They are many types of computer circuit boards, of which their main function is simply the same. Which is housing different components. Functionality may differ from board to board. Depending on the purpose it’s designed for and what sort of computer chips or hardware it houses.
What is a Computer circuit board or motherboard
This is the board that houses the different components of a computer. And provides the bus system for the attached components. If you are confused or wondering what a “bus system is ?” Well it’s simply a set of on board wires that interconnect the different components of a computer. So it can function as one unit and are normally insulated on the circuit board to prevent short circuits.
Despite housing different component of a computer, like a central processing unit(CPU). The motherboard is sensitive to electrostatic discharge. That may require you to use a grounded anti static mat. And also wear an anti static wrist strap while working on a motherboard during repairs.
Keep in mind that the motherboard determines the type of power supply you might use. And the type of casing to be used. In cases where you need a more powerful computer. That might need more power for peripheral devices such as graphic cards and other components. Not forgetting high end performance. You might want to rethink on the type of motherboard to get. Based on the demands that you might have. Cause it also determines the type of CPU to use. Depending on the type of bus system either 32(x86) or 64 bits. It also comes with expansion slots for connecting wireless network interface cards and video adapter card. Bear in mind that the expansion slots for a desk-top motherboard differs from that of a laptop computer.
Cables are used to connect different components of a computer. Which may be divided Into power and data cables. Power cables from the term itself distribute electricity from the power supply to the motherboard and other parts too. While data cables transmit data to or from storage devices. Depending on the instruction issued by the CPU on the motherboard. Additional cables connect buttons and link lights on the front of the computer case or laptop to the main board. Never force a connection when attaching cables during assembling or repair of a computer.
Comparison between a Laptop and desktop motherboard
The two kinds of circuit boards are built differently and the parts are non-interchangeable. Despite the fact that the functions, that can be performed on a desktop computer can also be performed on a laptop. Laptop main boards are much more specialized than desktops which are standardized. This is due to the fact that manufactures of laptops focus more on efficiency and compactness. As a result, they tend to follow their own specific form factor. Hence, you maybe required to obtain a replacement component from the manufacturer. As laptop circuit boards vary by manufacturer and are proprietary. The design of the laptop processor that fits on the motherboard also greatly differs. Since it is designed to use less power and create less heat than the desktop processor. This results in laptops not to require cooling devices that are large as that of a desktop computer. Leading to the use of CPU throttling in laptops. That modify the clock speed, as needed to reduce heat and power consumption. This method slightly reduces performance. But also increases the life span of some components. The special design modification allows a laptop to operate for longer periods. When using a battery power source.
Parts and functions.
They are many components that are housed on the motherboard. That range from transducers, resistors to capacitor and so on. Only to mention a few parts that play the most important role. But that does not necessary apply that the other part aren’t important too, these include.
- Processor: mainly held in the socket on the motherboard. Is known as the brain of the computer. As its responsible for fetching, execution, decoding and performing mathematical and logical calculation for the computer.
- Chip Sets: they are mainly two types of chip sets found on the motherboard, the North and South bridges. The north bridge is mainly in charge of controlling transfers between the processor and RAM model. Due to this it is sometimes referred to as the “memory controller”. And that’s the reason why its located near the processor. While the south bridge is normally referred to as the “expansion controller”. As it handles connections between peripheral devices and the processor.
- Main Memory: usually refers to random access memory (RAM) and not the hard drive. Which is a secondary storage device. It temporarily stores data to enhance computer performance. By allowing the processor to fetch and execute data from a faster storage. Unlike hard drives that are slow and can hold information even when the computer is turned off. Random access memory tends to be volatile as it loses information when power is off.
- Expansion Slots/buses: these are the input/output pathways to peripheral devices and are mainly made of series of slots on the motherboard. The most common expansion slots in computers are peripheral component interconnect and peripheral component interconnect express. They mostly carry data, memory addresses, control signals and power.
- BIOS: The basic input/output system (BIOS) is a “read only memory”. That contains the low-level software for controlling hardware. And acts as an interface between the hardware and the operating system. It is mainly associated with the complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). That stores and holds the BIOS configuration settings. That helps the computer not to reconfigure itself during startup. Unlike BIOS, its volatile and has a CMOS battery that helps in keeping date and time.
