Section 3.1: Cases and Form Factors
In this section students will explore basics about computer cases and form factors. Details about the following concepts will be covered:
- Types of motherboards:
- ATX
- Mini-ATX
- Micro-ATX
- Mini-ITX
- NLX
- BTX
- Types of system cases:
- Desktop
- Tower
- Small form factor (SFF)
- Notebook
- Components of a system case
- Why must the case and the power supply be matched to the motherboard?
-
How does the BTX form differ from the ATX form?
BTX include more efficient PC cooling (or better cooling performance, if you like) but also quietest possible operation. This helps ensure that the CPU socket always appears in the same zone. BTX is a mirror image of ATX arrangements. Expansion slots change places. PCI Express graphics cards in the path of the CPU fan's air stream.
- What is the main difference between full, mid-, and mini-tower cases?
- What are the standard components typically included with a system case?
- Power supplies:
- Must be matched to the motherboard and case form factor
- Converts AC current to DC current
- Standard ATX Power supplies provide + 3.3 volts, +/- 5 volts, and +/- 12 volts
- Each separate voltage output circuit is referred to as a rail
- Most power supplies can receive both 110 and 220 volt power by toggling a switch
- Power supplies are rated in watts
- You can calculate a system’s wattage requirements
- Includes a fan to cool the system
- An ATX power supply provides soft power
- Includes connectors for powering various computer components
- Connectors are standardized following the ATX specifications
- Symptoms of a bad power supply
- Personal safety when working with power supplies
- Common power supply connectors include:
- 20-pin
- 24-pin (20+4 pin)
- 4-pin +12 volt power (P4)
- 8-pin EPS +12 volt
- 6-pin PCI Express
- 4-pin accessory power
- SATA power cable
- 4-pin mini-Molex.
- How does the case form affect the type of power supply you purchase?
- What function does the red switch on a power supply perform? Why is this important?
- What is a watt? How does the watt rating for a power supply affect the devices you can use in a system?
- What is a soft power supply?
- Why must you be careful when using a proprietary power supply?
- Replace a Power Supply
- The components of a typical motherboard:
- Processor interface
- Memory modules
- Expansion slots
- Onboard components
- Faceplate connectors
- Onboard internal connectors
- BIOS chip
- CMOS battery
- Chipset
- Jumpers
- Documentation
- The process to install a motherboard
- What factors will you consider when selecting a motherboard?
- What is the difference between the northbridge
and southbridge chips on a motherboard?
A northbridge is connected directly to the CPU (unlike the southbridge). The northbridge is usually paired with a southbridge, also known as I/O controller hub. two chips manage communications between the CPU and other parts of the motherboard. - How can you add peripheral devices to a system?
- How are PCI and PCI Express different?
PCI Express slots are found on the motherboard and are used strictly for videocards. PCI slots are slots found on almost all motherboards which powerup different cards like sound cards, TV tuner cards, USB/Firewire cards,etc. Make sure your motherboard has a PCI-E slot if you intend on installing a new video card. Old video cards use AGP and even older ones use PCI. - What is the most common bus type for
video cards on new motherboards?
The latest in bus technology is the PCI-express standard. Think of a PCI slot as a multi-lane highway capable of two-way traffic. PCI-Express or “PCIe” is evolving even as you read this from version 1.1 to version 2.0. PCIe 1.1 transfers data at 250 MB/s in each direction per lane. With 32 lanes available, PCIe has a theoretical transfer capability of 8 GB/s in each direction. - Choose and Install a Motherboard
- Considerations for choosing a processor:
- Manufacturer
- 32-bit or 64-bit processor
- Speed
- Multi-core
- Cache
- Process size
- Hyper-threading
- Throttling
- Mobile processors
- Virtualization
- Integrated memory controller
- Cooling
- Details about CPU performance
- Processor socket categories:
- Pin Grid Array (PGA)
- Land Grid Array (LGA)
- Commonly-implemented processor sockets
- Details when installing a CP
- What is the difference between the three levels of cache memory?
- What is the biggest limitation of
using a 32-bit processor?
With 32 bit system, each application can only use 4GB of RAM. - What factors should be considered when comparing the speed of computers?
- What are the benefits of using a
smaller processor size during CPU manufacture?
Less heat. Higher speed. - What is the difference between
hyper-threading and multithreading?
Multi-threading is when various processes are time sliced such that it gives the user the impression that all the programs are being run at the same time. This is what happens on your computer regularly.
