Motherboards
The primary circuit board within a computer, and it holds several key components, including the processor, random access (RAM), expansion slots, and more.
Exam Tip
When taking the exam, you should be able to identify different components on the motherboard based on their shape. You should also be able to identify their purposes and properties.
Miscellaneous connectors and jumpers (Motherboard outline)
connectors are available to connect to a speaker, to fans, and to the front of the case for power and displays. They can be located in different places on the motherboard.
Expansion slots (Motherboard outline)
Expansion slots allow you to add additional cards to a motherboard for additional capabilities. Several different types of expansion slots are available, including Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), and more.
Rear connectors (Motherboard outline)
Several connectors are attached to the motherboard and are accessible via the rear of the computer. These include connectors for audio and video Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices and more.
CPU 12-v power (Motherboard outline)
A 4-pin plug from the power supply plugs into here to provide power to the Central Processing Unit (CPU). On systems with multiple CPU's, this can be two 4 pin plugs or an 8 pin plug.
CPU Fan (Motherboard outline)
CPU Fan. CPUs generate a lot of heat, so it's common to attach a fan on top of them. A connection on the motherboard provides power for the fan. CPU fans are often variable speed so that they can sin faster when the CPU gets hotter.
Chipset (Motherboard outline)
This consists of one or more integrated circuits (ICs) that connect the CPU with other components and devices on the system. Chipsets are designed to work with specific CPUs and are soldered into the motherboard. They can get hot and often have heat sinks on top of them designed to dissipate heat.
CPU (Motherboard outline)
The majority of work done by a computer occurs within the processor. The motherboard includes a CPU socket into which a CPU is plugged, and the CPU is normally covered with a heat sink and a cooling fan.
SATA connectors (Motherboard outline)
Most computers support Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) drives. SATA connectors have a distinctive L shape. SATA connectors come in different versions, and these different versions are identified with different colors. There is no standard between MB manufactures.
Battery (Motherboard outline)
The battery provides power to the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) so that certain settings are retained. The battery is often circular but can have a barrel shape.
BIO's jumper (Motherboard outline)
There is often a jumper close to the battery. Shorting the two pins on the jumper with reset the BIOS password or return the BIOS settings to the factory defaults.
RAM (Motherboard outline)
Motherboards usually have at least two RAM slots, and many have four or six. RAM slots are very specific and will accept only certain types of RAM based on the specifications of the motherboard.
IDE connectors (Motherboard outline)
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P1 power connector
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Floppy drive connector
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