Most computer users have probably heard the term motherboard, but if you are unfamiliar with the role of the motherboard within the overall PC architecture, or if you are not quite clear about the components that make up a motherboard, this page is a good place to start.
For explanations of other items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
What is a motherboard and why is it important
The motherboard is the primary printed circuit board in a computer. All of the basic circuitry and components required for a computer to function are either
contained in or attached to the motherboard. The motherboard typically contains the system bus, processor and coprocessor sockets, memory sockets, serial
and parallel ports, expansion slots, and peripheral controllers. The motherboard may be referred to as the mainboard, system board, or other names. It is the central component that enables all of the other parts of a computer to function.
Identifying your motherboard
Search engines can help you look up your motherboard by part number, BIOS identification string,
or FCC number. Alternatively, you can search for your motherboard.
MoboCop
, or post your question to other visitors in the
Motherboard Identification Forum. A motherboard as well as other components contained inside your computer case can be identified by Software. These utilities in many cases are free.
Information about your motherboard
Once you have identified your board, you can consult our manufacturer listings for information about your board. In addition to general company info, many of our expanded manufacturer listings also have links to specification sheets, manuals, and BIOS upgrades for specific motherboards.
More links below lead to references for those needing an explanation of General Computer features and functions.
For explanations of other items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
Each computer has a BIOS. This term is used to describe a set of instructions permanently stored on a ROM chip attached to each motherboard. These instructions are specific to each type motherboard that they are installed on. Many limitations of functions and features are determined by the BIOS. These can be improved on some motherboards. Upgrading a BIOS is accomplished in two ways: 1) Replacing the BIOS chip with an improved version. 2) Installing a new set of instructions into the BIOS chip. Very few improvements can be made to a computer without identifying the BIOS. BIOS chips are identified by a long string of numbers composed of several small segments.
It can often be difficult to determine the manufacturer of your motherboard due to poor or incomplete documentation. If you are contemplating a BIOS upgrade, it is imperative that you know the manufacturer of your motherboard in order to obtain the correct upgrade. Fortunately, if your system uses Award or AMI BIOS, there is a unique number that identifies the manufacturer. After turning on the computer, the BIOS version number should be displayed at the bottom of the screen during memory count. Try the motherboard search engine, now looks up BIOS strings . You can also refer to our BIOS String Identification page, or you can use the links below to look up your board:
Where to go for BIOS upgrades
More BIOS assistance
More links below lead to references for those needing an explanation of BIOS features and functions, as well as useful insight into system BIOS setup, upgrades, and optimization.
For explanations of other items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
For explanations of other items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
For explanations of other items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
The list of corporations which manufacture motherboards grows daily. This page will attempt to provide a way to locate a desired manufacturer. Motherboards can be identified by their manufacturer by investigating the retailer's motherboard supplier. Also, motherboards are protected by several different laws, some of them include copyright and patent law. As a result of these laws many motherboards carry identifying marks. These marks may not be as familiar as fast food logos or expensive sneaker names, nonetheless they do identify the maker.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
2the Max - see JDR Microdevices (HK) Ltd.
A -
AAEON Technology Inc.
Ability Electron Co., Ltd., or Elpina
Abit Computer Corporation
Acer - see AOpen
Achitec Corp. Ltd.
Acorp Electronics Corporation
Acouire, Inc
Acro Computer Corp
Acrosser Technology Co., Ltd
ActiveI
Adlink Technology, Inc.
Advanced Integration Research, Inc. (AIR)
Advanced Jenn Bao Enterprises Co., Ltd.
Advantech Co., Ltd.
Alcom Group (Micron Design
Technology Ltd.)
American Megatrends, Inc. (AMI)
American Predator
Ampro
American Sunshine
Technologies, Inc.
Amjet - see J-Mark Computer
Corp
Amptron International, Inc.
Anscera - No data
Antec, Incorporated
AOpen or Acer
Appro
Aristo
Arvida Technology Ltd. - see
Seanix
ASI - No data
Ask Technology
Ltd.
Aspen Systems, Inc.
