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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