Also called the "system board," it is the main printed circuit board in an electronic device, which contains sockets that accept additional boards. In a desktop computer, the motherboard contains the CPU, chipset, PCI bus slots, AGP slot, memory sockets and controller circuits for the keyboard, mouse, disks and printer. It may also have built-in controllers for modem, sound, display and network, obviating the need to plug in a card. A laptop motherboard typically has all peripheral controllers built in. See CPU, chipset, PCI, AGP and controller.
Motherboard
This is a Baby AT style motherboard for a PC. The adapter cards (expansion boards) plug into the expansion slots on the motherboard.
The Mother of All Motherboards
This is the front and back of the prototype of the first IBM PC motherboard in 1981. The chips are wired together on a "breadboard" designed for making new system boards. (Images courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
Motherboard
This is a Baby AT style motherboard for a PC. The adapter cards (expansion boards) plug into the expansion slots on the motherboard.
The Mother of All Motherboards
This is the front and back of the prototype of the first IBM PC motherboard in 1981. The chips are wired together on a "breadboard" designed for making new system boards. (Images courtesy of International Business Machines Corporation. Unauthorized use not permitted.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Whither Blu-ray?
- Whither Blu-ray?It's the lack of HDTV ownersand the ignorance of those who do own that I think is the biggest issue. People who don't have HDTV would see no benefit to spending extra money on BluRay, and those who do own will never believe there is a difference unless you...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-03
- AVADirect Core 2 SLI DDR3 Gaming System
- If you consider this upper midrange $3,220 AVADirect's Core 2 SLI DDR3 Gaming System representative of the value and build quality available from this small custom builder, we can report that we were mostly happy with this PC, even if we found it loud and its gaming performance a bit...
- Product reviews 2008-07-02
- Demystifying BIOS updates - The DOs and DO NOTs
- Demystifying BIOS updates - The DOs and DO NOTsSome of this advice is overly-cautious ...[i]When there’s a darn good reason for doing the update (as a rule I find that if I buy a cutting-edge board then there can be a lot of BIOS updates released over a short period...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-02
- Today we see AMD release three new high-performance quad-core desktop processors.
- Today we see AMD release three new high-performance quad-core desktop processors.it's good to see AMD back in the game againCompeting on performmance rather than price only keeps the competition strong!Can't Wait for BenchmarksIt will be interesting to see how they compare with Intel Quads, especially at $235 for the top-end...
- Discussion threads 2008-07-01
- Why computers fail
- Why computers failA good UPS...will decrease failure rates tremendously. I use Belkin AVR UPS's and the only systems I've had go down in the last year were ones installed by my predecessor without UPS's. There is no doubt in my mind that bad power is a PC's worst enemy....
- Discussion threads 2008-07-01
- Asus Eee PC 901 (Windows XP)
- We've been impressed by the Asus Eee PC line from the very first 7-inch model in the fall of 2007, and it seems as if every time we turn around, there's a new version hitting store shelves. This 9-inch version, the
- Product reviews 2008-06-30
- Mystery explained: Why you have to reboot Windows so often
- Mystery explained: Why you have to reboot Windows so oftenYou failed to explain...WHY rebooting in necessary.It's because of the Windows architecture. It is so monolithic that it can't recover from simple application errors. When one thing goes wrong, it is a snow ball effect. Other OS's do not suffer nearly...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-28
- Gateway FX7026
- Continuing in their line of desktop computers with quad-core processors, the Gateway FX7026 offers a loaded computer that can go head-to-head with other high end gaming and media heavy machines. The $1,099 price tag is more than fair for the amount of high performance features and comparable to a similar...
- Product reviews 2008-06-25
- Developers criticize Nvidia, other holdouts for hindering Linux desktop
- Developers criticize Nvidia, other holdouts for hindering Linux desktopInteresting[i]We have repeatedly found them to be detrimental to Linux users, businesses and the greater Linux ecosystem,” the letter stated. “Such modules negate the openness, stability, flexibility and maintainability of the Linux development model and shut their users off from the expertise...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-23
- Friday Rant - Why no MSI installer for Firefox?
