Motherboards and CPUs

Introduction to Computer Applications

Reference: graphics and models are taken from web sources.

Speed – the more we get, the more we want

Interfaces hold it all together

An interface connects two hardware devices. An interface can consist of controllers with built-in software, cables, etc.

An example of Interface

Data Exchange on motherboard

Motherboard – a hub of all data exchange

Motherboard

Power Supply

Sockets

Connectors

Another connector!

Some more connectors…

Pentium 4 Socket

Finding out CPU?

On startup screen…

A powerful fan!

Caches

• Ram is slower [533 or 677Mhz as compared to CPU]

• L1, L2, and L3 caches are used.• CPU typically is only utilizing 35% of clock

ticks.• remedy against “bottleneck”. • Latency!!!

Caches orientation

Several types of I/O bus

• The ISA bus – an old, low-speed bus which is not used much any more.

• The MCI, EISA and VL buses – faster buses which are also not used any more.

• The PCI bus – a general I/O bus used in more modern PC’s.

• The PCI Express – the most modern bus.

FireWire: i-Link IEEE 1394

USB

• The USB cable can also supply power to the devices.

• Up to 127 USB devices can be connected to the PC using USB hubs.

• USB devices can be connected ”On the fly”, without restarting the PC.

Some uses…

• Card reader for CF and other RAM cards • Trackballs and Wacom drawing pen (tablet). • Flatbed scanners and ISDN-modems. • Newer printers. A color laser printer is faster

using the USB 2.0 interface than the old LPT-interface.

• External CD- and DVD-drives. • External hard disks.• USB-based speaker or microphone systems. • Interface to digital cameras and MiniDisc.