What Does A Motherboard Do?

So you are tired of hearing “The motherboard does this, the motherboard does that” and now you want to know what it is for, right? It is hard to conclude all functions of the motherboard in a single line because it is the giant that deals with all the operations. It connects different parts, executes various tasks, operates multiple procedures, and at the end, handles 90 percent of the functions.

Well, a motherboard is not just a simple machine, it is made of multiple small tiny chips that are connected to one another. Apart from the technological discussions, I am going to tell you all about the motherboard, the operations it executes, and tell you how its versions matter. All you need is to separate 25 minutes from your busy routine and dive into the sea of technology. Come along with me.

What Does A Motherboard Do?

When it comes to the motherboard it is hard to explain it because there is a list of functions that are kicked off by the motherboard. It is more appropriate to say that a motherboard is like the brain of the system. As the human brain controls all functions of the body organs, similarly the motherboard handles the other parts. It is most suitable to say, the motherboard’s main responsibility is to connect all parts together.

A motherboard is based on multiple slots, drives, and cables. If you see it closely, the board is made of a PCB with small and large chips. These chips and slots create a connection. When we install any card, chip, or cable in the suitable slot, the motherboard creates a connection of this newly built part with others. Let’s discuss each property one by one.

Supporting Processor

A processor is a tiny chip that deals with instructions and calculations. Basically, the processor is not part of the motherboard but the board is designed to support a particular processor. Here the motherboard provides sockets to install the chip and supports it with different parts to run and execute instructions. The processor’s slots vary according to brand and processor type.

There are two major processor manufacturing brands; Intel and AMD. Both of them create completely different chips which require a specific motherboard socket. The Intel processor supporting motherboards possesses LGA, PGA, and BGA sockets. On the other hand, the AMD processor supporting motherboards provides AM4, TR4, and FM+2 sockets.

Memory Slots

Just like humans, computers also require memory to store and retrieve information. Surprisingly, humans and computers have very similar memory structures such that both have long-term memories and working memories. For working or short-term memory, computers require memory cards which are called RAM cards. Random access memory has the responsibility to store temporary memories.

However, these cards are not part of the motherboards but they need slots to fit them. Those slots are provided by the motherboard. Boards determine the number of RAMs, such as DDR4 having four cards installation ability simultaneously. Well, RAM is connected with other parts of the system with the help of the motherboard to function according to the system’s capacities.

Expansion Slots

Another major responsibility of a motherboard is to provide expansion slots. As I have told you that the board is there to support multiple parts and it is no more than a set of chips and a single PCB, so, you need to add new parts to it. It is designed to support the latest organs such as video cards, sound cards, extra SSD, or network cards. Motherboard welcomes all of those parts and provides them with a safe place to come and work together.

Input/Output Functioning

You have seen that the mouse’s cable is attached to the board, keyboard, and sound system, and even the LED is also attached to the motherboard. Actually, the motherboard also handles the input and output information. It provides ports to attach those external parts such as the keyboard, mouse, and speaker. And when you click on the button of the mouse, you see a function is executed. What I mean to say is that the motherboard deals with the input and output information.

Let’s imagine you just turned on the system and the first interface appears where you are required to put in a password. As you move the mouse you see a movement in the cursor and when you click on the username, it opens a bar to put the password. The information is taken by the ports, processed by the motherboard, and shown by the LED with the help of the motherboard as input/output functioning.

Cooling

There are hundreds to thousands of components in a motherboard including chips, cables, capacitors, slots, and more. When you turn on the computer, all these parts kick off and start working together. As the source of energy is electricity, the components heat up when you work. For this purpose, technicians have installed a cooling panel on the board.

This panel is based on a fan and several heatsinks. As the power comes, the fan starts running and keeps the environment suitable for the components. In case there is no fan, the motherboard can burn your hand. Anyhow, the fan keeps the board cool and allows all parts to work efficiently.

RGB

Some people think that RGB is the decorative line of LEDs inside the case but you should know, the small light LEDs for indicating high temperature, turning off and on, restarting and all indicators are part of RGB. This system is there to inform you about a specific function. On the other hand, the decorative RGB on the board are the LED lights for creating millions of shades. Advanced motherboards allow you to control shades while old ones have automatic functions.

VRM And Maintenance

If I talk precisely, VRM is there for regulating the voltage. It looks after the amount of power coming from outside and maintains the voltages. The voltage regulator module is made of several sub-parts including capacitors, indicators, and power MOSFET. In the overlocking mode, VRM plays a significant role by securing the CPU from damage from inconsistent or high voltage.

Overall

As I mentioned in the beginning, it is hard to summarize the functions of a motherboard. Now you have studied the major functions but there are also additional operations such as RAID and Thunderbolt support, audio maintenance, visualization, and ECC memory functions. This means, there are thousands of functions a board is performing for you once you turn on the system.

Anyhow, the motherboard is more than what we consider it. This small board-like machine is beyond our imagination, the complicated tasks, incredibly fast execution, and highly reliable functionality make a motherboard the heart of a computer.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of a motherboard?

The main purpose of a motherboard is to connect all parts together and then allow them to function. It has tiny connectors inside, the micro level wires which connect memory slots with the video card and then SSD drives to the CPU. All parts are attached to one another perfectly with the help of a motherboard.

What are the 3 functions of a motherboard?

The three major functions of a motherboard are to facilitate a network among the main parts of a computer; CPU, memory, and other significant components.

What is the difference between CPU and motherboard?

The CPU is a chip for processing data and is attached to the motherboard while the board is a bit bigger PCB for connecting all parts together.

Conclusion

Several thousand functions are performed by a motherboard within a second. It is one of the most complicated machines ever built by humans. We cannot discuss all the functions but I have mentioned a list of major operations a motherboard performs. I hope this information helps you to know your machine better and more.