Chapter 3 All About Motherboards

NLX Up to 9" X 13.6" (229mm x 345mm)

A low profile form factor used in low end systems with a riser card

ATX Full Size Up to 12" x 9.6" (305mm X 244mm)

A popular form factor that has had many revisions and variations

Mini-ITX (aka ITX) Up to 6.7" X 6.7" (170mm X 170mm)

A small form factor (SFF) board used in low-end computers and home theater systems. The boards are often used with an Intel Atom processor and are sometimes purchased as a motherboard-processor combo unit

MicroATX Up to 9.6" x 9.6" (244mm X 244mm)

A smaller version of ATX

Another important feature of a motherboard is the processor socket. This socket and the chipset determine which processors a board can support.

A socket for a desktop or laptop computer is designed to hold either an Intel processor or an AMD processor.

Virtualization is when one physical machine hosts multiple activities that are normally done on multiple machines. One type of virtualization is the use of virtual machines.

A virtual computer or virtual machine (VM) is software that simulates the hardware of a physical computer.

The most popular motherboard form factors are

ATX, microATX (a smaller version of ATX), and Mini-ITX (a smaller version of microATX). The Mini-ITX board is also commonly referred to as an ITX board

Most likely when you first install a hard drive or an operating system, you will want to have the BIOS attempt to first boot from a DVD so that you can install Windows from the setup DVD.

After the OS is installed, to prevent accidental boots from a DVD or other media, change setup BIOS to boot first from the hard drive.

The next evolution of PCI is PCI-X, which uses a 64-bit data path and had three major revisions; the last and final revision is PCI-X 3.0.

All PCI-X revisions are backward compatible with conventional PCI cards and slots, except 5-V PCI cards are not supported. PCI-X focused on the server market; therefore, it's unlikely you'll see PCI-X slots in desktop computers.

Ports coming directly off the motherboard are called onboard ports or integrated components.

Almost all motherboards have two or more USB ports and sound ports. Boards might also offer a network port, FireWire (IEEE 1394) port, one or more video ports, one or more eSATA ports (for external SATA hard drives), parallel port, serial port, a port for a wireless antenna, and PS/2 ports for a mouse and keyboard

A jumper is two small posts or metal pins that stick up on the motherboard, used to hold configuration information.

An open jumper has no cover, and a closed jumper has a cover on the two pins.

PCI Version 2.x introduced the 64-bit, 3.3-V PCI slot, doubling data throughput of the bus.

Because a card can be damaged if installed in the wrong voltage slot, a notch in a PCI slot distinguishes between a 5-V slot and a 3.3-V slot.

Normal (default) - The current BIOS configuration is used for booting.

Configure - After POST, the BIOS displays a menu in CMOS setup that can be used to clear the user and supervisor power-on passwords. Recovery - Recovery is used to recover from a failed BIOS update. Details can be found on the motherboard C

A Universal PCI card can use either a 3.3-V or 5-V slot and contains both notches

Conventional PCI is no longer evolving and ended up with four types of slots and six possible PCI card configurations to use these slots.

You access the BIOS setup program by pressing a key or combination of keys during the boot process

For most motherboards, you press F2 or Del during the boot. For a few older motherboards, you press Ctrl+Alt+Esc.

To find the correct user guide online, you need to know the board manufacturer and model.

If a motherboard is already installed in a computer, you can use the Windows System Information utility (msinfo32.exe) to report the brand and model of the board

CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) is a method of manufacturing microchips, and CMOS RAM is a small amount of memory stored on the motherboard that retains the data even when the computer is turned off because it is charged by a nearby lithium coin-cell battery

If the CMOS battery is disconnected or fails, setup information is lost.

Ask the following questions when selecting a motherboard: 1. What form factor does the motherboard use? 2. Which brand (Intel or AMD) and model processors does the board support? Which chipset does it use? How much memory can it hold? What memory speeds does the board support? 3. What type and how many expansion slots are on the board (for example, PCI Express 3.0 or PCI)? 4. How many and what hard drive controllers and connectors are on the board (for example, SATA or eSATA)?