Hyper-threading (newer) is using one processor but logically dividing it into two so that it gives the user the benefit of two processors with only using the resources equivalent to almost one. Two applications at the same time without slowing down processing speed. - Under what circumstances might you
choose to use throttling?
the frequency of a microprocessor can be automatically adjusted "on the fly," either to conserve power or to reduce the amount of heat generated by the chip. Commonly used in laptops and other mobile devices, where energy comes from a battery. - What is virtualization? Which CPU features enable advanced virtualization support?
- What three components are used with a
CPU to dissipate heat?
Heat sink, heat sink compound, ventilation or cooling system. - Select and Install a Processor 1
- Select and Install a Processor 2
- Types of Random Access Memory (RAM):
- Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
- Static RAM (SRAM)
- RAM standards:
- SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
- DDR (Double-Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
- DDR2
- DDR3
- RDRAM (Rambus DRAM)
- Increasing memory bandwidth using multiple channels
- Types of generic form factor labels:
- SIMM
- DIMM
- SO-DIMM
- RIMM
- Considerations when selecting RAM:
- Packaging (form)
- Capacity
- Frequency
- CAS latency/timing
- Error correction
- Buffered (registered)
- Single- or double-sided
- Comparison of different types of memory:
- SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DIMM)
- RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) RIMM
- DDR (Double-Data Rate synchronous Dynamic RAM) DIMM
- DDR-2 DIMM
- DDR-3 DIMM
- 144-pin SODIMM
- 200-pin SODIMM
- Considerations when selecting memory
- Issues when installing memory
- How does RAM differ from ROM?
- What is the difference between SRAM
and DRAM?
Static RAM: no need to refresh. D RAM: needs refreshing. RAM is re-loaded 400 times per second. - What are two advantages of using DDR3
memory over DDR2 memory?
DDR3 memory uses 30% less power than DDR2. Voltages different. 1.8 V or 2.5 V for DDR2, and 1.5 V for DDR3. Speed: transfer data at twice the rate. - What are two places where the memory controller might be located in modern PC systems?
- Why is consulting the motherboard documentation so important when purchasing memory?
- You have DDR2 memory with a CAS
latency of 6 and DDR3 memory with a CAS latency of 7. What can you tell
about the relative speed of the two memory modules?
Column Address Strobe (CAS) latency is the delay time between the moment a memory controller tells the memory module to access a particular memory column on a RAM module, and the moment the data from the given array location is available on the module's output pins.
In general, the lower the CL, the better. - What is the difference between ECC and
registered memory?
Usually the motherboard must match the memory type: registered memory will not work in a motherboard not designed for it, and vice-versa. - Basic Input Output System (BIOS) details.
- Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) details.
- Common reasons for editing the CMOS settings.
- The process to start up the system.
- What are the functions of the BIOS?
- What is the role of CMOS? How does it differ from the BIOS?
- Why does the CMOS require a battery?
- What might be some common reasons for editing the CMOS settings?
- What determines the keystroke to open a CMOS editor? How can you find this information?
- What functions are performed in the POST process?
- Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
- Mini-PCI
- Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCle)
- Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)
-
Audio/Modem Riser (AMR)
It was designed by Intel to interface with chipsets and provide analog functionality, such as sound cards and modems, on an expansion card.
- Communications Network Rise (CNR)
Communications and Networking Riser Card
CNR slots were once commonly found on Pentium 4-class motherboards, but have since been phased out in favor of on-board or embedded components.
- Identify expansion buses and cards by sight.
- Install an expansion card.
- What is an advantage of the PCIe bus over the PCI bus?
- Which type of devices typically use mini-PCI cards?
- Which buses are commonly used by graphics cards?
- What type of slot can a PCIe x1 card be placed in?
- How are cards added to an AMR slot?
- Install Expansion Cards
- Bus type
- Monitor interface
- Processing capabilities
- Multi-GPU
- Memory
- Display quality
- High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) support
- TV input and output
- HDMI audio
- DirectX/OpenGL
- Details about installing video cards
- How does the video card affect the quality of the image on the monitor?
- Which type of DVI connector can be used to send either analog or digital signals?
- How does the GPU increase the video performance?
- What advantages are provided by SLI and CrossFire?
- What is the general function of HDCP? When should you be concerned with an HDCP video card or monitor?
- What is the difference between ATSC and NTSC? Which format would you most likely choose if you wanted to watch broadcast TV in the United States?
