. Motherboard

This motherboard parts introduction explains the main goal of your motherboard in your computer. The most important parts are explained with only a brief introduction to the technologies behind them not to bore the newcomer who may be confused.

For those who are seeking more advanced information you will find links throughout the content and at the bottom as how to install a motherboard.


What Is The Motherboard Main Goal?
Motherboard parts from a Gigabyte motherboard
Click to enlarge

The main goal is to connect all the hardware together like hard drives, memory modules, CPU, etc...

A computer mother board is made of several parts, and each one has a hardware that can be connected to it. On the right, the image is showing a modern motherboard with all its parts.

If you click on the link under the image, you will find a larger image with the motherboard parts name.

Learning about your motherboard parts help to understand how upgrade able it is.


The Processor Socket

Sockets are the home for your Central Processor Unit (CPU). Several types of socket exist, but only 2 of them are really used, and both of them are used by Intel and AMD. The Pin Grid Array (PGA) and the Land Grid Array (LGA).
Motherboard socket
CPU Socket

With the type PGA, the CPU will have pins to fit in the socket holes, but with the type LGA, the CPU will not have such pins and will just sit on the socket.

I am discussing this subject in more details in the CPU socket type guide.

To know the form of CPU your motherboard can use and the range of powers and FSBs, look in your motherboard's book. The book that comes with your motherboard has a chart about it in the socket or CPU chapter. That information will give you an idea to how far you can upgrade your CPU.

* CPU Socket Specifications
* How to install cpu step by step


Memory Slots

Memory slots also call memory banks are for Random Access Memory modules (RAM). Each memory bank can receives a RAM module designed for a specific pc mother board. Ranging from 2 to 4 banks, you will encounter single and dual-channel technologies.
Memory RAM slots in pair
Memory Banks

With single-channel, you can use 1, 2 or 3 Ram modules, and it should work perfectly. On the other hand, with dual-channel technology, if you fill only 1 bank, you will lose some strength from your module.

To get the most of it, you need to fill 2 banks with the same module types, from the same manufacturer with exactly the same memory amounts.

If you want 1GB of memory, you need to use 2 512MB modules from the same manufacturer with the same technology type. This way, motherboards use the modules strength to its full capacity. Otherwise it may not work at all.

Like the socket, to find out the type, the manufacturer and the total MB or GB quantity you can use, take a look in your motherboard's book. You should be able to find everything you need.

* Introduction to Desktop Computer Memory
* How to Install Computer Memory step by step


Main Power Connector And The 4 Pins Connector

The main power connector is uses to get the electric energy from the power supply which the motherboard require to function properly.
24 pins main power connector
24 Pins Main Power Connector

There are 2 main power connector types for those motherboard parts. The 20 pins + 4 pins (2 separate connectors on the same motherboard), and the 24 pins.

Not all power supplies have the 2 types, but it is possible to work around the problem if you run into an incompatibility situation. Which will be discussed in a future power supply guide about how to install it and where to plug the connectors.

* Introduction to Computer Power Supplies


IDE, ATA And S-ATA Interface Connectors

Many interface standards have been created throughout the years, maybe too many for discussing about all of them. I will then talk about the ATA and the S-ATA only as the IDE is the same thing as the ATA, only the name has changed. Also I will be brief because it is more a hard drive topic than anything else.
IDE/ATA and S-ATA connectors
IDE/ATA And SATA Interface

The Advance Technology Attachment (ATA) interface is used to connect hard drives and optic drives. You can attach 2 drives on the same ribbon, 1 master and the other slave, and it supports almost all modern hard drives storage capacities.

Modern computer mother boards have the new interface called Serial Advance Technology Attachment (S-ATA). It is faster than the ATA and only 1 device can be attached to it. The wire is thinner than his predecessor and surely help at the cooling process inside the computer case.

I cover the topic in more details in the What Is SATA Interface guide.


Floppy Drive Connector
3.5' floppy drive connector (FDD)
Floppy Drive Connector

Plug your "3.5" floppy drive there. Not really used now, they are going to disappear completely very soon.


32 bit PCI Slots, AGP And PCIe

32 bit slots Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) are used to install sound cards, graphic cards, Ethernet cards and modems.
PCI and PCI-Epress slots
PCI, AGP or PCIe Ports

The motherboard parts Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) and PCI Epress (PCIe) focus on graphic cards only. AGP standards use x2, x4 or x8 technologies. AGP 8 being the best, it is highly boosting your graphics and video performances. In Comparison with his old brother PCI, it is day and night.

PCIe standard is even better than AGP standard, and mostly the only one used right now. Some like to say, PCIe is a AGP standard at x16 and it is the #1 choice for gaming machines right now.

More motherboard content will be written on it, especially for graphic cards.


Back Panel Connectors
Back panel connectors
Back Panel Connectors

When the computer is mounted, those motherboard parts show up at the computer case back panel. They are used to plug the mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, sound system and any other peripherals you may have.



[I hope you appreciated the motherboard parts guide
and I invite you to take a look at the other guides.]