Module 1: Common Hardware Upgrades

1.1 System Architecture and Compatibility

Main components: CPU, motherboard, RAM, HDD or SSDs, PSU (power supply unit), & GPU

  • Motherboard: main circuit board, connects all internal components, distributes power, enables communication between CPU, RAM, storage, GPU, and expansion cards

  • Chipset: set of controllers on the motherboard that manage data flow between the CPU, memory, storage, and peripherals. Determines compatibility and system features

  • CPU (Central Processing Unit): brain, performs calculations, executes instructions, and controls other components

  • RAM (Random Access Memory): temporary high-speed memory used to store active data and running programs. Volatile.

  • Storage Drive (HDD, SSD, NVMe): long term non-volatile storage for the operating system, applications, and user files. SSD and NVMe are faster than traditional Hard Drives

  • PSU (Power Supply Unit): Converts AC power from wall outlet to regulated DC power used by internal components. Supplies different voltages to different components

  • GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): renders images, video, and graphical data. May be integrated (built into CPU or motherboard) or discrete (dedicated graphics card installed via PCIe)

  • Cooling Systems (fans, heat sinks): maintain safe operating temperature for heat-generating components

  • Expansion Cards (Wi-Fi, Sound, Capture Cards, etc): add functionality, installed in motherboard PCIe slots.

  • I/O Ports and Interfaces: allow external devices to connect to system (like USB, HDMI, audio)

  • Optical Drives (CD/DVD): read or write data to optical discs

Software: includes the programs that control hardware, manage system behavior, and allow users to perform tasks. Bridge between physical components and what users want to do

  • Firmware: built into hardware and controls how devices start and communicate. Runs before the operating system loads and handles tasks like power-on tests and hardware setup

  • Operating System (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android): manages system resources such as memory, CPU, storage, and input/output devices. Provides interface for users to interact with the system and allows applications to run.

  • Driver Software: helps operating system work with specific hardware like printers or graphics cards. Translate system commands into instructions the hardware can understand.

  • Application Software: helps users browse the web, write documents, play media, edit images, etc. Runs above the system layer and gives the computer its practical use for individuals and organizations.

Compatibility

  • Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)

  • Qualified Vendor List (QVL)



1.2 Core Hardware Components

Cases: house the internal components of a computer

  • form factor: a device’s physical design and look

  • Horizontal case: rarely seen today, often has monitor positioned on top of case

  • Full Size Tower: vertically-oriented, typically on the floor. Provides room for expansion to accommodate additional components

  • Compact Tower: commonly found in corporate environment, desk or floor, less room for expansion

  • All in One: all components are integrated into the display. Often include touch screen and built in microphone and speakers. Little to no expansion opportunity

Power Supplies: converts AC (alternating current) electricity from wall outlets to DC (direct current) which is lower voltage

  • Advanced Technology (AT): original power supply, now considered obsolete

  • AT Extended (ATX): updated AT but still obsolete

  • ATX12V: most common power supply on the market today. Includes a second motherboard connector to provide dedicated power to CPU

  • EPS12V: originally designed for network servers, now used in high end desktop models

  • ATX 3.0: significant update to ATX to accommodate the high power consumption of next-generation hardware

Power Supply Connectors: used to power various internal components such as the motherboard and disk drives. Connectors are “Keyed” meaning they are designed to be inserted in 1 (one) direction :)

  • A 20-pin or 24-pin slotted connector: connects to the motherboard

  • SATA keyed connector: connects disk drives. is wider and thinner than a Molex connector

  • Molex keyed Connector: connects hard drives, optical drives, or other devices

  • Berg keyed connector: connect to legacy floppy drives, smaller than a Molex

  • 4-pin to 8-pin auxiliary power connector: has 2 rows of 2-4 pins and supplies power to different areas of the motherboard. same shape as the main power connector but smaller

  • 6/8-pin PCIe power connector: 2 rows of 3-4 pins and supplies power to internal components

Power Supply Voltage: different connectors proved different voltages. Most common voltages are 3.3, 5 (both typically used by digital circuits), and 12 (runs motors in disk drives and fans). A rail is the printed circuit board (PCB) inside the power supply to which external cables are connected. single rail has all connectors connected to the same PCB while multi-rail PCB has separate PCBs for each connector

