Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version (standard) supported by the motherboard Wi-Fi module. The main function of such modules, regardless of version, is Internet access via wireless routers; however, Wi-Fi can also be used to communicate directly with other devices—for example, to transfer content from a digital camera or control it remotely.
Nowadays you can find support for different Wi-Fi standards (up to
Wi-Fi 6,
Wi-Fi 6E,
Wi-Fi 7). The maximum connection speed primarily depends on this nuance. At the same time, different versions also differ in the ranges used; and they are compatible with each other if they coincide in the ranges used. However, wireless modules of modern motherboards often support not only the Wi-Fi standard specified in the specifications, but also earlier ones; It doesn’t hurt to clarify this point separately, but in most cases there are no compatibility problems. However, to use all the features of a particular version, it must be supported by both devices - both the motherboard and the external device.
The list of major versions looks like this:
- Wi-Fi 3 (802.11g). The oldest standard that is relevant today, in its pure form, is found only in frankly outdated boards. Operates at speeds up to 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.
— Wi-fi 4 (802.11n). Quite a popular standard, which has only recently begun to give w
...ay to more advanced options. Supports both the 2.4 GHz band and the more advanced 5 GHz band, and the maximum data transfer rate is 150 Mbps per channel (up to 600 Mbps with 4 antennas).
— Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Works only on 5 GHz. Initially, the maximum theoretical data transfer rate was 1300 Mbit/s, but since 2016 the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard has been used, where this figure has been increased to 2.34 Gbit/s.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). It initially operates on two bands - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz - but the specification of this standard provides for the possibility of using any operating band between 1 GHz and 7 GHz (as such bands become available). The nominal data transfer speed has increased by only a third compared to Wi-Fi 5, but a number of improvements that increase communication efficiency allow for a significant increase in actual speed - in theory, up to 10 Gbps and even higher.
- Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). An improved branch of the Wi-Fi 6 standard with data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. The Wi-Fi 6E standard is technically called 802.11ax. But unlike basic Wi-Fi 6, which is named similarly, it provides for operation in the unused 6 GHz band. In total, the standard uses 14 different frequency bands, offering high throughput with many active connections.
— Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). The technology, like the previous Wi-Fi 6E, is capable of operating in three frequency ranges: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. At the same time, the maximum bandwidth in Wi-Fi 7 was increased from 160 MHz to 320 MHz - the wider the channel, the more data it can transmit. The IEEE 802.11be standard uses 4096-QAM modulation, which also allows more symbols to be accommodated in a data transmission unit. From Wi-Fi 7 you can squeeze out a maximum theoretical information exchange rate of up to 46 Gbps. In the context of using wireless connections for streaming and video games, the implemented MLO (Multi-Link Operation) development seems very interesting. With its help, you can aggregate several channels in different ranges, which significantly reduces delays in data transmission and ensures low and stable ping. And Multi-RU (Multiple Resource Unit) technology is designed to minimize communication delays when there are many connected client devices. Bluetooth
The motherboard has its own
Bluetooth module, which eliminates the need to purchase such an adapter separately. Bluetooth technology is used for direct wireless connection of a computer with other devices — mobile phones, players, tablets, laptops, wireless headphones, etc.; connectivity options include both file sharing and external device control. The Bluetooth connection range is up to 10 m (in later standards — up to 100 m), while the devices do not have to be in the line of sight. Different versions of Bluetooth (at the end of 2021, the latest of which is
Bluetooth v 5) are mutually compatible in terms of basic functionality and have all sorts of differences.
LAN ports
The number of LAN ports provided in the design of the motherboard.
For more information about the connectors themselves, see "LAN (RJ-45)". Here we note that for everyday wired access to the Internet or a local network, one LAN is enough. However, there are motherboards equipped with
two or more of these ports. Basically, these are high-end solutions — gaming, overclocking, HEDT and server (see "In the direction"); in some models, the number of connectors of this type reaches 5. Such equipment significantly expands the network capabilities of the computer. For example, it allows you to connect your PC to several Internet providers at once; use separate connectors for the Internet and for the local network, separating traffic and increasing the speed of work; use a computer as a router or even a firewall at the entrance to the local network, passing through it all incoming and outgoing traffic and controlling it; etc.
Fan power connectors
The number of connectors for powering coolers and fans provided in the motherboard. A processor cooler is usually connected to such a connector, and fans of other system components — video cards, cases, etc. can also be powered from the "motherboard"; sometimes it is more convenient than pulling power directly from the PSU (at least you can reduce the number of wires in the case). Many modern boards are equipped with
4 or more connectors of this type.
CPU Fan 4-pin
A four-pin connector used to connect a processor cooling fan. The first contact in it corresponds to the black wire of the cooler — it is the "ground" or minus of the power supply. The second contact is the plus of the power supply (yellow or red cooler wire). The third one is involved in measuring the rotation speed of the impeller (green or yellow fan wire). The fourth pin, corresponding to the blue wire, receives control signals from the PWM controller to adjust the cooler rotation speed depending on the temperature of the processor.
