OCU C)HT C Discussion Lesson 02
- This topic has 15 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 2 days, 20 hours ago by
James Settle.
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November 17, 2023 at 12:12 pm #91893
Manny Varela
KeymasterDiscuss the responsibilities of the motherboard and CPU.
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July 10, 2025 at 4:16 pm #106864
Carlos Martes
ParticipantThe motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all computer parts. Its responsibilities are physically connecting components, power distribution to each part, communication pathways between CPU, RAM or storage, and hosting essential firmware. It even supports the inputs/output ports such as the USB, HDMI and ethernet. Basically think of the motherboard as the nervous system or highway, in which it links all components and lets them work together as a whole. The CPU is essentially the brain, in which it is responsible for processing instructions and making decisions. It executes programs such as opening a browser, performs calculations like math for games or spreadsheets, manages logic and communicates with memory. Think of the CPU as the decision maker. It doesn’t store data or display graphics, but it tells other parts what to do and when. Together, the CPU thinks and gives commands. The motherboard connects everything so those commands can be carried out.
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July 10, 2025 at 8:32 pm #106869
Isabelle Tubbs
ParticipantHi, Carlos. I really like the analogy you gave about the motherboard and CPU. The motherboard and CPU are some of the key components of a computer, just like the nervous system and brain are key components of the human body. Also, they both work together in different but vital roles like the brain and nervous system do too. Great work on your post.
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July 14, 2025 at 6:46 pm #106971
Carlos Martes
ParticipantThank you for the input Isabelle! The CPU and Motherboard itself are truly the brains and the backbones that are very intriguing to me. There is a whole lot of information that could go further in depth but i feel that it is a journey in which what particular field we hop in to, could explain it further. I am just starting to grasp the whole concept of both and yet still have more to learn in regards to other parts within the motherboard that carries out it’s duties.
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July 12, 2025 at 10:09 pm #106931
James Settle
ParticipantAmazing analogy Carlos,
I couldn’t have said it better myself. The CPU being the brain and the motherboard being the nervous system. The highway is a great analogy as well since the motherboard interconnects each component so the CPU can transport information across the information super highway.
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July 14, 2025 at 9:13 pm #106976
Misty Stewart
ParticipantThank you, Carlos! Your explanation of the motherboard and CPU is spot on! The motherboard indeed acts as the central hub, ensuring all components are connected and can communicate effectively. As you stated it is like the nervous system, providing pathways for data and power to flow seamlessly between different parts of the computer. The CPU, on the other hand, is the brain, processing instructions and making decisions to keep everything running smoothly. It’s fascinating how these two components work together to make our computers function efficiently. Great analogy!
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July 10, 2025 at 8:29 pm #106868
Isabelle Tubbs
ParticipantThe motherboard is essentially the main board that contains the system’s circuitry and connectors. It allows communication between different parts of a computer system. Because it contains such important components, it is one of the most valuable parts of a computer. For example, one component that the motherboard holds is the RAM slot. The RAM (Random Access Memory) slot allows the computer to have a place to store information.
Another component the motherboard gives space for is the CPU. As the central processing unit of the computer, this gives the computer its power and processing ability. The CPU acts upon the instructions it receives from the computer’s hardware and software, so its control unit is responsible for retrieving, understanding, and executing those instructions. It may also communicate with its arithmetic logic unit if arithmetic and logic operations need to be completed. How fast the CPU can process determines how fast the computer can run its instructions.
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July 14, 2025 at 3:54 pm #106961
Caleb Kiser
ParticipantHi Isabelle,
I enjoyed reading your post. You explained well how the motherboard connects key components like RAM and the CPU. I like your clear description of the CPU’s control and arithmetic units and how they process instructions. The CPU’s speed indeed affects overall performance, and without the motherboard’s connections, nothing would work. Your post shows nicely how these parts work together to keep a computer running smoothly.
