Module 2: Computer Hardware Basics

Address bus

Connects CPU to MCC and sends location of data but not the data itself

32, 64

A CPU can either have a __-bit or __-bit architecture, which specifies how much data the CPU can efficiently handle.

ATA

Common interface for hard drives to connect to system

ATX (Advanced Technology Extended)

Most common form factor for motherboards

Backward compatible

Older hardware works with newer hardware

BIOS

Software that initializes hardware and starts OS

BYOD (bring your own device)

Using personal devices for work

Cache

Stored location for frequently accessed data, smaller than RAM

Charge cycle

One full charge and discharge of a battery

Chipset

part of a motherboard that allows components to manage data between the CPU, RAM and peripherals.

Clock cycle

Sending voltage to clock wire for calculations

Clock speed

term for the maximum number of clock cycles in a time period

Clock wire

Sends voltage to CPU for data processing

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Brain of the computer, does calculations and processing

CPU sockets

Pins that connect CPU to motherboard

Data sizes

Metrics for bit, byte, kilobyte, kibibyte, and megabyte

DDR SDRAM (double data rate SDRAM)

Faster, larger capacity, and more power-efficient type of RAM than earlier SDRAM versions

Desktop

Main screen for file navigation and applications

DIMM (dual inline memory module)

Circuit board with memory chips connecting to motherboard

Display port

Port for audio and video output

Dynamic Random Access Memory

Abbreviation for DRAM

Drivers

Contains the instructions for CPU to understand external devices

DVI

Cables generally just for video output

Electrostatic discharge

Sudden flow of electric current between charged objects

EDB (External Data Bus)

Row of wires connecting computer components

Factory reset

Resetting device to original factory settings

Form factor

Mathematical ratio compensating for object shape, determines the amount we can put in a motherboard and amount of space

Hard drive

Long-term memory component for data storage

Hardware

External or internal devices for computer functions

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

Hard drive with spinning platter and mechanical arm

HDMI

Cable for video and audio output

Heatsink

Dissipates heat from CPU. Apply thermal paste before attaching

Instruction set

List of instructions CPU can execute

ITX (Information Technology Extended)

Smaller form factor for motherboards

LGA (Land Grid Array)

CPU socket, pins are sticking out of motherboard

Mb/s (Megabit per second)

Data transfer rate unit for Megabits

MCC (Memory controller chip)

Bridge between CPU and RAM, allowing the CPU to access the data it needs from RAM

Lightning adapter, Micro HDMI, Mini HDMI, Micro USB, Mini USB, Micro display port, USB-C adapter

Seven common power, data, and display connectors for mobile devices

Hot swappable

The ability to plug or unplug devices without first powering down the system

Motherboard

Connects all computer components

Northbridge

Chip on the motherboard that interconnect RAM and video cards

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)

Interface standard for faster data throughput

Overclocking

Increasing CPU clock cycles for more tasks

PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)

Expansion bus for peripheral devices

Peripherals

External devices adding functionality to computer

PGA (pin grid array)

CPU socket with pins located on the processor

Ports

Connection points for devices to extend computer functionality

POST (power on self test)

A self-diagnostic program used to perform a simple test of the CPU, RAM, and various I/O devices. performed by startup BIOS when the computer is first turned on

PSU (Power Supply Unit)

Hardware that converts electricity from AC to DC for computer use

Programs

Basic instructions for computer operations

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Computer's short-term memory for data storage

Registers

Accessible location for CPU data storage

Reimaging

Wiping and reinstalling OS using disk image

RMA (return merchandise authorization)

Process of receiving returned merchandise and refund

ROM chip (Read Only Memory chip)

Read-only memory chip storing BIOS

RPM (revolutions per minute)

Unit of speed of a hard disk drive's spinning platter

Safe operating temperature

Temperature range to avoid battery damage

SATA

Popular serial ATA drive using one cable for data transfers, hot swappable

3

A CPU has _ different cache levels.

L1, L2, L3

Cache levels of a computer from smallest to largest

SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)

RAM synchronized to system's clock speed

SoC (System on a Chip)

Packs CPU, RAM, and storage onto a single chip

Southbridge

chip on the motherboard that maintains IO controllers like hard drives and USB devices

SSD (solid state drive)

Hard drive with faster data transfer than HDD, data is stored in microchips

Standoffs

Raises and attaches motherboard to the case

Thermal paste

Substance for better CPU and heatsink heat transfer

Type-C connector

USB connector replacing many peripheral connections

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)

Modern replacement for BIOS with faster boot times

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

Connection standard for peripherals

direct current, alternating current

two types of electric current

Wattage

Unit of measurement that refers to the amount of volts and amps that a device needs

Expansion Slot

component that increases the functionality of a computer.

graphics cards can be installed to the motherboard through this

Chipset, Expansion Slots, Form Factor

3 Key Characteristics of a Motherboard

Hard Disk Drive, Solid State Drive

2 types of hard drive used today

CMOS Chip

battery-powered and stores the hard drive's configuration and bios/uefi settings even when the computer is powered off