Table of Contents
Purpose
The motherboard is the main component of a computer, responsible for regulating communication and signals among other parts of the system. Often referred to as “the mob” or “mainboard”, the motherboard is described as the brains of the computer directing which signals go where and how to respond to different inputs.
History
Motherboards can be found in almost all electronic devices and their size and capability vary depending on the application. At their base level, they serve one purpose; they connect all devices to make one unified machine.
The first motherboard was introduced to the world by IBM[2] in 1981 and was called a “planar”. It housed a CPU (central processing unit) and RAM (Random-access-memory) and served a basic purpose. The board had chips wired together and ports for a keyboard, mouse, and cassette tapes. The original PC, built on this motherboard, set the standard for many computer hardware specifications in computers for years to come.
The motherboard also evolved from another device called a backplane. Like a motherboard, a backplane is a PCB[4], but it lacks any processing or storage elements and is simply an electrical connector. When computers were first made, each computer component received its circuit board. Each circuit board is plugged into the backplane to communicate with other computer parts. The arrival of microprocessors enabled the backplane to house pieces of the computer, such as the CPU and memory.
Since many motherboards lacked advanced functionality and features, some required expansion cards. Expansion cards are circuit boards that are inserted into slots on the motherboard of a computer to add extra functionality or features to the system. They are commonly used to enhance the capabilities of a computer by providing additional hardware components or interfaces.
Imagine expansion cards as Lego bricks, that you can attach to a base LEGO structure to add new features or functions. Each expansion card (brick) provides a specific enhancement, such as new colors, shapes, or functionalities, expanding the possibilities of what you can build (your computer).
However, manufacturers realized that the more functions of a computer a motherboard could run, the more money they could save in production. By the end of the 20th century, many motherboards did not require expansion cards to provide users with quality audio, video, and networking. Some devices no longer accept cards, beginning with the laptop and notebook computers of the 1990s (and continuing with smartphones and tablets). Nor was one necessary, since every important component was integrated.
Appearance
The motherboard’s appearance can vary slightly depending on the form factor, but it’s typically around 9 to 12 inches square. The motherboard is usually mounted horizontally inside the computer case, with various components, slots, and connectors arranged across its surface.
Its surface is covered with printed circuitry, electronic components, and slots for connecting other hardware components. It also features ports for connecting external devices such as USB, Ethernet, and audio devices.
Components
The motherboard is like the central control hub of a computer, like the central nervous system in the human body, it connects and supports all other hardware components, like how the brain controls the muscles and organs to maintain equilibrium.
Parts of a motherboard can vary depending on the use, but for the sake of simplicity, I will only discuss 10 major key components that every motherboard meant for everyday use needs to function.
1. CPU socket: The CPU socket is like a plug on the motherboard where you insert the CPU. CPU(central processing unit) acts as the brain of the computer. Just like in real life, where a plug needs to fit into the socket for electricity to flow, the CPU fits into the socket to connect to the rest of the computer.
2. Memory slots: Memory slots are like slots where you insert memory modules, such as RAM sticks, into the motherboard. These modules store data that the CPU needs to access quickly, similar to how the hippocampus stores memory for the brain to remember information from the past. When the CPU needs data, it fetches it from the RAM modules.
3. Storage connectors: Storage connectors on the motherboard are where you connect storage devices like hard drives and SSDs. Like the spinal cord, connecting to various storage devices like hard drives and SSDs, it stores files and programs just as the body’s spinal cord carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The CPU communicates with the storage device through these connectors.
4. Input/output connectors: Input/output connectors are like ports on the motherboard where you plug in devices like keyboards, mice, monitors, and speakers. Comparable to sensory organs such as eyes, ears, and hands, input/output connectors allow interaction with the computer.
5. Expansion slots: Expansion slots are like slots on the motherboard where you can add extra components like graphics cards, sound cards, or network cards to enhance your computer’s capabilities. They allow you to customize your computer to suit your needs, similar to how the body grows and adapts to exercise to enhance its performance.
6. Power connectors: Power connectors on the motherboard connect to the power supply, providing electricity to all components. Much like how blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to organs, power connectors on the motherboard supply electricity to all components, ensuring they can function properly.
7. BIOS: The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is like a small program stored on the motherboard that controls the startup process and manages system resources. It ensures that all components work together smoothly, similar to how the autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary bodily functions.
8. Clock generator: Just as the body’s internal clock regulates sleep and wake cycles, the clock generator provides a timing signal to synchronize the computer’s operations, ensuring tasks are performed in the correct sequence and timing.
9. Voltage regulator: The voltage regulator on the motherboard regulates the voltage supplied to components to ensure they operate correctly. It maintains a stable power supply to prevent damage to the components, similar to how a voltage regulator in your home maintains a stable voltage for your appliances.
10. Integrated circuits: Integrated circuits on the motherboard perform various functions, such as controlling data flow, managing system resources, and providing connectivity to external devices. They work together to ensure that all components of the computer communicate effectively, much like how cells communicate within the body to maintain overall function and health.
[1] Photo by Andrew Matveev via Pexels
[2] International Business Machines, known for its hardware and software products, including computers, servers, storage systems and networking equipment.
[3] The first motherboard
[4] printed circuit board, also called a printed wiring board, is a medium used to connect or “wire” components to one another in a circuit.
[5] Backplane with different circuit boards going into the sockets
