/hardware-hardware-profilers-by-component-profile-motherboard

You are performing an exhaustive motherboard (system board) profile of the system.

Your Task

Generate a comprehensive motherboard analysis covering all aspects of the system board, chipset, firmware, and connectivity.

1. Motherboard Identification

Manufacturer: Board manufacturer (ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, etc.)
Product name: Board model/SKU
Version: Board revision number
Serial number: Board serial number
Asset tag: Asset tag (if configured)
Location in chassis: Board location descriptor
Board type: Motherboard, server board, embedded, etc.

2. Chipset Information

Chipset manufacturer: Intel, AMD, etc.
Chipset model: Specific chipset name
Chipset features: Key capabilities
PCH/FCH revision: Platform controller hub revision
South bridge: Legacy south bridge info
North bridge: Legacy north bridge info (if separate)

3. BIOS/UEFI Firmware

Firmware type: BIOS or UEFI
Vendor: BIOS manufacturer (AMI, Award, Phoenix, etc.)
Version: Current BIOS version
Release date: BIOS release date
Revision: Firmware major/minor revision
ROM size: BIOS ROM capacity
UEFI mode: Legacy or UEFI boot mode
Secure boot: Status and configuration

4. Expansion Slots

PCIe slots: Count and generations (PCIe 3.0/4.0/5.0)
Slot types: x16, x8, x4, x1 configurations
Slot usage: Which slots are occupied
M.2 slots: Count, key types, and generations
Legacy slots: PCI, AGP (if any)
Slot sharing: Lane sharing configurations

5. Storage Controllers and Interfaces

SATA ports: Count and generation (SATA II/III)
SATA controllers: Onboard controller details
NVMe support: M.2 NVMe slot count and PCIe lanes
RAID support: Hardware RAID capabilities
Storage modes: AHCI, RAID, IDE
eSATA: External SATA ports
U.2/U.3: Enterprise NVMe support

6. I/O Connectivity

USB controllers: USB controller chipsets
USB ports: Count by version (2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 4.0)
USB-C ports: Count and capabilities
Thunderbolt: Version and port count
Internal USB headers: Front panel USB headers
PS/2 ports: Legacy keyboard/mouse ports
Serial ports: RS-232 COM ports
Parallel port: LPT port (rare)

7. Network Interfaces

Ethernet controllers: Onboard NIC chipsets
Ethernet ports: Count and speeds (1G, 2.5G, 10G)
WiFi: Onboard WiFi chipset and standard
Bluetooth: Bluetooth version
MAC addresses: Physical addresses of NICs

8. Audio Subsystem

Audio codec: Onboard audio chipset
Audio channels: 2.0, 5.1, 7.1 support
Audio ports: Line-in, line-out, mic, optical
Audio features: Special audio technologies
HDMI/DP audio: Audio over display connections

9. Display and Graphics

Integrated graphics: iGPU support (if applicable)
Display outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA
Multi-monitor: Maximum displays supported
Display port versions: HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4, etc.

10. Power Delivery

Power phases: VRM phase count
Power connectors: ATX 24-pin, EPS 8-pin, etc.
CPU power: 4-pin, 8-pin, 8+4 pin configuration
PCIe power: Additional PCIe power headers
Fan headers: Count and type (PWM/DC)
RGB headers: Addressable RGB headers
Power monitoring: Voltage monitoring points

11. Memory Support

Memory slots: Total DIMM slots
Maximum capacity: Maximum RAM supported
Memory types: DDR4, DDR5, ECC support
Memory speeds: Supported frequencies
Memory channels: Dual, quad channel
XMP/DOCP: Overclocking profile support

12. Form Factor and Physical

Form factor: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, EATX, etc.
Dimensions: Board dimensions
Mounting holes: Standoff pattern
Contained devices: Onboard devices count

13. Special Features

Overclocking: OC features and BIOS options
TPM: Trusted Platform Module version
BIOS flashback: No-CPU BIOS update
Q-Flash/M-Flash: Motherboard-specific tools
POST code display: Onboard debug LEDs/display
Dual BIOS: Backup BIOS chip
Clear CMOS: CMOS reset button/jumper
BIOS recovery: Recovery mechanisms

14. Temperature and Monitoring

Temperature sensors: Onboard sensor locations
Fan control: Hardware fan control capabilities
Voltage monitoring: Monitored voltage rails
Hardware monitoring chip: Super I/O or monitoring IC

15. System Slots and Headers

Front panel headers: Power, reset, LED headers
Internal headers: All internal connectors
System fan headers: Chassis fan connectors
Pump headers: Water cooling pump headers
Addressable RGB: ARGB/DRGB header count
Temperature probe headers: External sensor inputs

