Motherboard

AGP

(Accelerated Graphics Port) -developed from the PCI bus -With AGP, the processor on the video adapter can directly access RAM on the graphics card or, when even more RAM is needed, access the memory on the motherboard. -This helps with video-intensive applications, such as 3-D graphics, which are resource intensive and use a lot of memory. -Has been virtually eliminated by PCIe

ATX

-12 x 9.6 inches -Integrated Port Cluster -Ram Slots and Expansion slots form a 90 degree angle -Generally has 7 expansion slots -Older version has 20-pin power connector -New version ha 24-pin power connector

BTX

-Balanced Technology Extended -12.8 x 10.5 -designed to combat ATX issues -more efficient thermal layout -not compatible with ATX

IDE

-Integrated Drive Electronics -40 pins -Uses Pata standard of max. data transfer rate 133 MB/s

Voltages Supplied by Power Supply (ATX)

-Orange: 3.3V -Red: +5V -Yellow: +12V -Blue: -12V -and +5V standby output

Steps to Install MOBO

1 - Select MOBO (compatible with case, has expansion slots you need) 2 - Employ ESD prevention methods 3 - Ready the case (line up the mobos predrilled holes with the standoffs and eye it out) 4 - Install the MOBO (place in case so that the holes meet and line up with the brass standoffs. secure by screwing it in wherever there is a standoff). 5 - Connect the cables (connect 24-pin power connector 6 - Install or re-install components (hard drive, optical drives, etc) 7 - Test the installation (boot computer and access BIOS. tool around until you are satisfied the mobo is functional)

Sata Gen. 1

1.5 Gbps

PCIe v. 3

1GB/s per lane (sending and receiving simultaneously)

PCIe v.1

250 MB/s per lane (sending and receiving simultaneously)

Sata Gen. 2

3.0 Gbps (Today's mobos compatible with 2 or 3)

How much data does IEEE1394a transfer?

400 Mbps (maximum)

PCIe v.2

500MB/s per lane (sending and receiving simultaneously)

Sata Gen. 3

6 Gbps (Today's mobos compatible with 2 or 3)

What speeds can PCI-X operate at?

66, 133, 266, 533, and 1066MHz.

Why has SATA eclipsed IDE?

Because its faster

ITX

Designed for UMPCs, smartphones, etc. -Mini ITX- 6.7 x 6.7: can be used in ATX/micro ATX cases -Nano ITX - 4.7 x 4.7 -Pico ITX - 3.9 x 2.8 -Mobile ITX 60mm x 60mm

ExpressCard

ExpressCard technology is the latest high-performance expansion standard for mobile computers. ExpressCard modules give users the ability to add a wide variety of plug-and-play applications to their computers, including memory, wired and wireless communications, multimedia, security, and networking. The ExpressCard standard supports PCIe, e-SATA, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), or USB 3.0 connectivity through the ExpressCard slot. Most PC Cards/ExpressCards support hot swapping.

Hot Swapping

Hot swapping allows a card to be inserted into a slot when the laptop is powered on.

AMR and CNR

Intel developed AMR and CNR. AMR (Audio/Modem Riser) is a connector on a motherboard that manufacturers use to offer a different version of the same motherboard. The motherboard manufacturer installs an adapter into the AMR slot, and the adapter can perform both sound card and modem duties, without taking up one of the expansion slots. The cost is also lower to the manufacturer. The AMR connector is normally located beside or between the other motherboard expansion slots. A CNR (Communications Network Riser) allows integration of network card functions with sound and modem. CNR shares space with a traditional expansion slot, such as PCI or PCIe, and it too is located beside or between the other expansion slots.

Troubleshooting Motherboards

Is the motherboard receiving power? Check the power supply to see if the fan is turning. If the CPU or motherboard has a fan, see if it is turning. Check voltages going from the power supply to the motherboard. See Chapter 4 for directions. • Check the BIOS settings (covered in Chapter 3) for accuracy. • Check for overheating. Power down the computer and allow the computer to cool. Power on the computer with the cover off. • Reseat the CPU, adapters, and memory chips. • Remove unnecessary adapters and devices and boot the computer. • Plug the computer into a different power outlet and circuit, if possible. • Check if the motherboard is shorting out on the frame. • Check the CMOS battery. • With a motherboards that has diagnostic LEDs, check the output for any error code. Refer to the motherboard documentation or online documentation for the problem and possible solution.

QPI

More powerful version of DMI...used by more powerful workstations and server mobos

--- outperforms all other types of PCI expansion slots.

