COMPONENTS ON THE MOTHERBOARD

BIOS Chip is that chip responsible for holding the data the computer needs to start and to check all devices
in the system.This data is not lost when the computer is turned off.The cmos battery keeps the data intact.

THE 3 COMMON BIOS

1. AMI

2. AWARD

3. PHOENIX

The Chipsets are simply a number of integrated circuits designed to perform one or more functions that are
closely related to each other.

TWO MAJOR CHIPSETS

1. North
2. South bridge

These are known as the North bridge and the South Bridge. The North Bridge Handles data for the AGP
Port and the main memory which includes the FSB (Front side bus). Although both chips are required for
the PC to work the North Bridge handles most of the very important tasks such as the connection between
the CPU and main memory. The South Bridge handles data from the PCI and ISA slots and can also have
integrated components such as Audio codec's etc.

Front Side Bus, FSB is also known as the

Processor Bus, Memory Bus, or System
Bus and connects the CPU with the main
memory and is used to connect to other
components within the computer. The FSB
can range from speeds of 66 MHz, 133
MHz, 100 MHz, 266 MHz, 400 MHz, and up.
The FSB is now another important
consideration when looking at purchasing
a computer Motherboard or a new
computer.

CMOS Battery provides power to the BIOS Chip so that the computer can access the data on the chip.This
data allows the computer to boot up.

ISA Slots stands for Industry Standard Architecture and this is the older and slower data bus used on 486
PCs.

PCI Slots or Expansion Slot replaced the slower ISA Slots.The PCI data bus gives the computer much
faster data transfer from the device to the motherboard
.
AGP Slot is used by the video card to provide quick and fast access by the cpu.Video data is send directly
to the cpu without any delay whatsoever.AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port: an Intel-designed 32-
bit PC bus architecture introduced in 1997 allowing graphics cards direct access to the system bus.

USB Ports or Universal Serial Bus ports are Intel's newer standard connection for attaching such
peripherals as digital cameras.

Disk Controllers (IDE/FDD CONNECTOR) are where the data cable coming from the drives are
connected. These Controllers, such as the Floppy and Hard Drive controllers are mounted onto the
motherboard. Some older computers had these components mounted in adapter slots.

Expansion Slots are input/output buses made of a series of slots on the motherboard.Expansion slots are
plugged into such data buses as the ISA and PCI bus.

Parallel Ports are input/output channels a such parallel devices like the printer.Data is send and received
eight bits at a time over 8 separate wires.

PS/2 Port is an IBM Computer port introduced in 1987.It such developed to interface keyboards and such
pointing devices as the mouse,touch pads,and trackballs.This port is commonly referred to as the mouse
port.

Serial Ports allow communication between the computer and such serial devices as modems,and
mice.Serial Ports are also called COM or communications port.

ATX Power Connector provides power from the power supply to

the motherboard.Without this connection,all other devices on the motherboard would be useless.

ZIF Socket or Processor Socket-is the designed socket where the CPU Chip is installed.This socket is best
known for its quick and fast upgrade by allowing the chip to be removed and installed easily.

Memory slot Slot or Bank where the memory card is installed