Computer System Setup and Motherboard Components

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers computer system setup procedures, motherboard form factors (AT, ATX, BTX), essential internal components, and functionality testing tools mentioned in the lecture.

Form Factor

Refers to the physical dimensions, layout, and specifications of a computer or its components, determining size, shape, and how parts interact.

ATX

A motherboard form factor developed by Intel for Pentium systems that measures $30.5\,cm \times 24.4\,cm$ and uses a single $20$-pin P1 power connector.

Baby AT

A smaller version of the AT system board measuring $33\,cm \times 22\,cm$ that uses P8 and P9 power connections.

BTX

Balanced Technology eXtended; a form factor designed to improve cooling by venting cool air from the front and blowing hot CPU air directly out the back of the case.

Northbridge

The chipset component that allows communication between the CPU, the system memory, and the PCI-E slots.

Southbridge

The controller for motherboard components including PCI slots, onboard audio, and USB connections.

SLI

Scan Line Interleaving; an Nvidia technology allowing the use of two graphics cards for high-end video or graphics editing.

CMOS Battery

The battery on the motherboard used to maintain CMOS settings, such as system time and configuration, when the computer is off.

BIOS Chip

The component hosting the Basic Input/Output System that performs a Power-On Self-Test (POST) to check hardware during startup.

Capacitors

Electrical components on the motherboard used to filter and smooth signals, commonly appearing as tantalum or electrolytic types.

Jumpers

Pairs of pins on a motherboard used with a small rectangular shunt to provide configuration information to the hardware.

Burn-in failure

A catastrophic motherboard failure due to manufacturing defects that typically happens within the first $30$ days of use.

Ethereal symptoms

Difficult-to-diagnose intermittent issues such as spontaneous reboots or blue screens caused by faulty components or buggy software.

POST Card

A diagnostic tool used by technicians to report error codes produced during the Power-On Self-Test when a computer refuses to boot.

Unit Functionality Testing

A verification process that ensures individual components like hardware, software, and networks work as intended before full system integration.

Prime95

A hardware stress testing tool specifically used to check CPU stability and catch errors under heavy load.

MemTest

A specialized diagnostic tool used for stress testing and verifying the functionality of system RAM.

CrystalDiskMark

A performance testing tool used to benchmark the speed and functionality of storage devices like HDDs and SSDs.

PCB

Printed Circuit Board; the non-conductive substrate with etched copper tracks used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components.

Dual-Channel RAM

A memory configuration involving matching RAM sticks in specific color-coded slots to provide a performance speed boost.