Motherboards

Unit 02 – Computer Systems
Computer Systems
and
Motherboards
BTEC Level Lecturer: Owen Funnell 3 90-Credit Diploma for IT Users

This Lesson….
• Understand what a computer system
• Understand what a motherboard does in a
computer system
• Understand how all the parts of a motherboard
connect to each other
• Understand the connections on a motherboard

What is a computer system?
Simplest term:
A Computer system is one that is able to take a set of inputs,
process them and crate a set of outputs. This process is done
with a combination of software and hardware
Program
Process
Input Output
Storage

What is a computer system?
A computer system has one or more Inputs to provide data.
This data is processed in some way. The outcome is sent to an
output or it may be stored until an event happens that means
it can be outputted.

What is motherboard?
The motherboard serves to connect all of the parts of a
computer together. The CPU, memory, hard drives, optical
drives, video card, sound card and other ports and expansion
cards all connect to the motherboard directly or via cables.
The motherboard is the piece of computer hardware that can
be thought of as the "back bone" of the PC.

What is motherboard? (Page 5)
The Parts of a Motherboard
3
1
5 2
4
7
6
8

Sizes of motherboard? (Page 6)

Motherboard Buses (Page 7)
A bus is simply a circuit that connects one part of the motherboard to another.
The more data a bus can handle at one time, the faster it allows information to
travel. The speed of the bus, measured in megahertz (MHz), refers to how
much data can move across the bus simultaneously.

AGP bus
memory bus
front side bus
PCI bus
ATA Bus

Bus speed usually refers to the speed of the front side bus (FSB), which connects the CPU to
the Northbridge. FSB speeds can range from 66 MHz to over 800 MHz. Since the CPU
reaches the memory controller though the Northbridge, FSB speed can dramatically affect a
computer's performance.
The memory bus connects the Northbridge to the memory.
The IDE or ATA bus connects the Southbridge to the disk drive storage.
The AGP bus connects the video card to the memory and the CPU. The speed of the AGP
bus is usually 66 MHz.
The PCI bus connects PCI slots to the Southbridge.
The faster a computer's bus speed, the faster it will operate -- to a point. A fast bus speed
cannot make up for a slow processor or chipset.
Lecturer: Owen Funnell

Motherboard Chip Set (Page8)
The chipset is the "glue" that connects the
microprocessor to the rest of the motherboard
and therefore to the rest of the computer. On
a PC, it consists of two basic parts --
the Northbridge and the Southbridge. All of
the various components of the computer
communicate with the CPU through the
chipset.
The Northbridge connects directly to the processor via the ______________ (FSB). A
memory controller is located on the Northbridge, which gives the CPU fast access to the
memory. The Northbridge also connects to the AGP or PCI Express bus and to the memory
itself.

Motherboard Chip Set (Page8)
The Southbridge is slower than the Northbridge, and information from the CPU has
to go through the Northbridge before reaching the Southbridge. Other busses
connect the Southbridge to the PCI bus, the USB ports and the IDE or SATA hard
disk connections.

Motherboard Sockets (Page9)
Motherboards vary greatly in respect to the types of components they support. For
example, each motherboard supports a single type of CPU and a short list of
memory types. Additionally, some video cards, hard drives and other peripherals
may not be compatible. The motherboard manufacturer should provide clear
guidance on component compatibilities.
Socket LGA 1155 Socket LGA 775 Socket AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+

ZIF socket
A ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket is the physical way that Processor (CPU’s) connect to
the computer motherboard to the data bus. As its name implies, the ZIF socket is
designed for ease of manufacture and so that the average computer owner will be able to
upgrade the microprocessor. The ZIF socket contains a lever that opens and closes,
securing the microprocessor in place.
ZIF allows for easy removable of the CPU
for upgrading but still keeps it very secure
when installed.

A memory slot, memory socket, or RAM slot is what allows computer memory
(RAM) to be inserted into the computer. Depending on the motherboard, there may
be 2 to 4 memory slots. Notice the slots on the socket which stop you putting the
memory in the wrong way

Motherboard Expansion ports

Motherboard Connectors and
cables (Page14)
Internal Ports
SATA Connector
Connecting SATA devices such as Hard Drive Storage or
Optical Drives
IDE Connector
Connecting IDE devices such as Hard Drive
Storage or Optical Drives

cables (Page15)
Internal Ports
Floppy Connector
Connecting floppy drives to the motherboard
Front Panel Connectors
Connecting up front panel LEDs and Switch's (Power/Restart
Switch's)
Audio Connector
Connecting external audio to the motherboard

cables (Page16)
Internal Ports
USB Connector
Connecting USB2.0 front the front panel to
the motherboard
SATA Cable
Connecting SATA connectors from the motherboard to
the SATA drive
IDE Cable
Connecting IDE connectors from the motherboard to
the SATA drive

cables (Page16)
Internal Ports
Front Panel Connectors
Connecting the Front Panel Controls and LEDS to the
motherboard
Audio
Connecting Audio Front Panel to Motherboard
USB
Connecting USB on the front panel to the motherboard

cables (Page17)
Internal Ports
Floppy Cable
Connecting Floppy devices to the motherbaord
USB 3.0
Connecting USB 3.0 on the front panel to the
motherboard

cables (Page16)
PS/2
USB 2.0
HDMI
AVI
VGA
USB 3.0
Ethernet
Connector
Audio

Buying a Motherboard (Page19)
You are working for an Website production company who have asked you to spec some
new computers You must first find motherboards suitable for the computers and justify why
you have bought them. The 3 computers are
A basic windows 7 work station (less then £80)
• Cheap
• USB Ports
• 4-8GB Memory
A server 2012 virtual server (between then £100-200)
• Lots of memory
• More then 2 CPU
A video production computer (between then £100-200)
• Lots of Memory
• HDMI/DVI Out
• 2 PCE-E x16 slots

Motherboards

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