Motherboard

Traditionally, the centerpiece of all computers is known as the motherboard. It is the physical and logical backbone of the entire system. The circuitry present on the motherboard defines its capabilities, limitations, and productivity.

Nearly, all PCs and compatible computers share one common feature. They are built in with a single large printed circuit board as their foundation. Almost completely self-contained, the motherboard holds the most vital components that define the PC: microprocessor, memory, and often audio and video functions. Anything you want to add plugs into the expansion bus that is a part of the motherboard. The motherboard also offers us an excellent introduction to technology that underlines the modern computers.

Background

In a modern PC, a motherboard is a big green centerpiece inside the cabinet. On the motherboard, the manufacturers put all of the most important electronic circuit that makes up the computer. The expansion bus on the motherboard provides a foundation for future expansion adding new feature and capabilities to your PC.

Although all the motherboards look much the same, the similarity belies many differences in technology and approach to the PC design. Some manufacturers put as much features as possible where as the others put as little as possible there. The difference affects both the initial cost of your PC and future uses, as well.

History of Motherboard

At the time when PC was developed, the bus-oriented design was the conservative approach. Instead of centralizing all circuits, the bus-oriented design spread it among multiple circuit boards. Rather than strictly following either a single-board or bus-oriented approach, the companies that made the first mass-market small computers brought the two philosophies together:
o Mixing the best feature of the single-board computer.
o Using the bus-oriented design.

The both were used in this type of computer. Viz.—IBM’s [International Business Machine] initial implementation of these philosophies was the first PC model with one large board that held the essential circuits that defined the computer, and slots were available for expansion and adaptability.

Throughout the history of the PC, the functions have migrated from the expansion slots to the motherboard. For example, the original IBM PC required separate expansion board for its display system, mass storage, input/output devices, microprocessor, and memory. Many modern PCs pack all these functions and the more on their motherboard.