ComputerMotherboard

The computer motherboard, also known as the mainboard or system board, is the central component of a computer. It acts as the primary circuit board that connects all the other hardware components of a computer. This includes the central processing unit (CPU), memory modules (RAM), storage devices, graphics card, and other peripherals. The motherboard facilitates communication between these components, allowing them to work together.

Key features of a motherboard include the CPU socket, which holds the processor; RAM slots, where memory modules are installed; expansion slots like PCI Express, which allow for the addition of graphics cards and other expansion cards; and various connectors for storage devices such as SATA ports. It also contains the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which is firmware that initializes hardware during the boot process and loads the operating system.

Motherboards come in different form factors, such as ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX, which determine their physical size and the number of expansion slots they can accommodate. The chipset is another crucial element, consisting of integrated circuits that manage data flow between the CPU, RAM, and peripherals. The choice of motherboard is fundamental to a computer build as it dictates compatibility with other components and the potential for future upgrades.