Motherboard Basics
(OBJ 3.5)
Motherboard - printed circuit board that contains principal components of a computer; provides connectors into which other circuit boards can be slotted or connected
- Essentially computer’s central communication backbone and connectivity point; central hub of communication
- Going to be used by all other parts and external peripherals to connect and transfer data back and forth between various components
PC (Personal Computer) main functions:
- Input - process of accepting data in a form of something the CPU can use (ex. Bluetooth mouse or keyboard)
- Processing - occurs when CPU receives info and takes action on the information; everything in a computer requires processing
- Storage - process of saving or retaining digital data either temporarily or permanently
- Temporary storage - storing of data in cache memory inside of RAM or CPU
- aka non-persistent storage, or volatile storage; data will be lost anytime CPU is powered off
- Permanent storage - HDDs, SSDs, USB Flash Drives, Tape Backup Drives, floppy disk drives
- Persistent storage devices are permanent because data is preserved when the CPU is powered off
- Temporary storage - storing of data in cache memory inside of RAM or CPU
- Output - process of showing user the processed data or info in a form that users can use (ex. displaying visually on screen or audibly through speakers)
Motherboard speed - measures in MHz or GHz, measured by a multiplication factor of the main bus speed of given motherboard
- When dealing with more volatile storage devices, like CPU cache memory or system RAM, operating speeds typically measured in GHz because volatile storage devices tend to be very fast
- Non-volatile storage devices or permanent device data transfers will be much slower, usually in MHz