ASUS
Atima
Attractive Computer Technology Corp. (ACT) - No data
A-Trend Technology Corporation
Auhua
Electronics Co. Ltd. (Sukjung)
AVT Industrial Ltd. - Formerly
Concord
Azza
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
-B -
BCM Advanced Research, Inc.- see
GVC
Biostar Microtech Int'l Corp
Bioteq - see Biostar Microtech
Int'l Corp
Bluepoint Technology Co., Ltd. - No Data
-C -
Caliber
California Graphics USA
Distribution
Chaintech
or Elt
Chicony
Commate
Compower Group - No Data
Computrend - see Premio
Computer Technology System
Corp
Concord - See AVT Industrial Ltd.
Cycle Computer
-E -
Edom International Corp.
EFA Corporation of Taiwan
Elitegroup Computer Systems Co Ltd
ENPC Technology Corp
EPoX
Espco Computer (Eagle
Motherboards)
EUPA Computer
Eurone Taiwan
Expert Computer International,
Inc.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
-F -
Famous Technology Co., Ltd.
or Magic-Pro
First International Computer (FIC)
Fine-Pal Company Ltd.
Fittec
Fong Kai Industrial Co. (FKI)
Freetech
Freeway
Fugu Tech Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Full Yes Industrial Corp. or
FYI
-G -
Gemlight Computer Ltd.
Genoa Systems Corp.
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Global Group
Global Circuit Technology Inc - see
SuperTek
Global Legate (Zaapa)
GVC Group
-H -
Houston Technologies
HSB Laboratories
Hsing Tech - see PC CHIPS Manufacturing
Limited
-I -
Impression Products, Inc.
Intel Corp.
Iwill
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
-J -
Jaton Corporation
J-bond Computer Systems
JDR Microdevices (HK) Ltd.
Jetway Information Co., Ltd.
Joss
-K -
Kam-Tronic
Koutech Systems, Inc.
or Kouwell
-L -
LAN PLUS, Inc.
Lucky Star Technology Co., Ltd.
-M -
Matsonic
Megastar
Mega
System Co. Ltd.
Megatel
Megatrends
Mercury
Micronics
Micro-Star International Co., Ltd (MSI)
MiTAC International Corp.
Mitsuba Corp.
Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
Motorola
MPL
M Technology, Inc.
Mylex Corp.
MyComp - see Mynix Technology Inc.
Mynix Technology Inc.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
-N -
NewStar
Engineering Ltd.
Niagara SMD Technology Inc.
Nimble Technology Corp.
NMC Peripherals Europe GmbH
-O -
Octek
Ozzo
or NTC Technologies
-P -
PC CHIPS Manufacturing Limited
PC Partner
or VTech Computers Systems Ltd.
PC Ware
or Alton or PC Quest or PC Max
or PC Master
Pine Technology USA
Premio (formerly CompuTrend)
Promise Technology, Inc.
Proside or Mpact
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
-S -
Sam-Tec
Seanix
or Arvida Technology Ltd.
See-thru Data Systems Ltd.
Shuttle
Soltek Computer Inc.
Sowah Research Ltd.
Soyo Computer Inc.
Spacewalker - see Shuttle
Supermicro Computer Inc.
SuperPower
SuperTek
- formerly Global Circuit Technology Inc
-T -
Taken Corp.
Tatung Company of America
Tekram
Taiwan Mycomp Co. (TMC)
Tomatoboards - see Zida Technologies
Ltd.
Totem
Transcend Information Inc.
Tyan Computer
-V -
Vextrec Technology Inc. (VTI)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
-W -
WarpSpeed Inc.
Winco Electronic Co. Ltd.
-X -
No known manufactuers
-Y -
No known manufactuers
For explanations of other items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
(Back 2 Top of Subject)
A computer is the sum of it's parts. Some parts are more important than others. This may sound outrageous however, stop and consider the way in which a computer functions. Also, think about the unique symptoms that computers can develop. The troubleshooting methods developed by experienced users or technicians comes from knowledge of components. The first step for many: Determine the components installed into a computer and the characteristics these components posses. Motherboards are most easily identified by the two primary components, the chipset of a motherboard and the central processing unit. This section of the page will cover the identification of these.
