Motherboard slot connector. Connector for connecting a video card on the motherboard

Instructions for motherboards

1. What is a motherboard.

Motherboard (English motherboard, MB, also called English mainboard - main board; slang. mother, mother, mother) - complex multi-layered PCB, on which the main components are installed personal computer or server entry level(central processor, controller RAM and RAM, boot ROM, basic input/output interface controllers). It is the motherboard that combines and coordinates the work of components that are different in nature and functionality, such as a processor, RAM, expansion cards and all kinds of storage devices. The core of a motherboard is a set of key chips, also called a set system logic or chipset. The type of chipset on which the motherboard is built completely determines the type and number of components that make up the computer, as well as its potential capabilities.

2. What connectors are on motherboard.

Connector central processor- a socket or slot connector (socket) designed for installing a central processor into it. The connector may be intended for installing the processor itself. Each socket allows installation of only a certain type of processor.
DIMM slots for installing SDRAM/DDR/DDR2/DDR3 memory modules (different for each memory type). Most often there are 3-4 of them, although compact boards you can find only 2 such slots;
a specialized AGP or PCI-Express x16 type connector for installing a video card. However, in lately, with the general transition to the latest type of video interface, quite often there are boards with two or even three video connectors. There are also motherboards (the cheapest) without video connectors at all - their chipsets have a built-in graphics core, and an external graphics card not necessary for them;
Next to the video card slots there are usually connection slots additional cards extensions of PCI or PCI-Express x1 standards;
The next quite important group of connectors is interfaces (IDE and/or more modern Serial ATA) to connect disk drives — hard drives and optical drives. There is also still a connector for a floppy drive (3.5″ floppy disk), although everything is going to the point that it will soon be completely abandoned. All disk drives are connected to the system board using special cables, colloquially also called “trains”;
near the processor there are connectors for connecting power (most often of two types - 24-pin ATX and 4-pin ATX12V for additional line+12V) and a two-, three- or four-phase voltage regulation module VRM (Voltage Regulation Module), consisting of power transistors, chokes and capacitors. This module converts, stabilizes and filters voltages supplied from the power supply;
The back of the motherboard is occupied by a panel with connectors for connecting additional external devices - a monitor, keyboard and mouse, network, audio and USB devices, etc.
In addition to the above slots and connectors, any motherboard has large number auxiliary jumpers (jumpers) and connectors. These can be contacts for connecting the system speaker and buttons and indicators on the front panel of the case, and connectors for connecting fans, and contact blocks for connecting additional audio connectors and USB connectors and FireWire.

On each motherboard in mandatory there is a special memory chip, most often installed in a special socket (in jargon 0 “crib”); however, some manufacturers, in order to save money, solder it into the board. The chip contains BIOS firmware, plus a battery that provides power in the event of a loss of external voltage. Thus, with the help of all these slots and connectors, as well as additional controllers, the motherboard combines all the devices that make up the computer into a single system.

3. Types (form factors) motherboards.

In addition to functionality, motherboards also differ in size (form factors). All sizes are standard.

The form factor determines not only the dimensions of the motherboard, but also where it is attached to the case, the location of bus interfaces, input/output ports, processor socket and RAM slots, as well as the type of connector for connecting the power supply. Currently, the most common form factor is ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended), the large enough size of which allows manufacturers to integrate a large number of functions onto the motherboard. The potential for downsized ATX variants is of course much lower, but now that advances in integrated controllers have various types practically equalized their basic capabilities with discrete solutions (primarily network and audio controllers, to a lesser extent video), most unassuming users of typical office (and not only) systems do not need more. Although reduced size board options are suitable for standard cases ATX, it is most advisable to use them in compact Micro-ATX cases.

4. What is a chipset.

A chipset (ChipSet is a set of chips), or a set of system logic, is one or more chips specially designed to ensure the interaction of the CPU with all other components of the computer. The chipset determines which processor can run on a given motherboard, the type, organization and maximum amount of RAM used (unless modern models AMD processors have built-in memory controllers), how many and what external devices can be connected to a computer. The main developers of chipsets for computers: Intel, NVIDIA, AMD, VIA. Most often the chipset consists of 2 integrated circuits, called the north and south bridges.
The north bridge provides interconnection between the processor (via FSB - Front Side Bus), RAM (SDRAM, DDR, DDR2 and DDR3), video card (AGP or PCI Express) and, via a special bus, with the south bridge, in which most of the I/O interface controllers are located. Some northern bridges include a graphics core that uses internal interface AGP or PCI Express - such chipsets are called integrated.
Devices built into the south bridge include PCI (Peripheral Components Interconnect) and/or PCI Express bus controllers, disk drives (IDE and SATA hard drives and optical drives), built-in audio, network, USB and RAID controllers. South Bridge also provides normal work system clock(RTC - Real Time Clock) and BIOS chips. Sometimes there are chipsets consisting of only one chip (single-component chipsets), combining the functionality of both bridges.

