Which term identifies the main printed circuit board in a computer?

The main printed circuit board in a computer is referred to as the motherboard. It serves as the central hub that connects and allows communication between various components of the computer, including the CPU, memory, storage devices, and all peripheral connections.

The motherboard hosts essential components such as the chipset that manages data flow, the processor, RAM slots, and expansion slots for additional cards. This is fundamental because without the motherboard, these components would not be able to communicate effectively or function together as a cohesive system.

Other terms, while related to computer hardware, denote different components or functionalities. For instance, a chipset is a collection of integrated circuits that manage data transfers between the CPU and other components, but it is just one part of the motherboard. A backplane is used to connect multiple circuit boards and often serves as a base for complex systems like servers, but it is not the main circuit board itself. An expansion board refers to any additional circuit board that is added to the motherboard to enhance its capabilities, such as graphics or sound cards, but again, it is not the primary printed circuit board.

Therefore, the term that correctly identifies the main printed circuit board in a computer is indeed the motherboard.