Motherboard Components Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does CPU stand for?

Central Processing Unit

What is the purpose of a CMOS battery?

To provide continuous power to the computer's real-time clock and maintain system BIOS settings.

What does a RAM slot hold?

A memory chip

What is a chipset?

A set of integrated circuits that routes communication between computer components and the CPU. Signup and view all the answers

What do SATA connectors connect?

Modern hard disk drives, solid state drives, and optical drives. Signup and view all the answers

What do IDE connectors connect?

Hard disk drives and optical drives. Signup and view all the answers

What type of connector is an ATX power connector?

A 24-pin connector Signup and view all the answers

What does the ATX 12 V power connector provide?

Additional power to the CPU. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a fan connector?

To connect a CPU or case cooling fan. Signup and view all the answers

What does the front panel connector do?

It contains sockets for system cables including the power button and LED indicators. Signup and view all the answers

What is eSATA?

The external SATA interface. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Essential microchip that processes all instructions from user input or software.
Requires cooling systems to manage heat generated during processing.

CMOS Battery

Small lithium coin cell battery that powers the real-time clock and maintains BIOS settings.
Average lifespan ranges from two to ten years.

RAM Slot

Component that houses memory chips; common in end-user computers with two to four slots.
Colored pairs indicate dual-channel memory configuration, promoting efficient performance.

Chipset

Integrated circuit set that manages communication between the CPU and other components.
Comprised of two main chips that facilitate data routing.

SATA Connectors

Serial AT Attachment connectors that interface modern hard drives, SSDs, and optical drives with the motherboard circuitry.

IDE Connectors

Integrated Drive Electronics connectors used for connecting hard disk and optical drives.
Two IDE drives share one data cable; must configure one drive as master and the other as slave.

ATX Power Connector

A 24-pin connector linking the power supply to the motherboard, delivering multiple voltage levels (3.3V, 5V, and 12V DC).
Older models may feature a 20-pin connector, while very old systems use two six-pin connectors.

ATX 12V Power Connector

A 4-pin connector providing additional 12V power from the power supply to the CPU.
High-performance motherboards may require an 8-pin EPS 12V power connector for optimal functionality.

Fan Connector

A three or four pin connector for CPU or case cooling fans, ensuring proper airflow and heat management.
Common pin configuration: electrical ground, power, and sense output for fan speed monitoring; an optional control pin can adjust rotational speed.

Front Panel Connector and USB Headers

System panel connector housing sockets for five crucial system cables: power button, reset button, power LED, hard disk activity LED, and internal speaker.

eSATA

External SATA interface enabling the connection of external hard drives, SSDs, and optical drives to a computer.

Description

Test your knowledge of essential motherboard components including the CPU and CMOS battery. This quiz helps reinforce your understanding of how these critical parts function and their importance in computer systems.