3.4 Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards

Question 1

ATX form factor

Answer 1

Advanced Technology Extended. Standardized by Intel in 1995.Seen many updates over the years. Power– 20 pin connector– 24 pin connector, additional 4/8 pin connector.

Question 2

ITX form factor

Answer 2

A series of low-power motherboards. Developed by VIA Technologies in 2001. Small form factor. Mini-ITX is screw-compatible with ATX. Small form factor uses– Single-purpose computing, i.e., streaming media.

Question 3

Peripheral Component Interconnect

Answer 3

Created in 1994. Many expansion options. 32-bit and 64-bit bus width. Parallel communication. A common expansion interface on previous computer generations. PCI express is newer expansion.

Question 4

PCI Express

Answer 4

Also known as PCIe - Replaces the older PCI standard. Communicates serially - Unidirectional serial “lanes”( slower devices don’t slow down everyone). One, two, four, eight, sixteen, or thirty-two full-duplex lanes. x1, x2, x4, x8, x16, x32– “x” is pronounced “by” (“by 4,” “by 16”).

Question 5

24-pin motherboard power

Answer 5

Main motherboard power– Provides +3.3 V, +/-5 V, and +/- 12 V. 20 pin connector was the original ATX standard– 24 pin was added for PCI express power. You can connect a 24-pin connector to a 20-pin
motherboard– Some cables are 20-pin + 4-pin

Question 6

4-Pin ATX

Answer 6

4-pin ATX +12 V power– ATX12V Advanced Technology Extended motherboards. Additional 12 volt power for older motherboards– Used primarily for CPU. May be labeled ATX12V, P4, or CPU– And keyed for the appropriate connector.

Question 7

Headers

Answer 7

A pin header. A simple electrical interface. The connector is attached to the header. Many different uses– Power, peripheral connections, lights, and buttons.

Question 8

Multisocket

Answer 8

Supports multiple physical CPU packages. Split the load.

Question 9

Intel and AMD

Answer 9

Two solid CPU manufacturers– The differences are subtle. Cost– AMD tends to be a bit less expensive. Different sockets– The motherboard is designed for a particular CPU. Historically, AMD is value and Intel is performance– This is a dynamic technology.

Question 10

Server motherboards

Answer 10

Multisocket– Supports multiple physical CPU packages– Split the load
* Memory slots - Supports 4+ modules
* Expansion slots– Many slots and different sizes
* Overall size– Designed for a rack-mounted system– Larger ATX-sized system

Question 10

Desktop motherboards

Answer 10

Can range from full-size motherboards to compact or monitor-only systems– We can do a lot with increasingly smaller systems. Single CPU - Reduces cost and complexity. Memory slots - Usually two or four. Expansion slots - May have limited options.

Question 10

BIOS - Basic Input/Output System

Answer 10

The software used to start your computer– The firmware - System BIOS, ROM BIOS– ROM or flash memory. Initializes CPU and memory - Build the workspace. POST - Power-On Self-Test. Look for a boot loader - Start the operating system.

Question 10

Mobile motherboards

Answer 10

Laptops - Small and light. CPUs - Limited in speed - Thermal throttling. Limited system modification– Memory, CPU, functionality. Portability - Smaller devices– Low power consumption.

Question 11

Boot options (What happens when you power on?)

Answer 11

–The BIOS knows. Disable hardware. Unavailable to the operating system. Modify the boot order.Which boots first?. Move to the next in order. USB drive, SSD, hard drive.

Question 11

USB permissions

Answer 11

A security challenge
–Very small storage devices
–Very large capacities. USB connections
–Convenient–High speed. US Department of Defense banned USB flash media for 15 months in 2008–SillyFDC worm.

Question 12

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Answer 12

A specification for cryptographic functions– Hardware to help with encryption functions. Cryptographic processor– Random number generator, key generators. Persistent memory– Comes with unique keys burned in during production. Versatile memory– Storage keys, hardware configuration information– Password protected / No dictionary attacks.

Question 13

Fan considerations

Question 14

Secure Boot

Answer 14

Malicious software can “own” your system. –Malicious drivers or OS software. Secure boot–Part of the UEFI specification. Digitally sign known-good software
–Cryptographically secure
–Software won’t run without the proper signature. Support in many different operating systems–Windows and Linux support.

Question 15

Boot password management

Answer 15

BIOS Password / User Password. System won’t start. Need the password to start the operating system.