For explanations of other items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
The most important major component in the PC is the motherboard. And what is the most important single component on the motherboard? It's the lowly, hard-working, group of chips known as the "chipset." You can tell more about a computer if you know its chipset than from knowing its BIOS or CPU type, you cannot ever upgrade your chipset.Windows 95 or NT Device Manager settings display chipset information i.e. "Intel 82439HX Pentium(r) Processor to PCI bridge" and "Intel 82437SB PCI to ISA Bridge" This indicates an Intel 430HX PCIset, called the Triton II. Inside a case it's easy to spot the large, square controller chips, since they are bigger than anything on the motherboard with the exception of the CPU. Most modern chipsets have 1, 2, 3, or 4 discrete chips.
Without question, Intel is the largest and most popular chipset manufacturer, probably because of the company's need for a sound chipset that drives their Pentium series of processors. When the Pentium was introduced, Intel was trying to steer the computer industry away from VESA Local Bus designs to PCI. Result,conformity of design to the motherboard arena that never occurred in the 486 days.Today we have new features that would have never developed without PCIsets.
It is possible to find high-performing motherboards based on a non-Intel chipset that has more features and compatibility. This is where the other chipset makers have begun to move into Intel's Pentium Socket 7 market: price, performance, and options.
Common desktop chipsets for x86 motherboards are:
Chipset: An integrated set of VLSI chips that perform all of the vital functions of a computer system, including the functions that once required separate chips. The types of devices replaced by the chipset includes:
The major chipset manufacturers are:
For other explanations of items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
The motherboard has one or more sockets or slots into which the processor is inserted. The type of processor that can be used is defined by the type of socket or slot present on the motherboard. Intel has historically defined the processor socket standards, but competing chip makers have been able to use the same standards quite successfully.
| Currently Supported Processor Sockets/Slots | |||||
| Sockets | Pin Outs | Voltages | Multipliers | Supported Processors | Photo |
| 486 Socket | 168 | 5v | 1.0x, 2.0x, 3.0x | 80486DX, 80486DX2, 80486DX4 | Yes |
| Slot 1 | 242 | VID VRM (1.3v~3.3v) |
3.5x, 4.0x, 4.5x 5.0x, 5.5x, 6.0x 6.5x |
Celeron, Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III | Yes |
| Slot 2 | 330 | VID VRM (1.3v~3.3v) |
4.0x, 4.5x, 5.0x 5.5x, 6.0x |
Xeon | No |
| Slot A | 242 | VID VRM (1.3v~2.05v) |
5.0x, 5.5x, 6.0x 6.5x, 7.0x, 7.5x 8.0x |
Athlon | Yes |
| Socket 1 | 169 | 5v | 1.0x, 2.0x,3.0x | 80486DX, 80486DX2, 80486DX4, 80486SX | Yes |
| Socket 2 | 238 | 5v | 1.0x, 2.0x, 3.0x | 80486DX, 80486DX2, 80486DX4, 80486SX | Yes |
| Socket 3 | 237 | 3.3v 5v |
1.0x, 2.0x, 3.0x | 80486DX, 80486DX2, 80486DX4, 80486SX | Yes |
| Socket 4 | 273 | 5v | none | Pentium | Yes |
| Socket 5 | 296 | STD VR VRE |
1.5x, 2.0x | Pentium | Yes |
| Socket 6 | 235 | 3.3v | 2.0x, 3.0x | 80486DX4 | Yes |
| Socket 7 | 321 | Split STD VR VRE VRT |
1.5x, 1.75x, 2.0x 2.33x, 2.5x, 2.66x 3.0x, 3.33x, 3.5x 4.0x, 4.5x, 5.0x 5.5x, 6.0x |
Pentium, K5, K6, 6x86 | Yes |
| Socket 8 | 387 | VID VRM (2.1v~3.5v) |
2.0x, 2.5x, 3.0x 4.5x, 5.0x, 5.5x 6.0x, 6.5x, 7.0x 7.5x, 8.0x |
Pentium Pro | Yes |
| Socket 370 | 370 | VID VRM (1.3v~2.1v) |
