Motherboard/Talk

This text is far too Intel/PC specific. The term "motherboard" isn't even specific to computers, much less PCs. It's good info, though, so I'd like to put it somewhere. Suggestions? --Lee Daniel Crocker

The main interconnecting component of a computer system. All of the basic circuitry and components required for a PC to function are either contained in or attached to the motherboard. The motherboard (also known as the Mainboard) is where the CPU, [Video Card]?, [Sound Card]?, IDE Hard disk Controller, Memory, and almost all the other devices in the computer system plug-in. It contains the chipset, which controls the operation of the CPU, PCI, ISA, and AGP expansion slots, and (usually) the IDE controller as well.

The motherboard fits into the computer case with screws or clips. There are many "Form-Factors," or sizes of motherboard, so if you are planning to buy a new one, make sure it will fit the specifications for the case you have. The form factors mainly seen today are ATX, Mini-ATX, and (coming soon) NLX.

Motherboards are different for each type of CPU as well. Socket A is used for AMD Athlon and Duron processors, Slot A is for older AMD Athlon processors, Socket 478 is for the Pentium 4 Northwood processors, Socket 423 is used for Intel Pentium 4 processors, Socket 370 is for Intel Pentium III and Celeron processors, Slot 1/Slot? 2 is for older Intel Pentium II/III and Celeron processors, Socket 7 is for Intel Pentium and Pentium Pro, and Super7 (Socket 7 with a 100MHz bus speed) is for AMD K6, K6-2, and K6-3 processors.