5. What are the embedded devices on the board, and what internal slots or connections does the board have? (For example, the board might provide a network port, wireless antenna port, FireWire port, two or more USB ports, video port, and so forth.) 6. Does the board fit the case you plan to use? 7. What are the price and the warranty on the board? Does the board get good reviews? 8. How extensive and user friendly is the documentation? 9. How much support does the manufacturer supply for the board?

BIOS version, processor model and speed, memory speed, total memory,

and the amount of memory in each memory slot. You can also change the system date and time.

A land grid array (LGA) socket has

blunt protruding pins on the socket that connect with lands or pads on the bottom of the processor. The first LGA socket was the LGA775 socket. It has 775 pins and is shown with the socket lever and top open

9-Series chipsets. These chipsets are

designed to support AMD processors that can have up to eight cores

The Platform Key (PK) is a

digital signature belonging to the motherboard or computer manufacturer. The PK authorizes turning on or off Secure boot and updating the KEK database.

LoJack is a technology

embedded in the BIOS of many laptops to protect a system against theft.

Option ROMs are UEFI drivers,

for example, video, keyboard, and mouse drivers required as the computer first boots, that are digitally signed and identified in the signature database.

When selecting a motherboard, generally you'd need to pay attention to the

form factor, processor socket, chipset, buses and number of bus slots, and other connectors, slots, and ports

A pin grid array (PGA) socket has

holes aligned in uniform rows around the socket to receive the pins on the bottom of the processor. Early Intel processors used PGA sockets, but they caused problems because the small delicate pins on the processor were easily bent as the processor was installed in the socket.

The Key-exchange Key (KEK), also called the Key-enrollment Key (KEK), database

is another database that holds digital signatures provided by OS manufacturers, such as Microsoft and Red Hat (a Linux manufacturer). The OS manufacturer or vendor that owns the keys can update them, which will in turn update the db or dbx. For example, an update may occur when a new OS is released or to revoke a bad release of an OS.

A ball grid array (BGA) connection is

not really a socket. The processor is soldered to the motherboard, and the two are always purchased as a unit.

A staggered pin grid array (SPGA) socket has

pins staggered over the socket to squeeze more pins into a small space.

Device drivers are

small programs stored on the hard drive that an operating system, such as Windows or Linux, uses to communicate with a specific hardware device, for example, a printer, network port on the motherboard, or scanner.

The parts of the bus that we are most familiar with are the lines of the bus

that are used for data; these lines are called the data bus.

A-Series chipsets. These chipsets are designed to support the AMD Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). An APU is a combination of a CPU and a graphics processor unit (GPU) in the same processor housing. In traditional desktops with high graphics needs,

the CPU is installed on the motherboard and a GPU is embedded on a video card, also called a graphics adapter, installed in the system. The A-Series chipsets also support AMD CrossFire technology, which uses dual video cards in the same system.

The best place to go for detailed instructions on installing a motherboard is

the motherboard user guide

Whereas PCI uses a 32-bit or 64-bit parallel bus, PCI Express uses a serial bus, which is faster than a parallel bus because it transmits data in packets similar

to how Ethernet, USB, and FireWire transmit data. A PCIe expansion slot can provide one or more of these serial lanes.

Firmware on the motherboard is

used to enable or disable a connector, port, or component; control the frequency of the CPU, security features, and what happens when the PC first boots; and monitor various activities of the board.

system clock or system timer

which is dedicated to timing the activities on the motherboard

an I/O shield,

which is the plate that you install in the computer case that provides holes for these I/O ports

BIOS settings might offer several security features, and one of these is an intrusion-detection alert. For example, for the BIOS setup screen shown

you can enable event logging, which logs when the case is opened. To use the feature, you must use a cable to connect a switch on the case to a header on the motherboard.

