What are the major elements of a motherboard?

Answer 1

Assuming you are asking about a computer motherboard, the major components are:

1) The processor (CPU). This is the 'brain' of the computer and is the chip where all the computing is done. The processor is usually inserted into a socket and therefore removable, but occasionally is soldered directly to the motherboard (as in the case of the Intel Atom). The processor is usually completely obscured from view by a large heat sink, to help remove heat and prevent it from burning out.

2) The memory. This is where the computer stores information while it is working on it. Computer memory these days is typically installed on long, narrow boards called SIMMs, or "Single Inline Memory Modules" into matching sockets. SIMMs come in varying sizes, including 2Gig, 4Gig, 8Gig, etc. There may be one or many of these installed on a board. The maximum amount of memory allowed on a board depends on a number of factors, including the processor, BIOS, and the board itself. The memory is almost always easily removable.

3) The "Chipset". This is a loosely coined term that may refer to one chip or a whole set of them. The Chipset is a link between the processor and the outside world, and handles things like controlling the hard drives, the USB ports, the keyboard and mouse, generates the sounds the computer makes, and sometimes even creates the pictures you see on the screen. The chipset may also have heatsink(s) attached to them. The chipset is almost always soldered directly to the motherboard.

4) The "Expansion Slots". These are connectors that allow you to attach additional "cards" on the computer, such as video cards, sound cards, modems, and add abilities to your computer that the motherboard doesn't provide. Some types of slots in use today called "PCI" or "PCI-E" slots. Older style slots include "AGP" and "ISA". In past years, many of these slots were needed to create a fully operational computer. As time goes on, more and more functions are being added directly to the chipset on the motherboard, and fewer expansion slots are needed.

5) The "IO" bank. This is a set of connectors that allows you to connect various devices to your computer, such as your keyboard, monitor, mouse, hard drives, flash drives, printers, and connect your computer to a network. It is usually concentrated at the back of the motherboard, but some of the connectors, such as the SATA, IDE, sound header, and USB headers are scattered around the motherboard.

Answer 2

The main components of a Motherboard include the following:

• Sockets in which one or more microprocessors may be installed
• Slots into which the systems main memory may be installed (typically in the form of DIMM modules containing DRAM chips)
• A chipset which forms an interface between the CPU's front-side bus, main memory, and peripheral buses
• Non-volatile memory chips (usually Flash-ROM in modern motherboards) containing the system's firmware or BIOS
• A clock generator which produces the system clock signal to synchronize the various components
• Slots for expansion cards (these interface to the system via the buses supported by the chipset)
• Power connectors, which receive electrical power from the computor power supply and distribute it to the CPU, chipset, main memory, and expansion cards
• A CPU

Answer 3

• CPU socket (Usually ZIF slots)
• RAM sockets (Usually DIMM/DDR)
• Heatsink
• BIOS chip
• Crystal Oscillator
• Motherboard Battery
• Power connectors (Usually 24 pin Molex/4 pin Molex, or 28 pin AMD)
• Peripheral device connectors (ATA, SATA, SCSI, etc.)
• Various interfaces (PCI, AGP, PCI-Express, etc.)

Glossary of terms:

AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port, an older graphics card port. Is now superceded by PCI-Express.

AMD - A manufacturer of CPUs and other components.

ATA - AT [Advanced Technology] Attachment - An outdated model for attaching peripheral devices.

BIOS - Basic Input/Output System. This is the lowest form of your computers' operating system and is built ontop of the CMOS.

CMOS - Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor.

Crystal Oscillator - This is a small crystal used as the system clock.

CPU - Central Processing Unit, the brain of the computer.

DDR - Double Data Rate - An outdated but still used model for RAM. There are now many similar systems, such as DDR2, DDR3, DDR5, etc.

DIMM - Dual In-line Memory Module - The most common memory interface currently on the market.

PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect - The currently most popular peripheral card interface. Is set to be superceded by PCI-Express.

PCI-Express - An improvement on the PCI architecture with much faster data rates. Currently mainly used for graphics cards, but is set to replace PCI altogether.

Peripheral - Any device that connects to a computer.

SATA - Serial AT (Advanced Technology) Attachment - an improvement on the ATA model.

SCSI - Small Computer Systems Interface - A very fast, but expensive, interface for peripherals.

ZIF - Zero Insertion Force, the most common type of CPU design model currently available.

Answer 4

The short Answer is the CPU, Memory, I/O, and Power Supply, better known as the four main parts of a computer.

The heart of a computer is the signal processor or more commonly known as "Central Processing Unit(CPU). But, the CPU cannot do all the work alone, it requires power to operate with sophisticated voltage regulators(VR), an Input/Output that includes a bus system for electrical communication with the perpherals like the chipset that may control things like Video or USB, etc.. The memory controller used to be a seperate chipset, but nowadays it is built right into the CPU, and communicates with the memory modules, the number of which is normally a consumer preference. Each chipset normally has it's own VR designed specifically for it. There is a lot more to tell but I believe I have answered the question.

Answer 5

processor