Motherboard Connections

Panel setups, motherboard connections and motherboard connectors are part of building your own computer; setup may differ with motherboard cpu combos. The simplest definition of motherboard is that it makes your computer work.

The motherboard is the main circuit board of your system (also known as the 'heart' of the system by some); therefore the connections in/out of the motherboard are critical to the operation of your system. The motherboard connections go to the CPU, ROM, memory RAM expansion slots, PCI slots, and USB ports. There are also motherboard connectors/controllers for devices such as the hard drive, DVD drive, mouse and keyboard.

Hooking Up Your Motherboard Connectors

I have 2 standard motherboard connections pictured here, that you will find on the motherboard. Keep in mind that not all motherboards are the same, and the panel setups will differ, as you can see. However, once you can recognize the different shapes and positions of the connections, you will be able to do this on any motherboard. In the case of the above two pictures, the top panel does not have any monitor hookups, so would require you to have a video card. The bottom panel does have a monitor hookup, so you would have the option of using a video card.

1. PS/2 Connection. This is where you can plug in your mouse if you have a PS/2 mouse. Keep in mind that most mice today use a USB connection. As a result, you may see motherboards that have zero, or one PS/2 connection.


2. PS/2 Connection. This is the connection for your keyboard. Again, like the mice, most keyboards come with USB connectors.


3. Optical S/PDIF Out Connection. This connection provides digital audio out to an external audio system that supports digital optical audio.


4. USB Connections. The number of these will vary on the motherboard, usually from 4-8. Here you can see 8 of them.


5. 6 Channel Sound. Depending on the chipset that you get, this can have anywhere from 3 to 6 connections. Refer to your motherboard manual for what goes in each connection. This will be for your computer's speakers and microphone; if you have one.


6. Ethernet connections. This is where you will plug in your internet connection. This will come from your modem, either Cable, DSL, Phone Line, or Fiber Optic.


7. 4 Pin Firewire Connection. This is usually used for external hard drive connections or other high speed devices.


8. 6 Pin Firewire Connection. This is also usually used for external hard drive connections or other high speed devices.


9. Coaxial S/PDIF Output Connection. This connection provides digital audio out to an external audio system that supports digital coaxial audio.


10. LPT1 Port. This is used for printer connections.


11. DVI-D Port. This is used for LCD monitor connections.


12. D-Sub Port. This is used for CRT monitor connections.

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