Motherboard: The main circuit board of a microcomputer. The motherboard contains the connectors for attaching additional boards. Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices, such as the display screen, keyboard, and disk drive. Collectively, all these chips that reside on the motherboard are known as the motherboard's chipset. On most PCs, it is possible to add memory chips directly to the motherboard. You may also be able to upgrade to a faster CP by replacing the CPU chip. To add additional core features, you may need to replace the motherboard entirely.

 

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Motherboard: The main circuit board of a microcomputer. The motherboard contains the connectors for attaching additional boards. Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage in . . . View Full Definition

Network Interface Card (NIC): An adapter installed in an expansion slot or integrated onto the motherboard and allows the computer to connect to a network.

New Low-Profile eXtended (NLX): The NLX form factor features a number of improvements over the previous design LPX form factor and began heavy usage in late 1997. The popularity of the design was confirmed by massive desig . . . View Full Definition

I-O Port: An I/O Port is used to communicate to and from devices, such as a printer, disk, or keyboard. I/O ports can be anything from the plugs on the back of your computer to the ones on your mother . . . View Full Definition