Motherboards: backbone of the computer. PCB that contains buses (electrical pathways) that interconnect electronic components

  • Motherboard Components: CPU; Cooling fins and dan for CPU; RAM; PSU connector; GPU slot; SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) slots for connecting drives that connect storage devices like SSDs and HDDs; Chipset; Expansion Slots; Ports for External Peripherals (monitors, mic, keyboards, USB devices, Ethernet cables

  • Motherboard Chipset: there are different levels of chipsets that offer different levels of performance and features. Northbridge controls high speed access to the RAM and video card + the speed at which the CPU communicates with all other components. Southbridge allows the CPU to communicate with slower speed devices including hard drives, USB ports, and expansion slots

  • Motherboard Form Factors: determines how the board fits inside a case, where mounting holes and ports are located, and how components are arranged. The right form factor depends on a system’s intended use. Smaller ones can reduce size and cost but trade off expansion slots, cooling options, and RAM capacity

    → ATX: most popular form factor

    → Micro-ATX: smaller than ATX and backwards compatible with the ATX. Popular in desktop and small form factor computers

    → Mini-ITX: designed for small devices such as thin clients and set-top boxes. Only one (1) PCI slot

    → ITX: Comparable to Micro-ATX

  • Chipset and form factor work together to define the overall capacities and limitations of a PC.


1.3 Interfaces and Expansion Technologies

Expansion Slots: sots on the motherboard that are used to install internal components like graphics cards, wireless adapters, sound cards, and more.

  • PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect, a type of slot

  • PCIe (PCI Express): modern standard for connecting high-speed internal components to the motherboard. Replaces the PCI and AGP (Advanced Graphics Port). Has a scalable design, allowing different components to use different amounts of data lanes depending on performance needs

  • x1 (1 lane): for low-bandwidth devices like network, wi-fi, or USB expansion cards, x4 and x8: used occasionally for storage controllers of specialized cards, x16: designed for high-bandwidth devices like graphics cards

USB (Universal Serial Bus) Interfaces: a standard connection used to link computers with external devices. Supports plug-and-play setup and hot-swapping, so devices can be connected or removed without restarting the computer

  • USB 2.0: 480 Mbps, 2.5W, Type-A, commonly used for flash drives, backward compatible

  • USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1: 5Gbps, 4.5W, Type-A Type-C, external drives and webcams, backward compatible

  • USB 3.2 Gen 2: 10 Gbps, 7.5W, Type-A Type-C, high speed storage, backward compatible

  • USB4/Thunderbolt 4: Up to 40 Gbps, Up to 100W, Type-C, docking stations and video output, backward compatible depending on hardware

GPUs: responsible for generating and displaying images, video, and animations on a computer screen.

  • Integrated Graphics: built into the CPU or sometimes the motherboard chipset and share RAM with the rest of the computer, not powerful enough for gaming or 3D rendering

  • Discrete (dedicated) graphics: standalone component that plugs into a PCIe x16 expansion slot, have own GPU chip and dedicated VRAM (Video RAM), larger/generate more heat/require more power/have own cooling fans

Wireless and Bluetooth Cards

  • Internal Expansion Cards: installed directly into the motherboard, more permanent and powerful connection, likely in a PCIe x1 or Mini PCIe slot

  • External USB Adapters: ideal for quickly adding Wi-Fi to a system without opening the case. Convenient and portable, lower performance than internal expansion card


Driver Management and Device Manager

Drivers: special software that lets the operating system talk to hardware like printers, graphics cards, or USB devices, acting as a translator

Drive Installation: a driver need to be installed when connecting new hardware

  • Automatic Installation (Plug and Play): most basic devices install themselves when plugged in. Operating system searches its built in driver library or checks online. Quick but may use drivers with limited features

  • Windows Update: operating systems check regularly for newer or compatible drivers online and install them during updates. These are tested and certified through the Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL)

  • Manual Installation: newer or specialized devices may need manually installed drivers, this provides more control and can improve performance. This can be done by Manufacturer’s Installer (run a setup program downloaded from the vendor’s website) or Device Manager (when no installer is available, browse driver files to manually install them)

Windows Device Manager: built in Windows utility that gives users and support technicians a comprehensive view of all hardware components installed on a system