A motherboard, also known as a mainboard, system board, logic board, and informally mobo (see "Nomenclature" section), is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in general-purpose computers and other expandable systems. A motherboard is a circuit board inside computers that stores electrical components and helps them communicate. It is typically made of fiberglass and copper.

Understanding the Context

This article defines a motherboard and explains its components and functions. What Is a Motherboard? The motherboard is the main printed circuit board through which the computer’s components—internal and external—talk to each other. Your motherboard will connect your CPU (computer processor) with your RAM (memory), video graphics card and more.

Key Insights

Shop a wide selection of Motherboards at Amazon.com. Free shipping and free returns on eligible items. A motherboard connects your CPU, memory, storage, and expansion components, allowing them to communicate and function as a complete system. The CPU socket determines which processors your motherboard supports. Always match the socket type with your CPU to ensure compatibility.

Final Thoughts

A motherboard provides connectivity between the hardware components of a computer, like the processor (CPU), memory (RAM), hard drive, and video card. There are multiple types of motherboards, designed to fit different types and sizes of computers. These are the best motherboards we've tested on recent AMD and Intel platforms, to help you find the best option for your new PC build. We've benchmarked boards from several chipsets, with a... Learn the basics of what a motherboard is and why it's the foundation of your PC. Explore key components like CPU sockets, RAM slots, VRMs, and PCIe lanes, plus tips on choosing the right form factor and chipset for your build.