Terms Flashcards
DDR3
Ram speed
-240-pin DIMM, 204-pin for laptops
-XMP (extreme memory profile)- feature to overclock RAM speeds
-max out at 16 GB of memory
DDR4
-RAM speed
-288-pin DIMM, 260-pin SO-DIMM
-usually max out at 64 GB if memory
DDR5
-Fastest RAM speed-
-288-pin, 262-pin for SO-DIMM
-Max out at 64-256 GB of memory
-up to 7200+ MT/s
MT/s
Mega transfers per second
Double sided DIMMs
Two sticks soldered onto one board, front and back
Latency
Time of delay between RAM response time
-latency rating (CL#) is the clock cycles between delivery of each request to a given stick of RAM
-Latency of RAM sticks must match latency of MB
Bit-flip
Binary digit being flipped from 1 or 0 to the opposite
ECC RAM
Type of RAM that checks errors on DRAM sticks, correcting single digit bit flips, but no more
Virtual memory
When RAM runs out, a page/swap file is created by the hard drive to temporarily store less used RAM data
32-bit windows RAM recommendations
2 GB to get by, 4 GB for best results
64-bit windows RAM recommendations
8 GB to get by, 16GB is good, 32 GB is great
Mac OS RAM recommendations
8 GB to get by, 16 GB is good, 16+ GB is great
SPD
Serial presence detect
- used by MB to detect RAM and access info about said RAM, sets up and syncs DIMM to the CPU
Non-maskable interrupt (NMI)
Error that a PC cannot ignore
What are buses (wires) used for?
Communication between CPU and input/output devices
Chipset/PCH (Platform controller hub)
One single chip that is used to control all devices
-each device USED to have their own chip. Now it’s all one
Device driver
Code book of commands used by CPU to communicate with and direct device input
ROM/ROM chip
Read only memory
-device that contains pre-OS code that sits on motherboard
-non-volatile memory (not erased after CPU shutoff)
Scan code
Combo of 1s and 2s sent to CPU from keyboard input
Firmware
Programs stored on ROM chips that contribute to the boot process.
UEFI
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
-programming standard that defines how utilities are configured. All of this is stored on the motherboard’s ROM chip
CMOS
Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
-bits of info needed for the UEFI that isn’t stored on the ROM chip
-a battery built into the chip set
Boot options
-USB permissions
-Fan considerations
Determines which bootable devices get priority
-turn on/off USB ports
-settings for fan speed and temp
Trust platform module
Hardware platform for storing secure keys that are used by software
Secure boot
Boot process security that ensures that only firmware/software that is trusted by the OME (original manufacturer equipment) is loaded
POST (during boot process)
Power-on self test
-ran during bios/UEFI set up, tells all devices to run a self-diagnostic check
-POST beeps-indicate failed diagnostic check
POST card- card that snaps into extension slot, tells which devices are being tested
Boot process
Process of a PC powering on and testing/loading hardware and software
——
Power on—>voltage check—>power good wire wakes the CPU—>send message via address bus to start POST—>boot sequence (order of devices to check to load OS)—>bootable disk (any device programmed to tell system where to locate OS
PXE
Preboot execution environment- enables you to boot a PC from a network server instead of local storage
Resetting system utilities
-Turn PC off and on
-unplug jumper, plug it in elsewhere, and then move it back
CMOS battery error
Remove battery and then replace it/put it back
Updating ROM (flash ROM)
Command line program combined with update file to do a firmware update
Motherboard (MB)
Circuit board that is the foundation for any PC. Every piece of hardware either directly, or indirectly, plugs into the motherboard
-combines wires that makeup the buses, called traces
-distributes power from power supply
What 3 main concepts make up motherboards?
- Form factor- determines physical size of MB & general location of comments and ports
- Chipset- defines type of processor & RAM the MB requires and somewhat determines
- Components- built-in components determine core-functionality of the system
What companies make almost all chipsets and CPU’s for Linux, Windows and Mac?
AMD or Intel
Form factors
Industry-standardized shape and layouts that allow MB (and other components) to work w/ cases and power supplies
Types of MB form factors
—AT-outdated,
—ATX- has a panel with all necessary built in
- RAM and other components
closer to CPU for faster
Responses
- three sizes, including a
MicroATX form factor
—ITX- smaller form factor, compete directly with microATX
-runs on tiny amounts of power
- uses less heat, calls for less
cooling
proprietary form factors only work with the same manufacturer’s case
Chipset
Supports CPU interfacing with other devices on the MB
-determines accepted processors, type and capacity of RAM, and external and internal devices
-located centrally
-Northbridge chip- handles RAM
-Southbridge chip- handles some expansion devices and mass storage drives
-ROM chips- used for BIOS, these still need drivers to interface with the CPU
Components
Features and ports of MBs
-USB ports (headers= front of connecting cable/socket)
-sound- audio jack
-video-HDMI/VGA
-RAID (redundant array of independent disks)
-case fan plug ins
Expansion bus
Slots, wires and chips that expand MB function
System crystal
Clock and all devices soldered on the motherboard are designed to run at the speed of the system crystal
-some chipsets have a crystal
-each chip in a PC has a CLK wire pushed by the clock/crystal
-crystal, MB and chips need to match in terms of clock speed
Expansion bus crystals
Controls expansion bus connected to expansion slots
-runs at a speed independent of the MB
Types of expansion buses
-PCI-peripheral component interconnect
-one wire for each bit transferred
-PCIe- peripheral component interconnect express
-one wire for each 32-bit chunk
processed
-point-to-point connection
-most common is the 16-lane (x16)
-usually used for video cards
-some MBs might not have enough
lanes for each slot
Installing expansion cards
4 steps
- Knowledge of card and what OS and drivers it needs
- Physical installation- use anti-static gears! Install carefully
-
Device Drivers- BIOS/software support programs that make the expansion card run right
-install correct drivers/uninstall wrong
ones (check manufacturers website
for correct drivers)
INSTALL DEVICE FIRST AND DRIVERS SECOND
Old drivers must be uninstalled to install correct drivers - Verification- Use Add Hardware Wizard
Symbols in device manager
A black “!”= missing device
A black “down arrow”= disabled device
Fix both within device manager
Upgrading and installing MBs
New MB must fit the case (form factor), ATX or microATX
-CPU must match MB CPU slot
Popular MB types: ASUS, AsRock, GIGABYTE, MSI
————
1. It’s best to install RAM, CPU and fan before installing MB into its case
2. Screw MB into standoffs, connect wires
3. Test boot process
-POST needs either a POST-card or a monitor/videocard/speaker/keyboard set up to do the POST test
Trouble shooting motherboards
-Catastrophic failure= a loud pop and smell of ozone. Caused by ESD or burn-in failure (manufacturing error)
-Component failure= USB port or faulty connection
-Ethereal failure- BSoD (blue screen of death), just reboot
If you have a POST card:
-catastrophic failure= replace MB
-component failure= replace component or run BIOS flash ROM
NVME
Non-volatile memory express
-protocol and interface for flash and SSD memory
M.2
Form factor for SSDs
