Primary Components - Motherboards Flashcards
What is the motherboard, and what is its role in a computer system?
The motherboard, also known as the mainboard, is a large circuit board that serves as the backbone of a computer, connecting various components. It supplies power, facilitates data transfer, and houses the BIOS chip for controlling the boot process.
What are the key components found on a motherboard?
- CPU,
- heatsink and fan assembly,
- RAM,
- BIOS,
- chipsets,
- sockets,
- expansion slots,
- internal/external connectors,
- ports.
What are the functions of the BIOS chip on the motherboard?
The BIOS chip controls the boot process of the computer.
What are the different form factors of motherboards, and why are they important?
Motherboards have different form factors (size, shape) and contain buses (electrical pathways). Form factors determine the physical dimensions and layout of the motherboard.
What are the key features to consider in a motherboard?
Socket type (determines processor compatibility), expansion slots (for adding components), and ports (for connections like USB or Ethernet).
What does the socket type do in the motherboard?
Determines which processors will work with the motherboard.
What does the expansion slot do in the motherboard?
Allows you to add more components like graphics cards or sound cards.
What does the ports do in the motherboard?
Your motherboard may have different ports for things like USB or Ethernet connections.
Name some variations of the ATX form factor and their characteristics
E-ATX (larger version for high-end gaming computers) and Micro-ATX (smaller form factor for budget computers).
What is the most commonly used form factor in servers and personal computers?
The ATX form factor.
Describe the characteristics of the E-ATX form factor.
E-ATX is a larger version primarily used in high-end gaming computers.
What is the Micro-ATX form factor, and where is it commonly used?
Micro-ATX is a smaller form factor used in budget computers.
How do form factors vary in mobile devices?
Mobile devices lack common form factors and vary widely depending on the manufacturer and device model.
