Chapter 1 Flashcards
A computer case for any type of computer is sometimes called the ___________________.
Chassis
What is the purpose of the computer case?
It houses the power supply, motherboard, processor, memory modules, expansion cards, hard drive, optical drive, and other drives.
What are the different types of computer cases?
- Tower cases
- Desktop cases
- All-in-one cases
- Mobile cases
What is a tower case?
A computer case that sits upright; it can be as high as two feet and has room for several drives.
What is a desktop case?
A computer case that lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand.
What is an all-in-one computer case?
A computer case that is used with all-in-one computers.
What is a mobile computer case?
A computer case that is used with laptops and tablets.
What is a loopback plug used for?
It’s used to test a network port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working. It might also test the throughput or speed of the port.
What is step 1 of opening the computer case?
Back up important data.
What is step 2 of opening the computer case?
Power down the system and unplug it. Unplug other peripherals as well.
What is step 3 of opening the computer case?
Press and hold the power button for 3 seconds. This will drain the power supply.
What is step 4 of opening the computer case?
Have a plastic bag or cup handy to hold screws.
What is step 5 of opening the computer case?
Open the case cover
• Some cases require you to remove the faceplate first
• Remove a side panel
• Locate the screws or clips that hold the side panel in place and remove
What is step 6 of opening the computer case?
Clip your ESD strap to the side of the computer case.
After the computer case is open, you will see the following 3 main components:
- Power supply
- Motherboard
- Drives
How can you tell the purpose of each cable in a computer case?
Follow cables from motherboard to the component to know the purpose of each cable.
What are internal components?
The main components installed in a computer case.
What are the 8 internal components of a computer case?
- Motherboard
- Processor
- Cooler
- Expansion cards
- Memory modules - random access memory (RAM)
- Dual inline memory module (DIMM)
- Hard drives & other drives
- Power supply
What is the motherboard?
Also called main board, system board, or mobo, it is the largest and most important circuit board in the computer. It contains a socket to hold the processor (CPU).
What is the processor?
It is what processes data and instructions for the entire system. It generates a lot of heat so a fan and heat sink might be installed on top.
What is a heat sink?
It consists of metal fins that draw heat away from a component.
The fan and heat sink together are called the ______________________.
processor cooler
All hardware components are either located on the ___________________ or directly or indirectly connected to it because they must all communicate with the CPU.
motherboard
What are expansion cards?
Also called adapter cards, they are a circuit board that provide more ports than those provided by the motherboard.
What are Memory modules – random access memory (RAM)?
Temporary storage for data and instructions as they are being processed by the CPU.
What is the job of a Dual inline memory module (DIMM)?
They hold memory modules (RAM).
What are hard drives?
Permanent storage used to hold data and programs.
Where are all drives in a system installed?
In a stack of drive bays at the front of the case.
What is the power supply?
It receives and converts house current so that components inside the case can use it.
• Most come with a dual-voltage selector switch
What do dual-voltage selector switches do?
They allow switching input voltage from 115V to 220V.
What are form factors?
Standards that describe the size, shape, screw hole positions, and major features of computer cases, power supplies, and motherboards.
What are the 2 form factors used by most desktop and tower computer cases and power supplies?
- ATX
2. microATX
What is ATX (Advanced Technology Extended)?
- Most commonly used form factor today
- Originally developed by Intel
- It is an open, nonproprietary industry specification
An ATX power supply has a variety of __________________________.
Power connectors
Power connectors have evolved because ____________________________________.
new technologies require more power.
What are 4-pin and 8-pin auxiliary connectors used for?
Used to provide an additional 12 V of power for
evolving CPUs.
How are 24-pin or 20+4-pin P1 connectors used?
- The older 20-pin P1 connector still worked in this connector
- Supported the new PCI Express (PCIe) slots
What are 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe connectors used for?
They connect directly to the video card
• Video cards draw the most power in a system
What is the microATX (mATX) form factor?
It is a major variation of ATX that reduces total cost of a system by:
- Reducing number of expansion slots on motherboard
- Reducing power supplied to the board
- Allowing for a smaller case size
What type of connector does microATX (mATX) use?
Uses a 24-pin P1 connector
• Not likely to have as many extra wires and connectors as those on the ATX power supply.
If removing components, you should do these 2 things:
- Draw a diagram of all cable connections to the motherboard, expansion cards, and drives.
- Use a felt-tip marker to mark components in order to indicate a cable connection, board placement, orientation, etc.
To remove expansion cards, go through the following steps:
- Remove any wire or cable connected to the card
- Remove the screw holding the card to the case
- Grasp the card with both hands and remove it by lifting straight up (can also very slightly rock the card from end to end)
- Don’t put your fingers on edge connectors or touch a chip
* It is best to store cards in an antistatic bag
