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Explore motherboards, from form factors like AT and ATX to chipsets defining CPU and RAM support. Learn about essential parts like CPU, BIOS, RAM, and expansion slots. Discover the evolution from ATX to BTX. Contact us for more detailed information.
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Form factor defines • Size of the motherboard • General location of components and parts • Chipset defines • Type of processor and RAM supported • Built-in components • With a built-in NIC, extra NIC not needed
Motherboards are officially printed circuit boards (PCBs) • PCBs come in multiple layers with highways of wires (bus systems) in the layers • These highways of wires are called traces • Boards are standardized so that they can fit in cases
The AT Form Factor • IBM invented the AT form factor in the early ’80s • Lasted through mid ’90s • Currently obsolete • Large keyboard socket, split power socket (P8/P9) • Baby AT was smaller version • Alternatives were • LPX • NLX
ATX Form Factor • Created in 1995 • About same size as Baby AT • Had many ports accessible from rear of PC including mini-DIN • RAM was closer to Northbridge and CPU for better performance • Uses the soft power feature to turn PC on and off through software
M/B Components • CPU • BIOS • RAM • Cache Memory • Bus Expansion Slot • Onboard I/O Connectors • Onboard IDE Connectors
CPU • Brain of Computer • Majority of computing tasks are performed • Heat sink is installed for heat dissipation
‘BIOS basic input and output system • It is a ROM chip • Contains programs neccesary for PC boot • Also for POST(Power on Self test)
RAM Random Access Memory • Used for storing programs temporarily • Located on SIMM(Single Inline Memory Module) • Or • Located on DIMM(Dual Inline Memory Module)
Cache Memory • Fastest memory • Lies between CPU and RAM • CPU access cache more frequently than RAM
Bus Expansion Slot • System expansion is done thr’these slots • Adapters are installed with it. Types of slots include ISA industry Standard Architecture VESA PCI AGP
ON board i/o connectors • In recent systems one or 2 serial ports com1 and com2 and parallel ports(LPT1, LPT2) are present on mtherboard.
ON board IDE connectors • Similar to parallel and serial ports IDE connectors for connecting Floppy Disks, Hard Disk and CD Drives.
ATX Spin Offs • MicroATX and FlexATX two smaller versions of ATX • Many techs and Web sites use the term mini-ATX to describe these boards • Cases need to be matched to motherboards • Can’t put a larger motherboard into a smaller case • Case manufacturers have made accommodations for smaller motherboards in larger cases
ATX Spin-offs • BTX (Balanced Technology Extended) • Due to heat, cooler form factors needed • Three subtypes of BTX • BTX designed to replace ATX • microBTX designed to replace microATX • picoBTX designed to replace FlexATX • Proprietary form factors • Unique to a specific company • Don’t follow standards and drive purchase to that company • Difficult to support
Chipsets • A chipset defines • The processor type • Type and capacity of RAM • What internal and external devices the motherboard will support • Serves as an electronic interface among the CPU, RAM, and I/O devices • Most modern chipsets have two primary chips • Northbridge • Southbridge
Chipset Chips • Northbridge • Helps the CPU work with RAM (on Intel-based systems) • Communicates with video on newer AMD systems • Southbridge • Handles expansion devices and mass storage drives • Sits between expansion slots and EIDE and FDD controllers • Also called the I/O Controller Hub (ICH5) or peripheral bus controller • Super I/O chip • Provides legacy support
Northbridge • OlderNorthbridgefunctions • Worked similaron Intel • NewerNorthbridgefunctions • Only AMD
Chipset Schematic • Schematic ofan olderchipset
Chipset Schematic • Schematic ofan modernchipset For more detail contact us