3.4, 3.5 Hardware - sections 3, 4 Flashcards
Motherboards
Motherboard: Printed circuit board that contains computer components and provides connectors.Is the central communication backbone connectivity point and is going to be used by all the other components. And external peripherals to interconnect and transfer data back and forth between themselves.
Four basic functions of a computer
Input, output, processing, storage
Two types of Storage
Temporary Storage/Non-persistent Storage, Permanent Storage/Persistent Storage.
How is data transferred across motherboards
Data transferred across the motherboard measures the speed of data in Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz).
What does the Form Facotor of a motherboard describe
Describes its shape, layout and the type of case and power supply that can be used with that particular motherboard, as well as the number and type of adapter cards that can be installed within that motherboard.
Types of motherboard form factors
Motherboard Form Factors: The two main categories of form factors for motherboards are ATX and ITX. ATX, Mini-ATX, Micro-ATX/mATX, ITX/Mini-ITX
Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX)
Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX): Full-size motherboard and measures 12” x 9.6” in size (305mm x 244 mm). Came out in the 1990s, these motherboards are considered a full size motherboard. Will have expansion slots running parallel to the shorter side of the board. And will have a rear report cluster. Only works in larger towers and cases
Mini-ATX
Mini-ATX: Smaller than ATX but contains the same features measuring at 11.2” x 8.2” / 284mm x 208mm). Won’t see mini-ATX used very often, because it is not really that much smaller than the ATX board and so ATX is much more popular.
Micro-ATX or mATX
Micro-ATX or mATX: Measures at 9.6 inches squared (244mm x 244mm) Has all the same features as an ATX except that it only has 4 expansion card slots unlike the ATX which has 7 expansion card slots.
Information Technology eXtended (ITX or Mini-ITX)
Information Technology eXtended (ITX or Mini-ITX): Measures at 6.7” x 6.7” with only one expansion slot (170mm x 170mm) ITX was designed as a replacement for the ATX but never produced and went straight to mini-ITX. Other Types of ITX: These form factors don’t have a designated shape or size because they are built for embedded systems and portable devices. e.g, Nano-ITX, Pico-ITX,Mobile-ITX
What is the CPU
CPU: Central Processing Unit or which is commonly referred to as the processor, is the brains of your computer.
Three main CPU Architectures
X86(IA-32), X64, Advanced RISC Machine(ARM)
X86 (IA-32) CPU Architecture
X86 (IA-32): Developed by Intel with an 8-bit, 16-bit, and up to 32-bit instruction set. X86 can only support a maximum of 4 GB of RAM. 32-bit processors can only run 32-bit programs.
X64 CPU Architecture
X64: Supports 64-bit instruction set. 64-bit processors can run both 64-bit programs and 32-bit programs as well.
Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) CPU Architecture
Advanced RISC Machine (ARM): Used for low-power devices (tablets and cell phones). Unlike 32, and 64-bit processors ARM has extended battery life and produces less heat. Used a lot in smart TVs and smart speakers, as well as newer laptops. RISC systems use code to do tasks.
Only two manufacturers of CPUS
Intel, AMD
What is Zero Insertion Force(ZIF)
Zero Insertion Force (ZIF): Inserts the CPU without pressing down and giving no pressure. This allows you to insert the CPU without having to press down on it. This helps with avoiding bending or breaking any of the pins on the CPU.
Two Types of CPU Sockets
Land Grid Array(LGA), Pin Grid Array(PGA)
Land Grid Array(LGA) Socket
Land Grid Array (LGA): Form factor that positions all pins to connect the CPU processor into the socket. The processor itself doesn’t have pins on it. The pins are connected to the socket. You line up the pins on the socket with the holes on the CPU Uses ZIF, Used and made by Intel
Pin Grid Array(PGA) Socket
Pin Grid Arry (PGA): Form factor where the processor has the pins and the socket has the holes. Vice versa the CPU has the pins and the socket has the holes. Uses ZIF. Used and made by AMD.
Mother Socket Architecture Types
Single Socket, Multi-Socket
Single Socket MothB architecture
Single Socket: a single socket architecture on desktop motherboards can only support one physical processor. Mainly see on desktop computers
Multi-Socket MothB architecture
Multi-Socket: a multi-socket can have multiple CPU’s or processors installed on the motherboard. Seen on servers
Intel Desktop Socket Types
LGA 2011, LGA 1151, LGA 2066
AMD Desktop Socket Types
AM2, AM3, AM4
What is the Simultaneous Multithreading(SMT) CPU feature?
Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT)/Hyper-Threading: Single stream of instructions is being sent by a software application to a processor. Mainly seen in desktop Computers
What is the Multiple Parallel Threads CPU feature?
Multiple Parallel Threads: Manufacturers developed a way to allow software to run multiple parallel threads at the same time. Allows a processor to perform multiple things at once or at the same time.
What is the Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) CPU feature?
Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP): Traditional workstation and servers have multiple processors. Mainly seen in servers. Can only be done with a motherboard that has multiple processor sockets. And all the processors need to be the same type and speed. And with an operating system that knows how to use more than one processor.
What is a multi-core processor
Multi-Core Processor: A single CPU with multiple processors inside of it. Multiple processors have multiple cores inside the CPU.
Types of Multiple-Core Processors
Dual-core, Quad, Hexa, Octa
What is Virtualization
Virtualization: Being able to emulate that there’s hardware there that really doesn’t exist. The ability to have a computer pretend that it’s running multiple other computers inside of itself. Virtualization allows running multiple systems on a single physical host.
Types of Virtualization tech
VT (Intel), AMD-V(AMD). Both VT and AMD provide processor extensions to support virtualization.