Commands to Use

Motherboard identification:

sudo dmidecode -t baseboard
sudo dmidecode -t 2
cat /sys/class/dmi/id/board_vendor
cat /sys/class/dmi/id/board_name
cat /sys/class/dmi/id/board_version

BIOS/UEFI information:

sudo dmidecode -t bios
sudo dmidecode -t 0
cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_vendor
cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_version
cat /sys/class/dmi/id/bios_date
efibootmgr -v (if UEFI)
[ -d /sys/firmware/efi ] && echo "UEFI" || echo "BIOS"

Chipset information:

lspci | grep -i "ISA bridge"
lspci -v | grep -A 10 "ISA bridge"
sudo dmidecode -t 9 - System slots

PCI/PCIe slots and devices:

lspci -tv - Tree view of PCI devices
lspci -vv - Verbose PCI information
sudo dmidecode -t 9 - System slot information
sudo lspci -vvv -s <slot> - Specific slot details

Storage controllers:

lspci | grep -i "sata\|raid\|storage"
lspci -v | grep -A 10 -i "sata\|ahci"
ls /sys/class/ata_port/ - SATA ports
ls /sys/block/nvme* - NVMe devices

USB controllers:

lspci | grep -i usb
lsusb -v
lsusb -t - USB device tree
cat /sys/kernel/debug/usb/devices

Network controllers:

lspci | grep -i "ethernet\|network"
sudo lshw -class network
ip link show

Audio controller:

lspci | grep -i audio
aplay -l
cat /proc/asound/cards

System information:

sudo dmidecode -t system
sudo dmidecode -t chassis
sudo lshw -short
sudo lshw -businfo

Hardware monitoring:

sensors (if lm-sensors configured)
cat /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon*/name
sudo i2cdetect -l (I2C buses)

Firmware and boot:

sudo dmidecode -t 13 - BIOS language
bootctl status (systemd-boot)
efibootmgr -v (UEFI variables)

Memory slots:

sudo dmidecode -t 16 - Physical memory array
sudo dmidecode -t 17 - Memory devices

Expansion and slots:

sudo dmidecode -t 9 - System slots
sudo biosdecode - Additional BIOS info

TPM and security:

cat /sys/class/tpm/tpm0/device/description
tpm2_getcap properties-fixed (if TPM 2.0 tools)

Output Format

Executive Summary

Motherboard: [manufacturer] [model] (rev [version])
Chipset: [chipset model]
Form Factor: [ATX/mATX/ITX]
BIOS: [vendor] v[version] ([date])
Features: [key features]

Detailed Motherboard Profile

Board Identification:

Manufacturer: [vendor]
Product Name: [model]
Version: [revision]
Serial Number: [S/N]
Asset Tag: [tag]
Type: [motherboard type]

Chipset:

Manufacturer: [Intel/AMD]
Model: [chipset name]
Revision: [revision]
Features: [key capabilities]

BIOS/UEFI:

Type: [BIOS/UEFI]
Vendor: [manufacturer]
Version: [version]
Release Date: [date]
Revision: [major.minor]
ROM Size: [KB/MB]
Boot Mode: [Legacy/UEFI]
Secure Boot: [Enabled/Disabled]

Expansion Slots:

PCIe x16 Slots: [count] (Gen [3.0/4.0/5.0])
- Slot 1: PCIe [gen] x16 - [occupied by: device]
- Slot 2: PCIe [gen] x16 (runs at x8) - [status]
PCIe x1 Slots: [count]
M.2 Slots: [count]
- M.2_1: Key M, PCIe [gen] x4 - [device]
- M.2_2: Key M, PCIe [gen] x4 - [empty]

Storage Interfaces:

SATA Ports: [count] x SATA [II/III]
SATA Controller: [chipset model]
NVMe Support: [count] x M.2 slots (PCIe [gen] x4)
RAID Support: [0, 1, 5, 10]
Storage Mode: [AHCI/RAID/IDE]

I/O Connectivity:

USB Controllers: [chipset models]
USB Ports:
- USB 2.0: [count] ports
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1: [count] ports
- USB 3.1 Gen 2: [count] ports
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: [count] ports
- USB4/Thunderbolt: [count] ports
USB-C: [count] ports ([capabilities])
Internal USB Headers: [count]
Legacy Ports: [PS/2, Serial, Parallel]

Network:

Ethernet Controllers: [chipset models]
Ethernet Ports: [count] x [1G/2.5G/10G]
WiFi: [chipset] ([802.11 standard])
Bluetooth: [version]

Audio:

Audio Codec: [chipset model]
Channels: [2.0/5.1/7.1]
Audio Ports: [count and types]
Features: [special audio tech]

Display Outputs (if integrated graphics):

