / Output System (BIOS)
The BIOS
BIOS 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
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Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
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 during the startup
routine (boot process) to check out the system and prepare to run the hardware.
The BIOS is stored on a ROM chip because ROM retains information even
when no power is being supplied to the computer.
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Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Random Access
Memory (CMOS RAM)
13
Photo Showing the CMOS Battery

Memory (CMOS RAM)
The CMOS Battery

Motherboards also include a small separate block of memory made from
CMOS RAM chips which are 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.
14

Memory (CMOS RAM)
The CMOS Battery

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
Other Important data kept in CMOS memory is the time and date, which 15
is
updated by a Real-Time Clock (RTC).
Cache Memory
Cache memory 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 (built into the processor) which is
referred to as Level 1 or primary cache memory. This can be supplemented by
external cache memory fitted on the motherboard. This is the Level 2 or
secondary cache.
In modern computers, Levels 1 and 2 cache memory are built into the processor
die. If a third cache is implemented outside the die, it is referred to as the Level
3 (L3) cache.
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Expansion Bus
17

Expansion Buses
An expansion bus is an input/output pathway from the CPU to peripheral devices and it is
typically made up of a series of slots on the motherboard. Expansion boards (cards) plug
into the bus.
PCI is the most 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. Other types of buses include ISA and EISA.
Expansion buses enhance the PCs capabilities by allowing users to add missing features in
their computers by slotting adapter cards into expansion slots.
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The Computer Chip-sets
A chipset is a group of small circuits that coordinate the flow of data to and from a PC's
key components. These key components include the CPU itself, the main memory, the
secondary cache, and any devices situated on the buses.
A chipset also controls data flow to and from hard disks and other devices connected to the
IDE channels.
19

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, and OPTI.
20

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The CPU Clock
The CPU 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.
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.
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The 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, a bent paper
clip, or a pen top. Take care when cleaning near DIP switches, as some solvents may
destroy them. Dip switches are obsolete and you will not find them in modern systems.
• Jumper pins are small protruding pins on the motherboard. A jumper cap or bridge is
used to connect or short a pair of 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.
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The Switches and Jumpers
• Jumper caps are metal bridges that close an electrical circuit. Typically, a jumper
consists of a plastic plug that 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: You can check the jumper pins and jumper cap at the back of an IDE hard disk
and a CD/DVD ROM/Writer.
MOTHERBOARD VIDEO
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Different types of motherboards:
1. AT Motherboards
The oldest of the main boards, these motherboards were used in earlier
286/386 or 486 computers. The AT means the board consists of advanced
technology(AT) power connectors. There are two power connectors of 6 pin
each mounted on the AT motherboards. The AT motherboards were
available in the early 80’s.
25

1. AT Motherboards
26

2. ATX Motherboards
The ATX motherboards started in 90’s and are still available. The ATX
connector on the motherboard consists of a single connector. These boards
are used for P2/P3 or P/4 processors.
Motherboard for P1/P2 processors:
27

2. ATX Motherboards
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Difference between AT motherboard and ATX motherboard :
S. No. Category At motherboard Atx motherboard
ATX motherboard
AT motherboard stands for
stands for Advanced
1. Full Form Advanced Technology
Technology Extended
motherboard.
motherboard.
It can only fit in ATX

It can only fit in AT casing (it
2. Casing casing (it cannot fit in
cannot fit in ATX casing).
AT casing).
It does not have a sleep mode It has sleep mode

3. Sleep Mode
feature. feature in it.
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It has more power drain

It has lesser power drain because
4. Power Drain due to not having sleep
it has sleep mode.
mode.
Power Consumption in ATX

Power Consumption in
motherboard is less due to
AT motherboard is
Power availability of sleep mode and
5. more due to non-
Consumption software-controlled switch.(It
availability of sleep
can easily convert 5 Volt to 3
mode.
Volt when necessary)
12-pin plugs are used to

20 or 24-pin plugs are used to
Power connect AT
6. connect ATX motherboard to
Connectors motherboard to power
power supply.
supply. 30

It has many more

It has only 2 other connectors: network card
Other connectors: 1 outside connector, video card
7.
Connectors connector, 1 DIN connector, sound card
connector for keyboard connector, Modem
connector.
It needs AT switch mode It needs ATX switch

8. Power Supply
power supply. mode power supply.
It was produced in the year It was produced in the

9. Production year
1984. year 1995.
10. Produced by It was produced by IBM. It was produced by Intel 31

Pentium 4 motherboard
32

Intel Pentium 4 (Seventh-Generation) Processors features:
The Pentium 4 was introduced in November 2000 and represented a new

generation in processors. If this one had a number instead of a name, it might
be called the 786 because it represents a generation beyond the previous 686
class processors. Three main variations on the Pentium 4 have been released,
based on the processor die and architecture
33

The main technical details for the Pentium 4 include:

• Speeds range from 1.3GHz to 3.8GHz.
• Software compatible with previous Intel 32-bit processors.
• Some Prescott versions support EM64T (64-bit extensions) and Execute
Disable Bit (buffer overflow protection).
• Processor (front-side) bus runs at 400MHz, 533MHz, 800MHz, or 1066MHz.
• Arithmetic logic units (ALUs) run at twice the processor core frequency.
• Hyper-pipelined (20-stage or 31-stage) technology.
• Very deep out-of-order instruction execution.
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• Enhanced branch prediction.

