Motherboard

The _______ is an arrangement of several integrated circuits that manage data flow between the CPU, memory and peripherals. It also determines compatibility between peripherals and motherboard

Connects the power & reset Switch, power LED, hard disk LED, speaker pins & USB to motherboard

• Rear I/O header

• F_Panel (system panel header)

• ATX power connector

• PCI express slots

This type of device has the following features: more powerful, larger, more easily upgradeable, but you have to be aware of compatibility issues when choosing components to install as these may not be integrated. Such as a GPU, sound cards, wi-fi cards and even the processor.

Currently used to supply power to the RTC. The Real Time Clock keeps accurate track of time even when a power supply is turned off.

• Lithium battery

• CMOS chip

• CMOS battery

• VRM

long channels, generally located close to the CPU. There are clasps on each end of the socket. You could install a stick of 8 GB DDR4 memory

• RTC

• SATA

• PCI express slots

• RAM slots

This type of device has the following features: some components can/are integrated. Typically small, specific to brand, and has minimal compatibility issues since most components are integrated. There are minimal options to upgrade.

Allows motherboard and peripheral components to communicate

• VRM

• PCI express slots

• RAM slots

• M.2

It is recommended to utilize every other slot to take advantage of dual channels. However, you should always check your motherboard manual to double check what it requires!

• SATA ports

• RAM slots

• PCI express slots

• VRM

Peripherals such as a GPU, video capture cards, network cards or sound cards are installed here:

• RTC

• RAM slots

• PCI express slots

• SATA ports

Standard connection for most internal Hard Drives, (SSD) Solid State Drives, and Optical Drives.

• SATA ports

• RTC

• VRM

• RAM slots