5. Advantages of a chipset and video card from the same manufacturer.

Although manufacturers modern chipsets and video cards (today there are only two of them - NVIDIA and AMD) are trying to somehow “tie” buyers to the entire range of their products, offering unique proprietary features like SLI or CrossFire, which most users, frankly, are unlikely to ever use. And in standard configuration“one video card on the motherboard” any chipset fits perfectly with any video card, regardless of their manufacturer.

6. What is a computer bus.

The computer bus is used to transfer data between individual functional blocks computer and is a set of signal lines that have certain electrical characteristics and information transfer protocols. Buses can differ in capacity, signal transmission method (serial or parallel, synchronous or asynchronous), bandwidth, number and types of supported devices, operating protocol, purpose (internal or interface).

7. What is PCI.

The PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, despite its more than respectable (by computer standards) age, is still the main bus for connecting a wide variety of peripheral devices to the computer system board. The 32-bit PCI bus allows dynamic configuration of connected devices, it operates at a frequency of 33.3 MHz (peak throughput 133 Mbit/s). The servers use its extended versions PCI66 and PCI64 (32 bit/66 MHz and 64 bit/33 MHz, respectively), as well as PCI-X, a 64-bit bus accelerated to 133 MHz. Other options PCI buses are the AGP graphics bus, popular in the recent past, and a pair of interfaces for mobile computers: internal mini-PCI and PCMCIA/Card Bus (16/32-bit interface options for external devices, allowing “hot” connection of peripherals). Despite its widespread use, the time of the PCI bus (and its derivatives) is coming to an end - they are being replaced (albeit not as quickly as its developers would like) by the modern high-performance PCI-Express bus.

8. What is PCI-Express.

PCI-Express is a serial interface developed by the PCI-SIG organization led by Intel and intended to be used as a local bus instead of PCI. Characteristic feature PCI-Express is organized on a point-to-point basis, which eliminates bus arbitration and, thus, resource shuffling. The connection between PCI-Express devices is called links and consists of one (called 1x) or more (2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x or 32x) bidirectional serial lines (lanes).
PCI-Express Bus Bandwidth:

9. What is BIOS and why is it needed.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) - the basic input/output system, hardwired into ROM (hence the name - ROM BIOS) is a set of programs necessary for quick testing and low-level configuration of computer hardware, as well as for organizing subsequent loading operating system. Typically, each motherboard model has its own own version(on computer slang- firmware) of a basic BIOS developed by one of the specialized companies - Phoenix Technologies ( Phoenix Award BIOS) or American Megatrends Inc. (AMI BIOS). Previously, the BIOS was flashed into a one-time programmable ROM or into an ultraviolet erase ROM (there is a transparent window on the chip body), so flashing it by the user was almost impossible. Currently, boards with electrically reprogrammable ROMs are mainly produced, which allow BIOS flashing using the board itself, which allows you to quickly add support for new devices (or functions) to the system, correct minor flaws of developers, change factory defaults, etc.

– these are connectors used to connect various peripheral devices to the system unit. Connectors for computer ports are located on the back and front panels, and in laptops they are located on the sides of the case.

The name "port", as applied to a computer, is borrowed from electronic technology, where the I/O port is called technical support for data exchange between the controller (or processor) and the connected device. Likewise in a computer, ports receive and transmit information from a device located outside the system unit.

Any computer has a minimum set of computer ports, without which it will not function fully. It is necessary to connect , and , to the system unit, otherwise it will not be a computer, but an expensive iron box. As needed computer ports can be increased using expansion cards connected to the . Let's look at the set of ports that are always present in an ordinary computer.

