Text, Chapter 1, Motherboards, Proccessors, and Memory

RAM type

SODIMM

“big three” computer parts

the motherboard, processor, and memory

SODIMM

Small outline dual inline memory module

RAM type

DDR

DDR

Double Data Rate SDRAM, doubling the transfer rate of ordinary SDRAM

RAM type

ECC

ECC RAM

Error Correction Code

Error Correction Code

memory designed to detect and correct internal data corruption

Multi channel configuration

how the memory and ram communicate

Mother board connector type

Peripheral Component Interconnect

Mother board form factors

ATX, ITX

ATX

Advanced Technology Extended

ITX

Information Technology Extended

Information Technology Extended

low power, smaller form factor (SFF), specialty uses, embedded components

Bus architecture

how the mother board sends data to its components

Chipsets

a collection of chips or circuits that perform interface and peripheral functions for the processor

Northbridge

management of high-speed peripheral communications, integrated video, processor-to-memory communications

Southbridge

providing support to the slower onboard peripherals, USB Serial and Parallel ATA, parallel ports, serial ports

Expansion slots

PCI/PCIe, used to install various devices in the computer to expand its capabilities, include video, network, sound, and disk interface cards

RAM

Random Access Memory

DRAM

dynamic random access memory

ADRAM

asynchronous DRAM, characterized by its independence from the CPU’s external clock

FPM DRAM

fast page mode DRAM

EDO DRAM

extended data out DRAM

BEDO DRAM

burst EDO DRAM

SDRAM

synchronous DRAM, shares a common clock signal with the computer’s system-bus clock, most common RAM type

SDR SDRAM

single data rate SDRAM, legacy

SRAM

static random access memory, doesn’t require a refresh signal, significantly faster than DRAM

ROM

read-only memory

Cache memory

Logically sits between CPU and RAM, very fast, forged from static RAM, L1-L3 (fast to slow)

Central processing units and processor sockets

the brain of the computer, and where it goes

Power connectors

power supply, 24pin for example

Onboard non-volatile

store data even when the device is powered off

storage connectors (such as for hard drives)

SATA, PATA

Motherboard headers

a series of pins that connect to human accessible items, ports, lights, buttons, etc.

BIOS/UEFI/firmware

Operates the boot process

ROM

Read Only Memory Chip, where the firmware is stored

CMOS and CMOS battery

complementary metal oxide semiconductor

complementary metal oxide semiconductor

keeps track of date, time, hard drive config, memory, cpu, integrated port, boot sequence, power management, virtualization support, and security (passwords, TPM)

PCI

Peripheral Component Interconnect

Peripheral Component Interconnect

a type of slot that allows you to add additional cards to your computer system. These slots are typically used to add sound cards, network cards, or other types of interface cards.

Mother board connector type

PCIe

PCB

Printed Circuit Board

PCIe

Peripheral Component Interconnect Express

Peripheral Component Interconnect Express

higher potential bandwidth and greater flexibility than PCI

SAN

Storage Area Network, essntially storage provided through a network

M.2

Most recent expansion connection type

AMD

Advanced Micro Devices

Advanced Micro Devices

A type of chip, company

BIOS

Basic Input Output System

Basic Input Output System

Firmware used by almost all computers, printer, and OS-less systems

UEFI

Unified Extensible Firware Interface

Unified Extensible Firware Interface

Like BIOS, "extensible"

BIOS/UEFI Boot options

sequence of OS file lookup, integration or disabling of ports, startup utilities, system component diagnostics

BIOS/UEFI Secure boot

verifying the digital signatures of the bootloader and other components to ensure they are trusted and haven't been tampered with

BIOS/UEFI Boot password

restricts access to the BIOS/UEFI settings or the entire system before the operating system loads

TPM

Trusted Platform Module

Trusted Platform Module

Dedicated security coproccessor, cannot be implemented after market

Sealing

A process where UEFI and TPM authenticates boot device and hardware

HSM

Hardware Security Module

Hardware Security Module

TPM alternative, security device that can manage, create, and securely store encryption keys

POST

Power-on self-test

Power-on self-test

Series of system checks performed by UEFI, verifies integrity of UEFI, primary memory size, analyzes hardware and buses, boot devices

Flashing the BIOS

Upgrading the BIOS/UEFI in the event that it doesn't recognize a new device. Contact motherboard or system manufacturer

SCSI

Small Computer System Interface

x64

processors that are designed to work with 64 bits of data at a time

x86

processors that are designed to work with 32 bits of data at a time

DIP

Dual Inline Package (cpu style, looks like a bug)

PGA

Pin Grid Array (cpu style)

ARM

Advanced RISC Machine, on par with x86

Fans

Front Intake Fan, Rear Exhaust Fan, Power Supply Exhaust Fan, CPU Fan, Chipset Fan, Video Card Chipset Fan, Memory Module Fan

Heat Sink

a component designed to collect hot air from components

Thermal paste

helps to bridge the extremely small gaps between the CPU and the heat sink, which avoids superheated pockets of air that can lead to focal damage of the CPU.

Thermal pads

thermal paste alternative

Liquid cooling

a technology whereby a special water block is used to conduct heat away from the processor (as well as from the chipset). Water is circulated through this block to a radiator, where it is cooled.

ISA

Instruction Set Architecture

Instruction Set Architecture

set of commands a proccessor can execute

Examples of an ISA

CISC, RISC

CISC

Complex Instruction Set Computer, utilized in x86/x64 archs

RISC

Reduced Instruction Set Computer

Yes

Is x64 newer and faster than x86?