The motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer that connects the central processing unit and other components. It contains the CPU, RAM, BIOS, expansion slots, and chipsets that coordinate data flow. The CPU processes instructions and performs calculations while RAM temporarily stores active programs and data. The BIOS interfaces between hardware and operating system. Expansion slots connect additional devices and the chipsets manage data transfer between major components.

1. The Motherboard
Andoni Ricardo

2. What is it?
 A motherboard is the main printed
circuit board (PCB) found in general
purpose microcomputers and other
expandable systems.

3. Parts of the Motherboard
Central Processing Unit
(CPU)
Also known as the
microprocessor or the
processor, the CPU is the
computer's brain. It is
responsible for fetching,
decoding, and executing
program instructions as well
as performing mathematical
and logical calculations.

4. Random Access Memory (RAM): Random
Access Memory, or RAM, usually refers to computer chips
that temporarily store dynamic data to enhance computer
performance while you are working,In other words, it is the
working place of your computer, where active programs and
data are loaded so that any time time the processor
requires them, it doesn't have to fetch them from the hard
disk.

5. Complimentary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor Random Access
Memory (CMOS RAM):
Motherboards also include a small separate
block of memory made from CMOS RAM chips
which is kept alive by a battery (known as a
CMOS battery) even when the PC’s power is off.
This prevents reconfiguration when the PC is
powered on.CMOS devices require very little
power to operate.

6. Basic Input/Output System
(BIOS): BIOS stands for
Basic Input/Output System.
BIOS is a "read only"
memory, which consists of
low-level software that
controls the system
hardware and acts as an
interface between the
operating system and the
hardware.

7. Cache Memory
Cache memory is a small block of high-
speed memory (RAM) that enhances PC
performance by pre-loading information
from the (relatively slow) main memory
and passing it to the processor on
demand.

8. Expansion Bus
An expansion bus is an
input/output pathway from the
CPU to peripheral devices and it
is typically made up of a series
of slots on the motherboard.
Expansion boards (cards) plug
into the bus. PCI is the most
common expansion bus in a PC
and other hardware platforms.

9. CPU Clock: The CPU clock synchronizes the
operation of all parts of the PC and provides the basic
timing signal for the CPU. Using a quartz crystal, the
CPU clock breathes life into the microprocessor by
feeding it a constant flow of pulses.

10. Chipsets
A chipset is a group of small circuits that
coordinate the flow of data to and from a PC's
key components. A chipset also controls data
flow to and from hard disks and other devices
connected to the IDE channels.

11. What is the North bridge?
 A northbridge or host bridge is one of the two chips in the
core logic chipset architecture on a PC motherboard, the
other being the southbridge. Unlike the southbridge,
northbridge is connected directly to the CPU via the front-
side bus (FSB) and is thus responsible for tasks that require
the highest performance.

12. What is the South bridge
 The southbridge is one of the two chips in the core logic
chipset on a personal computer (PC) motherboard, The
southbridge typically implements the slower capabilities of
the motherboard in a northbridge/southbridge chipset
computer architecture. In systems with Intel chipsets, the
southbridge is named I/O Controller Hub (ICH).

14. What is the data bus?
 Is a communication system that
transfers data between
components inside a computer, or
between computers. This
expression covers all related
hardware components (wire,
optical fiber, etc.) and software,
including communication protocols.

15. What is a chipset?
 is a set of electronic components
in an integrated circuit that
manages the data flow between
the processor, memory and
peripherals. It is usually found on
the motherboard. Chipsets are
usually designed to work with a
specific family of
microprocessors.