PCIe

Mini PCI

The mini PCI 32-bit 33MHz standard was developed to allow PCI upgrades and interface cards to be added to laptops, docking stations, and printers.

Compare the way PCI sends data vs. PCI-e

The older PCI standard is half-duplex bidirectional, which means that data is sent to and from the PCI or PCI-X card using only one direction at a time. PCIe sends data full-duplex bidirectionally; in other words, it can send and receive at the same time.

PCI bus vs. PCI-e bus

The older PCI standards, including PCI-X, use a parallel bus where data is sent with multiple 1s and 0s simultaneously. PCIe is a serial bus, and data is sent one bit at a time.

Chipset

The principal chips on the motherboard that work in conjunction with the processor are known as a chipset. These allow certain features on the computer. For example, chipsets control the maximum amount of motherboard memory, the type of RAM chips, the motherboard's capacity for two or more CPUs, and whether the motherboard supports the latest version of PCIe.

What are the types of ExpressCards?

There are two types of ExpressCard: ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54. The 34 means it is 34mm wide, and the 54 means it is 54mm wide (in an L-type card). A laptop with a universal slot can accept either an ExpressCard/34 or an ExpressCard/54; however, an ExpressCard/34 slot accepts only ExpressCard/34 modules.

When upgrading a motherboard or processor, what issues must you consider?

Why is the computer being upgraded? Sometimes upgrading the motherboard does not help unless the other computer components are upgraded. The most expensive and fastest motherboard/CPU will not run applications well unless it has the proper amount of memory. Hard drives are another issue. If software access is slow, the solution might not be a new motherboard but a faster and larger hard drive or more RAM. • Which type (ISA, PCI, AGP, or PCIe) and how many adapters are needed from the old motherboard? Does the new motherboard have the required expansion slots? • What type of chipsets does the new motherboard support? What features, if any, would this bring to the new motherboard? • Will the new motherboard fit in the current computer case, or is a new one required? • If upgrading the CPU, will the motherboard support the new type of CPU? • Does the motherboard allow for future CPU upgrades? • How much memory (RAM) does the motherboard allow? What memory chips are required on the new motherboard? Will the old memory chips work in the new motherboard or with the new CPU?

What is an alternative to PCI/PCIe internal adapter?

a PC Card architecture. PC Cards (previously known as PCMCIA, or Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, cards) are small credit card-size adapters that you can use to upgrade a laptop by inserting them into a slot on the side of the laptop. The original standard was a 16-bit local bus standard, later upgraded to CardBus, which allows 32-bit transfers at speeds up to 33MHz (133Mbps). PC Cards come in three sizes: Type I, II, and III. PC Cards were replaced by ExpressCards.

More powerful PCIe slots connect to ---. Less powerful ones connect to ---.

a) Northbridge or directly to CPU b) Southbridge or main chipset

AGP 1x

allows 266MBps transfers to the expansion slots and operates at a maximum of 66MHz.

AGP 2x

allows 512MBps transfers to the expansion slots and operates at a maximum of 133MHz.

AGP 4x

allows >1GBps transfers to the expansion slots and operates at a maximum of 266MHz.

AGP 8x

allows >2GBps transfers to the expansion slots and operates at a maximum of 533MHz.

What varieties does the PCI come in?

comes in four varieties: 32-bit 33MHz, 32-bit 66MHz, 64-bit 33MHz, and 64-bit 66MHz.

PCI

expansion slot (Peripheral Component Interconnect).

PCI-X

expansion slot that allows for faster speeds and is backward compatible with the previous versions of the bus.

Southbridge

in charge of connection to all secondary controllers: USB, SATA, Firewire, etc.

Northbridge

in charge of connection to high data transfers such as PCI express video cards and RAM

Micro ATX

max: 9.6 x 9.6 min: 6.75 x 6.75 backwards compatible

ISA

oldest expansion slot and one you still might see when troubleshooting older systems. ISA allows 16-bit transfers to the expansion slots and operates at a maximum of 10MHz.

Explain the Mini PCI cards form factors

three form factors—Type I, II, and III. Type I and II cards use 100-pin connectors, while Type IIIs use a larger 124-pin card. Manufacturers now use the 52-pin mini PCIe cards.

Before replacing a motherboard, it is important to do all the following:

• Remove the CPU and CPU fan. • Remove adapters from expansion slots. • Remove memory chips from expansion slots. • Disconnect power connectors. • Disconnect ribbon cables. • Disconnect external devices such as mouse, keyboard, and monitor.