Computer Hardware Components

Front

FRONT PANEL CONNECTORS

Back

Connects the front panel power button, reset, and LEDs to the motherboard.

Front

PS2 PORT

Back

Ports for old mouse & keyboard; replaced by USB.

Front

DVI

Back

(Digital Video Interface)

Digital connection for motherboard to monitor; multiple types including DVI-I, DVI-D.

Front

VGA

Back

(Video Graphics Array)

Analog connection for motherboard to monitor.

Front

CMOS BATTERY

Back

Saves date/time settings for BIOS.

Front

IDE CONTROLLER

Back

Used to connect older hard drives and DVD/CD drives to motherboard.

Front

PCI EXPRESS SLOT

Back

(Peripheral Component Interconnect)

Serial connections that expand motherboard capabilities; can be used to install a variety of expansion cards; multiple types x1, x4, x8, x16.

Front

AGP

Back

(Accelerated Graphics Port)

Used to install older style graphics cards.

Front

SOUTH BRIDGE

Back

Part of the CPU chipset. It provides the interface to low speed devices and is often called the I/O Controller Hub (ICH).

Front

NORTH BRIDGE

Back

Part of the CPU chipset, typically responsible for high-speed communication. Connects CPU to RAM and Graphics Card.