mainboard

A mainboard, commonly called a motherboard, is the primary circuit board in a computer. It interconnects and houses the central components and provides the electrical paths and connectors that allow the processor, memory, storage, and expansion cards to communicate and operate together. The board typically includes a CPU socket, memory slots, I/O ports, a chipset, and a variety of power connectors and data interfaces, along with firmware to initialize hardware during boot.

Key components and connectivity on a mainboard include the CPU socket for the processor, DIMM slots for system memory, PCIe slots for graphics cards and other expansion cards, and power delivery components that regulate voltage to the CPU and other subsystems. Storage interfaces such as SATA and M.2, Ethernet, USB headers, audio codecs, and display outputs are commonly provided. Many boards also include onboard features such as integrated graphics or networking, though high-end or server boards may rely more on discrete components.

Form factors and compatibility are important considerations. Common desktop form factors include ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX, with larger boards offering more expansion and power delivery options. Compatibility depends on the CPU socket type, memory type and speed, and the PCIe generations supported by the chipset. The term mainboard is widely used outside North America and is largely synonymous with motherboard.

The mainboard serves as the system’s backbone, enabling installation, powering, and communication of the core components. Its design influences expandability, performance, and upgradability in a computer system.