Lesson 1
Lesson 4: Parts of the
Motherboard &their Functions
E X PE CTATI O N
• At the end of this module, student will be
able to:
• 1. identify the components of the
motherboard;
• 2. understand functions of the components
of the motherboard;
• 3. appreciate the importance of learning
the components of motherboard.
LESSON
PARTS OF MOTHERBOARD & THEIR
FUNCTIONS
The motherboard is one of the components of
the system unit that performs major functions to
run our computer. All the devices (input &
output) we use and other important parts of our
computer are attached to our motherboard.
In this lesson, we are going to learn the parts of
the Motherboard and the functions of every
component.
1. CPU Socket
Also known as CPU Slot or CPU Holder
This component of the motherboard holds the
CPU (Central Processing Unit) and allows
replacing of the component without soldering.
2. RAM Holder
Also known as Memory Holder or Memory Slot
This component is where the memory module or
memory card will be inserted.
Some motherboard comes with two to four slots.
3. Power Supply Connector
This part of the
motherboard is where the
power supply unit cable
connector can be connected
Types of PSU Connector
1. 24 pins – main power
connector that provides power
to the motherboard
2. 4 pins – provides power to
the CPU
3. 8 pins – provides power for
faster dedicated graphics
cards
4. Northbridge Chipset
Also known as Memory Controller Hub
This chipset handles the data-transfer of
memory, CPU, and Video Card thus
responsible for tasks that require the
highest performance.
5. Southbridge Chipset
This chipset component provides support for
a wide variety of devices with many differing
bus speeds and designs.
Control over secondary buses such as USB,
IDE, PS/2, BIOs and Ethernet.
6. CMOS or BIOS Chipset
(Complementary Metal Oxide
Semi-conductor) is also a
chipset which contains the
BIOS (Basic Input Output
System).
7. EIDE Slot/Port
This part of the motherboard
is where the IDE cables are
connected intended for drives
including Hard Disk Drive
(HDD) and Optical Disk Drive
(ODD).
8. SATA Port/Slot
This is used to connect SATA drives into the
motherboard including Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
and Optical Disk Drive (ODD).
SATA (Serial ATA) has a faster transfer rate
than IDE
9. AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port)
It was designed specifically for AGP video
cards.
It was originally designed as a successor to
PCI-type connections for video cards.
10. PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
Slot
It is a built-in slot on a motherboard that
allows for the attachment of various hardware
components such as network cards, modems,
sound cards, disk controllers and other
peripherals.
11. PCI-EXPRESS Slot
PCIe was designed to replace PCI, PCI-X,
and AGP.
It is the most recent and high-performance
standard for expansion cards that is generally
available on modern personal computers.
12. Front Panel Pins
These are pins in the motherboard that will
connect the Power Button, Reset Button,
Power LED, Mini Speaker, USB ports and
other ports to the motherboard
13. PS2 port
It is used to connect PS2 mouse and
keyboard
14. USB Port
This part of the motherboard is used to
connected USB Devices and peripherals
15. HDMI Port
It is used to connect HDMI cable from the
monitor to the motherboard
16. Active Display port
It is used to connect Active Display cable
from the monitor to the motherboard
17. VGA Port
It is used to connect VGA cable from the
monitor to the motherboard
18. DVI Port
It is used to connect DVI cable from the
monitor to the motherboard
19. IEEE 1394a Port
It is an interface standard for a serial bus for
high-speed communications and isochronous
real-time data transfer.
It was developed in the late 1980s and early
1990s by Apple, which called it FireWire, in
cooperation with a number of companies,
primarily Sony and Panasonic.
20. E-SATA Port
It is a SATA connector accessible from outside
the computer, to provide a signal (but not power)
connection for external storage devices.
21. LAN Port
Also known as Network Port
LAN port allows a computer to connect to a
network using a wired connection.
22. Audio Port
An audio port is used for an audio device such
as speakers, headphones or a microphone to be
connected.
ACTIVITY#4: LABEL ME!
• DIRECTION: Divide the class into 5 groups, each group
will label the following components of the Motherboard.
