Transcript Inside Computers 1

BTEC IT Unit 02 - Lesson 02
Inside Computers #1 –
Mr C Johnston
ICT Teacher
www.computechedu.co.uk
Motherboards, CPUs,
PSUs and Cooling
Session Objectives
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Understand the role of motherboards, CPUs, PSUs and cooling
within a PC,
Be able to describe the different features of motherboards,
CPUs, PSUs and cooling so you can recommend them to
others for specific tasks,
The Motherboard
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The motherboard or “pc main board” connects all the bits of a
computer together,
It supplies power to, and allows data to flow between all
components,
There are a series of different slots which cables, and cards fit
into,
It is important when building a PC that all parts are compatible
with the motherboard else the machine will not work.
Motherboard Features
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System BUS (data, power, control, address)
I/O BUS (connects storage devices to motherboard)
Front Side Bus (connects processor to the north bridge)
Chipset (north bridge, south bridge)
Processor slot / socket
RAM slots
Expansion Slots
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PCI
(peripheral component interconnect) ,
AGP
(accelerated graphics port),
PCIe
(pci express)
BIOS (Basic Input Output System) chip
Battery
FDD, IDE (integrated drive electronics) , SATA (serial advanced technology attachment) interfaces
Integrated Motherboard Port – USB (1/2/3) / Serial / PS2 / Parallel ports
Power socket
Optional OnBoard features – Sound, Modem, GRX, Network Point
Conceptual
Layout
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BTEC Book – Unit 02
p4-6
Extra Task
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In your own words explain the function of the motherboard in a
typical modern personal computer.
The function means what its main job is – include a diagram
perhaps showing its main features.
Remember explain means to give a detailed account of
something with reasons – include how it works, and why its
required.
The Processor
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The processor or CPU is the brain of a computer and performs
calculations to enable the computer to function,
Its main job is to:
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Request information from devices,
Modify / Create new information,
Sending information back to devices.
Processors are measure in Hertz (Hz) - number of calculations
they can perform per second,
Processors attach to a motherboard by being inserted into a
socket or slot,
In general the faster the processor the better the machine but
certain other factors need to be taken into consideration –
speed of motherboards bus, amount of RAM, rotation speed of
storage drives and type of other cards attached.
The Processor Rivals
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The two main manufacturers for processors are Intel and AMD,
Much debate (similar to Coke and Pepsi) who is better but
essentially its down to personal preference and what you want
your computer to do,
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AMD went down the 64bit road,
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Intel first to have several cores,
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More data can travel around the bus
Can use more than 4gb of RAM within your system
Have multi core versions or processors
Effectively multiple processors in same case
Many of their processors now also offer 64bit technology
Which ever you choose need to ensure your motherboard has
the correct type of socket or slot for the processor, as different
processors require different sockets.
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BTEC Book – Unit 02
p4-6
Current Processors - Intel
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Intel's latest range of processor are the i3, i5 and flagship i7
range,
These mainly have either two or four processing areas and can
essentially do multiple calculations (tasks) at the same time,
They come in a range of different speeds to suit different
budgets and uses;
Older core duo processors are still available.
Current Processors - AMD
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AMD produce a range of processors from high end to budget,
AMD Sempron processors are for the budget market whilst
Athlon (and its varients) have been around for years and
appear in typical home machines,
Phemon processors are AMDs high end processors and will be
dearer,
Most types are offered with different speeds, cores and in
64bit.
Extra Task
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In your own words explain the function of the processor in a
typical modern personal computer.
The function means what its main job is – include a description
perhaps to explain its main features.
Remember explain means to give a detailed account of
something with reasons – include how it works, and why its
required.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
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The Power Supply Unit (PSU) is responsible for supplying power
to the various components within the computer,
PSUs can either be internal or external,
A PSU is a step down transformer converting 230V AC into a
lower voltage – in a desktop computer its 12v / 5v DC,
There are various cables with different connectors coming out
of a PSU – the different connectors are for different devices,
PSUs are used all over the world and sometimes there is a
voltage selector on the back – its important that this is always
set to 230v otherwise BANG!!!
PSU Connector Types
For more explanation visit http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html
4 pin peripheral power cable
4 pin ATX +12 volt power cable
-HDD, Optical Drives
-Supplies motherboards with 12v
Floppy drive power cable
8 pin ATX +12 volt power cable
-Floppy disk drives
-Supplies motherboards with 12v
SATA power cable
-SATA devices including HDD, Optical Drives
20 pin ATX main power cable
4+4 pin +12 volt power cable
-Can be used as either 4 or 8 pin supply
6 pin PCI Express power cable
-Motherboards
-Supplies power to PCIe cards
24 pin ATX main power cable
8 pin PCI Express power cable
-Motherboards
-Supplies higher power to PCIe cards
20+4 pin ATX main power cable
6+2 pin PCI Express power cable
-Can be used as either 20 or 24 pin supply
-Can be used as either 6 or 8 pin supply
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BTEC Book – Unit 02
p6
Extra Task
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In your own words explain the function of the PSU in a typical
modern personal computer.
The function means what its main job is – include a diagram
perhaps showing typical connectors.
Remember explain means to give a detailed account of
something with reasons – include how it works, and why its
required.
Cooling
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Processors work very hard and get extremely hot,
It is important that they are adequately ventilated with a
quality heat sink and fan,
A heat sink is a metal object that radiates heat array from heat
computer chips,
A fan is used to suck the heat away from hot computer chips,
Ducting may be used to channel to heat out of the computer
case,
Modern cooling systems include……
Never pick up or try to remove a processor from a motherboard
without letting it cool first – you will get burnt.
Cooling
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Processors work very hard and get extremely hot,
It is important that they are adequately ventilated with a
quality heat sink and fan,
When purchasing a heat sink they often are recommended for
a type of processor and speed – using one for a lower spec
processor could cause it to blow,
Never pick up or try to remove a processor from a motherboard
without letting it cool first – you will get burnt.
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BTEC Book – Unit 02
p7
Extra Task
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In your own words explain the function of the cooling system in
a typical modern personal computer.
The function means what its main job is – include a description
and maybe even diagrams showing the different types of
cooling system.
Remember explain means to give a detailed account of
something with reasons – include how it works, and why its
required.