Minimum set of ports on a computer

Depending on the manufacturer of the system unit, its age and purpose, the number of ports varies, but almost always there will be connectors such as:

Ports that accept a mouse and keyboard, called PS/2 ports. Nowadays, computers are increasingly being manufactured without these connectors or with one combined for connecting both a keyboard and a mouse. On at the moment The PS/2 port is obsolete; you can connect a mouse and keyboard in USB port.
Port connector for connecting a monitor.
RJ-45 connector used for network connection (local network or Internet).
USB ports that are universal.
Audio connectors sound card. A microphone, speakers or headphones are connected here, line input.

Most of the connectors are already on the computer's motherboard. In cases where any connector is missing, external devices can be connected via universal ports.

Universal computer ports

Serial port

One of the oldest universal ports, developed at the beginning of the evolution of computers. It is a 9 or 25 pin (less common) connector called COM port(or serial port). The transmission of information in it occurs in one stream, sequentially one after another, which determined its name. In the most early computers a modem or a mouse was connected to it, but now it is rarely used anywhere, because... it has gradually been replaced by the USB port.

Parallel port

This is another rarity from the beginning of the computer era. It is called LPT - port or parallel computer port. At first it was developed for connecting, and then they began to connect other devices. Information through the LPT port is transmitted over several streams, which is reflected in the name “parallel port”. Parallel port It is equipped with 25 pins, which is why it can be confused with a 25-pin serial port. However, between them there is big difference: LPT port equipped with contacts in the form of holes, and serial port has contacts in the form of plugs. Differs like dad from mom.

Universal USB computer port

IN present moment old ports are being replaced by more powerful universal ports, one of which is USB. It appeared in the mid-90s of the last century and continues to develop to this day. Information transfer here occurs sequentially, as in a COM port, but its transmission speed is much higher. Most peripheral devices are connected via a USB port. For example, the one we are all familiar with connects directly to the USB port. USB connectors are located on the rear and front panels of the system unit.

Modern computers are equipped with 2 types of USB connectors: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, which are compatible with each other, but differ in data transfer speed. USB 3.0 transfers information faster than USB 2.0. You can distinguish them by the color of the connector: USB 3 is blue or red.

In addition to the ports discussed above, there are also such universal high-speed ports as FireWare and eSata. For a novice user they are not of interest, because... their scope of application lies in professional computers, and even then they are increasingly being replaced by USB connections.

Monitor connectors

The connectors for connecting a monitor are located on the rear panel of the system unit and, depending on yours, may have one form or another.

VGA video card connector

This is one of the oldest and most common monitor connectors. It got its name from the abbreviated English Video Graphics Adapter - video graphics adapter. Motherboards with a built-in video card are most often equipped with this connector. Maximum resolution transmitted signal – 1280x1024 pixels.

DVI video card connector

Improved connector compared to VGA due to ability to transmit monitor signal directly to digital form, without additional conversions, unlike VGA, in which video is transmitted in analog format. Digital video transmission is not subject to interference, which has a positive effect on image quality. To connect a monitor via DVI output it must also have the appropriate connector. The maximum resolution of the transmitted signal is 2560x1600 pixels.

HDMI video card connector

Another connector for high quality digital connection monitor, as its name suggests - High Definition Multimedia Interface high resolution). HDMI port has a significantly smaller size compared to DVI, and is also capable of transmitting multi-channel audio high quality. The maximum resolution of the transmitted signal is 2560x1600 pixels. Audio cards have 3 connectors painted green, blue and pink colors. Green- This line output for connecting speakers or headphones, a line input for inputting sound from another source, a microphone is connected to the pink connector.

Expensive multi-channel audio cards have more connections, and in addition to the color marking of the connectors, labels are necessarily added to designate the ports, thanks to which correct connection audio system will not be difficult.

This article discusses the most common computer ports that are required in any system unit. In fact, there are a large number of other ports used in some professional areas, and they are unlikely to be of interest to a novice user.

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Today I will tell you about the connectors on the system unit, what they are and why they are needed there. Since the time when the first computers appeared, many connectors have gone into oblivion, and many others have appeared more recently. How to figure out which connector is needed for what and are they needed at all?

There's really nothing complicated. And if you have ever encountered assembling a system unit or connecting cables to it, you probably wondered why there are so many of them and what needs to be connected there.

And so let's start studying the connectors of the system unit. For these purposes, I will use an image of an average system unit

Now let's look at each connector in more detail. Let's start from top to bottom in order. First on the list will be socket for connecting the power cable:

Standard power cable, this cable connects everything computer devices starting from printers and scanners, ending with faxes and monitors.

A very convenient cable, differing only in the length of the wire and the thickness of the wire section. Accordingly, the thicker the cable, the heavy load he can stand it.

