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CompTIA A+ Certification 801 Support Skills
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components
Objectives
• Identify different case types and how to access system components
• Distinguish ATX, ITX, and proprietary motherboard form factors
• Identify components of the motherboard and describe the functions of the chipset
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 2
System Case Types• Desktop
– Standard
– Slimline
• Tower
– Full
– Midi
– Mini
• Small Form Factor
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 3
Disassembling a PC• Field Replaceable Units
(FRU)
• Backup
• Clean work environment
• Tools and equipment
– PC toolkit
– Notepad and pen
– Digicam
• Power off devices and remove cables
• Take ESD precautions
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 4
Front Panel• Drive bays
• Ports (USB / Firewire / Audio/Video)
• Power switch
• Status LEDs
• Usually need to remove side panel to access the clips holding the front panel bezel in place
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 5
Rear Panel• Power connector
• Fan exhausts
• Ports
• Expansion card slots
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 6
Motherboard Layout
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 7
Motherboard Form Factors• Determines shape, physical
layout, and the type of case and power supply that can be used
• Mounting holes / standoffs
• ATX
– 12”x9.6”
– 7 adapter card slots
• Micro-ATX
– 9.6” square
– 4 slots
• Small Form Factor
– Mini-ITX (1 slot)
– Proprietary designs
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 8
Motherboard Headers• Front panel
connectors
– Power
– HDD
– USB
– Audio
– Make a note of how these are connected!
• Jumpers
• Power and fan connectors
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 9
Bus Architecture
• Data bus width (64-bit)
• Address bus (memory locations)
• Internal bus (CPU > Memory, Chipset, ([Graphics Adapter])
• External bus (storage, adapter cards, peripherals)
• Timing (system clock)
• Parallel and serial bus typesUnit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 10
CPU Socket and Chipset• Compatibility
– Type of processor, processor speed, and multiprocessing support
– Type and amount of system memory supported
– Type of power management supported
– Type(s) of system bus supported
• Controllers
– System memory controller
– A keyboard and PS/2 mouse controller
– An Input / Output (I/O) controller that handles serial ports, parallel ports, floppy disks, disk drives, and expansion buses
– Controllers for any integrated video, sound, network (cabled and wireless), and SCSI interfaces
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 11
Northbridge / Southbridge
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 12
Modern Chipsets
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 13
Memory
• System memory
– Random Access Memory (RAM)
– Provides fast access to program data for CPU
– Volatile – data does not persist without power
– DIMM slots
– Compatible with speed and type
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 14
ROM BIOS and CMOS RAM• Read Only Memory (ROM)
can preserve data without power
• Basic Input / Output System is the PC firmware that enables it to boot
• Firmware is persistent software and is only changed infrequently
• Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor RAM stores variable CMOS settings – it is powered by a battery
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 15
Review
• Identify different case types and how to access system components
• Distinguish ATX, ITX, and proprietary motherboard form factors
• Identify components of the motherboard and describe the functions of the chipset
Unit 1.2 Motherboard Components Slide 16