Motherboard Parts and Functions: Getting to Know Your Hardware

Memory is a principal component to maintain your computer’s functionality. Generally, memory modules are temporary storage. They receive stored data that is read and acted on almost instantaneously. For instance, an executed program becomes temporarily stored in these modules.

Memory slots on modern computers take:

A single in-line memory module (SIMM), which has been a standard since the 1980s.

A dual in-line memory module (DIMM).

A double data rate (DDR) module. A fourth-generation model has recently replaced the third-generation version.

Several memory slots are left blank on most motherboard models. This allows users to expand their computer’s temporary storage capacity if needed. Needless to say, you need to review your system’s configurations to determine what version of RAM it takes.

Recently, RAM-only servers and laptops have been introduced into the market. These systems don’t have hard drives. Rather, the memory is handled differently to temporarily store data and completely remove it during a soft or hard reboot. Google’s Chromebook is a modern example of a RAM-only computer.

ROM chip

While RAM cards are temporarily used to store data while the computer is active, read-only memory (ROM) chips are critical to the device’s start. It’s where information needed to kick off initialization processes is stored. Furthermore, ROM retains its contents when the machine is shut down. Conversely, data stored in RAM is lost when the computer is shut down. 

Video card slot

The video card slot is used for a circuit board that handles images and colors on a desktop or laptop. In modern motherboards, this takes the form of peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-Express). It permits quicker processing and sharper images than the previous accelerated graphics port (AGP). 

Motherboards on lower-end PCs might have embedded components rather than a video card slot. On the other hand, high-end gaming systems come with multiple slots for enhanced graphics.

Ports available on a video card might include ones for:

high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI)

digital visual interface (DVI) to connect a controller to a computer monitor

display port

USB-C to carry data and power in one cable

Audio card slot

The cards that fit into these Refurbished HP motherboard slots convert electrical signals to audio. Depending on what a computer manufacturer offers, different types of ports are in the rear of a PC’s case or back of the laptop. Normally, these are related to I/O ports, so there are several 3.5mm options used for a microphone, external speakers, audio recorder, or a game joystick.

Expansion slots

Motherboard expansion slots allow you to add new PCI-compatible components. These tend to expand a PC’s functionality. Some examples that might be added are:

A video capture card

Sound card

Enhanced video card

A card for additional USB ports

The number of expansion slots depends on the motherboard’s design. As opposed to standard models on PCs and laptops, larger models have more slots available.

Northbridge and southbridge 

At the lower-right bottom of the modern HP motherboard is a square piece of metal called a heat sink. It provides thermal protection for the northbridge and southbridge, which are critical in maintaining proper computer operations.

The northbridge coordinates data flow among the memory, the video card, and the CPU. A second chip, known as the Southbridge, handles the data flow among the processor and peripherals such as sound or network cards.

Today’s CPUs have a built-in northbridge. This allows them to operate more quickly and reduce the latency seen on older computers. The southbridge chip is still on the physical motherboard. It’s usually covered by the heatsink. Therefore, its temperature remains steady during normal PC operations. 

Front I/O connectors

These connectors are where items such as the power switch, LED power indicator, and reset switch exist. Additionally, these connectors handle audio and USB ports. Normally, they’re located along the bottom of the motherboard. 

IDE and SATA ports

Integrated drive electronics (IDE) and serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) ports provide connections for a storage device. This includes an optical drive that plays and writes to CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. Also known as rear I/O connectors, older motherboards contain IDE ports. Conversely, SATA interfaces, which are faster, are the new standard. 

It’s not uncommon for today’s manufacturers to include SATA revisions on their motherboards. The reason is optical drives on the market aren’t bandwidth hogs like an internal or external solid-state hard drive.  That’s why a motherboard might contain a mixture of second and third-generation SATA ports.

These ports tend to be color-coded to represent different peripherals. For instance: 

A microphone is represented by a pink 3.5mm jack port.

Speakers and wired headsets are displayed with a dark green 3.5mm jack port.

Monitors used to be represented by a solid blue video graphics array (VGA) connector. Newer motherboards use black or white HDMI and DVI ports as standards. 

An ethernet network cable doesn’t have a color.

A wired keyboard and mouse use six-pin PS/2 ports that are lavender and purple, respectively. 

Network card slot

The network interface card (NIC) is added to the network card slot. This connects to an RJ-45 port in the rear of the computer. This has a similar shape to an old-style phone jack. It is used to connect to a local area network (LAN) or the internet.

Modem card slot

Though modems are an older technology, motherboard manufacturers still include a slot for this equipment. With connectors in the rear of the computer, users can connect to a telephone line to access the internet. 

Overall, the motherboard in your computer makes everything go. If one slot or connection starts to falter, it can affect the device’s speed, storage, and general usefulness. Therefore, it’s of the utmost importance to regularly maintain it.