DIT0102 Computer Motherboard

A computer motherboard is a board upon which entire computer is interconnected

A Motherboard has major parts such as
1. Processor ( and its cooling system)
2. Sockets
3. Slots
4. North bridge
5. South bridge
6. Primary memory
7. Secondary memory
8. CMOS battery
9. Peripheral ports
Typical motherboard diagram is shown below

Typical Desktop motherboard.

Typically mounted Laptop Motherboard.

Motherboard architectural drawing

I. PROCESSOR
This is like the brain of computer, it receives input instructions and processes it to
produce the required output.
There are many vendors which manufacture Processors such as Intel, AMD, Motorola,
IBM, Cyrix (VIA) Alpha etc.
The most dominant processor maker is Intel followed closely by AMD
Each processor works with particular motherboard with unique processor socket/slot,
that is an Intel motherboard will not work with an AMD motherboard.
The processors will interface with its outside components via FSB, known as Front Side
Bus. Observe above diagram
II. SOCKETS
Computer motherboard has the first and its largest socket for its processors. There has
been many types of computer sockets such as the old socket 7 which was the first and
the last to work for three types of processors. Intel, AMD and Cyrix Processors. There
after each processors from a different maker has a unique socket for their processors.

Usually there are sockets, slots and embedded technologies for mounting a processor
into a motherboard. Slots are not commonly used whereas the embedded processors are
sandwiched into a motherboard just as any other components. Thus it is permanently
soldered into a motherboard. If processor fails the entire motherboard will be thrown
away. Normally embedded processors are for industrial applications and some PCs such
as Cyrix (VIA) makes a all in one motherboards with embedded VIA processor.

Typically there are two most commonly used processor sockets PGA (Pin Grid Array)
and LGA (Land Grid Array)
For PGA socket has HOLES while Processor has PINS, for LGA socket has PINS and
processor has grid array CONTACTS. For Slot processor mounting system slot has
CONTACTS and Processor Mounting board has Dual In Line CONTACTS.

LGA Socket with PINS

LGA grid array contacts

PGA socket with HOLES

Typical PGA Processors with PINS

Embedded Processor with heat sink mounted.

Processor cooling system involves
Thermal compound, it is a white compound applied between processor and heat sink
Heat sink with cooling fins
Fan

Typical heat sinks with a fan

IDE or PATA Socket, the socket mounts the PATA HDD into the motherboard via a flat
cable. The pin number 1 in the flat cable is denoted by red colour and a guider such that
the drive connection may interchanged. The socket colour denotes between primary and
secondary drives and one socket and one cable may connect up to two drive in Master
Slave connections by jumper settings on the rear of drive, or cable select.

IDE, PATA motherboard socket

IDE, PATA one end connector. Both ends are alike (Similar)

SATA Sockets, for this type of socket the cable is thinner and contains fewer cables (7)
than that of PATA (40). The socket is also smaller than that of PATA and can connect a
single drive.

Section of motherboard showing SATA sockets in yellow colour

SATA Data cable

CMOS battery socket

As illustrated in the practical training

BIOS chip socket

As illustrated in the practical training

Front Panel socket

As illustrated in the practical training

Front USB socket

As illustrated in the practical training

Front audio jack socket

As illustrated in the practical training
III. SLOTS
PCI Slots, holds system upgrade PCI Riser cards

Typical Section of motherboard, PCI slots

RAM Slot, holds system memory few examples are shown bellow

Typical section of computer motherboard, DDR3 RAM slots, there are few more types of RAM slots

AGP Slots, Holds VDU Riser card

Typical Computer motherboard section showing AGP marked with Yellow colour.

Typical AGP graphics card

AMR Slot, Holds system Modem Riser card

Typical section of computer motherboard, AMR slot

IV. NORTH BRIDGE CHIPSET
As shown in the motherboard diagram and motherboard architecture diagram
V. SOUTH BRIDGE CHIPSET
As shown in the motherboard diagram and motherboard architecture diagram
VI. PRIMARY MEMORY
As demonstrated in the lecture
VII.SECONDARY MEMORY
As demonstrated in the lecture
VIII.
PERIPHERAL PORTS
As illustrated in the lecture and during practical