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The Motherboard

The Motherboard. Major circuit board in PC Holds CPU where calculations and instructions on data are executed Noughts and ones crunched at lightning pace!. Motherboard Components. Memory CPU Central Processing Unit Processor The Chip Bus Expansion slots. Memory. Arrays of cells

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The Motherboard

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  1. The Motherboard • Major circuit board in PC • Holds CPU where calculations and instructions on data are executed • Noughts and ones crunched at lightning pace! Sheffield Hallam University

  2. Motherboard Components • Memory • CPU • Central Processing Unit • Processor • The Chip • Bus • Expansion slots Sheffield Hallam University

  3. Memory • Arrays of cells • Each has a unique hexadecimal address • Upon launching a program, instructions are pulled from disk into a contiguous block of memory • Data is also stored in memory, but in a different place. Sheffield Hallam University

  4. Types of Memory • RAM (Random Access Memory) allows reading and writing • ROM (Read Only Memory) • Both come in the form of semiconductors (chips) on the motherboard • ROM is used to store basic instructions that must never be deleted. • RAM is a main variable to consider when buying a computer Sheffield Hallam University

  5. RAM is Volatile • The most important thing to know about RAM is that it is volatile • Contents are lost when power is removed • Powercuts can cause big problems • Always save your work frequently • Shortcut for most Windows applications is <CTRL + S> Sheffield Hallam University

  6. CPU • Processor calculates and makes decisions using stored instructions and data • Basis is fetch-execute cycle • instruction residing in a memory address is fetched via the bus, decoded and executed • next cycle fetches instruction from the next contiguous address • unless a different address is specified by a program Sheffield Hallam University

  7. Processor Speed • Measured in megahertz (MHz) • where 1 MHz = a million fetch-execute cycles per second • often referred to as clock speed • Currently (Sept 2001) clock speeds are around 3 GHz Sheffield Hallam University

  8. Processor Types and Manufacturers • Main manufacturer is Intel • Started with 8088, 80286, 80386, 80486, Pentium, Pentium II, Pentium III • When 80386 arrived, other manufacturers got in • AMD, Cyrix • Motorola make RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computation) processors, used in the Archimedes and Macintosh computers Sheffield Hallam University

  9. More on Speed • CPU type and CPU speed are not the sole determinants of a computer’s performance • Other factors are: • amount of memory • type of memory • bus speed Sheffield Hallam University

  10. Amount of RAM • No matter how fast the CPU, things slow down if it is kept waiting for data or the next instruction • Retrieval from RAM is very fast but when it is full the PC must use Virtual Memory (HDD) • Memory-hungry uses like multimedia, huge spreadsheets or too many applications open at once slow things down • or make it crash • The more RAM the better! • (October 2001) 128MB for a machine running MS Office Sheffield Hallam University

  11. Virtual Memory • Even with a lot of RAM it is possible to run out • When this happens part of the HDD ‘pretends’ to be RAM • Virtual memory Sheffield Hallam University

  12. Main Memory • As well as amount of RAM, type is important • Most budget PCs come with EDO (Enhanced Data Out) RAM • A faster, more expensive type of RAM is SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) Sheffield Hallam University

  13. Cache Memory • Even faster than main RAM is cache memory • small amount of super fast RAM living very close to the CPU • most recently used data stored here • Two types of cache memory • Primary (internal) - located on the processor itself • Secondary (external) - not on the processor but close Sheffield Hallam University

  14. Speed of Retrieval • From fastest to slowest: • primary/internal cache • secondary/external cache • SDRAM • EDO RAM • Older forms of RAM (DRAM) • virtual memory • ordinary HDD Sheffield Hallam University

  15. Upgrading • You can sometimes replace the CPU with a faster one • Tiny handle on motherboard holds chip in place (Zero Insertion Force socket) • Remember other constraints on speed • memory • bus • Often more cost effective to get a new computer Sheffield Hallam University

  16. RAM • Most PCs have EDO RAM • 72 pin SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module) chips • If spare slots are available, can plug in extra SIMMs for more memory • DIMMs (Dual Inline Memory Module) now more commonplace for Pentiums Sheffield Hallam University

  17. Bus • Electronic path carrying data around system • Width - wider the bus (in bits) the more data can flow at the same time • Speed in MHz • Most computers house more than one type of bus.... Sheffield Hallam University

  18. Bus Types • Local • Ferrying data within the motherboard between processor and memory • 32 bit and 64 bit • On a fast motherboard, 133 MHz • Off-board • slower, operating between motherboard and peripheral devices Sheffield Hallam University

  19. Bus - Most Critical Thing • No point in a fast processor and lots of fast RAM without bus width and speed to match • overall performance determined by the slowest component • RAM and CPU can be upgraded as they plug into motherboard • Bus is integral to board • Can only be changed by changing motherboard • Get the bus right first time! Sheffield Hallam University

  20. Expansion Slots • Motherboard has slots into which smaller boards can be inserted • daughter boards, cards, adaptors • Video card controls monitor display • LAN or Network Interface Card allows communication with a network • The number of expansion slots is something else to think about when choosing a computer - leave plenty of room for future expansion Sheffield Hallam University

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