Chapter 2On the Motherboard

Chapter 2On the Motherboard

The Complete A+ Guideto PC Repair 5/e Update

• To recognize binary unit measurement• To define terminology associated with the motherboard• To describe the difference between the internal and external

bus• To define and explain the purpose of pipelines• To explain how data is processed by 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit

and 128-bit processors• To explain how multi-core processors are placed in a system

unit• To explain the difference between L1, L2 and L3 Cache• To define explain the purpose of a Multiplier• To explain the purpose of Clock signals.• To define and explain the purpose of jumpers.• To explain the meaning of several jumper settings

Chapter ObjectivesChapter Objectives

• To explain the purpose of various cooling systems: fans, heat sinks, cooling liquid

• To explain the procedure for installing processors• To define and explain the meaning of overclocking• To define and explain the meaning of throttling• To explain the meaning of Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)

standards • To explain the meaning of PCI (Peripheral Component

Interconnect) standards• To explain the meaning of PCI-X standards• To explain the meaning of PCIe (Peripheral Component

Interconnect-Express) standards• To explain the purpose of chipsets and identify the make and

model• To define the meaning of Form factor as it relates to

motherboards

Chapter ObjectivesChapter Objectives

Byte TableByte Table

• Gigahertz - One gigahertz (1GHz) is one billion cycles per second.

• Register size (word size) - The number of bits processed at one time by the processor. Counted in multiples of 8 bits, such as 8-, 16-, and 32-bit register size. Processors today have 64-bit or 128-bit register sizes.

• Bus - Electronic lines to move the 1s and 0s inside the computer.

• Pipelines – Separate internal buses for processing data simultaneously

• CPU – Central Processing Unit

• Multiplier - A number that is multiplied by the bus speed to determine the CPU speed.

Processor BasicsProcessor Basics

Internal Data Bus

External Data Bus

Processor BasicsProcessor Basics

Internal and External Data Buses.

How data is transferredHow data is transferred

E.g. Dear Mom

8-bit CPU – One letter at a time16-bit CPU – Two letters at a time32-bit CPU – Four letters at a time64–bit CPU – Eight letters at a time

Combines two processors in a single unit.

Dual-core CPU

Tri-core CPU

Quad-core CPU

Combines three processors in a single unit.

Two dual-core processors on the same motherboard or two dual-core processors installed in a single unit.

Another way to speed up operations is to have two or more processors.

Multi-core ProcessorsMulti-core Processors

Cache memory that is located

inside the CPU.

Cache memory that is inside the CPU housing but

not part of the CPU, also known as on-die cache.

Cache memory located in the CPU housing

or on the motherboard.

Cache - A fast type of memory designed to increase the speed of microprocessor operations.

CacheCache

Data that the CPU needs to operate is found in either:1.1.Cache – fastest and most accessibleCache – fastest and most accessible2.2.RAM (main memory on the motherboard)RAM (main memory on the motherboard)3.3.Hard drive – slowest and least accessibleHard drive – slowest and least accessible

•The CPU normally checks Cache first for instructionsThe CPU normally checks Cache first for instructions•If instructions is not in Cache, it looks in RAMIf instructions is not in Cache, it looks in RAM•If instructions is not in RAM, it checks the hard-drive and If instructions is not in RAM, it checks the hard-drive and transfer the instructions from the hard-drive to RAM or transfer the instructions from the hard-drive to RAM or CacheCache

CacheCache

• Clock Signals - Generated by the motherboard and used to control the transfer of 1s and 0s to CPU. Clock signals go as fast as 200, 266, 333 MHz(millions of cycles per second)

• Jumper - Small metal connector with a plastic cover used to connect two metal pins together. Configuring the jumpers on a motherboard will change the settings on that board.

EnabledEnabled

DisabledDisabled

Enabled and DisabledEnabled and Disabled

• Throttling – Reducing the speed of the processor.

Processor CoolingProcessor Cooling

Heat SinksHeat Sinks

Processor CoolingProcessor Cooling

Correct Air Flow

Processor CoolingProcessor Cooling

Incorrect Air Flow

Installing ProcessorsInstalling Processors

Computer is off Computer is off and and

unplugged.unplugged.

Computer is off Computer is off and and

unplugged.unplugged.

Use antistatic Use antistatic wrist strap and wrist strap and

attach to a ground attach to a ground on computer.on computer.

Use antistatic Use antistatic wrist strap and wrist strap and

attach to a ground attach to a ground on computer.on computer.

Remove old Remove old processor by processor by

lifting ZIF socket lifting ZIF socket retaining lever.retaining lever.

Remove old Remove old processor by processor by

lifting ZIF socket lifting ZIF socket retaining lever.retaining lever.

Insert CPU into Insert CPU into socket (fits socket (fits

only one way).only one way).

Insert CPU into Insert CPU into socket (fits socket (fits

only one way).only one way).

Configure motherboard Configure motherboard by jumpers or BIOS by jumpers or BIOS

software configuration software configuration (refer to manual for (refer to manual for

exact steps).exact steps).

Configure motherboard Configure motherboard by jumpers or BIOS by jumpers or BIOS

software configuration software configuration (refer to manual for (refer to manual for

exact steps).exact steps).

Always hold the CPU Always hold the CPU by the edges to avoid by the edges to avoid bending or touching bending or touching the pins underneath. the pins underneath.

In order to overclock, you must have the motherboard documentation to determine whether the system board

supports different CPU speeds and different multipliers.

OverclockingOverclocking

Is changing the front side bus speed and/or multiplier to

boost CPU and system speed.

Is changing the front side bus speed and/or multiplier to

boost CPU and system speed.

This can cause damage to the

CPU, motherboard,

or other components.

This can cause damage to the

CPU, motherboard,

or other components.

Overclocking ProcessorsOverclocking Processors

ISA (Industry Standard ArchitectureISA (Industry Standard Architecture

• ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) – The oldest expansion slot, is configured in 8-Bit and 16-Bit slots.

PCI (Peripheral Component InterconnectPCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect

• PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) – The previously popular expansion slot. PCI comes in four varieties: 32-bit 33MHz, 32-bit 66MHz and 64-bit 33MHz.

• Another standard is the PCI-X which can operate at 66MHz, 133MHz, 266MHz, 533MHz and 1066MHz.

PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect-ExpressPCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect-Express

Chipsets are the principle chips on the motherboard that work in conjunction with the processor and allow specific features.

Chipsets control…Chipsets control…

ChipsetsChipsets

ChipsetsChipsets

Types of MotherboardsTypes of Motherboards

For your extension readingFor your extension reading

Upgrading and Replacing MotherboardsUpgrading and Replacing Motherboards

• There are several issues to be taken into account when upgrading a motherboard

• Memory• Adapter types• Type of case• Processor• Chipsets• Hard drive • Power supply• Future upgrade-ability

Motherboard TroubleshootingMotherboard Troubleshooting

Intel ProcessorsIntel Processors

AMD ProcessorsAMD Processors

Soft Skills—Active ListeningSoft Skills—Active Listening

Active listening is participating in a conversation where you focus on what the customer is saying—in other words, listening more than talking. For a technician, active listening has the following benefits:

•Allows you to gather data and symptoms quickly• Allows you to build customer rapport• Improves your understanding of the problem•Allows you to solve the problem quicker because you understand the problem better•Provides mutual understanding between you and your customer• Provides a means of having a positive, engaged conversation rather than having a negative,•confrontational encounter• Focuses on the customer rather than the technician• Provides an environment where the customer might be more forthcoming with information•related to the problem

Questions???Questions???