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Glite Dictionary
CPU board

CPU board

4.5
The main circuit board inside a computer that holds the processor and other parts
  • noun
  • /ˈsiːˌpiːˈjuː bɔrd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : placa base
  • After replacing the old CPU board, the computer booted up much faster.

Examples

  • The technician installed a new CPU board to improve the computer's performance.

  • The new CPU board with an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor now provides an even more powerful platform for Automation PC 810 and Panel PC 800 devices.

    Academic text (2011)

  • In fact, these computers can be easily upgraded from 480 MTOPS to at least 4,500 MTOPS simply by adding additional CPU boards and memory.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Each CPU board connects directly to the power supply and other hardware components.

Synonyms

motherboard
vsCPU board
  • Specialized
18 4.6

Main board inside a computer that holds important parts and connects other devices

is the same idea but used to highlight the processor presence
circuit board
vsCPU board
  • Specialized
14 3.7

A flat board inside devices like phones or computers that holds and connects electronic parts

is the specific computer main board rather than any generic electronic board
MB
vsCPU board
  • Jargon
4 3.5

The main circuit board inside a computer that holds the processor and memory

is the fuller term that stresses the main board usually including the processor

How Complex

motherboard
  • Specialized
18 4.6
CPU board
  • Specialized
4.5
circuit board
  • Specialized
14 3.7

Surface Forms

CPU board singular
CPU boards plural

Morphology

CPU + board

This is a straightforward noun–noun compound where 'CPU' specifies the type/purpose of the 'board'; if a learner knows 'CPU' (the processor) and 'board' (a circuit panel) they can directly infer that it is the circuit board containing or associated with the CPU. The compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common (like 'motherboard' or 'control board'), so the meaning is predictable to B1 learners who know the constituents.

Etymology

CPU board comes from the simple picture of the CPU, the computer's 'brain', sitting on a flat board that holds the other parts. That's why the name means the main board that contains the CPU and controls the computer.