- Upgrade a Video Card
- Bus support
- Channels
- Sampling rate
- Feature support
- Analog input and output
- Digital audio
- Additional ports
- Common file types used to save digital audio into:
- WAV (Windows Standard)
- AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)
- AU (UNIX standard)
- MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3)
- AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)
- RA or RAM (Real Networks)
- WMA (Windows Media Audio)
- MIDI (not a true audio file)
- Details about configuring system sound
- Troubleshooting sound problems
- Input and output ports for connecting external audio-related devices:
- Mini TRS
- Toslink
- RCA
- DB-15
- Firewire
- HDMI
- Select a sound card for a given scenario.
- Create a multi-media system by installing sound devices.
- You installed a PATA DVD drive, but when you play a CD no sound is played on the sound card. Other sounds play fine. What should you do to correct the problem?
- What might you need to do to play AIFF files on a Windows computer?
- What color typically indicates the speaker port on a sound card? What color is used for the microphone?
- Which connectors are used for digital S/PDIF audio?
- What is a DB-15 connector on a sound card typically used for?
- Select and Install a Sound Card
- Heat sensors
- Fans
- Heat sink
- Rounded cables
- Liquid cooling
- Room temperature
- Ventilation
- How does adequate cooling improve performance and extend the life of components?
- How does organizing and attaching cables and wires in and around a computer system help with internal airflow?
- Why should you keep the system case cover on during normal operations?
- When might you want to add liquid cooling to a computer?
- What is the difference between a heat sink and a heat spreader?
- What is the function of a thermal pad? When should it be used?
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.1.1 Cases and Form Factors 10:04
Number of Exam Questions
5 questions
Total Time
About 20 minutes
Section 3.2: Power Supplies
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.2.1 Power Supplies 10:48
3.2.3 Identifying Power Supply Components 8:49
3.2.4 Changing the Power Supply 16:03
Total 35:40
Lab/Activity
Number of Exam Questions
15 questions
Total Time
About 55 minutes
Section 3.3: Motherboards and Buses
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.3.1 Motherboard Components 6:27
3.3.3 Installing a
Motherboard 14:40
Total 21:07
Lab/Activity
Number of Exam Questions
12 questions
Total Time
About 45 minutes
Section 3.4: Processors
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.4.1 Processor Concepts
8:08
3.4.5 Installing a Processor
5:02
Total 13:10
Lab/Activity
Number of Exam Questions
24 questions
Total Time
About 60 minutes
Section 3.5: Memory
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.5.1 Memory 7:09
3.5.2 Memory Types 13:09
3.5.4 Memory Factors 13:12
3.5.5 Memory Speed 17:50
3.5.7 Memory Forms
8:20
3.5.9 Selecting the Correct Memory Module 10:26
3.5.10 Installing Memory
5:01
Total 75:07
Lab/Activity
· Select Memory by Sight
· Install Triple Channel Memory
Number of Exam Questions
26 questions
Total Time
About 125 minutes
Section 3.6: BIOS
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.6.1 BIOS and CMOS 13:13
3.6.2 PC Boot Process
4:55
3.6.4 Editing the BIOS 17:05
3.6.5 Editing the BIOS 2 22:16
3.6.6 Flashing the BIOS 10:22
Total 67:51
Lab/Activity
· Find BIOS Settings
· Clear CMOS Settings
Number of Exam Questions
10 questions
Total Time
About 90 minutes
Section 3.7: Expansion Cards
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.7.1 Expansion Buses and Slots 3:36
3.7.3 Installing an Expansion Card 5:29
Total 9:05
Lab/Activity
Number of Exam Questions
8 questions
Total Time
About 25 minutes
Section 3.8: Video
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.8.1 Video Cards
3:31
3.8.3 Installing a Video Card
6:41
Total 10:12
Lab/Activity
Number of Exam Questions
6 questions
Total Time
About 30 minutes
Section 3.9: Audio
Summary
In this section students will learn about facts that should be considered when purchasing and installing a sound card. Concepts covered include:
Students will learn how to:
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.9.1 Digital Audio
9:04
3.9.2 Sound Cards
7:22
3.9.4 Managing Audio Devices 15:50
Total 32:16
Lab/Activity
Number of Exam Questions
7 questions
Total Time
About 55 minutes
Section 3.10: Cooling
This section discusses the following methods that can be used to cool the system:
Lecture Focus Questions:
Video/Demo Time
3.10.1 System Cooling 11:30
Number of Exam Questions
4 questions
Total Time
About 20 minutes