PS/2 connector used for connecting mouse and keyboard. In their visual appearance they are absolutely identical, the only difference is in their coloring. The green port is for connecting a mouse, the purple port is for connecting a keyboard.

In modern motherboards you can find one PS/2 port, which is painted in two colors at once, green and purple, this means that you can connect either a mouse or a keyboard to it.

COM port– was once used to connect a mouse, modems, scanners. Now this port is practically not used.

Over the past 7 years, I have had to use this port several times. To connect temperature sensors to it. It was through this port that the data accumulated on it was read. Also through this port I connected a set-top box for satellite dishes(updating the firmware).

VGA port – for connecting a monitor. The port is very similar to the previous one, but has three rows of contacts and is always painted in blue. This port has been used for connecting monitors for many years.

Now new video cards with a DVI port are being actively introduced (photo on the right). When choosing a monitor with such a cable, I advise you to carefully check which one it is. DVI port in your motherboard, as there are at least five different types.

LPT port– previously used to connect a printer or scanner. Now this port is obsolete and no one uses it.

To replace the outdated one LPT port a new, more functional USB port has arrived. In modern motherboards this port is not installed as unnecessary.

USB port- The most widely used connector in any modern computer. You can connect a mouse, keyboard, camera, flash drive, printer, scanner, video camera and much more to this connector.

There are two types of USB ports – USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The USB 3.0 port has a blue color inside, this port has a large throughput speed. USB 2.0 ports are white and black.

Network port – for connection network cable . A cable from the provider that provides you with Internet service is connected to this port.

The same ports are present on your router (if you use one). Using this port you can.

Connectors for connecting audio devices. For connecting speakers, headphones, microphones, etc.

Red connector for connecting a microphone, green connector for connecting speakers (headphones), blue connector for line output (for transmitting sound signal to another device).

The most basic connectors that are present on almost every system unit are described. Perhaps your system unit has connectors that are not described in this article, if this is the case and you don’t know what these connectors are for, attach a photo to the comment, I will definitely help you.

Socket

A socket is a connector designed for installing a central processor into it.

It is considered the main and most complex motherboard connector.

Below is a list of the most common sockets.

	Socket 478 Pentium 4 and Celeron, Willamette cores, Northwood, Prescott
	Socket T (LGA775) Intel Pentium 4, Pentium D, Celeron D, Pentium EE, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Extreme, Celeron, Core 2 Quad (Northwood, Prescott, Conroe, Kentsfield, Allendale and Cedar Mill cores)
	SocketH (LGA1156) Corei5/Corei3 with integrated dual-channel memory controller and without QuickPath technology
	SocketB (LGA1366) socket for IntelCorei7 and IntelXeon processors with an integrated three-channel memory controller and QuickPath technology.
	SocketH2 (LGA1155) replacement SocketH (LGA1156) Used for Intel processors on the SandyBridge microarchitecture.
	Socket A (Socket 462) K7 (Athlon, Athlon XP, Sempron, Duron)
	Socket 754 Athlon 64 lower level, Sempron; support for single-channel DDR memory operation
	Socket 939 Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX; support for dual-channel operation with DDR memory
	Socket AM2 940 pins, but not compatible with Socket 940; DDR2 memory support
	Socket AM2+ on the left, on the right AM3 Socket AM2+ - replacement for Socket AM2, with support for HyperTransport 3.0 bus (direct and backward compatibility with AM2 for all planned motherboards and processors) Socket AM3 - replacement for Socket AM2+; DDR3 memory support
	Socket AM3+ replacement for Socket AM3; support for AMD FX processors codenamed “Zambezi” with Bulldozer microarchitecture. The am3+ socket differs from am3 in the absence of one contact and color
	Socket FM1 905-pin connector designed for installation of processors with AMD Fusion microarchitecture.

The main socket malfunction, in addition to physical damage, is a “dump” (tap). The cause of the dump may be overheating, an overly massive cooler, or physical impact. In this case, the symptoms can be either obvious (the processor is not detected) or indirect ( appearance of BSOD, brakes, reboots).

RAM slots

Used to install RAM into the motherboard. Each type of RAM uses its own connector. Visually, connectors can be distinguished by the number of contacts and the location of the key. Typically, slots are arranged in pairs, which allows the memory to be used in dual-channel mode. On new Intelcorei7 processors, slots can be arranged in threes and operate in three-channel mode. Some manufacturers distribute memory channels not in pairs (next to each other), but by color. In this case, to activate the dual-channel mode, the memory must be inserted not into adjacent slots, but into ones of the same color.

