Module 1 - Motherboards Flashcards
What are the two main chips that control communication on the motherboard?
The two main chips are the Northbridge (AKA Memory Controller Hub - MCH) and the Southbridge (AKA Input/Output Controller Hub - ICH).
What is the Northbridge responsible for?
The Northbridge is responsible for high data transfer devices such as high speed graphics and the RAM.
What is the Southbridge responsible for?
The Southbridge is responsible for handling all secondary controllers such as hard drives, USB connections, ethernet, and input/output devices.
What does the DMI do in a motherboard?
DMI (Direct Media Interface AKA Internal Bus) connects the Northbridge and Southbridge chips.
What is a FSB?
FSB (Front Serial Bus) is the connection between the Northbridge and the actual core of the CPU.
What’s the difference between FSB and HT?
FSB (Front Serial bus) is the bus designed by Intel that is a parallel interconnect between the Northbridge and the core of the CPU. HT (Hypertransport) is a serial interconnect designed by AMD, that for all intents and purposes is also a FSB.
What is the memory bus?
The memory bus is the bus that connects the Northbirdge o the RAM.
What are expansion buses?
Expansion buses are the buses that connect to the expansion slots to expand the capabilities of the motherboard.
What were the PS/2 ports used for?
Typically PS/2 ports were used to for keyboard and mouse connections.
RJ45 ports are for?
Ethernet connections.
Rj11 ports are for?
Phone / Modem
Serial ports are typically used for what?
Typically used for external devices like joysticks or external modems. This is why it’s often referred to as the “gaming port”.
Serial ports are used with what kind of connectors?
Serial ports are used for DB connections and are either DB9 (9 pins) or DB15 (15 pins).
Parallel ports are used typically used for what device?
They are typically used for printers. This is why they are can also be referred to as “Line Printer Terminal” (LPT) ports.
What kind of connections do parallel ports use?
They use DB25 (25 pins) connections.
SVGA ports use DB15 (15 pins) connections. What’s the visual indicator that differentiates between a SVGA port/connector vs a serial port/connector?
SVGA ports/connectors have 3 rows of pins while serial only has 2.
What are SVGA ports typically used for?
SVGA ports are typically used to connect to monitors.
1/8” Audio jacks look like what?
3 circular ports clustered together. 1 for a mic, 1 for a speaker, and 1 for line in.
What is the visual indicator for USB 3.0?
USB 3.0 ports and connectors are blue.
DVI ports/connectors are a newer replacement for what older port?
Digital Video Input (DVI) replaces SVGA.
ESATA ports used for what devices?
Typically used for external hard drives.
What’s a firewire port?
Firewire is used for mainly used for cameras and camcorders. These ports are usually marked with “1394”.
When adapting from DVI to HDMI, what’s a factor you should consider for audio?
HDMI supports audio while DVI does not. An additional cable needs to be used for audio.
What is the form factor of a motherboard?
Form factor refers to the physical configuration of a motherboard (i.e. shape / size). It’s important to take note of the form factor to ensure it’s compatible with the chassis of the computer.
What are the 4 main form factors for motherboards?
The main 4 types of form factors are: ATX, Micro ATX, ITX, and BTX.
What are the characteristics of an ATX motherboard?
ATX motherboards are 12” wide, 9.6” depth, and the RAM and the expansion slots are perpendicular to each other. The most common form factor.
What are the characteristics of a MicroATX?
MicroATX are 9.6” wide, 9.6” depth, and are backwards compatible with an ATX chassis.
What are the characteristics of an ITX motherboard?
ITX motherboards have a width range of 60mm - 6.7 in, a depth range of 60 mm to 6.7 in, and are typically designed for HTPCs, UMPCs, and smart phones.
What are the characteristics of a BTX motherboard?
BTX motherboards are 12.8” wide, 10.5” depth, and the RAM and expansion slots are parallel to each other.
ITX motherboards come in several sizes and each have unique features. What are the sizes for each?
Mini ITX: 170mm to 170mm.
Nano ITX: 120mm to 120mm.
Pico ITX: 72mm to 100mm.
What are the unique features of the MINI ITX?
170mm-170mm, passive cooling, and lower power consumption. Typically designed for HTPCs.
What are the unique features of the Nano ITX?
120mm-120mm. backwards compatible with ATX chassis, and lower power consumption.
What are the unique features of the Pico ITX?
72mm-72mm, active cooling, typically used for UMPCs.
What are the unique features of the BTX?
Requires a lot more power and cooling. Typically used for servers.
Power connectors usually have how many pins?
Power connectors usually have 24 pins. Older models were spilt into 2 sections: p8 and p9. Newer models were merged into a single section: p1.
The 24 pins of a power connector are color coded for different signals. What are the signals for orange pins?
Orange pins signal +3.3v.
The 24 pins of a power connector are color coded for different signals. What are the signals for red pins?
Red pins signal +5v.
The 24 pins of a power connector are color coded for different signals. What are the signals for yellow pins?
Yellow pins signal +12v.
The 24 pins of a power connector are color coded for different signals. What are the signals for black pins?
Black pins signal for ground.
What is the first thing to run when booting up a PC?
The BIOS is the first thing to run when booting up a PC.
What is the first thing the BIOS does when booting up?
The BIOS identifies, tests, and initializes system components (RAM, internal/external storage. optical drive, CPU, etc.)
When does POST occur?
BIOS is the first thing to run when botting up a PC, POST is the first step of the BIOS as it boots up.
What does POST do?
Tests all components of the PC and passes all error along to the BIOS, uses code numbers and audio beeps when an error occurs in case of display error, these codes and beeps can differ from vendor to vendor.
What does the CMOS do?
CMOS is the chip that holds the BIOS. Stores the content of what the BIOS finds (type and speed of CPU, drive capacities, date/time) and is volatile.
When should you update or flash your BIOS?
Only when it is absolutely necessary. Any interruption to flashing the BIOS can brick the computer.
What does the BIOS monitor?
BIOS monitors the following:
Temperatures
Fan Speeds
Clock
Bus Speed (CPU Speed)
Voltage
Intrusion detection (If the computer has been physically opened)
