Installing and Configuring Computer Systems – Motherboard Overview

25 vocabulary-style flashcards covering motherboard fundamentals, its parts, related memory types, power connectors, expansion slots, and core firmware concepts drawn from the lecture notes.

Motherboard

The main printed circuit board that holds computer components, supplies them with power, and permits their communication.

Form Factors (ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)

Standardized sizes and mounting layouts that determine a motherboard’s dimensions, screw positions, and port placement.

CPU Socket

Connector on the motherboard where the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is installed and electrically linked.

DIMM/RAM Slot

Physical connector that houses RAM modules, allowing the system to access main memory.

Static RAM (SRAM)

Fast, expensive memory that uses flip-flops to store data without refresh cycles; often used for cache.

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Main memory type that stores bits in capacitors and requires periodic refreshing.

Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)

DRAM synchronized to the system clock, improving speed over classic asynchronous DRAM.

Single Data Rate SDRAM (SDR SDRAM)

Early SDRAM variant transferring data on one clock edge per cycle.

Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4)

SDRAM family transferring data on both clock edges, doubling bandwidth each generation.

Graphics DDR (GDDR) SDRAM

High-bandwidth DDR variant optimized for graphics cards (GDDR2–GDDR5, etc.).

Flash Memory

Non-volatile semiconductor memory used for BIOS chips, SSDs, and USB drives.

AGP Slot (Accelerated Graphics Port)

Legacy high-speed slot dedicated to graphics cards, faster than standard PCI.

PCI Slot (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

Legacy expansion slot for add-on cards such as sound, network, or capture cards.

PCI Express x1 Slot

Serial expansion slot for modern add-on cards (sound, Wi-Fi, USB, etc.) using one PCIe lane.

ATX Power Connector (24-pin)

Main power interface that supplies the motherboard and its components from the PSU.

ATX 12 V Power Connector (4-pin)

Auxiliary connector delivering dedicated power to the CPU voltage regulator.

Northbridge

Chip that traditionally managed high-speed interfaces such as RAM, PCIe/AGP, and sometimes integrated graphics.

Southbridge

Chip that handled lower-speed peripherals, storage controllers, and I/O interfaces, communicating with the CPU via the Northbridge.

IDE (ATA) Connector

Parallel interface used to attach older hard drives and optical drives to the motherboard.

SATA Connector

Serial interface for connecting modern HDDs, SSDs, and optical drives.

Heatsink and Fan

Cooling assembly that dissipates heat from the CPU or other chips to maintain safe operating temperatures.

CMOS Battery

Button cell that powers the CMOS chip to preserve BIOS settings and the real-time clock when the PC is off.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

Firmware stored on the motherboard that initializes hardware, performs POST, and hands control to the operating system.

POST (Power-On Self-Test)

Diagnostic routine run by the BIOS at startup to verify hardware functionality before booting the OS.

Motherboard Functions

Provide a platform for component installation, distribute power, offer expansion slots, and coordinate communication between devices.