3.4 - Motherboard Compatibility

Question 1

Intel and AMD

Answer 1

• 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
• Choosing a side
  – Historically, AMD is value and Intel is performance
  – This is a dynamic technology segment

Question 2

Server motherboards

Answer 2

• 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 3

Desktop motherboards

Answer 3

• 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 4

Mobile motherboards

Answer 4

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

Question 5

System board

Answer 5

• Proprietary - Built to fit
• Replacement isn’t easy
  – Swap the entire board
  – Most components are on the system board