Practical no.

3
3 a) Study the various components of a motherboard. b) Compare motherboards of various types.

Motivation: The Motherboard can be considered to the spine of a PC. It is the most important part of a PC. Studying the motherboard helps us to understand the internal working of a PC. Objective: To understand the importance of various components motherboard and able to identify them. Theory: COMPONENTS ON THE MOTHERBOARD In personal computers, a motherboard is the central printed circuit board (PCB) in many modern computers and holds many of the crucial components of the system, providing connectors for other peripherals. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the main board, system board, or, on Apple computers, the logic board. It is also sometimes casually shortened to mobo.

CPU Chip is the brain of any computer. The Pentium 4 2.5 gigabyte chips has a very large cooling fan which circulates air around the chip. RAM Memory is where information is stored for very quick access by the computer. DIMM memory (Dual Inline Memory Module) was the popular memory chip until the more recent RIMM Chips(Random Inline Memory Module) came on the scene. With the all of new systems around now just keeping up with the R.A.M. changes is a job. Once we just needed 30 pin SIMM chips but now we also get to contend with SIMMs, DIMMs, and RIMMsand that's just a few. So we've put together this quick overview of many common RAM chips and some tips on how to identify them. SIMM chips Single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) come in 30-pin and 72-pin variants. The best way to identify a SIMM chip is by a notch next to the contacts on one side. The 72-pin SIMM has a notch among the contacts in the middle. Used a lot on older computers, Figure A shows a 30-pin, 3.5-inch SIMM chip (note the tin contacts). Figure A

The newer 72-pin, 4.25-inch SIMM chip is shown in Figure B (note the gold contacts). Figure B

Chip contacts are either gold- or tin-plated. Recommended are chips with gold contacts because they dont corrode. Also, never insert tin-plated chips into gold-plated sockets. Different metals will cause corrosion. DIMM chips Dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) have 168 pins and transfer data 64 bits at a time. DIMMs can easily be identified because they: Have no bottom-corner notch (like SIMMs have). Have semicircular holes on both sides. Have two notches among the contacts. Are installed perpendiculars to the memory socket, unlike 72-pin SIMMs that are installed at a slight angle. Figure C is a 168-pin, 5.25-inch DIMM chip. Figure C

SO-DIMM chips Small outline dual in-line memory modules (SO-DIMMs) are mostly used in notebook

computers. SO-DIMM chips are smaller than standard DIMMs and come in 72-pin and 144-pin varieties. Figure D shows a 144-pin, 2.66-inch SO-DIMM chip. Figure D

Figure E shows a 72-pin, 2.35-inch SO-DIMM chip. Figure E

The best way to identify an SO-DIMM is by the chips thinness. The 72-pin chip also has a notch on the side, while the 144-pin chip has a notch among the contacts. SDRAM and DRAM chips Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) is a generic term for different types of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the most common form of RAM used for personal computers. DRAM chips store each bit of data in a storage cell comprised of a capacitor and a transistor. Because capacitors quickly lose their electric charge, DRAM chips must be recharged every few milliseconds to maintain their data. SDRAM chips use interleaving and burst-mode technologies to synchronize with the clock speed the CPU is optimized for, thus accelerating memory retrieval. Figure F shows a 168-pin SDRAM chip. Figure F

SDRAM chips look similar to DIMM chips but have fewer large processor modules.

