Meaning & use
mainboard
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Meaning
nouncountablecomputing
The main circuit board inside a computer or electronic device, to which the processor, memory and other parts are connected.
Grammar: Usually takes an or the: the mainboard failed, a faulty mainboard.
Patterns
- the mainboard of something
- connect something to the mainboard
The technician replaced the mainboard after the laptop stopped powering on.
Make sure the memory modules fit the slots on your mainboard.
Each fan plugs into a header on the mainboard.
Word forms
| plural | mainboards |
|---|
Common combinations
- replace the mainboard
- We had to replace the mainboard because of water damage.
- mainboard failure
- A mainboard failure can make the whole device unusable.
- compatible mainboard
- Check that your processor fits a compatible mainboard.
- mainboard slot
- Push the graphics card firmly into the mainboard slot.
- mount on the mainboard
- The chip is mounted on the mainboard with tiny solder points.
Synonyms and how they differ
- motherboard
- Motherboard means the same thing but is far more common in everyday English, while mainboard sounds more technical.
- system board
- System board is common in manufacturers' manuals, especially for laptops and servers.
- logic board
- Logic board is typically used for Apple computers and some other branded devices.
Word family
- board noun
- a flat piece of material, here a circuit board
- daughterboard noun
- a smaller circuit board that plugs into a larger one
- circuit board noun
- a panel carrying electronic connections and parts
Commonly confused: mainboard or mainframe?
mainboard vs mainframe
A mainframe is a large powerful computer used by big organizations, not a component inside a computer.
Practice
Which part connects the processor, memory and other components inside a computer?
Choose one answer.
The mainboard is the central circuit board that joins the components. A mainframe is a whole large computer, which is a tempting but different term.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mainboard”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.