1, motherboard structure
The so-called motherboard structure is based on the layout of the components on the motherboard arrangement, size, shape, the use of power supply specifications developed by the general standard, all motherboard manufacturers must follow.
The motherboard architecture is divided into AT, Baby-AT, ATX, MicroATX, LPX, NLX, FlexATX, EATX, WATX, and BTX.
Of these, AT and Baby-AT are old motherboard structures that have been phased out years ago, while LPX, NLX, and FlexATX are variants of ATX, mostly found in foreign brand-name computers, and not yet common in China;
EATX and WATX are mostly used in servers/workstations; and ATX is the most common motherboard structure in the market, with expansion slots. The ATX is the most common motherboard structure in the market, with more expansion slots and 4-6 PCI slots, and most motherboards use this structure;
MicroATX, also known as MiniATX, is a simplified version of the ATX structure, which is often referred to as "small board", with fewer expansion slots and 3 or 4 PCI slots, which is often referred to as "small board". The number of slots in 3 or less, mostly used for branded machines and equipped with a small chassis; and BTX is the latest generation of Intel's motherboard structure, but has not yet been popular to be abandoned, and continue to use the ATX.
2, the chipset
The chipset is a core component of the motherboard and virtually determines the function of the motherboard, which in turn determines its performance. It is the first time that a motherboard has been used in a computer system, and it is the first time that a motherboard has been used in a computer system that has been used in a computer system. The chipset is usually divided into a Northbridge chip and a Southbridge chip according to the different arrangement on the motherboard.
The Northbridge chipset provides support for CPU type and frequency, memory type and maximum capacity, ISA/PCI/AGP slots, ECC, and so on. The Southbridge chipset provides support for KBC (Keyboard Controller), RTC (Real Time Clock Controller), USB (Universal Serial Bus), UltraDMA/33 (66) EIDE data transfer mode, and ACPI (Advanced Power Consumption Initiative).
In which the Northbridge chip plays a dominant role, also known as the HostBridge.
3. Expansion slots
Expansion slots are slots on the motherboard that are used to secure expansion cards and connect them to the system bus, also known as expansion slots and expansion slots. Expansion slots are a way to add or enhance the features and functionality of a computer.
The type and number of expansion slots is an important indicator of how good a motherboard is. Having a variety of types and a sufficient number of expansion slots means that there will be enough upgradability and expandability of devices in the future, and vice versa will be a huge obstacle to future upgradability and expandability.
4, the main interface
Hard disk interface: hard disk interface can be divided into IDE interface and SATA interface. On older motherboards, there are two IDE ports, and the IDE ports are usually located below the PCI slots, and perpendicular to the memory slots (and across the board). On newer motherboards, the IDE ports are mostly reduced, if not eliminated, and replaced by SATA ports.
Floppy drive connector: Used for connecting a floppy drive, it is mostly located next to the IDE connector and is slightly shorter than the IDE connector because it is a 34-pin connector, so the cable is slightly narrower as well.
COM port (serial port): Most motherboards provide two COM ports, COM1 and COM2, which are used to connect devices such as a serial mouse and an external Modem.
The I/O address of the COM1 interface is 03F8h-03FFh, and the interrupt number is IRQ4; the I/O address of the COM2 interface is 02F8h-02FFh, and the interrupt number is IRQ3. This shows that the COM2 interface has a priority over the response of the COM1 interface, and it is very difficult to find products based on this interface on the market. It is difficult to find products based on this interface.
5, the motherboard plane
The plane of the motherboard is a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), which is usually four or six layers. Relatively speaking, in order to save costs, low-grade motherboards are mostly four-layer board: the main signal layer, ground layer, power supply layer, the second signal layer, while the six-layer board is added to the auxiliary power supply layer and the middle signal layer, so the six-layer PCB motherboard anti-electromagnetic interference ability is stronger, the motherboard is more stable.
Expanded Profile:
Working Principle
Underneath the board, there are 4 layers of circuit wiring; on top, there is a clear division of labor between the various components: slots, chips, resistors, capacitors, etc. The circuit boards are designed to be used in a variety of ways.
When the host computer is powered on, the current will instantly pass through the CPU, the North and South Bridge chips, the memory slots, the AGP slot, the PCI slot, the IDE ports, and the serial ports, parallel ports, and PS/2 ports on the edge of the motherboard. Subsequently, the motherboard will recognize the hardware according to the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and enter the operating system to perform the function of supporting the system platform work.
The main types
1, standard-size motherboard : IBMPC / A machine first used and named, some 486, 586 motherboards also use AT structure layout.
BabyAT: Pocket-sized motherboards, smaller than AT motherboards, hence the name. Many of the original integrated motherboards first adopted this motherboard structure.
2. ATX: Improved AT motherboards, optimized for the layout of components on the motherboard, with better heat dissipation and integration, need to be used in conjunction with a dedicated ATX chassis.
3. BTX: An improved version of the ATX motherboard that uses a narrower board (Low-profile) design for a more compact component layout. Aiming at the movement characteristics of the airflow inside and outside the chassis, motherboard engineers have optimized the layout of the motherboard to provide a more efficient and effective cooling performance for computers, with less noise and easier installation and removal of the motherboard.
The BTX is available in three sizes: BTX, MicroBTX, and PicoBTX. The width of the three BTXs is the same, at 266.7mm, but the difference lies in the size of the motherboards and the scalability of the motherboards.
Integrated (Allinone) motherboards: integrated sound, display and other circuits, generally do not need to re-insert the card can work, with a high degree of integration and space-saving advantages, but there are also inconvenient maintenance and upgrading difficulties in the shortcomings of the original brand-name machine used in more.
4, NLX : Intel's latest motherboard structure, the most important feature is the motherboard, CPU upgrade flexibility, convenience and efficiency, no longer need to launch a CPU must update the motherboard design in addition to some of the above motherboard distortion structure, such as ASUS motherboards on a large number of 3/4BabyAT size of the motherboard structure.
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