RIMM and SO-RIMM chips Developed by Kingston Technology Company in conjunction with Intel and Rambus, Inc., RIMM is the trademarked name for a Direct Rambus in-line memory module. RIMM chips are similar to DIMMs but have 184 pins and transfer data in 16-bit chunks. SO-RIMM chips, which are 160-pin variants, are also available for small form factor devices. RIMMs are faster than DIMMs but generate more heat. As such, heat spreaders made of aluminum are required to prevent overheating. On RIMM chips, heat spreaders cover most of the chips exterior, while SO-RIMM chips have narrower spreaders. Figure G shows a 184-pin RIMM chip. Figure G

Figure H shows a 160-pin SO-RIMM chip. Figure H

You can see the heat spreader forming an upside-down U shape on the chip. These spreaders can be used to identify RIMM or SO-RIMM chips. BIOS Chip is that chip responsible for holding the data the computer needs to start and to check all devices in the system. This data is not lost when the computer is turned off. The cmos battery keeps the data intact. BIOS,the basic input/output system (BIOS), also known as the System BIOS or ROM BIOS is a de facto standard(dominant position by public acceptance) defining a firmware interface. The BIOS software is built into the PC, and is the first code run by a PC when powered on ('boot firmware'). The primary function of the BIOS is to set up the hardware and load and start an operating system.

When the PC starts up, the first job for the BIOS is to initialize and identify system devices such as the video display card, keyboard and mouse, hard disk drive, optical disc drive and other hardware. The BIOS then locates software held on a peripheral device (designated as a 'boot device'), such as a hard disk or a CD/DVD, and loads and executes that software, giving it control of the PC. This process is known as booting, or booting up, which is short for bootstrapping. BIOS software is stored on a non-volatile ROM chip built into the system on the motherboard. The BIOS software is specifically designed to work with the particular type of system in question, including having knowledge of the workings of various devices that make up the complementary chipset of the system. In modern computer systems, the BIOS chip's contents can be rewritten, allowing BIOS software to be upgraded.

BIOS will also have a user interface (or UI for short). Typically this is a menu system accessed by pressing a certain key on the keyboard when the PC starts. In the BIOS UI, a user can:

configure hardware set the system clock enable or disable system components select which devices are eligible to be a potential boot device set various password prompts, such as a password for securing access to the BIOS UI functions itself and preventing malicious users from booting the system from unauthorized peripheral devices.

The BIOS provides a small library of basic input/output functions used to operate and control the peripherals such as the keyboard, text display functions and so forth, and these software library functions are callable by external software. In the IBM PC and AT, certain peripheral cards such as hard-drive controllers and video display adapters carried their own BIOS extension Option ROM, which provided additional functionality. Operating systems and executive software, designed to supersede this basic firmware functionality, will provide replacement software interfaces to applications.

CMOS Battery provides power to the BIOS Chip so that the computer can access the data on the chip.This data allows the computer to boot up. ISA Slots stands for Industry Standard Architecture and this is the older and slower data bus used on 486 PCs. PCI Slots replaced the slower ISA Slots.The PCI data bus gives the computer much faster data transfer from the device to the motherboard. AGP Slot is used by the video card to provide quick and fast access by the cpu. Video data is send directly to the cpu without any delay whatsoever.AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port: an Intel-designed 32-bit PC bus architecture introduced in 1997 allowing graphics cards direct access to the system bus. USB Ports or Universal Serial Bus ports are Intel's newer standard connection for attaching such peripherals as digital cameras.

Disk Controllers are where the data cable coming from the drives are connected. These Controllers, such as the Floppy and Hard Drive controllers are mounted onto the motherboard. Some older computers had these components mounted in adapter slots. The Chipsets are simply a number of integrated circuits designed to perform one or more functions that are closely related to each other. Expansion Slots are input/output buses made of a series of slots on the motherboard. Expansion slots are plugged into such data buses as the ISA and PCI bus. Parallel Ports are input/output channels a such parallel devices like the printer.Data is send and received eight bits at a time over 8 separate wires. PS/2 Port is an IBM Computer port introduced in 1987.It such developed to interface keyboards and such pointing devices as the mouse,touch pads,and trackballs.This port is commonly referred to as the mouse port. Serial Ports allow communication between the computer and such serial devices as modems,and mice.Serial Ports are also called COM or communications port.

ATX Power Connector provides power from the power supply to the motherboard.Without this connection,all other devices on the motherboard would be useless.

