Motherboards

Unit 02 – Computer Systems

BTEC Level 3 90-Credit Diploma for IT UsersLecturer: Owen Funnell

Computer Systems and

Motherboards

This Lesson….

• Understand what a computer system

• Understand what a motherboard does in a computer system

• Understand how all the parts of a motherboard connect to each other

• Understand the connections on a motherboard


What is a computer system?Simplest term:

A Computer system is one that is able to take a set of inputs, process them and crate a set of outputs. This process is done

with a combination of software and hardware


Process

Program

OutputInput

Storage

What is a computer system?A computer system has one or more Inputs to provide data.

This data is processed in some way. The outcome is sent to an output or it may be stored until an event happens that means it can be outputted.


What is motherboard?The motherboard serves to connect all of the parts of a

computer together. The CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound card and other ports and expansion

cards all connect to the motherboard directly or via cables.

The motherboard is the piece of computer hardware that can be thought of as the "back bone" of the PC.


What is motherboard? (Page 5)The Parts of a Motherboard


3

4

7

6

5 2

1

8

Sizes of motherboard? (Page 6)


Motherboard Buses (Page 7)


A bus is simply a circuit that connects one part of the motherboard to another.

The more data a bus can handle at one time, the faster it allows information to

travel. The speed of the bus, measured in megahertz (MHz), refers to how

much data can move across the bus simultaneously.



AGP bus

memory bus

front side bus

PCI bus

ATA Bus


Lecturer: Owen Funnell

Bus speed usually refers to the speed of the front side bus (FSB), which connects the CPU to the Northbridge. FSB speeds can range from 66 MHz to over 800 MHz. Since the CPU reaches the memory controller though the Northbridge, FSB speed can dramatically affect a computer's performance.

The memory bus connects the Northbridge to the memory.

The IDE or ATA bus connects the Southbridge to the disk drive storage.

The AGP bus connects the video card to the memory and the CPU. The speed of the AGP bus is usually 66 MHz.

The PCI bus connects PCI slots to the Southbridge.

The faster a computer's bus speed, the faster it will operate -- to a point. A fast bus speed cannot make up for a slow processor or chipset.

Motherboard Chip Set (Page8)


The Northbridge connects directly to the processor via the ______________ (FSB). A memory controller is located on the Northbridge, which gives the CPU fast access to the memory. The Northbridge also connects to the AGP or PCI Express bus and to the memory itself.

The chipset is the "glue" that connects the

microprocessor to the rest of the motherboard

and therefore to the rest of the computer. On

a PC, it consists of two basic parts --

the Northbridge and the Southbridge. All of

the various components of the computer

communicate with the CPU through the

chipset.

Motherboard Chip Set (Page8)


The Southbridge is slower than the Northbridge, and information from the CPU has

to go through the Northbridge before reaching the Southbridge. Other busses

connect the Southbridge to the PCI bus, the USB ports and the IDE or SATA hard

disk connections.

Motherboard Sockets (Page9)


Motherboards vary greatly in respect to the types of components they support. For

example, each motherboard supports a single type of CPU and a short list of

memory types. Additionally, some video cards, hard drives and other peripherals

may not be compatible. The motherboard manufacturer should provide clear

guidance on component compatibilities.

Socket LGA 1155 Socket LGA 775 Socket AM2/AM2+/AM3/AM3+



ZIF socketA ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket is the physical way that Processor (CPU’s) connect to the computer motherboard to the data bus. As its name implies, the ZIF socket is designed for ease of manufacture and so that the average computer owner will be able to upgrade the microprocessor. The ZIF socket contains a lever that opens and closes, securing the microprocessor in place.

ZIF allows for easy removable of the CPU for upgrading but still keeps it very secure when installed.



A memory slot, memory socket, or RAM slot is what allows computer memory

(RAM) to be inserted into the computer. Depending on the motherboard, there may

be 2 to 4 memory slots. Notice the slots on the socket which stop you putting the

memory in the wrong way



Motherboard Expansion ports

Motherboard Connectors and cables (Page14)


Internal Ports

SATA Connector

Connecting SATA devices such as Hard Drive Storage or

Optical Drives

IDE Connector

Connecting IDE devices such as Hard Drive

Storage or Optical Drives



Internal Ports

Floppy Connector

Connecting floppy drives to the motherboard

Front Panel Connectors

Connecting up front panel LEDs and Switch's (Power/Restart

Switch's)

Audio Connector

Connecting external audio to the motherboard



Internal Ports

USB Connector

Connecting USB2.0 front the front panel to

the motherboard

SATA Cable

Connecting SATA connectors from the motherboard to

the SATA drive

IDE Cable

Connecting IDE connectors from the motherboard to

the SATA drive



Internal Ports

Front Panel Connectors

Connecting the Front Panel Controls and LEDS to the

motherboard

Connecting Audio Front Panel to Motherboard

USB

Connecting USB on the front panel to the motherboard

Audio



Internal Ports

Floppy Cable

Connecting Floppy devices to the motherbaord

USB 3.0

Connecting USB 3.0 on the front panel to the

motherboard



PS/2

USB 2.0

HDMI

AVI

VGA

USB 3.0

Ethernet

Connector

Audio

Buying a Motherboard (Page19)


You are working for an Website production company who have asked you to spec some new computers You must first find motherboards suitable for the computers and justify why you have bought them. The 3 computers are

A basic windows 7 work station (less then £80)• Cheap• USB Ports • 4-8GB Memory

A server 2012 virtual server (between then £100-200)• Lots of memory• More then 2 CPU

A video production computer (between then £100-200)• Lots of Memory• HDMI/DVI Out• 2 PCE-E x16 slots

Motherboards

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