POST encoder
Standard digital indication system for displaying POST codes for motherboard initialization. Thanks to
the POST encoder, you can easily determine which component has a problem.
Chipset
The chipset model installed in the motherboard. AMD's current chipset models are
B450,
A520,
B550,
X570,
A620,
B650,
B650E,
X670,
X670E,
B840,
B850,
X870,
X870E. For Intel, in turn, the list of chipsets looks like this:
X299,
H410,
B460,
H470,
Z490,
H510,
B560,
H570,
Z590,
H610,
B660,
H670,
Z690,
B760,
Z790,
H810,
B860,
Z890.
A chipset is a set of chips on the motherboard through which the individual components of the system inter
...act directly: the processor, RAM, drives, audio and video adapters, network controllers, etc. Technically, such a set consists of two parts — the north and south bridges. The key element is the northbridge, it connects the processor, memory, graphics card and the southbridge (together with the devices it controls). Therefore, it is often the name of the north bridge that is indicated as the chipset model, and the south bridge model is specified separately (see below); it is this scheme that is used in traditional layout motherboards, where bridges are made in the form of separate microcircuits. There are also solutions where both bridges are combined in one chip; for them, the name of the entire chipset can be indicated.
Anyway, knowing the chipset model, you can find various additional data on it — from general reviews to special instructions. An ordinary user, usually, does not need such information, but it can be useful for various professional tasks.LAN controller
Model of the LAN controller installed in the motherboard.
The LAN controller provides data exchange between the card and the network port(s) of the computer. Accordingly, both general characteristics and individual features of the network functionality of the "motherboard" depend on the characteristics of this module: support for special technologies, connection quality in case of unstable communication, etc. Knowing the model of the LAN controller, you can find detailed data on it — including including practical reviews; this information is rarely needed by the average user, but it can be useful for online game enthusiasts and for some specific tasks.
Thus, the LAN controller model is specified mainly in cases where it is a rather advanced solution that is noticeably superior to standard models. Such solutions are currently produced mainly under the brands
Intel(middle level),
Realtek(relatively simple models),
Aquntia and
Killer(mostly advanced solutions).
USB 3.2 gen1
The number of native USB 3.2 gen1 connectors provided on the back of the motherboard. In this case, traditional, full-size USB A ports are meant.
USB 3.2 gen1(formerly known as USB 3.1 gen1 and USB 3.0) is a direct successor and development of the USB 2.0 interface. The main differences are a 10-fold increase in the maximum data transfer rate — 4.8 Gbps — as well as higher power supply, which is important when connecting several devices to one port through a splitter (hub). At the same time, peripherals of other versions can be connected to this connector.
The more connectors provided in the design, the more peripheral devices can be connected to the motherboard without the use of additional equipment (USB splitters). There are boards on the market that have
more than 4 USB 3.2 gen1 ports on the back panel. At the same time, we note that in addition to the connectors on the rear panel, connectors on the board itself (more precisely, ports on the case connected to such connectors) can also provide a USB connection. See below for more on this.
USB C 3.2 gen2
The number of
USB-C 3.2 gen2 connectors provided on the back of the motherboard.
USB-C is a relatively new type of connector used in both portable and desktop PCs. It has a small size and a convenient double-sided design, thanks to which the plug can be inserted into the connector in either direction. And version 3.2 gen2 connectivity (formerly known as USB 3.1 gen2 and USB 3.1) is capable of operating at speeds up to 10 Gbps and supports USB Power Delivery technology, which allows you to supply power to external devices up to 100 watts. However, the presence of Power Delivery should be specified separately, this function is not mandatory.
As for the quantity, most often there is only one such port, only a few motherboard models have two USB-C 3.2 gen2 connectors. This is due to the fact that not so many peripherals with a USB-C plug are produced for desktop PCs — full-sized USB A are still more popular. Also note that in addition to the connectors on the rear panel, connectors on the board itself can also provide a USB connection (more precisely, ports on the case connected to such connectors). See below for more on this.
USB4
The number of USB C 3.2 gen3x2 (
USB4) connectors provided on the back panel of the motherboard.
The interface bandwidth reaches an impressive rate of up to 40 Gbps (in dual-band mode). As before, 3.2 gen3x2 version supports USB Power Delivery technology, which allows to supply power to external devices up to 100 watts. The interface is also backward compatible with previous USB specifications.
Alternate Mode
Support for Alternate Mode via the USB-C connector(s) provided on the back of the motherboard.
This feature means that not only the USB interface can be implemented through such a connector, but also other types of connection (in particular
, video transmission via USB-C). The specific set of supported interfaces (as well as the number of ports with Alternate Mode) should be specified separately. The most typical example is Thunderbolt v3 (see “Thunderbolt interface”): this version, by definition, works through the USB-C hardware connector. The Thunderbolt specification also includes support for DisplayPort, but this video output can be implemented through Alternate Mode and independently, without Thunderbolt functionality. Also, the list of interfaces that can be supported by such ports includes HDMI, including the "mobile" version of MHL; the latter, however, is extremely rare in desktop motherboards.
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.
CPU/Water Pump Fan 4-pin
A four-pin connector for connecting a water cooling pump fan. It can also be used to turn on an additional CPU cooler.
