1. Created by: Benton Kaeb
The Motherboard
Created by: Benton Kaeb

2. Parts of the Motherboard
Processor
RAM slots (may be SIMM or DIMM)
Cache memory
BIOS chip
CMOS battery
Expansion slots
Ports and Connections
Serial
Parallel
Video and Audio
USB
Firewire
Network Interface Card (NIC)

3. Motherboard Breakdown

4. Processor One of the easiest items to find on the motherboard
Located below the main cooling fan on most motherboards
Remove cooling fan and processor is glued to the heat sync with special tech glue that is almost impossible to remove.
Most common port for a processor is the ZIF port or zero insertion force port
Older processors used the SEC port or single edge contact port which somewhat resembled the RAM ports

5. ZIF Port

6. RAM Ports (SIMM,DIMM) Two types of RAM ports
SIMM- Single inline memory module
DIMM- dual inline memory module
72 pin SIMM and 168 pin DIMM are the most common
SIMM and DIMM RAM must be installed in pairs in order to fill “a memory bank”
Ex: If you install a 72 pin SIMM(32 bits) in a 64 bit machine then you must add another 72 pin SIMM in order to match the processor’s bit path.

7. SIMM and DIMM

8. Cache Memory
Cache memory- increases performance by storing frequently used programs codes or data that can be later accessed by the processor at a faster speed.
Cache memory comes in layers. The first being L1 cache and is integrated with the processor. L2 cache, as well as L3 cache, is located outside of the CPU and is installed on the motherboard
Most computers today have at least two levels of cache memory the first level being smaller than the others

9. BIOS Chip (ROM)
BIOS- Basic Input-Output System- is the low level program code that allows all the system devices to communicate with one another
Stored on the motherboard in a BIOS chip
In today’s machines the ROM BIOS is no longer only read only memory. Todays BIOS chips run as EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable ROM) which means you can get special programs from the BIOS manufacturer that allows you to write to the ROM chip
Only IT professionals should write to the ROM chip
Usually the biggest chip found on the motherboard.

10. BIOS Chip

11. CMOS and its Battery
CMOS- Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor- holds the computer inventory.
CMOS’s purpose is to hold the computer’s inventory of all system components and all of the components properties.
The system inventory is stored in what is called CMOS RAM. Any type of RAM loses its contents upon shutdown, therefore we need a battery to keep CMOS with a charge so that it does not lose its inventory contents.
The battery that powers the CMOS is located on the motherboard and needs changed every couple years.

12. CMOS Battery

13. Expansion Slots
Expansion slots are ports located on the motherboard for the purpose of expanding the functionality of your computer
There are three types of common expansion slots
PCI- peripheral component interconnect- one of the newer expansion slots, most commonly used expansion slot today, popular for their Plug and Play architecture
AGP- Advanced Graphics Port- appeared in 1997, has twice the speed of PCI ports, most commonly used for graphics/video cards
ISA- industry standard architecture- first major expansion slot, not commonly used today

14. Expansion Slots

15. External Ports and Connectors
Serial Ports- also known as communication (COM) ports.
Serial ports send “series” of data, or one bit at a time in single file until the transfer of data is complete
Serial ports are labeled COM1, COM2, COM3, etc…
Two types of serial ports:
DB9 male- 9 pin serial
DB25 male- 25 pin serial
Parallel Ports- also known as the printer port, not used any more (most printers use USB)
Video Adapter- also known as the video card port
Responsible for converting digital data transmitted from the CPU to analog data that can be displayed on the monitor.
Contains 15 pins and is usually shown with a blue sticker and/or monitor icon

16. Ports

17. External Ports or Connectors Cont.
PS/2- the old style mouse and keyboard ports, rarely used today
Contains six pins and mouse is usually green and keyboard is usually purple
Sound- there are three sound ports
Line-in: usually blue, allows many different types of audio connections
Line-out: usually green, allows the connection of speakers
MIC-in: Microphone port, usually red, allows connections of a microphone for recording
NIC ports- Network Interphase card- most are built in today, used for connection of a RJ45 jack connection on Ethernet cable

18. PS/2, Sound, and NIC

19. External Ports or Connections Cont.
USB- Universal Serial Bus- high speed serial technology with two common types
USB1- 12Mbps
USB2- 480Mbps
USB ports support daisy chaining which means you can plug multiple devices into a USB splitter
Fire wire- faster connection than USB, two standards
IEEE Mbps
IEEE1394b- 800Mbps

20. Power Connections
Everything on the computer needs power from somewhere to run. Everything is supplied power by the power supply. (except itself)
Power from the power supply is supplied through many ports that are all numbered P1-P9
Power from the power supply is given in 3.3, 5, or 12 volts
Power connection labeled P1 is the main power for the motherboard called the ATX power connector (connects to a ATX motherboard)

21. Power Supply Connectors
P1 = ATX Power Connector

22. Drive Connections
There are two types of drive connectors for hard drive and CD (floppy uses only IDE)
IDE- Integrated Drive Electronics- appeared in 1980’s
In 40 pin or 80 pin IDE ribbon cables (floppy uses 34 pin connection)
SATA- Serial Advanced Technology Attachment- average transfer rate of 150Mbps, up to 600Mbps
Replaced IDE cables and connections
SCSI- Small Computer System Interface- used in servers, 50 pin cable/connection, faster than IDE

23. IDE, SATA, and SCSI

24. Jumpers and DIP switches
A Jumper is a set of pins that have a plastic cap over them to create an electrical connection. The cap contains a piece of metal that creates an electrical “jump”.
A DIP switch or Dual Inline Package Switch is a set of switches that can be turned on or off to enable/disable functionality on the motherboard. Do not mess with the configuration of the switch without consulting your motherboard’s documentation.

25. Jumper and DIP Switch

26. Types of Motherboards
Two common types of motherboards are ATX and MicroATX boards shown below.

27. Remember:
Homework and Quiz