Continue LGA1150 (aka Socket H3) Fourth Generation (Haswell) Core i7, Core i5, Pentium, and Celeron

• 1150 pins in the socket touch 115- lands on the processor • LGA1150 (See figure 3-5) supports DDR3 memory

Continue LGa1155 and FCLGa1155 (aka socket h2) third Generation (Ivy bridge) Core i7 extreme, Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, Pentium, and Celeron

• 1155 pins in the socket touch 1155 lands on the processor. • the LGa1155 (see Figure 3-6) works with ddr3 memory and was designed to replace the LGa1156 socket.

LGA1156 (aka socket H or H1) Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, Pentium, and Celeron

• 1156 pins in the socket touch 1156 lands on the processor, which uses a flip-chip land grid array (FCLGa). • Works with ddr3 memory.

LGA1366 (aka socket B) Core i7, Core i7 extreme

• 1366 pins in the socket touch 1366 lands on the processor. • Works with DDR3 memory.

LGA2011 (aka socket r) Second Generation (Sandy Bridge) Core i7 extreme, Core i7, Core i5, Core i3, Pentium, and Celeron

• 2011 pins in the socket touch 2011 lands on the processor, which uses a flip-chip land grid array (FCLGa). • supports ddr3 and ddr4 memory. • designed to replace LGa1366, used in high-end gaming and server computers and may require a liquid cooling system.

LGA771 (aka socket J) Core 2 extreme

• 771 pins in the socket touch 771 lands on the processor. • Used on high-end workstations and low-end servers. • Works with DDR3 memory on boards that have two processor sockets

LGA775 (aka socket T) Core 2 extreme, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 duo, Pentium dual-Core, Pentium extreme edition, Pentium d, Pentium Pentium 4, Pentium 4 extreme edition, and Celeron

• 775 pins in the socket touch 775 lands on the processor. • Works with DDR3 and DDR2 memory

FM2 Used with the trinity line of processors

• 904 holes for pins (PGA) • Uses AMD piledriver architecture with integrated graphics controller in the processor • Works with DDR3 memory

FM1 AMD A4, A6, A8, E2, Athlon II

• 905 holes for pins (PGA) • Works with DDR3 memory

FM2+ Used with the a10-, a8-, and a6-series of processors

• 906 holes for pins (PGA) • Uses AMD steamroller architecture with integrated graphics controller in the processor • Works with DDR3 memory

AM3 or AMD3 Phenom II

• 941 holes for pins (PGA) • Works with DDR3 or DDR2 memory

AM3+ AMD FX

• 942 holes for pins (PGA) • Uses bulldozer architecture and is compatible with AM3 processors • Works with DDR3 memory

Here are four methods that most motherboards can use:

• Express BIOS update. • Update from a USB flash drive using BIOS setup. • Update using a bootable CD.

UEFI improves on legacy BIOS in these ways:

• Faster and better booting. • Mouse-enabled interface. • Secure boot. • Support for hard drives larger than 2 TB.

Here are some good reasons you might want to flash the BIOS:

• The system hangs at odd times or during the boot. • Some motherboard functions have stopped working or are giving problems. • You want to incorporate some new features or component on the board.

Suppose you are installing a Mini-ITX or microATX motherboard into a low-profile or slimline case that does not give you enough room to install a PCI card standing up in an expansion slot.

In this situation, a PCI riser card can solve the problem. The riser card installs in the slot and provides another slot at a right angle

The first PCI bus had a 32-bit data path, supplied 5 V of power to an adapter card, and operated at 33 MHz.

It was the first bus that allowed adapter cards to run in sync with the CPU.

Ivy Bridge chipsets. Third-generation processors and chipsets by Intel, released in 2012 and code-named Ivy Bridge, use less power, squeeze more transistors into a smaller space, and perform better than earlier products.

Ivy Bridge chipsets include B75, Q75, Q77, H77, Z75, and Z77. Several Ivy Bridge processors use the LGA1155 socket for backward compatibility with earlier motherboards. The Ivy Bridge chipset uses a single Platform Controller Hub

PCIe version 1.0. The original PCIe version 1.0 allowed for 150 W to PCIe cards.

Pins on the expansion card provide 75 W, and a new 6-pin PCIe connector from the power supply provides an additional 75 W.

