What is board?
A motherboard, often just called a “board,” is the main printed circuit board inside a computer. It holds and connects all the essential parts-like the CPU, memory, storage, and expansion cards-so they can communicate and work together.
Let's break it down
Think of the motherboard as a city map. The CPU is the city’s mayor (the brain), RAM is the short‑term memory office, the power connector is the power plant, slots and ports are the roads for adding new buildings (graphics cards, USB devices), and the chipset is the traffic controller that directs data traffic between everything.
Why does it matter?
Without a motherboard, none of the computer’s components could talk to each other. It determines what hardware you can use, how fast data moves, and ultimately how powerful and upgradeable your computer can be.
Where is it used?
Every desktop PC, laptop, server, and many embedded devices (like gaming consoles or industrial controllers) have a motherboard. Even some smartphones use a similar board called a “system board” or “logic board.”
Good things about it
- Central hub that simplifies wiring and communication.
- Allows upgrades: you can add more RAM, a better graphics card, or extra storage.
- Standardized slots and ports make building or repairing computers easier.
- Modern boards include built-in features like Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and high‑speed USB.
Not-so-good things
- Compatibility limits: a board only works with certain CPUs, RAM types, and connectors.
- If the motherboard fails, the whole system can become unusable.
- Higher‑end boards can be expensive and may have features you never use.
- Physical size (ATX, micro‑ATX, Mini‑ITX) restricts the case you can fit it into.