HDMI: [count] x HDMI [version]
DisplayPort: [count] x DP [version]
DVI: [count] ports
VGA: [count] ports

Power Delivery:

VRM Phases: [count]-phase ([digital/analog])
ATX Power: 24-pin
CPU Power: [4/8/8+4]-pin
PCIe Power: [auxiliary power headers]
Fan Headers: [count] ([PWM/DC])
RGB Headers: [count] ([ARGB/RGB])

Memory Support:

DIMM Slots: [count]
Maximum Capacity: [GB]
Memory Type: [DDR4/DDR5]
Supported Speeds: Up to [MT/s]
Channel Mode: [Dual/Quad] Channel
ECC Support: [Yes/No]
XMP/DOCP: [version]

Form Factor:

Standard: [ATX/mATX/Mini-ITX/EATX]
Dimensions: [mm x mm]
Mounting: [ATX standard]

Special Features:

TPM: [version] ([enabled/disabled])
BIOS Flashback: [Yes/No]
Dual BIOS: [Yes/No]
POST Code Display: [Yes/No]
Clear CMOS: [Button/Jumper]
Overclocking: [features list]

Temperature Monitoring:

Sensors: [locations]
Fan Control: [PWM headers count]
Voltage Monitoring: [rails monitored]
Monitoring Chip: [IC model]

Connectivity Matrix

PCIe Slot Layout:
Slot 1: PCIe 4.0 x16 (CPU) → [GPU installed]
Slot 2: PCIe 4.0 x16 (runs at x4, chipset) → [empty]
Slot 3: PCIe 3.0 x1 (chipset) → [WiFi card]
M.2_1:  PCIe 4.0 x4 (CPU) → [NVMe SSD]
M.2_2:  PCIe 3.0 x4 (chipset) → [empty]

Storage Ports:
SATA0-SATA3: [devices]
SATA4-SATA7: [empty]

Upgrade and Expansion Potential

Available PCIe slots: [count and type]
Available M.2 slots: [count]
RAM expansion: [X GB current / Y GB max]
Storage expansion: [available ports]
BIOS updates: [status]

AI-Readable JSON

{
  "board": {
    "manufacturer": "",
    "product_name": "",
    "version": "",
    "serial_number": "",
    "form_factor": "ATX|mATX|ITX|EATX"
  },
  "chipset": {
    "manufacturer": "intel|amd",
    "model": "",
    "revision": ""
  },
  "bios": {
    "type": "BIOS|UEFI",
    "vendor": "",
    "version": "",
    "release_date": "",
    "secure_boot": false
  },
  "expansion_slots": {
    "pcie_x16": [
      {
        "slot_number": 1,
        "generation": "3.0|4.0|5.0",
        "lanes": 16,
        "occupied": true,
        "device": ""
      }
    ],
    "pcie_x1": 0,
    "m2_slots": 0
  },
  "storage": {
    "sata_ports": 0,
    "sata_generation": "II|III",
    "nvme_slots": 0,
    "raid_support": []
  },
  "io": {
    "usb": {
      "usb_2_0": 0,
      "usb_3_0": 0,
      "usb_3_1": 0,
      "usb_3_2": 0,
      "usb_c": 0
    },
    "ethernet_ports": 0,
    "wifi": false,
    "bluetooth": false
  },
  "audio": {
    "codec": "",
    "channels": ""
  },
  "power": {
    "vrm_phases": 0,
    "fan_headers": 0,
    "rgb_headers": 0
  },
  "memory": {
    "dimm_slots": 0,
    "max_capacity_gb": 0,
    "type": "DDR4|DDR5",
    "max_speed_mts": 0,
    "ecc_support": false
  },
  "features": {
    "tpm": "",
    "bios_flashback": false,
    "dual_bios": false,
    "post_code_display": false
  }
}

Execution Guidelines

Use dmidecode extensively: Primary source for board info
Cross-reference with lspci: Verify chipset and slots
Check physical vs. logical: Some slots share lanes
Document slot usage: What's installed where
Identify chipset features: What the board can do
BIOS version importance: Check for updates
Expansion planning: Available upgrade paths
Power delivery assessment: Adequacy for components
I/O inventory: Complete port count
Format comprehensively: Present all findings clearly

Important Notes

Requires root/sudo for most detailed information
dmidecode is the primary tool for board identification
Some data may not be available in virtual machines
BIOS version is critical for compatibility and security
PCIe lane sharing is common on consumer boards
M.2 slots may disable SATA ports when used
Form factor determines case compatibility
VRM quality affects overclocking and stability
TPM may require BIOS enablement
UEFI vs. Legacy affects boot configuration
Some features require specific BIOS settings
Motherboard manual provides definitive specifications

Be extremely thorough - document every aspect of the motherboard.