4.5x, 5.0x, 5.5x 6.0x, 6.5x, 7.0x 7.5x, 8.0x |
Celeron, Pentium III | Yes |
| Future Processor Sockets/Slots | |||||
| Sockets | Pin Outs | Voltages | Multipliers | Supported Processors | Photo |
| Socket 423 | 423 | VID VRM | Intel Willamette | No | |
| Socket 603 | 603 | VID VRM | Intel Foster | No | |
| Socket A | 462 | VID VRM (1.3v~2.05v) |
6.0x, 6.5x, 7.0x 7.5x, 8.0x |
Athlon | No |
| Slot M | Intel Merced | No | |||
Slot 1
Intel's patented (proprietary) motherboard connector for the Single Edge Connector (SEC) module, developed to replace their Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) sockets. Intel's Pentium II, Pentium III, and some Celeron processors use the Slot 1. The Slot 1 uses rails to mount the CPU and Heatsink on plastic inserts.Slot 1 to Socket 8 adapters are made to allow for Pentium Pro processors to fit into a Slot 1. Using Slot 1, the CPU is packaged in a 242-contact Single-Edge Contact Cartridge. The cartridge may contain up to two CPUs and an L2 cache.
Slot 2
Essentially a 330-contact version of Slot 1. The Slot 2 cartridge may house as many as four processors and an L2 cache. Intel's Xeon processor
uses Slot 2.
Slot A
Developed by AMD, Slot A is mechanically similar to Intel's Slot 1. However, the electrical requirements are different from Slot 1. AMD's Athlon processor uses Slot A.
Socket 7 – The de facto industry-standard design originated by Intel that can be used for any P54C or P55C processor, including the AMD K5 and K6, the Intel Pentium and Pentium MMX, the IDT C6, and the Cyrix/IBM 6x86, 6x86L, and 6x86MX processors. Intel has moved to Slot 1 and Slot 2, but this socket is also used by AMD K5 and K6, as well as Cyrix 6x86 processors. The Socket 7 is a ZIF design like the Socket 8, and it supersedes the older Socket 5/6's that earlier P54C (single-voltage) processors used.
Socket 4
Socket 4 – The P5's ZIF socket, used only for the 5 volt Pentium. Sockets prior to the Socket 4 were less well-defined and were used on 486-style motherboards.
Socket 8
Socket 8 – Intel's patented (proprietary) motherboard connector for the Pentium Pro CPU. The Socket 8 is a zero-insertion force (ZIF) design that makes CPU installation quick and easy, unlike the Slot 1 design which requires a manual and a half-dozen pieces of plastic. Slot 1 to Socket 8 adapters are made to allow for Pentium Pro processors to fit into a Slot 1.
Socket
370
Originally designed for use with Celeron processors, this Plastic Pin Grid Array (PPGA) socket is a much more economical configuration for board and chip
makers to design around than the Slot 1 layout.
The Future is Closer Than You Think
Socket 423
Intel is expected to launch a 1GHz processor using the Socket 423 architecture around Q3 2000.
SMP Symmetric Multi-Processing – a method that allows more than one microprocessor to share the load of CPU requests. The Intel Pentium Pro natively supports four CPU's. The Intel Pentium and Pentium II support only two CPU's. With the aid of specialized circuitry, systems can be built with many more than just four CPU's, although this sometimes requires an asymmetric (front-end, back-end) system.
The Intel Multi-Processor Standard (MPS) is the specification used by chipset makers and software developers for SMP systems. Intel's MPS allows the owner of an Intel SMP system to buy an off-the-shelf software product such as Linux, Microsoft NT, SCO MPX, FreeBSD, Sun Solaris, Novell NetWare, or IBM OS/2 by simply installing the software's multi-processing HAL for Intel microprocessors.
For explanations of other items refer to ZD's Acromania index or the PC Webopedia.
