Motherboards Flashcards
Three Defining Factors of a Motherboard
Form Factor
Chipset
Components
Form Factor
Physical size of motherboard and location of components
Chipset
Defines the type of processor and RAM the motherboard requires
Components
Determine core functionality of system
Modern Motherboard Construction
Layered Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
ATX Form Factor
Most common
The ATX form factor includes many improvements over AT.
ATX Size Differences
Full Size and Micro
12 x 9.6in
9.6 x 9.6in
ITX Form Factor
mini-ITX 6.7 x 6.7
Small power supply and low noise
Riser Board
Daughter Board
Separate from main mb
proprietary
Chipset
One or more discrete integrated circuit chips that support the CPU’s interfacing to all the other devices on the motherboard.
Northbridge and Southbridge (Deprecated)
The northbridge chip handled RAM, while the southbridge handled some expansion
devices and mass storage drives, such as hard drives.
Standard Components
CPU, RAM, HDD/SSD slots
Additional Components
USB
Sound
Networking
Video
RAID
Case Fan
Header
Cable plug in for additional external ports
Expansion Bus
Used to add features to PC (Video, sound, capture, NIC, etc)
Expansion Bus Crystal
Runs the timing of the expansion slots rather than the system crystal
PCI Slot
Peripheral Component Interconnect
Self-configuring
Mbs would have PCI and normal expansion to allow use of both
PCI Express Slot
uses point-to-point serial connection rather than parallel, much faster
16x is most common
1x most common general purpose
Lanes, bandwidth, encoding reduces possible bandwidth, highest theoretical 256 GTps
2.5 GTps with PCIe 1.x, 5 GTps with PCIe 2.x, 8 GTps with PCIe 3.x, 16 GTps with PCIe 4.0
Issues
Wired for fewer lanes than size suggests
Not enough lanes can slow system
Lower PCIe = Less Bandwidth
Lanes can be used for other things
Installing Expansion Cards
First, you need to know that the card works with your system and your operating system.
Second, you have to insert the card in an expansion slot properly and without damaging the card or the motherboard.
Third, you need to provide drivers for the operating system—proper drivers for the specific OS.
Fourth, you should always verify that the card functions properly before you walk away from the PC.
Knowledge, physical installation, device drivers, and verification.
Troubleshooting Expansion Cards
Device Manager - Check if enabled and driver updated
Add Hardware Wizard hdwwiz.exe
Reseat and Reinstall
Upgrading a Motherboard
First, determine what motherboard you need.
Second, make sure you’re getting a form factor that works with your case.
Third, all motherboards come with a technical manual, better known as the motherboard book.
Fourth, pick your case carefully.
Installing a Motherboard
Remove all impediments and screws, keep track of the screws.
Unscrew the mb from standoffs.
Insert new mb and standoffs.
Connect LEDs, buttons, front mounted ports.
Motherboard Failure Types
Catastrophic
Component
Ethereal
Catastrophic
Won’t Boot
Usually a pop and a stink
Check indicator lights
Burn-in failure
ESD
Component
Bad connections between devices
Ethereal
Stuff doesn’t work all of the time
Caused by many things
Motherboard Troubleshooting Techniques
Check
Replace
Verify Good Component
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