Specifications

Computer Architecture and Maintenance (G-Scheme-2014)

Input-Output (I/O) Connectors

Back in the early days of personal computers, most input and output functions were

performed by expansion cards. Today’s motherboards bring all of those functions on-

board, eliminating the need for buying and installing additional cards. The number and

types of connectors available can be critically important to some users and some

applications. At a minimum, a motherboard will have the following:

• VGA monitor connection

• USB 2.0 ports

• 10/100 Ethernet connection

• Audio input and output connections

In addition, some motherboards may have any combination of the following:

• USB 3.0 port

• PS/2 mouse port

• PS/2 keyboard port

• Coaxial video jack

• Optical port

• Bluetooth transmitter

• eSATA ports

• Firewire port

While almost any computer peripheral will connect through a USB port, having these

other connections can reduce the number of things connected through USB. Although

as many as 127 devices can be connected to a single USB host controller, it must be

remembered that the bandwidth of the bus must be shared between all those devices.

Therefore, the more devices which can be directly connected through other ports, the

better.

Onboard Networking

Almost all motherboards have onboard networking. This eliminates the need to add a

card for the network connector. Some also have wireless network connectivity built-in.

Onboard Video

Almost all motherboards also have onboard video processing. This eliminates the need

to add a separate video card. However, with heavy graphics applications or multiple

Prepared By – Prof. Manoj.kavedia (9860174297 – 9324258878 ) (www.kavediasir.yolasite.com)