A computer has many components. One of the most important details, without which it is impossible to imagine his work, is the motherboard. The circuit of this device is very complex, but it itself includes several components. What is included in it?
What is a motherboard?
This is the name of the device, which is the basis for building a computer system in technology. The motherboard is mounted inside the case along with its cooling system and power supply. Various standards are used for classification, which determine the size of this device, its mounting location, the placement of input / output ports, buses and connectors (for the processor and RAM). The motherboard scheme in the framework of the article will be outlined gradually. And we will start from the very foundation.
Printed circuit board
On it are the signal lines that connect all the elements together. Placing them too close will interfere with the signals. The greater the length of the line and the data transmission over it is carried out, the higher the level of instability. Therefore, malfunctions can occur even in the operation of very expensive and reliable computers. To minimize this effect, the printed circuit board is multilayer, while repeatedly increasing its usable area, as well as the distance between the lines. In modern devices, six layers are most often used: three are signal, one ground and two feed. On the printed circuit boards are all the elements that turn it into an integral part of the computer. This includes both components and ports. The connection diagram of the motherboard allows us to judge that in the future it will be possible to connect. So, on modern devices there are about fifty connectors for various devices, except for those that will be considered in the framework of the article. It is worth noting that most motherboard developers are loyal to the desire of users of their products to improve it by adding new components (for example, RAM).
Chipset
Also called a set of system logic. This is the name of microcircuits that together ensure the smooth operation of RAM, the central processor, peripheral device controllers, a video card and other components that connect to the motherboard. Thanks to them, the basic parameters that this device owns are determined. Modern sets of system logic, as a rule, are built on the basis of two components. Each of them is a separate chipset. But they are connected using a high-speed bus. But the motherboard circuit has such a tendency that they gradually merge. Thanks to this, the communication channels are unloaded with various add-ons and
peripheral devices. Also, as technology for integrating technology develops, circuits become smaller, cheaper, and their energy consumption decreases.
North bridge
It monitors and directs data received from four buses:
- Systemic.
- Related to memory.
- Communicating with a graphics adapter.
- Connected to the south bridge.
This device consists of a memory controller and a number of interfaces. Although the first function can be considered obsolete due to the fact that the same device is available in all modern computers. The same can be said about the interface, which is responsible for the graphics.
South bridge
This is also an important part that almost any motherboard has. The circuit of the device in this case is much larger. So, it includes such tires:
- Responsible for maintaining communication with the north bridge.
- Connecting the bridge to the expansion cards.
- Responsible for exchanging data with other computers or peripheral devices.
- Engaged in communication with hard drives.
- Serving data exchange with slow devices.
Basic Input / Output System (BIOS)
The BIOS is a special program that is flashed into read-only memory (ROM). BIOS is in the motherboard, and in other computer elements (video cards, controllers, and so on). The version we are considering is important due to the fact that when you turn on the computer, it checks most of the devices connected to it (memory, hard drives, processor, etc.). Then the BIOS initializes the controllers that the motherboard has. The scheme posted in the article makes it possible to understand that some devices are launched along with them and the process of establishing their basic parameters is taking place. If everything works without problems, then BIOS transfers control to the operating system.
Clock generator
This device is necessary for the formation of a highly stable periodic signal that synchronizes the operation of computer elements. It consists of a clock and a
quartz resonator. The latter itself can create signals. But they cannot be obtained with the frequency that is required for the functioning of modern memory, buses and the processor. Therefore, to amplify, a clock generator is used. The speed with which the calculations will be performed largely depends on the frequency of the pulses. So, any operation requires a certain number of measures. Accordingly, the more of them per second, the higher the productivity. But this statement is true only for devices that have the same microarchitecture. The clock frequency can be increased, thereby increasing the performance of computers. But there are also disadvantages. Thus, the stability of the computer components will decrease, therefore, after such an operation, it is always necessary to check the operability. One more minus - due to difficult working conditions various elements can be damaged. Moreover, the nature of the damage will be growing.
Other motherboard features
The diagram of this device helps to understand that the above components are not all. What else is there besides this? Important is the large number of capacitors, whose task is to ensure an even voltage flow. They are necessary due to the fact that the level of energy consumption can change dramatically (what happens when a job is stopped or resumed). Capacitors smooth voltage surges. Due to this, the stability of the equipment increases, as well as the service life of all the elements that are in the computer.
Specific example
Let's see what the Asus motherboard circuitry is like . As you can see, the figure clearly shows a large controller that deals with a wide range of actions. Yes, it should be noted that the layout of the laptop motherboard and computer will be slightly different. So, on the first there is not enough space, because of which it is necessary to place everything as closely as possible. Of course, the computer is not scattered by the place, but there this problem is not so acute. To understand this, you need to connect the Asus motherboard and an arbitrary computer. Compare how and what is posted. Everything is optimized in the laptop, any space counts. Whereas in computers, thanks to the presence of the system unit, where there is more free space, they do not think much about it.
Conclusion
Well, now, we think you have a good idea of what this device is. We even considered the scheme of the Asus motherboard. Well complement the picture provided within the article drawings.