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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a motherboard in a computer?
What is the primary purpose of a motherboard in a computer?
Which of the following form factors is considered the most popular for modern motherboards?
Which of the following form factors is considered the most popular for modern motherboards?
What aspect of a motherboard is primarily determined by the selected CPU and type of case?
What aspect of a motherboard is primarily determined by the selected CPU and type of case?
Which of the following statements about the ATX form factor is true?
Which of the following statements about the ATX form factor is true?
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What does the term 'soft power' refer to in the context of motherboards?
What does the term 'soft power' refer to in the context of motherboards?
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What is a key characteristic of Micro-ATX motherboards compared to regular ATX motherboards?
What is a key characteristic of Micro-ATX motherboards compared to regular ATX motherboards?
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Which of the following describes the intended use of Mini-ITX motherboards?
Which of the following describes the intended use of Mini-ITX motherboards?
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What was one of the major improvements introduced by the BTX form factor?
What was one of the major improvements introduced by the BTX form factor?
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What type of cooling is commonly used in Mini-ITX systems?
What type of cooling is commonly used in Mini-ITX systems?
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What is the primary purpose of the motherboard I/O shield during installation?
What is the primary purpose of the motherboard I/O shield during installation?
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Which factor affects the compatibility of Micro-ATX boards with ATX cases?
Which factor affects the compatibility of Micro-ATX boards with ATX cases?
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How many expansion slots are typically available in a Mini-ITX motherboard?
How many expansion slots are typically available in a Mini-ITX motherboard?
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Which statement about BTX and Micro-BTX motherboards is correct?
Which statement about BTX and Micro-BTX motherboards is correct?
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Study Notes
Motherboards
- Motherboards are the primary circuit boards in PCs
- Almost all components and peripherals connect to the motherboard
- It allows devices and components to communicate and interact
- Also known as system board or main board
Motherboard Design
- Motherboards have various designs to meet diverse needs
- The chosen CPU and case type often dictate the motherboard's physical architecture
- New processors necessitate new motherboards to accommodate them.
Motherboard Layout
- The motherboard's form factor defines its size, shape, mounting, power needs, and location of external connectors
- ATX is the most common form factor for modern motherboards
- Older AT and XT form factors are now obsolete.
Motherboard Form Factors - ATX
- ATX is a newer design with improvements over earlier designs
- The power supply often acts as an exhaust fan, improving airflow
- It uses software to turn on the computer (soft power)
- Includes various connectors on the rear panel
- CPU and memory are relocated for better access.
Motherboard Form Factors - Micro-ATX
- Designed for smaller, cost-effective systems, mainly for mini-towers
- Key differences include: reduced width, fewer expansion slots, and a smaller optional power supply
- Fully compatible with regular ATX
Motherboard Form Factors - Mini-ITX
- Designed for small form factor PCs (SFF) and home theatre PCs (HTPCs)
- Often uses passive cooling (no fans)
- Screw holes align with ATX, allowing use in standard ATX cases, or mini-ITX specific cases
- Usually only one expansion slot.
BTX/Micro-BTX
- Intended to replace ATX, but isn't commonly used today.
- No longer manufactured
- Prior versions were popular with proprietary computer manufacturers
- Key improvements were improved airflow and flexible power supply designs.
Motherboard Installation
- Install standoffs correctly in the chassis for proper mounting
- Install the motherboard's I/O shield
- Securely attach the motherboard to the chassis
- Connect various connectors: front panel, header, and power connectors, observing proper polarity.
Chipset Block Diagrams
- Diagrams illustrate the evolution of motherboard chipsets.
- Key components and connections are depicted such as the CPU, FSB, Northbridge, RAM, PCI, Southbridge, legacy components, USB, ISA, IDE, and BIOS.
- Several diagrams illustrate different motherboard layouts and components.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential concepts of motherboards, including their role as the primary circuit board in PCs and various designs like ATX. You'll learn about motherboard layout, form factors, and how they enable communication between components. Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of motherboard architecture.