ZIF Socket is the designed socket where the CPU Chip is installed.This socket is best known for its quick and fast upgrade by allowing the chip to be removed and installed easily. These are the major components of the motherboard with very few exceptions.Take the time to carefully remove the cover from your system unit and study your motherboard. Determine your motherboard's form facter either by your computer's manual or by visiting the motherboard's web site providing support.

TYPES of Motherboards:
1) AT 2) Baby AT 3) ATX 4) MINI ATX 5) MICRO ATX 6) NLX

The PC/XT was the original form factor introduced by IBM. It only came in desktop form and, though it looked pretty high-tech and streamlined at the time, was fairly large and clunky. They're not made anymore, they were replaced by the AT form factor. Because technology had advanced somewhat, components were becoming smaller (the evolution continues to this day). Components on the AT motherboard were positioned a little more efficiently, and the size of the power supply was reduced without any loss in performance. The position of the power supply also changed with the introduction of the tower-style case. Now you could get two different styles of case, the desktop and the tower, with some variation in sizes, as well.

Cooling became much more efficient, with the power supply fan blowing air out the top, and the vent holes near the bottom of the case allowing cooler air to be sucked in. The AT form factor also moved the power switch from the back, or side, to the front of the case (remote power switch). The AT is also not available anymore. With components becoming increasingly smaller, voltages changing, and chip and component placement becoming more efficient, manufacturers discovered they could make the board smaller. They decreased the width of the AT form factor and introduced the Baby AT. The fact that less material was required to manufacture it, and the introduction of IDE connectors, and other I/O connectors that are integrated directly on to the motherboard, resulted in cheaper production costs. This made the new form factor quite popular with the manufacturer. The case that conformed to the Baby AT form factor could now become slightly smaller in stature. That made the Baby AT form factor quite popular with the consumer. Most of the computers above the Pentium MMX have gone away from the Baby AT format, to the ATX. But as long as the Pentiums 200 - 266 remain a useful and plentiful machine, the Baby AT form factor will probably remain available.
The component configuration on the ATX motherboard is fairly similar to the Baby AT. By taking the Baby AT and turning it 90 degrees, the CPU and memory modules become more easily accessible. The Baby AT introduced integrated I/O connectors that attached, via small ribbon cables, to the ports installed on slot-plates at the back of the computer. With The ATX, integration is taken one step further. The different serial, parallel, and USB ports are hardwired directly to the motherboard in a small cluster at the back of the computer. The power supply connector has changed a bit also. P8 and P9 connectors have been replaced by a single tabbed connector. The remote switch on the ATX is connected to the motherboard, not directly to the power supply, and there is power to the board at all times. The cases come in all the regular sizes and styles. The ATX is currently the most popular form factor out there. There is a slightly smaller version of the ATX called the Mini ATX. Although the motherboard is slightly more compact, it uses the same case and power supply. I mention it here, only to differentiate between it, and the Micro ATX. The more compact version of the ATX is called the Micro ATX, and it's targeted toward the low end computer market. The cases generally have about 1 X 5-1/4" bay,

1 X 3.5", and 1 internal bay. The Micro ATX power supply is also smaller, and usually has just enough power for what's already in the computer. There is very little (zero) room for expansion. I think the Micro ATX probably came about as a result of manufacturers competing for that first 'under $1000' computer. There is another case and MB combination, the NLX that may become more popular than the ATX. Mostly due to the fact that the big name manufacturers use the NLX form factor extensively to mass produce systems at a reduced cost. The NLX has a single expansion slot on the motherboard. There's a riser card that fits into the slot and contains the rest of the expansion slots required by the system. The whole idea is to be able to make the case narrower, and it does the job. The case is no longer limited by the height of the expansion cards because the expansion cards are installed horizontally. Although NLX is a recognized standard, and the parts are supposed to be interchangeable, they still seem to be quite proprietary. You'll recognize the NLX by the horizontal slot holes at the back of your computer.