Motherboard

Motherboards by Chris Jamieson I. Quick History The first motherboard was created in the 1980’s by Steve Wozniac. Before the motherboard was created computers used a card cage case called a mainframe which was connected by a backplane consisting of a set of slots. The CPU, RAM, and the peripherals were inserted on circuit boards which plugged into the backplane. The first motherboards contained IC’s which were capable of supporting low speed peripherals which were the keyboard, mouse, floppy disk drive, and the serial and parallel ports. In the 90’s motherboards for personal computers supported a full range of audio, video, storage, and networking functions without need for expansion cards.

II. Form Factors A motherboard has different sizes and functions which are called Form Factors. The old and outdated form factors are AT and Mini AT. The most popular is the ATX form factor. Other form factors include LTX and BTX

II. Motherboards Today Most motherboards today are designed to have IBM compatible processors. A motherboard, like a backplane, provides electrical connections by which other components can communicate, but unlike a backplane it holds the CPU and other subsystems and devices. A typical desktop computer has a microprocessor, main memory, and other essential components on the motherboard. An important component of a motherboard is the microprocessor's supporting chipset, which provides the supporting interfaces between the CPU and the various buses and external components. This chipset determines, to an extent, the features and capabilities of the motherboard.

Modern Motherboards also include · Sockets or slots in which one or more microprocessor is installed · Slots in which the systems main memory is installed · A chipset which forms an interface between the CPU’s front side bus, main memory and peripheral bus · Non volatile memory chips · A clock generator which produces the system clock signal to synchronize various components · Slots for expansion cards · Power connection flickers

by James Abbey Types of motherboards Atx || Developed by intel Includes power on switch that can be software enabled || Enhanced atx || Improved atx (atx 2.2 24-pin p1 power connector || Mini atx || More compact atx 28.4 by 20.8cm || Micro atx || Smaller then mini 24.4 by 24.4 || Btx || Seven expansion slots Can be 325.12mm Better heat design then atx || Micro btx || 4 expansion slots 264.16 || Nano btx || 2 expansion slots 223.52mm || Pico btx || None or 1 expansion slot 203.20mm ||
 * Definition- //A Motherboard is a rigid, slotted board upon which other boards that contain the basic circuitry of a computer or of a computer component can be mounted. (This is the book definition)//**
 * A motherboard is what most computers use. There are other devices like back plane but they are a lot less common and most places don’t sell them.
 * Most other types are less efficient
 * The motherboard is the basis of most of all decisions made for the computer when buying or building a computer. The motherboard limits everything the computer will use.
 * A motherboard should be purchased based on the needs of the user and if being replaced the needs of the preexisting computer.
 * A motherboard can be a F.R.U. (a field replaceable unit)
 * There are many types of mother boards
 * They are ATX, BTX, and all their modification, NLX, and there are others but those type happen to be outdated

By: Alex Johnston 1. Make sure your case is a mid-tower case setup for the motherboard you plan to buy. 2. The Form Factor of the motherboard coincides with the type of case. 3. Backup all your data from your hard drive, because you’re going to have to reinstall your OS. That will erase your current data. 4. Make sure the socket of the processor you buy matches the socket type of the motherboard. 5. Take out the old processor from the old mother board. Remove the ram and any expansion cards you have put onto the board. 6. Take the new processor and insert it into the socket. Put the sticky paste that comes with the fan that you purchased, and put the heat sink and fan on top of the processor. Clip it onto the clips. 7. Apply the spacers to the case, to support the motherboard. 8. Line up the spacers to the holes in the motherboard and screw it on. 9. Have fun with your new motherboard and processor.
 * How to replace a motherboard and processor**