Overclocking is running a processor, memory, motherboard, or video card at a higher speed than the manufacturer recommends.

Some motherboards allow overclocking. If you decide to overclock a system, pay careful attention to the temperature of the processor so it does not overheat; overheating can damage the processor.

Many high-end computers have a chip on the motherboard called the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip.

The BitLocker Encryption tool in Windows 8/7/Vista is designed to work with this chip; the chip holds the BitLocker encryption key (also called the startup key).

Another significant change is the 64-bit Front Side Bus was replaced with a technology called the QuickPath Interconnect (QPI).

The QPI has 16 lanes for data packets and works similar to how PCI Express works. All Intel chipsets since the X58 use QuickPath Interconnects.

PCIe version 2.0. PCIe version 2.0 doubled the frequency of the PCIe bus and allows for up to 32 lanes on one slot (though few motherboards or cards actually use 32 lane slots).

The allowed wattage to one PCIe 2.0 card was increased to a total of 300 W by using a new 8-pin PCIe power connector that provides 150 W (see Figure 3-22). The 300 W to the card come from the slot (75 W), from the 8-pin connector (150 W), and an additional 75 W come from a second auxiliary connector on the motherboard. This second connector can be a 6-pin PCIe connector, a Molex-style connector, or a SATA-style connector. You'll see an example of these connectors later in this chapter.

Some sockets can handle a processor using a flip-chip land grid array (FCLGA) processor package or a flip-chip pin grid array (FCPGA) package.

The chip is flipped over so that the top of the chip is on the bottom and makes contact with the socket. The LGA1155 socket has a flip-chip version, which is called the FCLGA1155 socket. The two sockets are not compatible

A chipset is a set of chips on the motherboard that works closely with the processor to collectively control the memory, buses on the motherboard, and some peripherals.

The chipset must be compatible with the processor it serves.

Haswell and Broadwell chipsets. In 2013, Intel introduced the Haswell chipsets, which work with the LGA1150 and LGA2011 sockets in desktops and servers and also work with low-power processors in laptops and ultrabooks (very thin laptops).

The chipsets work with DDR3 and DDR4 memory and use less power than previous chipset architectures. Broadwell chipsets, released in 2015, are a little faster than the Haswell chipsets and can also use the LGA1150 socket.

Another security feature is power-on passwords assigned in BIOS setup to prevent unauthorized access to the computer and/or the BIOS setup utility.

The choices under User Access Level are No Access (the user cannot access the BIOS setup utility),

North Bridge and South Bridge use a hub architecture. This hub has a fast and slow end, and each end is a separate chip on the motherboard.

The fast end of the hub, called the North Bridge, contains the graphics and memory controller, and connects directly to the processor by way of a 64-bit bus, called the Front Side Bus (FSB), system bus, or host bus. The slower end of the hub, called the South Bridge, contains the I/O controller hub (ICH).

Nehalem chipsets with the memory controller in the processor.

The release of the X58 chipset in 2008 was significant because, with previous chipsets, the memory controller was part of the North Bridge. But beginning with the X58, the memory controller was contained in the processor housing

PCIe version 1.1. PCIe version 1.1 allowed for more wattage to PCIe cards, up to 225 W.

The standard allows for two 6-pin PCIe connectors from the power supply to the card. Therefore, the total 225 W comes as 75 W from the slot and 150 W from the two connectors.

UEFI

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is replacing BIOS and is used on most motherboards made after 2012. Microsoft requires UEFI in order for the system to be certified for Windows 8 and later. UEFI is also required for hard drives larger than 2 TB. (One terabyte or TB equals 1000 gigabytes or GB.)

BIOS.

BIOS is used on older motherboards.

you can set the order in which the system tries to boot from certain devices

(called the boot sequence or boot priority).

Limited

(the user can access BIOS setup and make a few changes such as date and time), and

View Only

(the user can access BIOS setup, but cannot make changes),

Full Access

(the user can access the BIOS setup utility and make any changes).

