Dual CPU motherboards are nothing new before you can even go back to the early 486 days of computing. However, they usually come at a premium and require some serious knowledge on how to build a max or ATX sized board that supports up to 4 CPUs. Most of these boards are designed for servers or high-end workstations, so finding one that fits your bill for home use is a bit of a needle in the haystack game.
The inside of a dual CPU motherboard is very different than that of a single-CPU motherboard. If you imagine cutting the board along its front-back axis, everything on one side would be half as long as it would be on the other. The reason for this is because CPUs come in two sizes: one and four cores.
The single-CPU motherboard has just one CPU socket, meaning all of the components on one side of the board would be half as long as those on the other side. Dual-CPU motherboards have both smaller CPUs and a large central area where they connect together.
The outside of a dual-CPU motherboard looks a little different, too. On a single-CPU board, you can see both sides of the PCB when it’s powered on. When a dual-CPU board is in use, there are bulky heatsinks for each CPU and a fan or two which cover up one side of the chips.
What does the inside of a CPU motherboard look like?
A standard CPU (central processing unit) is one of the most important parts of a computer system. It executes commands, runs computer programs, and controls input and output operations.
A typical CPU includes many electronic components such as transistors, resistors, diodes, and capacitors that are packed into multiple layers on a thin slice of silicon. These layers, called the integrated circuit (IC), are then packaged in small plastic or ceramic chip that can be mounted on electronic devices or computer circuits.
The outside of an average CPU is pretty simple, with just some pins for input and output along with several buttons to control power and reset the system. It’s the inside that’s packed with electronics.
The CPU motherboard is very different from a standard motherboard. It has only one CPU socket, which makes it much smaller than other motherboards. The board itself is made of green PCBs, using copper circuits covered in a thin layer of the insulator to prevent electrical shorts and similar problems.
Wire traces on the board connect the CPU chip and supporting components such as capacitors and resistors. The motherboard has a fan and is heartsick for each CPU to keep it cool during operation. The board also includes an I/O shield and several mounting holes so you can secure it in any case or computer chassis that accepts standard ATX size motherboards.
Where to plug a dual CPU fan on the motherboard?
A fan is a great way to keep your computer cool, but what happens when it breaks down? Many computers today are designed for high performance, which means that they generate more heat. When their fans stop working or you need an extra one to take care of the additional heat produced after adding new hardware components, there are now inexpensive ways to keep your computer cool.
One easy method is to take an inexpensive dual-processor fan and plug it into an open motherboard slot. Simply attach the fan’s cord to a power supply just as you would with any other peripheral, then settle it into one of the extra slots on your motherboard. You can attach it near your CPU or anywhere else that seems to be generating too much heat. It will keep everything running smoothly.
Where to put a graphics card on a dual CPU motherboard
A graphics card needs a PCI-e slot to install into. Some motherboards have a PCI-e 1x 16 slot and a PCI-e 8x slot or two PCI-e 8x slots. The first place you’d need to check is the motherboard manual because it may say if one of these slots has been disabled in favor of another.
Conclusion
A dual CPU motherboard is designed to support two CPUs. A lot of computer enthusiasts purchase these types of motherboards because they are able to take advantage of the processing power that comes with having two processors. Dual processor motherboards tend to be more expensive than single CPU systems, but in most cases they are worth it for those who work with applications and computers that require a lot of processing power.