DDR2 memory slots:

Expansion slots

To expand the capabilities of a personal computer, so-called expansion slots are used. They are various connectors connected to system bus and intended for installation additional modules, expanding the device configuration.

Below we will look at the main expansion slots of the motherboard.

Most peripheral devices in a modern personal computer are installed in a slot PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect). Modern motherboards have from 1 to 6 PCI slots. The number of slots is determined by the form factor and the layout of the motherboard. The most common PCI slot is used to install sound card, network card, TV tuner, IEEE1394 controller. Clock frequency PCI bus is 33 MHz. Supply voltage PCI devices is 5 volts.

PCI slots Express and AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) are designed for installing graphics adapters.

For modern video cards throughput AGP interface is not sufficient, so motherboards with AGP are no longer produced.

Currently, most motherboards are available with PCI slots Express. The most popular PCI-E cells are in the following versions: x16 and x1.

PCI Express x16 is designed for installing a high-performance video card. The motherboard can have up to 4 PCIExpressX16 slots, which allows you to install several video cards ( NVIDIA technology SLI or ATICrossFire).
The PCI Express x1 slot is designed for installing peripheral devices that are less demanding on bus speed (network cards, sound cards).

SerialATA (SATA) and Parallel ATA (PATA) are used to connect hard drives.

The PATA connector is gradually going out of use and will soon disappear altogether.

Power connector (ATX Power connector)

The 24 pin connector is used to power the motherboard.
The 4-pin connector is used to power the processor.

Fan connector

Usually there are several such connectors on the motherboard.

A four-pin connector is used to connect the processor cooling fan. The fourth contact is used to control the fan speed.

To connect case fans, a three-pin connector is usually used, but a four-pin connector is also available.

USB port connector

Used to connect front USB ports located on the case.

It is extremely important not to mix up the connectors when connecting. Such an error can be fatal for both the connected device and the motherboard.

Front Panel Connector

Used to connect the power and reset buttons, as well as to connect the power indicator and activity indicator hard drive.

It should be remembered that when connecting indicators, polarity must be observed.

Front audio connector

There are two main connection standards AC97 and HDAudio

HDAUDIO connection diagram:

AC97 connection diagram:

On older motherboards, two jumpers had to be removed before connecting the front panel.

Rear Panel Connectors

Rear panel connectors are used to connect peripherals:

The picture below (clickable) shows different connectors and devices, which we do not consider in detail:

Now you are familiar with the main connectors of the motherboard, and you will not be confused if, by the will of fate, you need to install new bar memory, or just connect a mouse. Well, even if you get confused, it’s okay,

One of the most basic components of a personal computer, on which all other computer devices are located - from the power supply to the system speaker, is the motherboard. And therefore the “motherboard” has large number various connectors for connecting devices. Let's try to figure them out.

The main connector for connecting the power supply to the motherboard. IN modern devices two connectors are used:

24-pin (ATX12Vx);
4-pin (ATX12V).

Both of them need to be connected.

Additional equipment

Installable additional equipment (network card, TV tuner, etc.) are connected to expansion slots. They, in turn, come in two types – PCI and PCI-1.

Cooling system

To connect coolers, there are 3-4 pin connectors, next to which the corresponding marking will be applied:

Video card

Connection discrete video card occurs via the PCI Express connector (older video cards have an AGP connector, even older ones have a PCI connector. You can also install several video cards, but in this case they will need to be connected using a so-called bridge - CrossFireX (for AMD) or SLI (for Nvidia) .

Hard drives

To motherboard hard drives connected using IDE (legacy) and SATA (modern) connectors.

RAM

The connectors for installing RAM have a characteristic configuration. Install only compatible brackets with the same clock frequency.

CPU

The connector for connecting the central processor, or socket, is difficult to confuse with any other connector. Sockets may be different, so be sure to check the type of connector you have (you can do this in the instructions or on the manufacturer’s website).

Front panel

And finally, something that is very often ignored when assembling a computer is connecting the front panel. To do this, the motherboard has the following connectors:

To connect the power button, system speaker, hard indicator disk, etc. As a rule, they are all marked accordingly, as are the housing connectors.
USB connectors. Everything here is simple and clear.
Audio connector. As a rule, it has three connectors - for headphones, microphone and line output.