Which motherboard component manages memory?

From an architectural perspective, what motherboard component handles the coordination between the CPU and the memory?

A) Northbridge

B) Southbridge

C) Super I/O Controller

D) Front-Side Bus




Answer: A) Northbridge

The Northbridge is a major coordination point of the CPU, the memory, and occasionally other high-speed interfaces. The Northbridge is sometimes referred to as the memory controller hub, and it handles a huge amount of communication as traffic passes from the CPU to RAM and back.

The incorrect answers:
B) Southbridge
The Southbridge usually handles relatively slower or lower-priority traffic from interface cards, USB ports, network connections, and hard drives.


C) Super I/O Controller
Some of the legacy connectivity to serial ports, parallel ports, and keyboards is managed through the Super I/O Controller.

D) Front-Side Bus
The Front-Side Bus (FSB) is a communications pathway, not a controller or central hub. Communication between the Northbridge and the CPU is through the FSB.

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