Different Types of Motherboards

Motherboard is the largest card in a computer to which every other card and CPU is attached. This component is responsible for distributing power to systems with lower power needs. In this article, we will be discussing the different types of motherboards that are available for use. 

Table of Contents

• What is a motherboard?
• Working of a motherboard
• Features of motherboards
• Applications
• Types of motherboards

What is a motherboard?

The motherboard is a logic board that is made up of a non-conductive plastic sheet consisting of the main circuit and placeholders. Motherboard consists of a provision for connecting any type of component to meet the application requirement. It is a single planar board to manage every function, unlike the backplane that allows connection with multiple extension boards. This board can hold more components. It consists of crucial components to ensure that the system is working properly. These consist of sockets for connecting components and providing logistics for every component to work in a coordinated way. 

Working of the Motherboard

Whenever a user turns on the computer, data buses transfer power from the power supply to the motherboard. The data is transferred through the northbridge and southbridge parts of the chipset. The Northbridge part bridges data to RAM, CPU and PCIe. RAM sends inputs to the CPU that interprets these actions and provides output. 

PCie data is transferred to the expansion card. Southbridge component connects the data to BIOS, and PCI and sends a signal to BIOS. This enables the PC to boot up. Data to the SATA starts optical, hard disc, and solid state.

It serves as a command centre for the computer that transmits the data using data buses. These buses pass through the northbridge and southbridge components of the chipset before branching into other components such as PCI, CPU, and RAM. 

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Features of Motherboards

The following are the features of different types of motherboards:

• It is important to choose a motherboard with a CPU socket that accommodates your choice of CPI. 
• The motherboard has minimal impact on the performance of a computer. 
• Chipset on the motherboard determines the speed with which the computer can run.
• Different types of motherboards have three types of slots. Memory slots allow you to plug RAM modules into the computer. With more slots, you can add more memory. These slots are specific to RAM type. 
• Motherboards consist of both internal and external connectors. Some types of motherboards come with support for USB 3.0, graphic connectors, external eSATA, and legacy ports for parallel and serial connectors.
• Some types of motherboards use multiple hard drives together in a special configuration.

Types of Motherboards

Let us now discuss the different types of Motherboards that are available:

1. Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX)

It is a type of motherboard that was developed and patented by Intel in the year 1995. The purpose of this motherboard type was to improve de facto standards such as the AT design. It is the first changed and improved motherboard that improved standardization and interchangeability of parts. This is one of the most common motherboard designs. 

2. AT Motherboards

This board is one of the oldest types of motherboards that consists of advanced technology (AT) power connectors. AT motherboards have bigger physical dimensions ranging for hundreds of millimeters. Due to the size constraint, they are not the right fit for mini desktops. Due to the size issue, new drivers cannot be installed in such motherboards. 

Six pin plugs and sockets are used as power connectors in this type of motherboard; since power connectors are not easily identifiable, users face difficulties in connecting and using such motherboards.

3. Balance Technology Extended (BTX)

It is a type of motherboard that was intended to replace the 2004 and 2005 ATX motherboards. This was designed with the purpose of decreasing heat and, eventually, power requirements. It employs an enhanced technology, including universal serial bus (USB) 2.0, serial advanced technology attachment (ATA) and peripheral component interconnect (PCI) express. The aim of developing this type of motherboard was to reduce the problem of ATX standards by reducing heat and power consumption. It provides an efficient design for both small and large systems.

4. Mini ITX Motherboard 

It is a miniature version of a motherboard that was designed in the 2000s and is mainly used in small form factor computers. The reason behind its use is its faster cooling ability and low power consumption. It is one of the most preferred types of motherboard that is preferred in home theater due to its low level of fan noise. 

These primarily appeal to industrial and embedded PC markets with the majority sold as bulk components. These are produced with a longer sales life-cycle than consumer code which is a quality that is required by industrial users.  

5. LPX (Low Profile eXtension)

This is a form factor motherboard that was used throughout the 1990s. It uses a riser card with different placements of parallel, serial, video, and PS/2 ports as compared to other motherboards. The motherboard uses a riser card so that expansion cards can be installed parallel to the motherboard.