EMPOWERMENT TECHNOLOGY

Motherboard
-A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer. The motherboard
is a computer's central communications backbone connectivity point, through which all
components and external peripherals connect (Kirvan, 2023).

Parts of Motherboard:
RAM Chip
-A RAM chip is a tiny, metal device that is used to store data temporarily. In order to
create a RAM card or module a microchip with transistors is placed onto a circuit board.
Random-access memory (RAM) chips are affixed directly to the motherboard in order to
optimize space
RAM Slots
-A RAM slot, sometimes referred to as a RAM socket, is a long, thin slot found on a PC's
motherboard. This makes it possible to support RAM modules with different speeds and
capacities. There are often two or four of these memory banks on motherboards.
CPU ZIF Sockets
-One kind of CPU socket on a computer motherboard that makes microprocessor
installation simple is the ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket. It prevents harm during
installation by using a lever to securely fasten the chip without the need for force.
CPU Heatsink Fan
-The purpose of utilizing a heat sink fan is to effectively remove heat from the
components of a device in order to increase performance and prolong gadget life.
Furthermore, a heat sink typically includes a fan or some other device to lower the
temperature of a physical part, like the processor.
P/S (Personal System) 2 Port
-A 6-pin mini-DIN connector called the PS/2 port is used to link keyboards and mouse to
PC-compatible computers. Its name is derived from the 1987 introduction of the IBM
Personal System/2 line of personal computers.
VGA (Visual Graphic Array) Ports
-VGA ports are used to connect graphics output devices like CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
monitors or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors to your computer. They are either on
motherboard or they can be bought separately as an add-in adapter into one of the PC's
slots.
DVI (Digital Video Interface) Port
-DVI is a video display interface developed by the Digital Display Working Group
(DDWG). The DVI is used to connect a video source to a display device such as computer
monitor.
HDMI (High-definition Multimedia Interface) Port
-The HDMI is integrated in computer's motherboard. It allows you to connect your
computer directly to display or transmit uncompressed video data and compressed or
uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant source device, such as a
display controller, to a compatible computer monitor, video projector, digital television,
or digital audio device without the need for a dedicated graphics card.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Ports
-The USB ports allows data to be moved between devices. It can also be used to supply
electric power using a cable to devices that don't have their own source of power.
Audio Jacks
-There are three main audio port: Green, and Pink, and Blue. The green audio port is
the primary one here. It can be used to listen to music and other audio port through
headphones or speakers. The Pink port is used for recording sounds with a microphone.
The Blue audio port is for connecting additional audio equipment such as home
theaters, subwoofers, etc.
Ethernet Ports
-Ethernet ports serve as vital connectors that enable network communication between
computers and other devices. These ports use Ethernet cables to establish a wired
connection to a local area network (LAN) or the internet.
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Express Slots
-PCI express slots allow your motherboard to connect with your PC's most critical
components and provide key functionality and it serves as an interface standard for
connecting high-speed input output (HSIO) component. They also supply you with
numerous customization and upgrade options when you're ready to venture beyond
preloaded features like graphics and storage.
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Expansion Slots
-PCI expansion slots allow you to add additional cards to your computer system. These
can come in the form of sound cards, RAID cards, SSDs, graphics cards, NIC cards, Co-
processors, and several other functional computer parts.
Audio Headers
-Audio headers are usually located at the bottom left corner of the motherboard, near
the PCI slots. They consist of one or two 9-pin connectors that correspond to the HD
Audio or AC'97 standard.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Headers
- The USB headers refers to the connector on a motherboard that allows you to connect
USB devices to your computer. It is a set of pins, usually located near the edge of the
motherboard, that provides a pathway for data transfer between the computers and
USB peripherals.
Motherboard Power Switch Pins
- Motherboard Power Switch Pins are an integral part of the front panel header on a
motherboard that has an arrangement of pins that connect to the various buttons, LEDs,
and connectors on the front panel of a computer case. Take note that not all
motherboards have the same front panel header layout. Some motherboards may
include additional pins for features specific to the manufacturer’s design.
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachments) Hard Drive Ports
-SATA technology attachments serve as a connector interface that is mainly utilized for
computer bus connections. In this application, the cables are used to link a host bus
adaptor, such as a motherboard, to a mass storage device, such as a hard disk drive,
optical drive, or solid-state memory drive.
South Bridge (input/output controller hub)
-It serves as a link between the other parts of the computer system and the slower
input/output (I/O) devices. It provides interface and controllers for audio interfaces,
ethernet ports, serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) ports, USB ports, and
some other peripheral device. Although it is not as fast as the northbridge at handling
data transfers, the southbridge is necessary for connecting and controlling a large
number of peripherals.
CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Battery

