Motherboards or Main boards

Diy-Computer-Repair can help!

A motherboard had a lot of functions.

Ah, my favorite subject. Motherboards or Main boards are the heart of the computer. Where as the CPU is the engine.

The term Motherboard came about with the advent of the IBM PC, the memory, processor, and controlling chips were on one board (motherboard), while all input and out put was done by a board that was inserted into a slot.

You had one board that had the keyboard, one serial, one parallel, floppy port, and video, it was monochrome (single color, mainly GREEN it was called a daughter board. You could also have a color video board you inserted, a CGA (Color Graphics Adapter) and have 16 or 256 colors (depending on if you wanted a Volkswagen or a Corvette).

Today most Motherboards  have all the components embedded on the board, video, sound, keyboard, mouse, serial, parallel, network adapter, floppy drive (obsolete), hard drive/CD/DVD ROM controller, and USB. Some manufactures are so short sighted that they do not give you any slots to upgrade with. What you buy is what you get, no upgrading them, the unfortunate thing is they are not any cheaper than one with expansion slots.

Fix It! Your
DIY Computer Repair Newsletter!
Click here to get your copy of Fix It!


If you are considering on upgrading or building your own system consider what you want the computer to do. My main system case is over ten years old, it has seen five mother boards and processors from the 386 to the Core 2 Quad.

When you make your list for the upgrade list all the components in one column, the function in another, and the cost in another. Then go to the web and research. Check different manufactures for the embedded functions, mouse, keyboard, network, video (if you are not worried about high resolution) and sound. If you are going to reuse your existing case check the dimensions of the new motherboard. Make sure that it will fit.

You will find more information on configuring, troubleshooting, and installing motherboards in the Self Computer Repair Unleashed! E-Book.

Then check the mother board for upgrades:

CPU: What processor fits the board? Are you just upgrading the motherboard and keeping the old cpu you have now? Can you upgrade to a faster cpu later? Can you set the clock speed on it? Also check the type of "slot" or "Zif socket" for your desired processor, your old processor may not work on the new board.

Does it have slots? How many? What type? PCI and APG are on the way out, the newer cards are PCI-Express, they have a different pin out and will not fit older boards. It may be cheaper in the short run to get a board that is out of production that has all the features you need but remember it is a dead end because the technology is moving on.

Check the type of ram that the board uses. Is it DDR or DIMM? Does your application need more to work smother? Ram upgrades are one of the cheapest upgrades you can do to get the most "bang for your buck".

Return to top


Q and A

This site contains a lot of information. As with any publication not all information is available due to space, time, or subject constraints.

If you have a question that you did not find the answer on this web site  you a can ask your question here and we will endeavor to get you the most up to date answer possible!


Free Stuff!


Thank you for visiting my web site, and please come back again.

© www.diy-computer-repair.com '2008 Copyright Russell Enterprises All Rights Reserved
DiY Computer Repair contact support and sig. If you find this Web Site useful, feel free to recommend it to a friend.



Return to previous page



 
This website is not intended for children under the age of 18

Home
   Support   About owner   Site Map
Why I use SBI  Privacy Policy   Disclaimer

From the Desert South West ~ Arizona, USA
Copyright DIY-Computer-Repair.Com 2006-2011

powered-by-sbi



My Twitter! xml-rss Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN Add to Google AddThis Social Bookmark Button My StumbleUpon Page Computer Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

 www.diy-computer-repair.com BBB Business Review


Site Sponsors

Once You Know, You Newegg
Electronic Parts
Save 20% on AVG Antivirus 2011 Professional
AVG kills viruses
Spyware and
Malware removal
Webroot Software Inc.


Need a battery for your Laptop?
All-Battery.com

Are you a Gamer?
GameStop.com

Laptop Accessories
LaptopZ.com - Your One-stop Laptop Parts Store!

Need an excellent CD/DVD burning program?

Buy Creator 2012 Today!
Kensigston Products


Fire that geek that is messing up your computer, you can do a better job.

More solutions in one place!

Self Computer Repair Unleashed

The Official  www.diy-computer-repair.com Reference manuals

Get yours Today!

Your
motherboard
should
match
your
computing
needs.


Index
Home Page

Information Index
Audio devices
Affinity? What is it?
Can't find the Any Key
Batch Files?
BIOS. What is it? What does it do?
Cases
CPU's or Processors
Glossary of terms
Glossary of terms Page 2
Keyboard and your Mouse
Mini Computers
Motherboard
Memory
Modems
Networking
Networks Page 2
Networking - Wired or Wireless
Networking - Firewalls
Networking - Connectivity
Networking - Signal strength
Paging file or Memory dump file?

Information about Proxy Server/services
Solar Power for Backup when the power is out?
Power supplies
Storage
USB
Video
Virtual Drives
Virus
VPN - Virtual Personal Network

Senior Citizen?
Build yourself a computer


Opinion
Are We Doomed?