- Friday Rant - Why no MSI installer for Firefox?Do IT departments want Firefox?Firefox is all well and good and what I am using right now. But.... A lot of corporate software demands the use of IE--probably a version or two old at that. Cognos comes to mind...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-20
- Gateway FX541XT
- Gateway's FX541XT occupies a strange gaming PC middle ground. At $3,500, it's not in the same price category as high-end PCs such as Dell's XPS 730 H2C, but it's also about $2,000 more than the emergent $1,500 gaming desktop we've seen this year, most recently in the Maingear Prelude....
- Product reviews 2008-06-18
- Don't forget the fan
- Don't forget the fanOK, but....Was it fun? How many people showed up? How many installations did you do? Do you have pictures or even videos?Greeting, Pjotr.RE: Don't forget the fanMy last two boxes I built were based on a shuttle barebones kit: Motherboard, cooler/fan and power supply in a mini...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-16
- Don't forget the fan
- I've long wondered if it makes more sense to build your own desktops or buy them from an OEM. Both approaches have their merits, but for Linux shops, a lot of money really can be saved by rolling your own. As many readers pointed out, I could have...
- Blog posts 2008-06-16
- Tonight is Linux Night!
- I'm running a Linux night with my computer club tonight. Our theme? Get Lucky on Friday the 13th with Linux! We managed to get a local non-profit called the Athol-Royalston Educational Foundation to donate $400 towards a kit computer from TigerDirect. The computer club kicked in...
- Blog posts 2008-06-13
- What would (or did) it take for you to switch operating systems?
- What would or did it take for you to switch operating systems?Switching OSsAbout a year ago I got a new home laptop my Thinkpad FINALLY died and it came with Vista. Of course I suffered [with Vista] along with everyone else, but what made me switch was that after...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-11
- HP Blackbird 002 to hit retail stores this summer - get some hands-on time before you buy!
- HP has announced that the award-winning Blackbird 002 gaming system will be available in an exclusive configuration at Amazon.com, Newegg.com and select Best Buy, Circuit City, J&R and Micro Center retail stores and online shops this summer. This is the first time HP Blackbird 002 will be...
- Blog posts 2008-06-09
- Alienware Area-51 (Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770)
- From its chrome trim to its customizable case lighting, Alienware's Area-51 ALX high-end gaming desktop bears all the visual hallmarks of a luxury-class gaming PC. Our $7,738 review model came configured with Intel's highest-end Core 2 Extreme CPU, overclocked, no less, and a quad-graphics card set up, which give it...
- Product reviews 2008-06-05
- Psystar offers 10.5.3 update for Open Computers
- Psystar offers 10.5.3 update for Open ComputersAre they still 'alive'?Better 'grab' it before the mother ship closes down the shop!With install instructions like this,Where is the recommendation to make a backup? They need to release or recommend a good backup utility. Their site was down so I couldn't check this...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-05
- Maingear Prelude (AMD Phenom X4 9850)
- Maingear's AMD midrange Prelude desktop clearly has the Dell XPS 630 in its sights. The Prelude is faster almost across the board and at $1,499 it's less expensive. Our only reservation is with its interior. The Prelude case is very attractive on the outside, but to achieve its unique,...
- Product reviews 2008-06-04
- Mac OS 10.6 to be Intel only?
- Mac OS 10.6 to be Intel only?64-bit is the future64-bit is the future anyway so no problem with releasing a 64-bit only OS. It might seem painful but it's good given that it's just going to pave a way for people to switch from 32-bit to 64-bit as if the...
- Discussion threads 2008-06-04
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- ZDNet News Videos
-
Tech news covering the latest in products, conferences and blog commentary, from ZDNet video.
- Watch the latest video >>
- View exclusive resources for Intel Premier IT Professionals
-
Designed specifically to address the concerns of senior IT managers at organizations with more than 100 employees, the Intel Premier IT Professional Program provides best practices via local and e-Seminars and a members-only Web site.
- Sign-up free and access best practices resources >>
The Green Enterprise
-
- A look into the enterprise to explore eco-friendly practices and innovations. In this ZDNet video series learn about what's motivating green tech, and how green technologies are impacting IT. 0:42
-
Harnessing the power of waves
3:13
-
Planting solar gardens
5:06
-
Fill your car for $1.10 a gallon?
1:43
- All series videos »