- CMOS also called coin-cell battery helps the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI
(Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) to store the hardware configuration settings.
The CMOS battery powers the BIOS firmware in your laptop. The BIOS needs to remain
operational even when your computer isn’t plugged to a power source. It helps keep a
record of the date and time when the computer is switched off.
North Bridge (PCI/AGP Controller)
-The northbridge is an integrated circuit responsible for communications between the
CPU (central processing unit) interface, AGP (accelerated graphics port) and the
memory. The northbridge is directly connected to these components. It serves as
“bridge” for the southbridge chip to the CPU, RAM (random-access memory) and
graphics controller.
Motherboard Power Supply
- The purpose of a power supply in a motherboard is to convert the alternating current
from a wall outlet into the direct current needed to power the various components of
the computer, such as the CPU memory, and storage drives. The power supply also
regulates the voltage and provides protection against power surges and other electrical
issues.

Types of Motherboards:
ATX (Advanced Technology extended):
 Size/Form Factor: Standard ATX.
 Function: ATX is the most common form factor for consumer PCs. It provides ample
space for expansion slots and peripherals, making it suitable for gaming and multimedia
applications. MicroATX and Mini-ITX variants are smaller, with fewer expansion slots,
making them suitable for compact systems.
Micro ATX (mATX):
 Size/Form Factor: Smaller than ATX, with a maximum of four expansion slots.
 Function: Micro ATX motherboards are more compact than ATX but still offer a
reasonable number of expansion slots. They are suitable for smaller desktop cases
where space is a consideration but some expandability is still needed.
Mini-ITX:
 Size/Form Factor: Smallest form factor, typically with a single PCIe slot.
 Function: Mini-ITX is designed for ultra-compact systems. These motherboards are
commonly used in small form factor (SFF) and HTPC (Home Theater PC) builds where
space is at a premium. Due to their size, they may have fewer expansion options
compared to larger form factors.
EATX (Extended ATX):
 Size/Form Factor: Larger than standard ATX, providing additional expansion slots.
  Function: EATX motherboards are designed for high-end desktops and workstations that
require extensive expansion capabilities. They often include more PCIe slots and
additional features but may require larger cases to accommodate their size.
XL-ATX and HPTX:
 Size/Form Factor: Even larger than EATX, designed for extreme configurations.
 Function: XL-ATX and HPTX are less common and are generally used in specialized builds
that demand extensive expansion and multiple graphics cards. These form factors are
suitable for enthusiasts and professionals working with advanced systems.
Server Motherboards:
 Function: Server motherboards are designed for use in servers and data centers. They
prioritize stability, reliability, and often support multiple processors, ECC (Error-
Correcting Code) memory, and server-class features. They are less common in consumer
desktops.
Workstation Motherboards:
 Function: Similar to server motherboards, workstation motherboards are designed for
professional workstations that require powerful computing capabilities. They often
support high-end CPUs, large amounts of RAM, and multiple GPUs for tasks like content
creation and 3D rendering.
Embedded Motherboards:
 Function: Embedded motherboards are designed for use in embedded systems, such as
industrial machines, kiosks, and digital signage. They often have a compact form factor
and are built for reliability and longevity in specific applications.
Expansion Card
 An expansion card is a PCB (printed circuit board) that plugs into an expansion slot on a
computer motherboard. An expansion card, or add-on card, is used to provide
additional functionality to the system or to upgrade an existing function, such as sound
or video.