software.Motherboard Diagrams

	Understanding Motherboard Diagrams Now that you have a diagram or manual for your specific motherboard, you need to note some important info about motherboard wiring. Check out the below picture to see a basic motherboard wiring diagram from Gigabyte. Also, here is an example of a full motherboard manual, which you should check out, as manuals are more common than diagrams. As you can see from the above picture, a motherboard diagram is basically a blueprint view of the motherboard, with each connection port labeled. This comes in extremely handy for first time custom PC builders, as it details where each component is located on the board. Rather than having to manually identify each connection type, you can simply consult your motherboard manual to see which part goes where. As noted above, a full motherboard manual is much more detailed than a motherboard diagram alone. Often times, motherboard manuals even have instructions for installing each component, such as RAM, graphics cards, processor, etc... Experienced PC builders may not need to consult a motherboard diagram at all. For the most part, each motherboard has the same basic expansion ports and connectivity options. Of course, some motherboards offer more advanced features than others, but the video card can only fit in one place, the RAM can only fit in one place, the CPU goes in the socket, and so on. Once you have this concept down, custom PC building becomes second nature. Understanding Motherboard Jumper Settings One thing that even experienced PC builders do need is a motherboard jumper settings diagram. Not to worry, as this is usually part of the motherboard manual. Motherboard jumpers are difficult to identify by look alone. Basically, jumpers are just a couple of pins, placed tightly together. Very small wires connect to each pin, or a combination of pins, to allow you to do things like turn on your PC using the power button, run PC case lights, and connect USB devices to your PC using front-access USB ports. All of these things require very specific motherboard jumper placement. Check out the picture below for a more clear understanding of how motherboard jumper settings work. Notice that the motherboard jumper settings diagram displays two sets of paired jumpers. Paired jumpers can be two individual wires that need to be connected to two side by side pins, or a two pronged wire that needs to be connected to two side by side pins. It is very important that you connect motherboard jumpers as verbatim as possible, with the motherboard jumper settings diagram for your motherboard.

Understanding Motherboard Diagrams

Now that you have a diagram or manual for your specific motherboard, you need to note some important info about motherboard wiring. Check out the below picture to see a basic motherboard wiring diagram from Gigabyte. Also, here is an example of a full motherboard manual, which you should check out, as manuals are more common than diagrams.

As you can see from the above picture, a motherboard diagram is basically a blueprint view of the motherboard, with each connection port labeled. This comes in extremely handy for first time custom PC builders, as it details where each component is located on the board. Rather than having to manually identify each connection type, you can simply consult your motherboard manual to see which part goes where. As noted above, a full motherboard manual is much more detailed than a motherboard diagram alone. Often times, motherboard manuals even have instructions for installing each component, such as RAM, graphics cards, processor, etc...
Experienced PC builders may not need to consult a motherboard diagram at all. For the most part, each motherboard has the same basic expansion ports and connectivity options. Of course, some motherboards offer more advanced features than others, but the video card can only fit in one place, the RAM can only fit in one place, the CPU goes in the socket, and so on. Once you have this concept down, custom PC building becomes second nature.

Understanding Motherboard Jumper Settings

One thing that even experienced PC builders do need is a motherboard jumper settings diagram. Not to worry, as this is usually part of the motherboard manual. Motherboard jumpers are difficult to identify by look alone. Basically, jumpers are just a couple of pins, placed tightly together. Very small wires connect to each pin, or a combination of pins, to allow you to do things like turn on your PC using the power button, run PC case lights, and connect USB devices to your PC using front-access USB ports. All of these things require very specific motherboard jumper placement. Check out the picture below for a more clear understanding of how motherboard jumper settings work.

Notice that the motherboard jumper settings diagram displays two sets of paired jumpers. Paired jumpers can be two individual wires that need to be connected to two side by side pins, or a two pronged wire that needs to be connected to two side by side pins. It is very important that you connect motherboard jumpers as verbatim as possible, with the motherboard jumper settings diagram for your motherboard.