The motherboard (scheme). Device and purpose of the motherboard

The computer has many components. One of the most important details, without which it is impossible to imagine his work, is the motherboard. The circuit of this device is very complex, and it itself includes several components. What does it include?

What is a motherboard

This is the name of the device, which is the basis for building a computer system in engineering. Mount the motherboard inside the enclosure with its cooling system and power supply. For classification, different standards are used, which determine the size of this device, the location of its attachment, the placement of I / O ports, buses and connectors (for the processor and RAM). The scheme of the motherboard within the framework of the article will be outlined gradually. And we will start from the very foundation.

Printed circuit board

There are signal lines on it that connect all the elements together. If they are placed too close, interference will be generated for the signals. The longer the length of the line and the transmission of data on it, the higher the level of instability. Therefore, there may be failures even in the work of very expensive and reliable computers. To minimize this effect, the PCB is created multilayered, while multiplying its useful area many times, as well as the distance between the lines. In modern devices, six layers are used most often: three are signal, one ground and two feed. On printed circuit boards are placed all the elements that make it an integral part of the computer. This includes both components and ports. The connection scheme of the motherboard allows us to judge what will be added in the future. So, on modern devices there are half a dozen connectors for various devices, except those that will be considered in the article. It should be noted that most motherboard developers are loyal to the desire of users of their products to improve it by adding new components (for example, RAM).

Chipset

Also called a set of system logic. This is the name of the chips, which together provide trouble-free operation of RAM, CPU, peripheral controllers, video card and other components that connect to the motherboard. They determine the basic parameters that this device owns. As a rule, modern sets of system logic are based on two components. Each of them is a separate chipset. But they are connected by means of a high-speed bus. But the motherboard circuit has such a tendency that they gradually unite. Due to this, the communication channels are unloaded with various add-ons and peripheral devices. Also, as the integration technology develops, the schemes are made smaller, cheaper, and their energy consumption is reduced.

North Bridge

It monitors and sends data from four tires:

1. System.
2. Linked to memory.
3. Exchangeable data with a graphics adapter.
4. Connected to the south bridge.

This device consists of a memory controller and a number of interfaces. Although the first function can be considered morally obsolete due to the fact that the same device is available in all modern computers. The same can be said about the interface, which is responsible for the graphics.

South Bridge

This is also an important part, which has almost any motherboard. The scheme of the device in this case is much larger. So, it includes such tires:

1. Responsible for supporting communication with the northern bridge.
2. Connecting bridge with expansion cards.
3. Responsible for the exchange of data with other computers or peripherals.
4. Engaged in communication with hard drives.
5. Serving data exchange with slow devices.

Basic input / output system (BIOS)

The BIOS is a special program that is stitched in a permanent storage device (ROM). BIOS is in the motherboard, and in other elements of the computer (video cards, controllers and so on). The version we are considering is important due to the fact that when you turn on the computer, it checks most of the connected devices (memory, hard drives, processor, etc.). Then the BIOS initializes the controllers that the motherboard has. The scheme, placed in the article, makes it possible to understand that together with them some devices are launched and the process of establishing their basic parameters is in progress. If everything works without problems, the BIOS issues control to the operating system.

Clock Generator

This device is necessary for the formation of a highly stable periodic signal, which synchronizes the operation of computer elements. It consists of a clock generator and a quartz resonator. The latter itself can create signals. But they can not be obtained with the frequency that is required for the functioning of modern memory, bus and processor. Therefore, the clock generator is used for amplification. The speed with which the calculations will be performed depends to a large extent on the frequency of the pulses. So, any operation requires a certain number of measures. Accordingly, the more they are per second, the higher the productivity. But this statement is true only for devices that have the same microarchitecture. The clock frequency can be increased, which will increase the productivity of the computer. But there are also disadvantages here. So, the stability of the computer components will decrease, so after this operation it is always necessary to check the performance. Another disadvantage is that due to the heavy operating conditions, various elements can be damaged. And the nature of the damage will be increasing.

Other elements that the motherboard has

The diagram of this device helps to understand that the above components are not all. What else is there? Important is a large number of capacitors, whose task is to ensure an even flow of voltage. They are necessary because the level of energy consumption can change dramatically (what happens when the work is stopped or restarted). Capacitors smooth voltage surges. Thanks to this, the stability of the machinery is increased, and the service life of all elements that are in the computer increases.

Specific example

Let's see what the scheme of the Asus motherboard is. As you can see, the figure clearly shows a large controller, which deals with a wide range of actions. Yes, it should be noted that the motherboard circuit of the laptop and computer will be slightly different. So, there is not enough space on the first one, because of what it is necessary to place everything as it is possible kuchnee. Of course, the computer is not scattered around the place, but there this problem is not so acute. To understand this, you need a connection scheme for the Asus motherboard and an arbitrary computer. Compare how and what is posted. In the laptop everything is optimized, any space on the account. Whereas in computers, thanks to the presence of the system unit, where there is more free space, this is not particularly considered.

Conclusion

Well, now, I think you have a good idea of what this device is. We even considered the motherboard layout of Asus. Well complement the picture provided in the framework of the article drawings.