Supervisor Password
–Restrict BIOS changes
–Must use supervisor password to change
any BIOS configurations

• Remember your password!
  –Must reset the BIOS to recover
  –Usually a jumper

Question 16

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Answer 16

A specification for cryptographic functions– Hardware to help with encryption functions

• Cryptographic processor– Random number generator, key generators
  3.4 - CPU Features
• Persistent memory– Comes with unique keys burned in during production
• Versatile memory– Storage keys, hardware configuration information– Password protected / No dictionary attack

Question 17

Hardware Security Module (HSM)

Answer 17

Often used in large environments (Clusters, redundant power).

High-end cryptographic hardware– Plug-in card or separate hardware device.

Key backup - Secured storage for servers– Lightweight HSMs for personal use
(Smart card, USB, flash memory)

Cryptographic accelerators– Offload that CPU overhead from other devices.

Question 18

Advanced RISC Machine (ARM)

Answer 18

CPU architecture developed by Arm Ltd.– They design the chip, others license and build

• Simplified instruction set– Efficient and fast processing– Less power– Less heat
• Traditionally used for mobile and IoT devices

Question 19

Operating system technologies

Answer 19

Hardware drivers are specific to the OS version (32-bit / 64-bit)– 32-bit (x86), 64-bit (x64)

• 32-bit OS cannot run 64-bit apps– But 64-bit OS can run 32-bit apps
• Apps in a 64-bit Windows OS– 32-bit apps: \Program Files (x86)– 64-bit apps: \Program Files

Question 20

Single Core

Question 21

Multicore

Answer 21

Each core has its own cache– The entire chip may have a shared cache

Question 22

Multithreading

Answer 22

Hyper-Threading Technology (HTT). One CPU, acts like two. Doesn’t actually work as fast as two– 15% to 30% performance improvement. Operating system must be written for HTT– Windows XP and later (any modern OS).

Question 23

Virtualization support

Answer 23

Run other operating systems within a single hardware platform– Multiple operating systems share physical
hardware components.

Virtualization in software was limited– Performance and hardware
management challenges.

Virtualization added to the processor– Hardware is faster and easier to manage– Intel Virtualization Technology (VT)– AMD Virtualization (AMD-V).

Question 24

Expansion cards

Answer 24

Extend the functionality of your computer– You may need more than the motherboard
provides

• Relatively simple process– Designed for end-user installation
• Install hardware - Add a card
• Install a driver - Software for the operating system

Question 25

Sound card

Answer 25

Output– High-end audio– Advanced headphone amp– Home theater, Dolby decoding

Multiple inputs– Music capture– Podcasting– Microphone.

Question 26

Video card

Answer 26

Many CPUs include an integrated GPU– Video functionality is built into the CPU package

• Discrete graphics– The GPU is not part of the CPU
• Separate interface card - High performance

Question 27

Capture card

Answer 27

Video as an input– Video capture, live streaming, external cameras

• High performance– Video bandwidths can be quite high– PCI Express connection

Question 28

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Answer 28

Ethernet connection– Motherboard may not include a NIC– Onboard NIC may not be working

• Additional connections– Servers, routers, security devices

Question 29

Case fans

Answer 29

Cool air is pulled through a personal computer– Always check for good airflow

• Motherboard layout becomes important
• Component location is key– Devices, wiring, power
• Many different sizes and styles– And volume levels

Question 30

On-board fans

Answer 30

Designed to cool an entire adapter card

• Can be bulky– May take additional adapter card space
• Usually seen on high-end graphics cards

Question 31

Heat sink

Answer 31

Dissipate heat through thermal conduction– Copper or aluminum alloy

• Fins/grid increase surface area– Heat is then transferred to the cooler air
• They get HOT – don’t touch them!
• Thermal paste creates a good contact between the chip and the heat sink

Question 32

Thermal paste

Answer 32

Thermal grease, conductive grease– Thermally conductive adhesive

• Place between the heat sink and the component– Improves thermal conductivity– Moves the heat away from the component
• A little bit goes a long way– Pea-sized applic

Question 33

Thermal pad

Answer 33

Conduct heat without the mess - Cut to size and install

• Easy to use - Won’t leak and damage components
• Almost as effective as thermal paste– But still very good
• Not reusable - Remove and replace

Question 34

Liquid cooling

Answer 34

Coolant is circulated through a computer– Not a new concept– Automobiles, mainframe computers.

High-end systems.

Gaming, graphics

Overclocking.