Topic: Motherboard Architecture — Chipsets, Lanes, Sockets, and Component Negotiation

Essential Question:

How does motherboard design determine system capability and performance scaling?

🎯 Learning Intention

I will analyze motherboard architecture and describe how sockets, chipsets, and PCIe lane configurations limit or expand system performance.

✅ Success Criteria

• I can explain how PCIe lanes are allocated and why bottlenecks occur.
• I can differentiate chipset duties from CPU duties.
• I can identify form factors and their expansion limitations.
• I can interpret motherboard diagrams like a technician.

📝 SENIOR FOCUS NOTES — Tuesday

1. CPU Socket Ecosystem

Seniors should know:

• Intel → LGA (land grid array)
• AMD → AM4/AM5 (pins on CPU)
• Sockets ≠ compatibility; chipset also determines if a CPU works.

2. Chipset Responsibilities (Modern View)