Mr C Johnston ICT Teacher computechedu.co.uk

1. BTEC IT Unit 02 - Lesson 02Inside Computers #1 – Motherboards, CPUs, PSUs and Cooling Mr C Johnston ICT Teacher www.computechedu.co.uk

2. Session Objectives • Understand the role of motherboards, CPUs, PSUs and cooling within a PC, • Be able to describe the different features of motherboards, CPUs, PSUs and cooling so you can recommend them to others for specific tasks,

3. The Motherboard • The motherboard or “pc main board” connects all the bits of a computer together, • It supplies power to, and allows data to flow between all components, • There are a series of different slots which cables, and cards fit into, • It is important when building a PC that all parts are compatible with the motherboard else the machine will not work.

4. Motherboard Features • System BUS (data, power, control, address) • I/O BUS (connects storage devices to motherboard) • Front Side Bus (connects processor to the north bridge) • Chipset (north bridge, south bridge) • Processor slot / socket • RAM slots • Expansion Slots • PCI (peripheral component interconnect), AGP (accelerated graphics port), PCIe (pci express) • BIOS (Basic Input Output System) chip • Battery • FDD, IDE(integrated drive electronics), SATA (serial advanced technology attachment) interfaces • Integrated Motherboard Port – USB (1/2/3) / Serial / PS2 / Parallel ports • Power socket • Optional OnBoard features – Sound, Modem, GRX, Network Point

5. Conceptual Layout

6. BTEC Book – Unit 02 p4-6

7. Extra Task • In your own words explain the function of the motherboard in a typical modern personal computer. • The function means what its main job is – include a diagram perhaps showing its main features. Remember explain means to give a detailed account of something with reasons – include how it works, and why its required.

8. The Processor • The processor or CPU is the brain of a computer and performs calculations to enable the computer to function, • Its main job is to: • Request information from devices, • Modify / Create new information, • Sending information back to devices. • Processors are measure in Hertz (Hz) - number of calculations they can perform per second, • Processors attach to a motherboard by being inserted into a socket or slot, • In general the faster the processor the better the machine but certain other factors need to be taken into consideration – speed of motherboards bus, amount of RAM, rotation speed of storage drives and type of other cards attached.

9. The Processor Rivals • The two main manufacturers for processors are Intel and AMD, • Much debate (similar to Coke and Pepsi) who is better but essentially its down to personal preference and what you want your computer to do, • AMD went down the 64bit road, • More data can travel around the bus • Can use more than 4gb of RAM within your system • Have multi core versions or processors • Intel first to have several cores, • Effectively multiple processors in same case • Many of their processors now also offer 64bit technology • Which ever you choose need to ensure your motherboard has the correct type of socket or slot for the processor, as different processors require different sockets.

10. BTEC Book – Unit 02 p4-6

11. Current Processors - Intel • Intel's latest range of processor are the i3, i5 and flagship i7 range, • These mainly have either two or four processing areas and can essentially do multiple calculations (tasks) at the same time, • They come in a range of different speeds to suit different budgets and uses; • Older core duo processors are still available.

12. Current Processors - AMD • AMD produce a range of processors from high end to budget, • AMD Sempron processors are for the budget market whilst Athlon (and its varients) have been around for years and appear in typical home machines, • Phemon processors are AMDs high end processors and will be dearer, • Most types are offered with different speeds, cores and in 64bit.

13. Extra Task • In your own words explain the function of the processor in a typical modern personal computer. • The function means what its main job is – include a description perhaps to explain its main features. Remember explain means to give a detailed account of something with reasons – include how it works, and why its required.

14. Power Supply Unit (PSU) • The Power Supply Unit (PSU) is responsible for supplying power to the various components within the computer, • PSUs can either be internal or external, • A PSU is a step down transformer converting 230V AC into a lower voltage – in a desktop computer its 12v / 5v DC, • There are various cables with different connectors coming out of a PSU – the different connectors are for different devices, • PSUs are used all over the world and sometimes there is a voltage selector on the back – its important that this is always set to 230v otherwise BANG!!!

15. PSU Connector Types For more explanation visit http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html 4 pin peripheral power cable -HDD, Optical Drives 4 pin ATX +12 volt power cable -Supplies motherboards with 12v Floppy drive power cable -Floppy disk drives 8 pin ATX +12 volt power cable -Supplies motherboards with 12v 4+4 pin +12 volt power cable -Can be used as either 4 or 8 pin supply SATA power cable -SATA devices including HDD, Optical Drives 6 pin PCI Express power cable -Supplies power to PCIe cards 20 pin ATX main power cable -Motherboards 8 pin PCI Express power cable -Supplies higher power to PCIe cards 24 pin ATX main power cable -Motherboards 20+4 pin ATX main power cable -Can be used as either 20 or 24 pin supply 6+2 pin PCI Express power cable -Can be used as either 6 or 8 pin supply

16. BTEC Book – Unit 02 p6

17. Extra Task • In your own words explain the function of the PSU in a typical modern personal computer. • The function means what its main job is – include a diagram perhaps showing typical connectors. Remember explain means to give a detailed account of something with reasons – include how it works, and why its required.

18. Cooling • Processors work very hard and get extremely hot, • It is important that they are adequately ventilated with a quality heat sink and fan, • A heat sink is a metal object that radiates heat array from heat computer chips, • A fan is used to suck the heat away from hot computer chips, • Ducting may be used to channel to heat out of the computer case, • Modern cooling systems include…… • Never pick up or try to remove a processor from a motherboard without letting it cool first – you will get burnt.

19. Cooling • Processors work very hard and get extremely hot, • It is important that they are adequately ventilated with a quality heat sink and fan, • When purchasing a heat sink they often are recommended for a type of processor and speed – using one for a lower spec processor could cause it to blow, • Never pick up or try to remove a processor from a motherboard without letting it cool first – you will get burnt.

20. BTEC Book – Unit 02 p7

21. Extra Task • In your own words explain the function of the cooling system in a typical modern personal computer. • The function means what its main job is – include a description and maybe even diagrams showing the different types of cooling system. Remember explain means to give a detailed account of something with reasons – include how it works, and why its required.