CPUs, PSU & System Firmware (Chapter 4) Flashcards
Instruction Set
The machines language code and commands the CPU can process
ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit
The unit within a CPU that preforms calculations
FPU
Float Point Unit
The unit with a CPU that preforms floating point arithmetic
ARM
Advanced RISC Machine
-Reduced instruction set computer (ARM)
- Designed for 32-bit architecture
- Less power & less heat
- Efficient and fast processing
- mainly used for Mobile & IoT (Internet of things) devices
Cache
Volatile memory that is imbedded into the CPU that preloads instructions from RAM for frequently used processes
L1
- imbedded into the CPU core (On-die)
- Fastest memory, smallest capacity
L2
- imbedded alongside cores
- Slower than L1 but more capacity
L3 & L4
- imbedded next to a set of cores
- Slowest Cache, but has the most capacity
Multitasking
The ability of a operating system to run multiple task at once
Thread
A stream of instructions generated by a software application
Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP)
A system that consists of 2 or more physical CPUs that all run on the same OS
Multithreading
The ability of a CPU to run multiple threads at once
- reduces CPU idle time
- OS thinks there are more cores on the CPU
Clock Speed
the speed at which the CPU can run at
Front Side Bus speed
The Speed at which the bus between the CPU and system memory runs
Throttling
Technology that allows the CPU to adjust its speed to improve performance
- manages the power consumption of the CPU to be more efficient under idle/load times
Virtualization Support (VM)
The ability for a system to run multiple operating systems on the same machine (dependent on EUFI (chipset) and CPU)
- Enabled in EUFI via VT (intel) or AMD-V (AMD)
Intel CPU
Consists of conductive pads that connects to the motherboard via Land Grid Array (LGA)
Xeon, Core, Pentium, Celeron, Atom
AMD
Consists of pins that connects to the motherboard via Pin Grid Array (PGA)
EPYC, Threadripper, Ryzen, Ryzen Mobile
System Firmware
System software that allows the computer components to be initialized and loads the main OS. It’s stored on the motherboard in a nonvolatile storage chip
BIOS
Basic Input/Output System
- A set of instructions set in ROM Chip used to start/configure the most basic services of a computer system
UEFI
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
- an updated version of BIOS that is design to be more easily accessible
BIOS/UEFI Security Options
Boot/User Password
- Password required upon each boot up
Supervisor/Administrator Password
- Password required when saving new UEFI configuration
Secure Boot
A protocol that is used during POST that the UEFI uses to ensure that all system components are safe by validating whether it has a digital signed driver
PSU
Power supply unit,
Converts AC current into DC current at low voltages to system components
- 3.5v, 5v, 12v
Power Requirements Formula
The sum of all components power requirements + 50%
POST
Power On Self-Test
a hardware checking routine that is built into the systems firmware that runs on boot
32-bit vs 64-bit OS
-Hardware drivers must be of the same type as the OS.
- Only 64-bit systems can bot 32-bit & 64-bit apps
-32-bit app stored: \Program Files(x86)
-64-bit app stored: \Program Files
How to enter UEFI/BIOS
-On boot hold manufacturer BIOS button
- hold down shift when clicking Restart ( enters window recovery)
- interrupt boot 3 times to prevent windows fast start up
Over Current Protection (OCP)
A PSU safety feature that cuts the circuit if power exceeds a safe limit
3.3V & 5V
Max A = 20a
Max W = 130 W
12V
Max A = 33a
Max W = 396w
Voltage Regulator (VRM)
A module on a motherboard that ensure the correct voltage is being supplied to the CPU
PSU Power Connector
P1 - 24 pin motherboard power
P4 - 4 pin CPU power
P6 - 6 pin PCIe power
P8 - 8 pin Graphics card power
