A motherboard monitor is a software program or a physical device that can be used with a computer to monitor and report information about the board. This is typically information a computer user should be aware of, such as fan speeds, temperatures, and any ports or slots not working. While many computer users do not necessarily need to have this information displayed at every moment, those running especially powerful hardware or overclocking their systems often utilize such information. A motherboard monitor can be a program that is installed onto a computer and runs in the background of other programs, or a physical device used to monitor and display information about the motherboard.
The term “motherboard monitor” can refer to any program used to monitor the condition of a motherboard, whether or not that is its intended purpose or name. In general, however, this program or device is used to track the condition of a computer’s motherboard and report that information. The motherboard is essentially the central nervous system of a computer, and all other devices and hardware are directly or indirectly connected to it. This includes the processors, hard drives, video card, media players, and any other devices inside and outside of a computer.
Due to the importance of the motherboard, it is often valuable for a computer user to be aware of what is happening with it. A motherboard monitor can be used to more easily and quickly track the condition of a motherboard and display information that might otherwise only be found in the basic input/output system (BIOS) of a computer. This information can include the temperature of the motherboard or processors, fan speeds within the case of a computer and mounted onto the central processing unit (CPU), and any errors with memory or expansion slots.
A motherboard monitor is often used by those who overclock their computer systems, to ensure that the increased clock speeds do not cause the system to overheat. Software programs can be used as monitors, and once properly installed, they allow a user to see information about his or her motherboard and CPU while playing games or running other programs. Some hardware devices can also be used as a motherboard monitor. These are typically connected to a computer or installed onto the computer case and run with software that is installed, displaying information about the motherboard on a small screen.