3.4 Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards Flashcards
Platform from which all connected components communicate. Provides basic services needed for the machine to operate and provide communication channels through which connected devices such as the processor, memory, disk drives, and expansion devices communicate.
Motherboard form factor
Standarized by intel in 195– Seen many updates over the years
* Power– 20 pin connector– 24 pin connector, additional 4/8 pin connector
Advanced Technology Extended (ATX)
A series of low-power motherboards– Developed by VIA Technologies in 2001– Small form factor. Small form factor uses– Single-purpose computing, i.e., streaming media.
Information Technology
eXtended (ITX)
Many expansion options– 32-bit and 64-bit bus width– Parallel communication. A common expansion interface on previous
computer generations– PCI Express is the newer technology.
Peripheral component interconnect (PCI)
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”)
PCI Express (PCIe
Power connector has 15 pins with 3 pins designed for 3.3V, 5V, and 12v and with each pin carrying 2.5 amps.
SATA
Provides form of SATA meant for external connectivity. Uses a robust connector, longer shielded cables and strict but backward compatible. Electrical standards has advantage of speed. 3 times as fast of firewire or USB 2.0 but 3.0 is faster.
eSATA
A simple electrical interface. Connector is attached to this. Many different uses– Power, peripheral connections, lights, and buttons
Headers
Can Interface to the motherboard using SATA, PCI or PCIE slots.
M.2
Motherboard attachment is necessary for these to use other components of the system. Current form is a rectangle with an expansion slot style.
CPU Sockets
One of two major processor vendors in the world. Athlon models are one of these vendors.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
(AMD)
Market leader in Chip manufacturing
Intel
Typically, capable of hosting more powerful processors and in some cases multiple processors.
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Motherboard Server
Supports multiple physical CPU packages– Split the load
Multisocket
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
Desktop
Laptops - Small and light
CPUs - Limited in speed - Thermal throttling
Limited system modification– Memory, CPU, functionality
Portability - Smaller devices– Low power consumption
Mobile motherboards
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
BIOS - Basic Input/Output System
The default order for any system to check to see if it has a valid operating system. Usually, order is set for hard disk, then CD-ROM but components can be in any order
Boot options
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
USB permissions
Operating systems provide the abaility to encrypt an entite volume or drive protecting a mobile devices data in the event of theft.
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
security features
BIOS setting that assists with cooling. Allows you to specify speed and percentage.
Fan considerations
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
Secure Boot
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
Boot password
A specification for cryptographic functions– Hardware to help with encryption functions
* Cryptographic processor– Random number generator, key generators
TPM (Trusted Platform module)
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
Hardware security module
(HSM)
Describes set of rules and methods and physical structure in CPU.
CPU Architecture
Word size of the processor, Data can be processed in larger chunks which allows for greater precision. If the operating system is not 64 bit you cannot take advantage of the 64-bit processor.
X64/X86
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– The lines are constantly blurring.
Advanced RISC Machine (ARM)
Read notes from earlier.
Single-core/muticore
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)
Multithreading
Run other operating systems within a single hardware platform– Multiple operating systems share physical
hardware components.
Virtualization support
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
Expansion cards
Output– High-end audio– Advanced headphone amp– Home theater, Dolby decoding
Multiple inputs– Music capture– Podcasting– Microphone
Sound card
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
Video card
Video as an input– Video capture, live streaming, external cameras
High performance– Video bandwidths can be quite high– PCI Express connection
Capture card
Ethernet connection– Motherboard may not include a NIC– Onboard NIC may not be working
Additional connections– Servers, routers, security devices
Network Interface Card (NIC)
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
Fans
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
Heat sink
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
Thermal paste
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
Thermal Pads
Coolant is circulated through a computer– Not a new concept– Automobiles, mainframe computers
High-end systems
Gaming, graphics
Overclocking
Liquid cooling
