A motherboard is a printed circuit board that connects the various internal components of a computer. All computer components
are routed through the motherboard, which makes it an essential piece
of equipment. The standard thickness for a motherboard is 1.57
millimeters and they are typically green in color due to the solder mask
coating, although other colors are also possible. The length and width
of motherboards vary depending on what type of motherboard it is and
what it was designed to do, although there are several standard sizes.
Motherboards are designed to be mounted either in a rack with additional
server equipment or in a computer case, such as a desktop tower. The dimensions of the motherboard play a huge role in which size case or rack will be used.
A computer’s motherboard is not typically listed as a main selling point; however, without the motherboard, a computer could not function. The reason this is so is because prospective buyers are typically more concerned with the capacity of the hard drive, how much memory the computer has, and the speed of the processor. While all computers require a motherboard to function, not all motherboards are created equal. Motherboards designed for use with computer servers must be able to handle a heavier workload and must have faster bus speeds than those designed for use with regular desktop computers.
Printed circuit boards, including motherboards, are comprised of sheets of fiberglass coated with an epoxy resin. A sheet of copper foil is applied to each side of the circuit board followed by a photoresist coating. An overlay showing the areas of copper that need to remain is applied and then the circuit board is exposed to ultraviolet light. The areas of photoresist that are exposed to ultraviolet light undergo a chemical reaction to form a plastic. After both sides of the circuit board undergo this process, the circuit board is subjected to a chemical bath that washes away the copper that was not exposed to ultraviolet light. Holes are then drilled into the motherboard to allow for mounting to a frame and to accommodate the various components.
The first components to be incorporated onto the motherboard were the mouse, keyboard, and serial ports. These ports were mounted right to the board with the ports facing the back of the board so users could plug the devices into the ports. Soon after, computer manufacturers started incorporating slots for microprocessors, memory, hard drive cables, graphics cards, and networking.
Starting in the late 1990s, many computer manufacturers begun incorporating more and more components directly on the motherboard, rather than requiring the components to plug into the motherboard via slots. Many computers these days come with networking, graphics, and audio components integrated into the motherboard, though high-end gaming and graphics computers usually allow users to select their own graphics cards.
These are the three most common sizes that shoppers will encounter.
In addition to the configuration differences between server motherboards and desktop motherboards, most server motherboards feature faster bus speeds than desktop computers. This is so server computers can handle the large number of requests they receive more quickly. Computer buses are connections between computer components that handle data transfer between the device and the computer. The faster the bus speed, the more quickly data can be transferred to or from a specific device. Because higher bus speeds transfer data at faster speeds, motherboards with faster bus speeds are capable of processing more requests per second. Since server motherboards are often processing requests from multiple computers at the same time, these faster bus speeds are essential.
Some servers may be able to function perfectly with a standard desktop motherboard installed, though it depends on the type of server and the amount of traffic requesting information from the server. Network administrators and others shopping for server computers and motherboards should take into consideration the current traffic as well as the projected future traffic when determining server requirements. If they do not, they may end up having to spend additional money to upgrade their servers earlier than originally anticipated.
Buyers who choose to purchase a barebones system or individual components should do some research to ensure the components they are purchasing are compatible with their existing components as well as any components they plan to add to the server. When shopping for a server motherboard, buyers should make sure the motherboard can support the amount of memory and storage space they require, as well as any additional components. In addition, buyers who are purchasing a motherboard and microprocessor separately should confirm that the motherboard they plan to purchase will support that specific microprocessor.
Because servers and individual computer components are not found in large supply at local stores, buyers will find more of a selection online. There are several types of sites that sell computer motherboards and other components, including manufacturers’ websites, computer and electronics websites, and online auction house, like eBay. Before making a purchasing decision, buyers should ensure that all of their components are compatible, as some sites do not allow returns once a component has been opened.
Be sure to do your research before making a purchasing decision, as some sellers may not accept returns on opened items. Also, be sure to check the seller’s feedback to ensure that the seller is reputable and that he or she has a history of selling high-quality products.
A computer’s motherboard is not typically listed as a main selling point; however, without the motherboard, a computer could not function. The reason this is so is because prospective buyers are typically more concerned with the capacity of the hard drive, how much memory the computer has, and the speed of the processor. While all computers require a motherboard to function, not all motherboards are created equal. Motherboards designed for use with computer servers must be able to handle a heavier workload and must have faster bus speeds than those designed for use with regular desktop computers.
Brief History of Motherboards
When computers were first developed, their components were rather large and had to be mounted in mainframes, or sets of racks, that held each component. The components were connected by wires that ran along the back of the mainframe. As processors and other components became smaller, computer manufacturers found it was more economical to route some of the components through the printed circuit board, which became known as the motherboard.Printed circuit boards, including motherboards, are comprised of sheets of fiberglass coated with an epoxy resin. A sheet of copper foil is applied to each side of the circuit board followed by a photoresist coating. An overlay showing the areas of copper that need to remain is applied and then the circuit board is exposed to ultraviolet light. The areas of photoresist that are exposed to ultraviolet light undergo a chemical reaction to form a plastic. After both sides of the circuit board undergo this process, the circuit board is subjected to a chemical bath that washes away the copper that was not exposed to ultraviolet light. Holes are then drilled into the motherboard to allow for mounting to a frame and to accommodate the various components.
