A motherboard provides connectivity between the hardware components of a computer, like the processor (CPU), memory (RAM), hard drive, and video card. There are multiple types of motherboards, designed to fit different types and sizes of computers.
Each type of motherboard is designed to work with specific types of processors and memory, so they are not capable of working with every processor and type of memory. However, hard drives are mostly universal and will work with the majority of motherboards, regardless of the type or brand.
The motherboard components are:
There is no set standard to how many connections, ports, or expansion slots are on a motherboard. The best method of determining how many connections, ports, or slots are available for your motherboard is to look up the specifications contained in its documentation. If you've lost or discarded your motherboard's documentation, you can often download a free PDF version from the manufacturer's website.
A computer motherboard connects to a desktop computer case using standouts. Once the motherboard is attached to the case, all the other devices connect either to the motherboard itself or an installed expansion card.
The first motherboard is considered to be one used in the IBM Personal Computer, released in 1981. At the time, IBM referred to it as a "planar" instead of a motherboard. The IBM Personal Computer and the motherboard inside it would set the standard for IBM-compatible computer hardware going forward.
No, there is no such thing as a fatherboard when referring to a computer. However, there is such a thing as a daughterboard.
Daughterboard - alternatively referred to as a piggyback board and daughter card, a daughterboard is an expansion board that connects directly to the motherboard and gives added functionality (e.g., modem). Today, these boards are not found or used in desktop computers and have been replaced with ISA cards, PCI cards, and onboard options. However, some laptops still use these boards.
The daughterboards we mentioned in the previous section are circuit boards that all plug into one larger central circuit board; a motherboard. The smaller boards can be thought of as the main board's "children," hence the name motherboard.
Yes, although the board is often referred to as a logic board and not a motherboard. The logic board is very similar to a motherboard and operates the same way. However, because of size requirements with most logic boards, the components like the processor and RAM (in tablets and smartphones) are soldered onto the board. Also, because many of these devices have no upgrade options, there are no slots or sockets that would support a replacement or upgrade of components like a traditional computer motherboard.
A motherboard by itself is useless, but a computer has to have one to operate. The motherboard's main job is to hold the computer's microprocessor chip and let everything else connect to it. Everything that runs the computer or enhances its performance is either part of the motherboard or plugs into it via a slot or port.