Chapter 4 Part 1 Flashcards
Most complicated computer component and One of the first items to consider when building a
computer?
Motherboard
A motherboard(sometimes alternatively known as?
mainboard, system board, planar board or
logic board, or colloquially, a mobo
determines which processors a
board can support
Processor socket
Socket holds
Intel or AMD processor
Pins aligned in uniform rows around socket
Pin grid array (PGA) socket
Uses lands (pads) rather than pins
Land grid array (LGA)
Examples of LGA sockets:
LGA775 and LGA1366
Chip is flipped over so that the top of the chip is on the
bottom and makes contact with the socket
Flip-chip land grid array (FCLGA) socket
Pins staggered over socket
Squeezes more pins into a small space Easily bent
Staggered pin grid array (SPGA)
• Not really a socket
• Processor is soldered to the motherboard
Ball grid array (BGA)
– All current processor sockets
– Side lever lifts processor up and out of the socket
Zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets
– AMD uses the PGA socket architecture (desktops)
Sockets for AMD Processors
set of chips on motherboard that work with processor to collectively control:
– Memory, motherboard buses, some peripherals
Chipset
fast end of hub: Controls access to the RAM, video card, and the
speeds at which the CPU can communicate with them. The video card is sometimes
integrated into the Northbridge.
North Bridge
slow end of hub: In most cases, allows the CPU to communicate
with the hard drives, sound card, USB ports, and other I/O ports.
South Bridge
• Referred to by Intel as Nehalem chipset
• Contain memory controller within processor housing
• Memory connects directly to processor
• Has QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) technology
– Has 16 lanes for data packets
Core i7 and X58 chipset
• Memory and graphics controller in processor
• Second Generation Core i7 processor is an example
• Sandy Bridge motherboards use DDR3 memory
Sandy Bridge chipset
3rd generation processors
released in 2012
• Use less power
• More transistors in a smaller place
• Perform better than earlier products
• Uses a single Platform Controller Hub
Ivy Bridge chipset
Designed to compete with Ivey Bridge chipsets
AMD A-series (code name Trinity)
• Designed for gamer, hobbyist, multimedia enthusiast
• Focus on good graphics capabilities
• Support overclocking
AMD 9-series, 8-series, and 7-series
• Supports ATI CrossFire
AMD 580X Crossfire chipset
• Designed for business needs
AMD 780V chipset
• Designed for low-end, inexpensive systems
AMD 740G and 690 chipsets
– All make graphics processors and chipset for AMD
and Intel processors
– NVIDIA’s method of connecting multiple video
cards is called SLI
– If planning a gaming computer using two video
cards:
• Look for a motherboard that supports SLI and uses
the nForce chipset
NVIDIA, SIS and VIA Chipsets
