The motherboard or PCB (Primary Circuit Board) is responsible for connecting all computer

devices to the microprocessor. It supplies devices with power and allows the computer to react
with them, Devices that can be used by connecting to the motherboard are: Storage devices,
sound cards, graphic cards and hard disks.

Devices or components that are needed to make the computer work as it should, are inbuilt
within the motherboard or can be connected to it using a socket or port. Listed below are sockets
and ports that are available on the motherboard for connecting devices and , what that they are
capable of doing.

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slot: Supports peripherals like sound cards, DVD
decoders, and graphic accelerators with 32 bits at 33Mhz capabilities. There are usually
anywhere from 1 to 6 PCI slots available on the motherboard.

AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port): This provides fast bus speed connectivity along with fast
access to the main memory. It is designed for video cards that demand higher bandwidth.

Chipset-North Bridge: An integrated circuit that has special duties.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) socket: A socket specifically for connecting your computer
processor.

DIMM (Double Inline Memory Module) slots, SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module) and
RIMM: Different types of memory (RAM) can be installed into these slots.

Motherboard Battery: A battery compartment, which stores the battery used for storing data such
as system date and time, when you shut down your system.

IDE Connector: Responsible for connecting the IDE cord used for hard disks, CD drives, and
DVD drives.

Firewire header (IEEE 1394): A serial bus used to exchange digital and audio data with high
performance abilities.

The following listed items are parts that are built within the motherboard with specific
connective uses such as keyboards, mouse, and printers.

PS/2 Connectors: Each motherboard usually has 2 PS/2 connectors for the keyboard and the
mouse.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) port: There are usually a couple of these ports located on each
motherboard used for connecting pen drives and external hard drives, like Ipods or Mp3 players.

Parallel or (LPT) port: The place used to connect scanners and printers.
Game Port: The port to connect all gaming devices for example, a joystick.

Sound Card Connectors: Plug in your microphone or speakers here.

Display Connector: Connecting your monitor to the motherboard.

COM (Communication) port: The port designed to connect your mouse and modem.