Everything you need to know about the motherboard

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What is a Motherboard?

The motherboard is the main component of a computer; it directs and issues commands like the brain of a human. It is the origin of connections and enables the connection between all the computer components so that they can fulfill their tasks.

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Often called "motherboard" or "mainboard," this central piece manages the processor, RAM, hard drive, keyboard, graphics card, mouse, and more.

It has the appearance of a large rectangular card, often green, with numerous connected wires (ribbons), and it consists of printed circuits; it centralizes and processes all the data emitted by the computer and is the central connection point of your computer's infrastructure: without a motherboard, no functionality is possible!

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Among its many roles, it manages data communication, control and monitoring, administration, energy management and distribution, physical connection of components, synchronization, startup, configuration, software launch, and more.

Evolution of the Motherboard

Initially, the motherboard had the microprocessor soldered directly, but over the years, the processor and motherboard were separated, providing the motherboard with new functionalities, more or less developed depending on the models (Wi-Fi, sound card, 4G, etc.).

Several manufacturers now share the market for motherboard construction, with the first and probably the most well-known being the global giant Asus, followed by Intel, NVIDIA, MSI, or AMD, each with its type of motherboard.

Reminder: No compatibility between Asus motherboards and Intel (for example) is conceivable; the design is different, and they each have dedicated and suitable processors.

The Various Motherboard Formats

The main motherboard formats are: ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX. 

Most motherboards intended for the general public have the ATX format. Whether in the entry-level or high-end category, these motherboards fit perfectly into medium and large tower-type cases. The ATX format is the most widely used in the industry.

Components Integrated into the Motherboard

Let's now leave aside the history of the motherboard and its different formats and delve a little deeper. What components and connectors are present on this board, and what are the essential specifics to know?

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Inside its printed circuit, the motherboard includes various elements such as electrical power connectors to supply power to the device, the chipset that represents all the main circuits installed on the board (processor, cache memory, RAM, expansion slots, etc.), the clock, the CMOS battery, the BIOS (Bios is the basic software that allows the motherboard to perform its functions), etc.

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