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What is a motherboard?

First, the CPU socket is a specific slot on the motherboard where the processor is installed.

Processor socket and ram memory slots on a MSI MAG Z490 TOMAHAWK gaming motherboard

It provides the electrical connection and interface for the CPU to communicate with other components.

Common types include SATA (Serial ATA) ports for traditional drives and M.2 slots for high-speed NVMe SSDs.

It provides firmware-level instructions and options for initializing the hardware and booting the operating system.

An Asus motherboard on a desk

These also include the main 24-pin ATX connector and auxiliary connectors like the 4-pin or 8-pin CPU power connector.

These are just some of the essential features and components found on a motherboard.

What are the functions of the motherboard?

An Asus motherboard on a desk

The motherboard plays several critical functions in a computer system.

The motherboards second most important function is power delivery to the various components connected to it.

These interfaces may include SATA, USB, PCIe, Ethernet, and audio interfaces, among others.

The ports on a motherboard

What is the difference between a CPU and a motherboard?

The CPU and motherboard are two distinct components in a computer system that serve different functions.

The CPU is often referred to as the “brain” of the computer.

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It is responsible for executing instructions, performing calculations, and controlling the overall operation of the system.

The CPU is a microprocessor that handles the majority of the computational tasks in a computer.

It consists of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control unit, and cache memory.

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