(2013, 02). Enrollment System. Studymode.Com. Retrieved 02, 2013, from Http: //Www.Studymode.Com/Essays/Enrollment-System-1414878.Html
Definition of Motherboard: A motherboard is the main circuit board inside a computer that connects the different parts of a computer together. It has sockets for the CPU, RAM and expansion cards (e.g. discrete graphics cards, sound cards, network cards, storage cards etc)... and it also hooks up to hard drives, disc drives and front panel ports with cables and wires. - See more at:
1. Back Panel Connectors & Ports
Connectors and ports for connecting the computer to external devices such as display ports, audio ports, USB ports, Ethernet ports, PS/2 ports etc. See image below for a close-up view.
2. PCI Slots=PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect
Slot for older expansion cards such as sound cards, network cards, connector cards. See image below for a close-up view.
Have been largely taken over by PCI-Express x1 slots (see motherboard parts #3 below).
3. PCI Express x1 Slots=Slot for modern expansion cards such as sound cards, network cards (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth), connector cards (USB, FireWire, eSATA) and certain low-end graphics cards. See image below for a close-up view.
4. PCI Express x16 Slot=Slot for discrete graphic cards and high bandwidth devices such as top-end solid state drives. See image below for a close-up view.
5. Northbridge=Also known as Memory Controller Hub (MCH).
Chipset that allows the CPU to communicate with the RAM and graphics card.
Beginning from the Sandy Bridge generation of Intel CPUs, motherboards no longer have this component as it has been integrated within the CPU itself.
7. ATX 12V Power Connector=Connects to the 4-pin power cable of a power supply unit which supplies power to the CPU. –
8. Front Panel USB & Audio Connectors=Connects to USB and audio ports at the front/top of a computer case. See image above for a close-up view.
9. Front Panel Connectors-=Connects to the power switch, reset switch, power LED and hard drive LED of a computer case. See image above for a close-up view.
10. IDE
1. Back Panel Connectors & Ports
Connectors and ports for connecting the computer to external devices such as display ports, audio ports, USB ports, Ethernet ports, PS/2 ports etc. See image below for a close-up view.
2. PCI Slots=PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect
Slot for older expansion cards such as sound cards, network cards, connector cards. See image below for a close-up view.
Have been largely taken over by PCI-Express x1 slots (see motherboard parts #3 below).
3. PCI Express x1 Slots=Slot for modern expansion cards such as sound cards, network cards (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth), connector cards (USB, FireWire, eSATA) and certain low-end graphics cards. See image below for a close-up view.
4. PCI Express x16 Slot=Slot for discrete graphic cards and high bandwidth devices such as top-end solid state drives. See image below for a close-up view.
5. Northbridge=Also known as Memory Controller Hub (MCH).
Chipset that allows the CPU to communicate with the RAM and graphics card.
Beginning from the Sandy Bridge generation of Intel CPUs, motherboards no longer have this component as it has been integrated within the CPU itself.
7. ATX 12V Power Connector=Connects to the 4-pin power cable of a power supply unit which supplies power to the CPU. –
8. Front Panel USB & Audio Connectors=Connects to USB and audio ports at the front/top of a computer case. See image above for a close-up view.
9. Front Panel Connectors-=Connects to the power switch, reset switch, power LED and hard drive LED of a computer case. See image above for a close-up view.
10. IDE