The first components to be incorporated onto the motherboard were the mouse, keyboard, and serial ports. These ports were mounted right to the board with the ports facing the back of the board so users could plug the devices into the ports. Soon after, computer manufacturers started incorporating slots for microprocessors, memory, hard drive cables, graphics cards, and networking.
Starting in the late 1990s, many computer manufacturers begun incorporating more and more components directly on the motherboard, rather than requiring the components to plug into the motherboard via slots. Many computers these days come with networking, graphics, and audio components integrated into the motherboard, though high-end gaming and graphics computers usually allow users to select their own graphics cards.
Types of Motherboards
Motherboards can be classified in two ways: by processor type and by size. Prospective buyers must determine what type of processor they want the motherboard to accommodate as well as what size the board needs to be to fit into the planned housing before making a purchasing decision.Motherboards by Processor Type
A computer’s microprocessor determines the speed and computing power of the computer and is one of the major deciding factors when buyers are comparing different models. There are several companies that manufacturer processors, including Intel and AMD. Each microprocessor developed by these companies is different in size, pin count, and other specifications. The pins allow the microprocessor to be mounted onto the motherboard, so the shape of the pad that supports the microprocessor has to be the right size and shape, and needs to contain the right number of pins placed in the proper places for the microprocessor to be successfully installed on the motherboard. The pad that supports the microprocessor is referred to as a socket, so motherboards are classified by socket type.Motherboards by Size
While the size of a motherboard is relatively unimportant for buyers who are purchasing a fully built computer, it is extremely important for buyers who are upgrading or replacing an existing motherboard. If a buyer purchases a motherboard that is not the correct size, it will not mount properly in the computer case or mainframe rack. Though some motherboards are custom sized, including those designed for laptops, there are three common sizes that users will encounter when shopping for motherboards. Motherboard Type |
Dimensions |
ATX |
12" long x 7.5" wide, mainly meant for Intel processors |
Full AT |
12" long x 11" wide |
Baby AT |
10" long x 8.5" wide, meant for classic Pentium processors |
Server Motherboards vs. Desktop Motherboards
Because servers have to handle a heavier workload than desktop computers, motherboards that will be used in computers functioning as servers typically have more sockets, slots, and ports than motherboards used for regular desktop computers. In addition, some of the sockets, slots, and ports found on server motherboards may not be needed on motherboards intended for desktop computers and will, therefore, be absent from desktop computer motherboards. For example, many types of servers require more than one microprocessor to handle the traffic and computing they are tasked with, so many server motherboards offer sockets for multiple microprocessors.In addition to the configuration differences between server motherboards and desktop motherboards, most server motherboards feature faster bus speeds than desktop computers. This is so server computers can handle the large number of requests they receive more quickly. Computer buses are connections between computer components that handle data transfer between the device and the computer. The faster the bus speed, the more quickly data can be transferred to or from a specific device. Because higher bus speeds transfer data at faster speeds, motherboards with faster bus speeds are capable of processing more requests per second. Since server motherboards are often processing requests from multiple computers at the same time, these faster bus speeds are essential.
Some servers may be able to function perfectly with a standard desktop motherboard installed, though it depends on the type of server and the amount of traffic requesting information from the server. Network administrators and others shopping for server computers and motherboards should take into consideration the current traffic as well as the projected future traffic when determining server requirements. If they do not, they may end up having to spend additional money to upgrade their servers earlier than originally anticipated.
Shopping for Motherboards
Prospective buyers have several options when shopping for server motherboards. They can purchase a complete server, which will have a motherboard and all the other necessary computer components installed; they can purchase a barebones system that has a motherboard, processor, and a few other minimal components and add in the additional components; or they can purchase just the components they need to upgrade or replace broken parts in their existing server. When shopping for complete servers, buyers should consider processor speed, motherboard bus speed, memory capacity, and storage capacity before making a purchasing decision.Buyers who choose to purchase a barebones system or individual components should do some research to ensure the components they are purchasing are compatible with their existing components as well as any components they plan to add to the server. When shopping for a server motherboard, buyers should make sure the motherboard can support the amount of memory and storage space they require, as well as any additional components. In addition, buyers who are purchasing a motherboard and microprocessor separately should confirm that the motherboard they plan to purchase will support that specific microprocessor.
Because servers and individual computer components are not found in large supply at local stores, buyers will find more of a selection online. There are several types of sites that sell computer motherboards and other components, including manufacturers’ websites, computer and electronics websites, and online auction house, like eBay. Before making a purchasing decision, buyers should ensure that all of their components are compatible, as some sites do not allow returns once a component has been opened.
Buying Motherboards on eBay
If you’re ready to shop for motherboards on eBay, head to the Computers, Tablets & Networking department and proceed to the Computer Components & Parts section. From there, you can choose to look through a large variety of computer parts, or proceed directly to the Motherboards subsection. Once there, you can look through a variety of different motherboards and can take advantage of the brand, compatible brand, form factor, price, location, and condition search modifiers in order to find the specific motherboard that will be right for your system.Be sure to do your research before making a purchasing decision, as some sellers may not accept returns on opened items. Also, be sure to check the seller’s feedback to ensure that the seller is reputable and that he or she has a history of selling high-quality products.
