MOTHERBOARDS AND

COOLING COMPONENTSBY: ANDY BENSON

MOTHERBOARDS

WHAT IS A MOTHERBOARD?• The motherboard is the main circuit board of your computer and is also

known as the main board or logic board. If you ever open your computer, the biggest piece of silicon you see is the motherboard. Attached to the motherboard, you'll find the CPU, ROM, memory RAM expansion slots, PCI slots, and USB ports. It also includes controllers for devices like the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard, and mouse. Basically, the motherboard is what makes everything in your computer work together.

Each motherboard has a collection of chips and controllers known as the chipset. When new motherboards are developed, they often use new chipsets. The good news is that these boards are typically more efficient and faster than their predecessors. The bad news is that older components often do not work with new chipsets. Of course, if you are planning on upgrading multiple components, it may be more cost-effective to just buy a new computer.

VIDEO ON THE MOTHERBOARD

• VIDEO

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF A MOTHERBOARD?

• Newegg

TYPES OF MOTHERBOARDS

• TYPES

HOW DIFFICULT IS A MOTHERBOARD TO REPLACE

• STEPS FOR REPLACEMENT

WHAT IS THE MOST UP 2 DATE VERSION OF THE MOTHERBOARD

• ASUS P8Z68-V PRO Review: Our First Z68 Motherboard by Ian Cutress 2 days ago

• ASUS P8Z68-V PRO: Friend or Foe?• Yet another 6-series chipset is upon us from Intel. In terms of just

consumer level desktop Cougar Point chipsets, this makes the seventh on offer—the Z68 is being marketed as the logical progression from both P67 and H67 for consumers. Z68 introduces a host of new features, including combined overclocking of the CPU and integrated Intel HD Graphics, SSD caching, and use of integrated GPU features such as Quick Sync while still maintaining full discrete GPU usage in true 3D applications. ASUS have kindly supplied us with their P8Z68-V PRO model, which should retail at $210, and is a small price premium as an update from the P8P67 PRO model we looked at previously.

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO

MORE INFO ON MOTHERBOARDS

• MORE ON THE MOTHERBOARD

COOLING COMPONETS

• Computer cooling is required to remove the waste heat produced by computer components, to keep components within their safe operating temperature limits. Various cooling methods help to improve processor performance or reduce the noise of cooling fans.

VIDEO ON COOLING COMPONENTS

• COOLING COMPONENTS VIDEO

PRICE OF COOLING COMPONENTS

• PRICES

TYPES OF COOLING COMPONENTS

• TYPES

HOW DIFFICULT IS TO REPLACE COMPUTER COOLING COMPONENTS

• Replacing or upgrading cooling components• Don’t try to “repair” fans. Replace it immediately.

Fans are not expensive, but the damage from a fan that is not operating properly is expensive!. If you are mechanically handy, replacing the cooling fan is a fairly easy endeavor, but “buying” the right fan can be less than easy. Contact your service person.

• WAYS TO KEEP PC COOL

WHAT IS THE MOST UP TO DATE COMPUTER COOLING COMPONENT

• $86 online • Aluminum, 11.9 in x 15.2 in x 2 in • M1-Pro is designed for laptop users and their precious laptops. Combining

distinctive looks with pioneer ergonomics, M1-Pro performs like no other laptop cooler. It provides the best viewing angle with comfort, and blends both classic and contemporary elements on its appearance that manifests your unique taste wherever it is used.

MORE INFO ON COMPUTER COOLING COMPONENTS

• MORE ON COOLING COMPONENTS