• 8KB or 16KB L1 cache plus 12K micro-op execution trace cache.
• 256KB, 512KB, or 1MB of on-die, full-core speed 256-bit-wide L2 cache with
eight-way associativity.
• L2 cache can handle up to 4GB RAM and supports ECC.
• 2MB of on-die, full-speed L3 cache (Extreme Edition).
• SSE2—SSE plus 144 new instructions for graphics and sound processing
(Willamette and Northwood).
• SSE3—SSE2 plus 13 new instructions for graphics and sound processing
(Prescott).
• Enhanced floating-point unit.
• Multiple low-power states. 35

Memory Requirements for Pentium 4 based
motherboard
Pentium 4–based motherboards use RDRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, or

DDR2 SDRAM memory, depending on the chipset; however, most Pentium 4
systems use DDR or DDR2 SDRAM. Since Intel's contract with RAMBUS
expired in 2001, DDR SDRAM and DDR2 SDRAM have become Intel's
preferred memory type for mainstream systems.
36

Questions & Answers
Question: What is the function of the PCI slot?
Answer: PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect. This is a computer

slot that allows you to insert expansion cards into your computer. These can
come in the form of sound cards, RAID cards, SSDs, graphics cards,
Coprocessors, and several other functional computer parts. So it enables you to
expand the capabilities of the PC by adding what you do not have.
37

Questions & Answers
Question: How do you identify whether the RAM slots are DDR 1, DDR 2,
DDR 3, or DDR 4?
Answer: There are a number of ways you can use to determine the kind of
RAM slot you have. To begin with, you can check the number of pins. DDR has
184 pins and DDR2 and 3 has 240 pins while DDR4 has 288 pins. The other
method is to look at the key notch position. DDR notch is almost at the centre
but slightly to the right. DDR2 notch is almost at the centre as compared to
DDR3 which is slightly to the left. DDR4 has a notch slightly to the right but
very close to the centre of the RAM slot.
38

Questions & Answers
Question: What is the function of IDE under system hardware?
Answer: Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) is a standard interface for connecting a

motherboard to storage devices such as hard drives and CD-ROM/DVD drives. In most
older motherboards, there used to be 2 IDE channels where drives were connected via a
ribbon cable. Each cable carries 2 devices. There is an integrated disk drive controller on
the motherboard for controlling the flow of informing from the drive to the motherboard
and vice versa. Modern motherboards make use of SATA technology. A serial advanced
technology attachment (serial ATA, SATA or S-ATA) is a computer bus interface used to
connect host bus adapters (disk drive controllers) with mass storage devices like optical
drives and hard drives.
39

Questions & Answers
Question: What is C.M.O.S?
Answer: Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor.

a) "a technology for making low power integrated circuits.
b) a chip built using CMOS technology."
That is very true, inside the computer, there are what we call RAM chips normally
referred to as the CMOS RAM. CMOS is an acronym for Complementary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor. It is a technology used to fabricate or make integrated circuits used in
most electronic and electrical fields. These ram chips loose power and hence has to be
powered using a battery referred to as the CMOS battery. CMOS devices require very
little power to operate. The CMOS RAM is used to store basic Information about the
PC’s configuration.
40
.

Questions & Answers
Question: What is BIOS?
Answer: "BIOS" stands for "Basic Input Output System." It is software stored
on a small memory chip on the motherboard. This software instructs the
computer on how to perform some basic functions such as booting and keyboard
control. BIOS is also used to identify and configure the hardware in a computer
such as the hard drive, floppy disk drive, optical drive, CPU, memory, etc.
.
41

Questions & Answers
Question: What are beep codes from a motherboard?
Answer: Beep codes are audio signals given out by a computer to announce the
result of a short diagnostic testing sequence the computer performs when first
powering up (called the Power-On-Self-Test or POST). When you power on
your computer, it has to test major devices such as RAM, Processor, Keyboard,
and Drives among others. If any of the devices are faulty, you will receive a
beep sound indicating which device has a problem.
.
42

Questions & Answers
Question: What are the functions of the south bridge Chipset?
Answer: The Southbridge chipset is the chip that controls all of the computers
I/O (input-output) functions, such as USB, audio, serial, the system BIOS, the
ISA bus, the interrupt controller and the IDE channels.
43

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MOTHERBOARD

The main printed circuit board in a computer is known as the

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Numerous major components, crucial for the functioning of the

The type of motherboard installed in a PC has a great effect on a

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Also known as the microprocessor or the processor, the CPU is the

The processor chip is identified by the processor type and the

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

 Intel Core i7 (600, 700, 800, 900 series)

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Random-Access Memory is volatile, meaning it loses its contents once

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

• DIMM slots. The full form of DIMM is a Double inline memory

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

All motherboards include a small block of Read-Only Memory (ROM) which is

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

The CMOS Battery

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

The CMOS Battery

Cache memory is a small block of high-speed memory (RAM) that enhances

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

A computer has got two main chipsets:

*** Chipset manufacturers include SIS, VIA, ALI, and OPTI.

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

S. No. Category At motherboard Atx motherboard

It can only fit in ATX

It does not have a sleep mode It has sleep mode

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

It has more power drain

Power Consumption in ATX

12-pin plugs are used to

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

It has many more

It needs AT switch mode It needs ATX switch

It was produced in the year It was produced in the

10. Produced by It was produced by IBM. It was produced by Intel 31

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

The Pentium 4 was introduced in November 2000 and represented a new

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

The main technical details for the Pentium 4 include:

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

• Enhanced branch prediction.

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Pentium 4–based motherboards use RDRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, or

Prepared By: Tapas Kr Bayen

Question: What is the function of the PCI slot?

Answer: PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect. This is a computer