Utility of the computer motherboard

Computer Motherboard examination before installing parts.

The computer motherboard is normally where you have to start building your own computer after preparing the case.

You’ll notice, with this current examination, that all the PC components will plug into the mainboard.

And the most important it is the mobo which will facilitate the communication between them. Otherwise you PC won’t be usable.

When you finish learning the function of the board, you’ll understand the whole system. It is where the process becomes a party.

Most manufactures used the ATX computer motherboards as a standard. You better used this recommended type unless you have your preferred choice.

Action:

Open the box containing your board. Touch a piece of metal (the case for example) to ground yourself before touching the motherboard. This is to avoid static electricity. You can equally use a wrist grounding strap attached to a metal object.

Make sure to hold the board by the edges or the corners to get it outside. Ensure that it does not have any damage. All these elements you see on the diagram of computer motherboard are highly important for running the system. You should not touch them and the same precaution is available for the bottom.

Examine the manual and learn all different connectors and identify the components they will receive. All the motherboards contain approximately the same elements. If you understand its structure and its function, you have a half of the work done.

Let’s examine this standard computer motherboard diagram shown above.   

I = It’s the CPU socket where the Central Processing Unit, commonly known as processor, will be attached. Follow the CPU installation guide.

II = These slots are for the RAM memory. According to the number of slots, you know if your motherboard can have one, two or three chips installed. Learn the installation guide for your computer memory.

III = Besides are the IDE slots. In these plugs you will attach the Hard drive through the gray cable. Repeat the process to attach your CD/DVD and your Floppy disk drive to the motherboard. Find here a simple installation guide for these devices.

IV = This brown slot should receive the AGP graphics card. For installing your graphics card, follow this installation guide.

V = The white ones are PCI slots. You’ll use them if you need to install other internal cards such as modem, Ethernet card or sound cards.

VI = These PS/2 ports are four your input devices, mouse and keyboard. The USB ports can be used for them also and many others devices such as scanner, external drive, digital camera, flash drive….

VII = Using the external ports you’ll plug your printer and your monitor.

The power supply connection is naturally for the PSU. If you don’t attach it the other components won’t receive the power to run. See the PSU installation guide.

Now you have identified the entire connection slots in the diagram, follow the other instructions to start installing your various components using the computer motherboard.