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CP1610: Introduction to Computer Components. The Motherboard. What is the Motherboard?. The largest circuit board in a computer. The means by which all devices are connected to each other, and the CPU. Also called the system board. Parts on a Motherboard. What is the CPU.
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CP1610:Introduction to Computer Components The Motherboard
What is the Motherboard? • The largest circuit board in a computer. • The means by which all devices are connected to each other, and the CPU. • Also called the system board.
What is the CPU • Central Processing Unit. • Also called the processor or the microprocessor. • The most important chip in the computer. • The brain, or command centre.
Parts of the CPU • Input/output (I/O) unit • Arithmetic logic unit(s) (ALU) • Control unit
Parking (Registers) 10 9 ALU ALU You need to go to Building 10! Parking (Internal Cache) The Control Unit (CU) is like a security guard directing students to the correct building. Please wait until the road is clear, and I will open the gate! The I/O Unit is like the security guard at the front gate.
CISC vs. RISC Processors • CISC • Complex Instruction Set Code • RISC • Reduced Instruction Set Code
CISC RISC Karwa
Other Parts on the Motherboard • System Bus • CMOS • BIOS • The Chipset • System Clock • Expansion Slots • Floppy and Disk Drive Connections • Memory
System Bus • Metal lines (traces) connecting parts on the motherboard. • Allow data to travel between devices and the CPU. • Like a system of roads throughout a city. • Can be expanded to other parts (like highways connecting towns and cities).
CMOS • Chip that saves your system settings: • Date and time • Hardware configuration • Boot device order • Has a battery so that it can save your settings even when the computer is off • CMOS stands for Complex Metal Oxide Semiconductor
BIOS • Basic Input/Output System • Stores basic instructions on how the computer can talk to: • Keyboard • Mouse • Monitor • Memory • Allows a computer to operate basic functions without any other software installed • Is the same for ALL computers.
The Chipset • The chipset controls most parts of the computer. • It handles ‘routine’ work, so the CPU can handle more important processing. • Some of the chips in the chipset include: • Interrupt Controller • Keyboard Controller • DMA Controller
The Interrupt Controller • What is an Interrupt? • Lots of devices want to get the CPU’s attention; • An interrupt is a signal that tells the CPU which device is calling, or sending data; • The Interrupt Controller is a chip that controls the flow of data on the system bus, and lets the CPU know which device needs it;
Who is trying to call me? This better be important! The CPU(Everyone wants his attention!) Don’t worry… I can direct traffic for you! The Interrupt Controller is like a police offer directing traffic at a busy roundabout. Some devices get priority over others
System Clock 0 Interrupt Controller CPU Keyboard 1 2 3 4 5 Floppy 6 7 8 Interrupt Controller 9 10 11 PS/2 Mouse 12 13 14 15 How the Interrupt Controller Works
Keyboard Controller • The Keyboard Controller provides the following functions: • Keyboard Control and Interpretation. • PS/2 Mouse Support. • Access to the High Memory Area. • The Keyboard Controller is often not needed in newer computers.
The DMA Controller • Direct Memory Access • Sometimes devices may want to ‘talk’ to each other without ‘going through’ the CPU. • DMA Controller controls access to the system bus, and RAM, and bypasses the CPU.
I’m busy with official business… don’t bother me! The CPU(Not everyone needs his attention!) This better be important if you want to keep going down Madinat Khalifa! Thanks, officer. I guess I don’t need to bother with this car! Don’t worry, Sarge! I’ll direct this car through the roundabout! I’m only going to McDonald’s! Do I really need to go see the CPU first? Beep! Beep! The Interrupt Controller The DMA Controller is like a second traffic officer who handles traffic not going to the CPU Can I go now? Some devices don’t need to talk to the CPU
The System Clock • Crystal that emits a pulse/signal. • Acts like a drummer in a rock band. • Pulses provide timing for the CPU and other devices.
Clock Speeds • Measured in Hertz • Cycles per second • Speed of the Motherboard: • Megahertz (MHz) • Speed of the CPU: • Gigahertz (GHz)
Expansion Slots • Allow you to ‘expand’ the capabilities of your computer. • Connect new circuit boards to your motherboard. • Connect the data buses (roads) on the expansion cards to the system bus (roads) on the motherboard.
Common Expansion Cards • Sound Cards • Modems • Network Cards • Video Cards • Specialty Cards
Types of Expansion Slots • ISA • Industry Standard Architecture • Older, ‘legacy’ cards • PCI • Peripheral Component Interconnect • Newer, faster expansion cards • AGP • Accelerated Graphics Port
Floppy and Disk Drive Connections • Special slots for ‘ribbon’ (data) cables. • Allow you to connect: • Floppy disk drives; • Hard disk drives; • CD/DVD drives; • Zip disk drives; • Etc…
Floppy Drives • There is usually only one floppy disk drive connection. • A floppy controller chip on the motherboard controls talking to, and fuctions of the floppy drive.
EIDE Connections • Used to connect: • Hard disk drives; • CD/DVD drives; • Two connectors on the motherboard. • Each connector can connect two devices; • Up to four EIDI devices can be connected;
Memory Devices • Hold data and instructions. • Types of Memory: • System Memory; • RAM; • ROM;
System Memory • 1 Megabyte (1 MB) • Built into motherboard. • Maximum memory that could be handled by: • Older PC’s; • New PC’s before system drivers and OS are booted; • Hold data and instructions for: • System drivers; • Programs used by the user;
Anything above 1 MB Reserved for device drivers and system functions Available to the user for any software
RAM Random Access Memory Stores data and instructions Volatile Examples: RAM chips CMOS ROM Read Only Memory Stores basic system settings Non-volatile Example: BIOS RAM vs. ROM
Types of Motherboards • Choice of motherboard affects: • Capabilities and limitations of system; • Type of computer case needed; • Common types of motherboards: • AT • ATX • Backplane
The AT Motherboard • Smaller • Used for classic Pentium CPU • Uses SIMM RAM • Uses P8 and P9 power connectors
The ATX Motherboard • Faster • Easier to install • More power management features • Uses DIMM RAM • Has a PI power connector
Backplane Motherboards • Actually built into the computer case. • More difficult to make upgrades. • Not as popular.