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July 11, 2025 at 11:05 pm #106921
James Settle
ParticipantThe motherboard also referred to as the main board, system board, or controller is the physical board that houses every component required to make your computer function. Whether it is an actual HP, Dell, or Apple desktop or laptop or not, any programmable device that can compute mathematical and logical functions is considered a computer. Down to a simple calculator or electronic watch. The components on a PC motherboard usually consist of the CPU, memory, and various connectors for graphics interface, HDD, SDD, and other I/O devices
The CPU, which I refer to as the processor, is the Central Processing Unit. The processor does just that, it processes and executes the calculations and instructions of whatever it is programmed to do. In a calculator the processor is programmed to execute or output the results of mathematical functions. In a watch the processor is programmed to output the time of day in military or 12-hour time sometimes in addition to the day of the week, temperature, etc. Both are necessary in order for the computer to operate. -
July 14, 2025 at 3:48 pm #106955
Caleb Kiser
ParticipantThe motherboard and CPU are two of the most important components in a computer system. The motherboard acts as the main circuit board, connecting all hardware components, including the CPU, RAM, and storage, so they can communicate effectively. It provides power to these components and allows data to flow between them through buses and chipsets. The CPU, or central processing unit, is often called the “brain” of the computer. It carries out instructions from software by performing calculations, making decisions, and managing input and output operations. The CPU processes data at high speeds, allowing the computer to run applications and complete tasks efficiently. Together, the motherboard and CPU are responsible for making sure the entire system functions smoothly. Without them, no other component could operate. Their performance and compatibility are critical for the overall stability and speed of a computer.
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July 14, 2025 at 9:22 pm #106978
Misty Stewart
ParticipantYour explanation of the motherboard and CPU is very clear and informative! The motherboard indeed serves as the main circuit board, ensuring all hardware components are connected and can communicate effectively. It supplies power and enables data transfer between components through buses and chipsets. The CPU, commonly known as the computer’s ‘brain,’ processes software instructions by performing calculations, making decisions, and managing input and output tasks. Its rapid processing abilities allow the computer to run programs and complete tasks swiftly. Together, the motherboard and CPU ensure the smooth functioning of the entire system. Their performance and compatibility are indeed crucial for the overall stability and speed of a computer. Great job explaining this!
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July 14, 2025 at 9:09 pm #106974
Misty Stewart
ParticipantThe motherboard is the main board in a computer that connects all the parts together. It has slots for the CPU, RAM, storage devices, and expansion cards, allowing them to communicate. It also distributes power from the power supply and helps transfer data through connections like PCIe slots. It also has ports for connecting external devices like USBs, audio equipment, and network cables.
The CPU, or the brain of the computer, handles most of the processing tasks and runs programs. It performs calculations, controls operations, and manages data flow between the CPU, memory, and other parts. The CPU has cache memory for quick access to frequently used data, which speeds up processing. Modern CPUs have multiple cores, allowing them to handle multiple tasks at once, making the computer more efficient.
In short, the motherboard connects and powers all the parts, while the CPU processes and runs programs, making the computer work.-
July 14, 2025 at 9:51 pm #106982
Teisha Nolen
ParticipantHi Misty!
This is a great and very clear explanation of the roles and responsibilities of the motherboard and the CPU. Both are extremely important and work together to run all systems on the computer. Without the motherboard, there is nowhere to house the CPU and allow it to communicate, and without the CPU, there is no communication or connection between all the parts. Great post!
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July 14, 2025 at 9:26 pm #106979
Teisha Nolen
ParticipantThe CPU, or Central Processing Unit, I have heard being likened to the brain of the computer. It takes commands from programs, makes any necessary calculations, makes any necessary decisions, and keeps things running smoothly. When you open an app, type a document, or stream a video, the CPU is doing work behind the scenes to make it happen.
The motherboard is more like the backbone, or hub, of the computer. It’s a circuit board that connects all the parts—CPU, memory (RAM), hard drives, power supply, video card, and more. It lets everything talk to each other and share power. If the CPU is likened to the brain, the motherboard would be the system that helps the brain communicate with the rest of the body.
Together, these two pieces make the entire computer work. Without the CPU, you’d have no processing power. Without the motherboard, none of the parts could connect or share information. Both are essential for turning on a computer and keeping it running.-
July 14, 2025 at 11:35 pm #106983
James Settle
ParticipantGood post Teisha,
The analogy of the motherboard as the backbone of the computer is great. It is great that manufacturers create motherboards with expansion in mind knowing that technology is every evolving. Lower level boards may have processors hard wired on the motherboard, but most boards will have chipsets that allow for possible upgrade with quicker processors and memory slots that are expandable from 8GB to 32, 64GB or greater. Also it’s worth mentioning many manufacturers today produce multi layered circuit boards. Those components that are bound together by design on motherboards would otherwise be multiple breadboards with a mass of wires running from component to component. They are very essential indeed.
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