- CPU Clock: It is used for synchronizing the operations for all the parts on a computer. And provides a basic timing signal for the CPU. It uses a quartz crystal and feeds a constant flow of pulse for the operation of the CPU.
In Conclusion
Despite the difference of architectural design of motherboards, between trade companies or manufacturers. They all fall under Von Neumann or Harvard architecture. And the components that implement the functions of fetching, executing and decoding are entirely the same on all main boards. The north and south bridge actually connect two buses. That’s the reason why they are called bridges. Information isn’t directly transmitted between the processor and RAM. But passes through the cache memory which is way faster than main memory. Hence, making it more expensive than RAM. Regular maintenance has to be conducted. So that your computer continues running smoothly. And to avoid down time due to accumulated dust or loose cables.
Hi Volkert
Great explanation of what and how a computer motherboard and it’s components. I once built a desktop computer from scratch myself. Must admit it was a very rewarding experience when I switched it on for the first time and the Windows 98 screen popped up. Funny I still miss that version of Windows.
Great article
Regards
Steve
Hi Steve, It must have really been a life changing phenomenal experience. Considering the time interval and how scarce it was to build one then. And you probably deserved that reward, cause only a few could do that in the 90’s. Thank you for taking time to read this article and leaving a comment.
Great article Volkert!
Reminds me of 90s when I was a teenager and built few desktop computers for me and friends. I wish there was articles like yours back then. It was really different back then. Also components today are quite different but main idea behind motherboards is still of course the same.
Keep up the good work. I’m looking forward more posts from you.
Hello Mikko, they would have truly been handy during the 90’s. Considering most of the drastic improvements in the tech world happened during this time. And the fact that resources were also hard to find. Please feel free to hang around for up coming posts.
Hi there, this is a great explanation of how mother boards or circuit boards work, and all the component that fit into it. The information provided will help anybody that needs to know what a motherboard is, how it functions, and the different components. I had no idea that the circuit board in a laptop, is completely different to that in a desktop. Thanks for sharing a very educative post.
You are most welcome LineCowley, sometimes or at some point in time we tend to use things minus considering what they are made-up of. And clarifications at times helps. I too sometime back used to think that a laptop and desktop motherboard were the same.
This is a text-lesson that provides basics about hardware in such a way that anyone can understand it without overly complicated technical terms and without any previous knowledge, just like the professor taught us at school. Short and simple definitions how every part of a computer works and what is it for, is really beginner friendly. Well done!
Thank Ivana for that remarkable comment. Am glad you found this article user friendly and very easy to absorb. Please do hang around, you might find something of your interest. Remember no one was born a tech savvy, we all were beginners at some point in time too.
Hi Volkert. I’m constantly amazed by just how much computers have progressed. One of my first jobs involved working on a ‘reel to reel’ IBM computer. It was very slow, the CPU was the size of a small van, and it took many hours to download the simplest form of information.
The original computer I owned was a Commodore 64, all you could really do with it was create very simple things such as musical tunes, in basic.
I had no idea there was such a difference between PC’s and Laptops. I really thought that laptops just had a lessor capacity and capabilities then the PC.
I found your article very educational. The technical side of a computer was fascinating. I thought I knew a bit about a mother board and the components that comprise it, but you made me realise I have a lot to learn. Thank you for your thought provoking article. Jim
You are most welcome Jim. Its truly a remarkable progress, that computers have under gone though. Shrinking down from the size of a small van to an A4 paper size.
In my opinion, that’s a great deal of advancement with compactness, speed and performance. Am sure you have had first hand experience when it comes to performance comparison. Since you once owned a Commodore 64. Technology is an everyday learning thing, since everyday new tech is being developed.
The first time I heard the word motherboard when it came to the computer it sounded very interesting but I can see why they call it the mother board with all of the components which are doing their part to ensure that the computer runs smoothly. The motherboard really fascinates me. Thanks so much for explaining.
It really is an extra ordinally component of any computer. And a computer isn’t a computer without a circuit board. Thank you Norman for taking time reading through this article about computer circuit boards, and i hope you found this information useful.