===== Motherboard =====
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:start| Return to Glossary ]]

**Motherboard** (also called **mainboard**, main circuit board, system board, baseboard, planar board, logic board, or mobo) is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in general-purpose computers and other expandable systems. It holds and allows communication between many of the crucial electronic components of a system, such as the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:c:cpu]] and memory, and provides connectors for other peripherals. Unlike a backplane, a motherboard usually contains significant sub-systems, such as the central [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:p:start|processor]], the chipset's input/output and memory controllers, [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:i:interface|interface]] connectors, and other components integrated for general use.

Motherboard means specifically a PCB with expansion capabilities. As the name suggests, this board is often referred to as the "mother" of all components attached to it, which often include peripherals, interface cards, and daughtercards: sound cards, video cards, network cards, hard drives, and other forms of persistent storage; TV tuner cards, cards providing extra USB or FireWire slots; and a variety of other custom components.
Dell Precision T3600 System Motherboard , used in professional CAD Workstations. Manufactured in 2012

Similarly, the term mainboard describes a device with a single board and no additional expansions or capability, such as controlling boards in laser printers, television sets, washing machines, mobile phones, and other embedded systems with limited expansion abilities. 

Source: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard ]]


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