The process using a USB flash drive works like this:

1. Follow the motherboard manufacturer's directions to make the USB drive bootable and download the UEFI update files to the drive. 2. If secure boot is enabled, enter UEFI setup and disable secure boot. Also make sure the USB device is listed in the boot priority order before the hard drive. 3. For a laptop, plug the AC adapter into an external power source so that the power won't fail during the update. 4. Reboot the system, this time from the USB flash drive. Follow the manufacturer's directions to flash UEFI. For one manufacturer, you enter the flash command at a command prompt. 5. When prompted, reboot the system. For a secure boot system, go back to UEFI setup and enable secure boot.

Compatibility Support Module (CSM) feature.

CSM is backward compatible with devices and drivers that use BIOS.

The Mini PCI slot follows the PCI standards and the Mini PCI Express slot follows the PCI Express standards. To save space, the slots lay flat on the motherboard and hold an expansion card parallel to the board

Mini PCIe slots have 52 or 54 pins on the edge connector and have one notch offset from the center of the slot. One screw holds the card securely in the slot. The Mini PCI slot is wider and has 100 or 124 pins and a notch slightly offset from the end of the slot

UEFI with BIOS.

Most personal computer motherboards contain UEFI firmware with BIOS also provided for backward compatibility with older devices.

PCI Express (PCIe) uses an altogether different architectural design than conventional PCI and PCI-X and is not backward compatible with either.

PCI Express will ultimately replace both these buses, although it is expected PCI Express will coexist with conventional PCI for some time to come

PCIe versions 3.0 and 4.0. PCIe version 3.0 roughly doubles the speed of PCIe version 2.0 and is backward compatible with PCIe version 2.0 components.

PCIe version 4.0 doubles the speed of PCIe version 3.0 and is also backward compatible with earlier PCIe standards; PCIe version 4.0 devices are not yet available on the market.

Sandy Bridge chipsets with the memory and graphics controller in the processor. In 2011, Intel introduced its second-generation chipsets and sockets, which it code-named Sandy Bridge technologies. Rather than using the traditional North Bridge and South Bridge, only one chipset housing is needed, which houses the Platform Controller Hub.

The processor interfaces directly with the faster graphics PCI Express 2.0 bus as well as with memory (see Figure 3-14). Therefore, both the memory controller and graphics controller are contained within all Sandy Bridge processors

If the BIOS update is interrupted or the update gives errors, you are in an unfortunate situation. You might be able to revert to the earlier version. To do this, generally, you download the recovery file from the website and copy the file to a USB flash drive.

Then set the jumper on the motherboard to recover from a failed BIOS update. Reboot the system and the BIOS automatically reads from the device and performs the recovery. Then reset the jumper to the normal setting and boot the system.

You see many fine lines on both the top and the bottom of the board's surface

These lines, sometimes called traces, are circuits or paths that enable data, instructions, and power to move from component to component on the board

So that even force is applied when inserting the processor in the socket, all current processor sockets have one or two levers on the sides of the socket.

These sockets are called zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets, and this lever is used to lift the processor up and out of the socket.

Nehalem chipsets, which Intel has begun to call the previous generation of chipsets, support the Intel LGA1366 socket, the Core i7 processors, and PCI Express Version 2.

They can also support either SLI or CrossFire technologies. (SLI and CrossFire are two competing technologies that allow for multiple video cards installed in one system.)

You can download an ISO file from the motherboard manufacturer's website that contains the BIOS update. An ISO file has an .iso file extension and contains an ISO image of a CD.

You can use an ISO image to create a bootable CD with software and data on it. After you have created the bootable CD, boot from it and follow the directions on screen to flash the BIOS.

The revoked signature database (dbx) is

a blacklist of signatures for software that has been revoked and is no longer trusted.

AMD specializes in chipsets and graphics processors (called

a graphics processor unit or GPU) that target the gaming and hobbyist markets.

The signature database (db) holds

a list of digital signatures of approved operating systems, applications, and drivers that can be loaded by UEFI.

A protocol is

a set of rules and standards that any two entities use for communication.)

If the processor requests something from a slow device and the device is not ready, the device issues

a wait state