Emakast

Emakast is the Estonian term for the motherboard, the main printed circuit board in a computer. It provides the electrical connections and data pathways between the central processing unit, memory, storage, and peripheral devices. The motherboard hosts the CPU socket, memory slots, chipset, firmware, power delivery circuitry, and interfaces for expansion and I/O.

Key components and interfaces include the CPU socket; memory (DIMM) slots; PCI Express expansion slots; storage interfaces such as SATA and M.2 NVMe; power connectors (such as a 24-pin ATX and 8-pin CPU power); a BIOS or UEFI firmware chip; and onboard controllers. Motherboards also include a back panel I/O area with USB, Ethernet, audio, video outputs, and other connectors.

Form factors and compatibility: They come in standard form factors such as ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX, which determine size and the number of expansion slots and ports. The choice of motherboard is constrained by the CPU socket type and chipset, RAM type and speed, and the case size. BIOS/UEFI firmware updates can add support for newer CPUs or memory. Overclocking and memory profiles may be enabled via the BIOS on some boards.

Usage and maintenance: Building or upgrading a PC typically starts with selecting a compatible motherboard, installing the CPU and memory, attaching storage, and connecting power and peripherals. Routine maintenance includes keeping firmware up to date, ensuring proper cooling, and handling components with electrostatic discharge precautions. In case of failures, diagnostics often start with POST codes, symptom checks, and then component testing.