The mainboard also known as motherboard, mother plate or base is a basic component if not the most relevant in a PC. Their role is vital and large part of the overall performance quality is determined by this component. Its function is to manage the CPU and interconnect different peripherals.
As the CPU is the brain, the motherboard is the nervous system.
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to microprocessor socket. - Memory ROM (BIOS).
- memory banks. Chips
- support or "Chipset" north bridge and south
- internal: control, address, data buses
- External-called banks, sockets or "slots"
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connection with a power supply and manufacturing standards (form factor).
In the past they were assembled in the same mother format (BGA) and lacking in what is now called CPU sockets. In other cases
were PGA, today is very common in small embedded .
From the 486 onwards motherboards offered another possibility for expansion was placing the CPU units offering different different processing capabilities.
Obviously there are certain limits, so it's common to have a motherboard and CPU both frequencies have a quite different but always retaining the same features (socket, FSB) with the exception single clock and CPU multiplier. The chipset will automatically determine the CPU clock multiplier and (in some cases can be done in the form allowing manual overclocking).
A Pentium 3 motherboard is not compatible with a Pentium 2, but a Pentium 3 motherboard can support both a 500 MHz and 800 MHz for another example.
currently due to cost some economic motherboards offer processors assembled in the same plate but in reality is the CPU soldered to the expansion slot.
possible CPU Sockets: PGA - : are the classical model, used in 386 and lot 486, consisting of a square connectors
shaped hole where the legs are inserted the chip - with ZIF mechanism (Zero Insertion Force). In them, the processor is inserted and removed without
- Socket 423 and 478. They inserted the new Intel Pentium 4. The first
- 462/Socket A. Both are the same type
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- Duron Athlon Athlon XP Athlon Thunderbird
- Athlon MP Socket 370 or PPGA. Is the socket using the latest models of the Pentium III and Celeron processors from Intel.
- Socket 8. Used by the Pentium Pro Socket 7
- . They use the micros
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Other socket as the socket ZIF Socket-3 allows the insertion of a 486 and a Pentium Overdrive. - Socket 754: Used by the Athlon 64 Socket 940
- : AMD Athlon 64 FX
- Slot A / Slot 1 / Slot 2. It's where you connect respectively the former
The motherboards have a small portion of ROM which houses the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System). Before it was standard ROMs which did not allow to be rewritten, but currently used flash EPROM type that allows it to be rewritten several times (delicate and slow process.)
Through this BIOS define certain characteristics that will have the system , among them the clocks that will have different buses and would also be a small operating system basic. Operating Systems communicate with the system through the BIOS.
For various reasons or simple programming errors, manufacturers often provide updates to the BIOS that are rewritten by software.
Sockets:
ISA (8-bit XT): The ISA bus runs a bus 20-bit address and data bus of 8 bits. The data flow travels like the XT 4.77MHz.
ISA (16 bit AT): AT extension manages an address bus 24-bit data bus of 16 bits. This bus is physically identical part and an extension. The data flow was doubled (8.33 Mhz)
Microchannel ®: Allows data path of 32 bits, wider, and a clock speed slightly higher than 10 Mhz, with transfer speed maximum of 20 Mbps compared to 8 Mbps ISA bus. The drawback was that it was patented. IBM attempted to brake competition which produced clones.
EISA: was the industry response IBM for its Micro Channel. Intended to operate at 32 bits while maintaining compatibility with the ISA bus type, so that it works 8.33mhz.
MCA and EISA were not taken (very little) because it increased the cost in more than 50% and that were created when the increase performance of unnecessary.
VESA Local Bus: It was created for video processing, to enhance their performance. Its data bus is 32 bits and operated synchronously with the CPU (hence the Local Bus). Ironically, his good performance was not being adopted en masse and lost ground with the PCI, as to be synchronous, as the increased CPU speed would be the VLB more expensive and their plates made, and a lack of compatibility between CPU generations.
PCI: It was called independent CPU and its speed was not dependent on the frequency of the CPU and VESA. Supports 32 or 64 bit data bus and address. Can operate at 33, 66 or even 100 Mhz. He is currently running at 32 bits and 33 MHz and it should have still future, all forms will be improved before being used in 64 bits. This architecture is capable of self-configure interrupts, DMA channels and ports attached peripherals using this type of bus.
| BUS | Width (bits) | Frequency (MHz) | Banda Width (MBytes / sec) |
| 8-bit ISA | | 8 8.3 7.9 | |
| 16-bit ISA | | 16 8.3 15.9 | |
| EISA | | 32 8.3 31.8 | |
| VLB | | 32 33 127.2 | |
| PCI | | 32 33 127.2 | |
| 64-bit PCI 2.1 | 64 | 66 | 508.6 |
| AGP | 32 | 66 | 254.3 |
| AGP ( x2) | 32 | 66x2 | 508.6 |
| AGP (x4) | 32 | 66x4 | 1,017.3 |
Buses have recently appeared or to appear:
AMR: Audio / Modem Riser. Bus is a single socket. It was created so that they can make modems or boards audio (or both) on a single plate in a more economic .
CNR: Communication and Network Riser. Similar to AMR, Audio support, Modem and Ethernet. It is commonly use in onboard chips.
PCI Express:
is the bus that will replace PCI while the PCI supports higher bandwidth and speed than you are currently using preferred replacement. It has a design to be used in all types of PC, is a workstation, desktop, laptop or server, not only for the desktop PC was designed as PCI.
There are also buses for communication between external peripherals to the PC, these buses or ports may be USB, parallel, serial, PS / 2 and FireWire among others. Although these ports are not specific to the mainboard (like the PCI), but are plates that are usually connected to PCI himself, are almost indispensable and are in most cases already (in plates onboard).
