Overview
The motherboard is the backbone of a computer. It provides the physical structure and electrical connections for the CPU, RAM, storage, and expansion cards.
Key Components
- CPU Socket: Where the processor is installed.
- RAM Slots: Where system memory is installed.
- Chipset: Manages data flow between the CPU, memory, and peripherals.
- Expansion Slots: PCIe slots for GPUs and other cards.
- I/O Ports: USB, Ethernet, and audio connectors.
Form Factors
- ATX: Standard size for desktop PCs.
- Micro-ATX: Smaller version with fewer expansion slots.
- Mini-ITX: Very small, used for compact builds.