Serial: It 1-BIT. It is used primarily for the mouse, modem or some other low-speed peripherals.
Parallel: is 8 bits, often used in printers and scanners readers. support several modes (Normal, EPP and / or ECP) \u200b\u200bwhich basically changes the speed of reading, writing (actually decreases the number of operations per transaction).
USB: Universal Serial Bus
: Something similar to USB but much faster, the idea is to use hard disks, digital video camcorders
Memory Banks: Shape and
SIMM: 30 pin can be (16 bit) or 72 (32 bits).
DIMM Banking: Son of 168 contacts
RIMM: Are memory architecture and design
These two chips are vital, are part of the basic system of the PC.
original His concept is that the north bridge and memory manage southbridge data bus (sockets, serial and parallel), the south bridge communicates with the CPU through the north bridge. Its functions were eventually we will see some changes.
Currently, the northbridge is responsible for managing the memory and the AGP port. It connects to the CPU through a data bus called the FSB (Front Side Bus).
This chipset responsible for maintaining synchronization between the various system buses and the FSB.
Bridge connects north through another data bus (its name depends on the manufacturer) to the south bridge chip called.
The south bridge will be tasked primarily to manage the entire remaining data bus. All incoming and outgoing traffic is managed by this chip.
Its function is rather basic, it simply determines that the request of the bus board (through an IRQ) and informs the CPU.
These chips are only "plaques", except they are mounted on the same motherboard. His advantage is the economy and convenience of having everything in a single unit. Its disadvantage is that performance is not comparable to those of a genuine plate. Although in most cases (peripheral ports and IDE) vs no differences. a PCI card, in others such as video cards the difference can be huge.
Other are more economic north and south bridges together. For example the case of the SiS 735 chip that achieved an increase in performance over your competition and cost savings in manufacturing.
was launched recently a new architecture called AMD-x64, it is for AMD to be the name Athlon processor 64. This type of processor incorporates an integrated memory manager, so that the north bridge is relegated solely to manage the AGP port and interface with the south bridge.
new power requirements, in addition to solving various problems of internal wiring and maintaining a standard standard the cabinets were some changes on how these boards will be manufactured and exchanged their respective cabinets.
A different types of power and organization of the mainboard is called form factor.
Several, such as systems plane back (LPX), AT natural size, Baby-AT, NLX and ATX currently the most widely used and its variants , mini ATX, flex ATX and some specific manufacturers. The ATX is reaching its end, it will be replaced by a new standard called BTX.
ATX
The current version of the ATX standard is version 2.1. with over 10 years of development, implementation and correction of errors and improvements have made absolutely Extended ATX format. To give the entire PC is what is done is to define a base plate format and this will depend on the rest of the distribution of components.
When 10 years ago work began on the ATX form factor is thought to improve the status of the processor, Baby AT format, it was located between the expansion slots, in order to accommodate expansion cards larger, is also improved power connector is simplified and integrated connectors comprise all the plate in the situation that now everyone knows.
Previously most of the ports were located in slots as it does now in some boards with many FireWire or USB connectors. This new placement of the connectors also left site to increase number of PCI slots at that time was also longer in operation.
On the ATX standard has been different fixes that have affected not only shape but also PC his way of eating. For example, many will recall that with the launch of the Pentium 4 many power supplies had to be replaced by models with auxiliary jack and 12v to meet Intel's standards and the size of the boxes was also affected in length to accommodate a wider base plates. Standard ATX
will end in little time since early next year begin marketed a new format called BTX.
will end in little
Within ATX specifications now find standard motherboard ATX, MicroATX and FlexATX. The remaining plates were of these three branches are specific applications for specific environments.
Although there may be different sized cabinets ATX defines a minimum and specified location of each component on the motherboard assembly. Standard ATX
ATX Cabinet
Micro ATX MicroATX born with the intention of reducing the size of PC while maintaining the highest number of possibilities for expansion and integration of components . It differs primarily in that the maximum involvement cards is reduced to four including the AGP.
This type of plate is smaller than that found within the parameters set by Intel within the standard ATX. They tend to be well thought motherboards in total integration of everything you need to get cheap PCs, small and very specific applications such as computer to the office. Normally this level of integration makes options like AGP is not conceived for this type of PC
BTX BTX is Intel's response to its intention not to reduce energy consumption of its processors but increase in the coming months.
The new processors generate about 100W of heat (more or less generated 2.4c processor overclocked to 3.6GHz at 1.6v) and need a constant supply of fresh air. To do this in the new format developed by Intel to launch early next year, the processor will be located at the front of the box a fan of fresh air inlet pointing directly into the processor. BTX is an acronym that responds to Balanced Technology Extended and all its new developments based on the concept of air flow in line .
The new processors generate about 100W of heat (more or less generated 2.4c processor overclocked to 3.6GHz at 1.6v) and need a constant supply of fresh air. To do this in the new format developed by Intel to launch early next year, the processor will be located at the front of the box
With this new structure is intended that the processor and other main components of the plate are located on the same vent line of the box in an attempt to reduce the number of fans that are currently needed in advanced or very low and maximizing Expansion opportunities such as SerialATA ports, USB, Firewire or very close and PCI Express slots. Within this format we can find three different sizes: BTX, and picoBTX MicroBTX. All three sizes can accommodate respectively 7, 4 and 1 PCI Express slots on the type and sizes ranging from 325mm width up to 203mm of BTX picoBTX. In the following scheme will see the volumetric structure of the ventilation system online.
Zone A is the volumetric structure of the processor and heatsink. In the area F have placed a fan, usually 8cm, which will air directly to the processor and other components like the northbridge of the motherboard, the memory , food plate and depending on the type of housing, including VGA. BTX Standard
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