CPU, RAM, Firmware, Motherboard, PSU Flashcards
Identify terms/concepts for essential computer hardware.
1
Q
AC
A
Alternating Current:
Flow of electrons alternates direction back &forth.
Power companies supply AC because it travels long distances more efficiently than DC.
2
Q
AC Adapters
A
Many computing devices use AC adapter as opposed to internal PSU.
Rarely interchangeable
Test: Voltage, Amperage, & Polarity
V/A Output Too Low: Device won’t run
V/A Output Too High: EXPLOSION
Polarity Reversed: Will not work
3
Q
Active PFC
A
Active Power Factor Correction:
Smooths out power coming from wall before passing to PSU circuits.
Eliminates issues with harmonics (back pressure)
4
Q
Add more RAM if…
A
General system sluggishness
Excessive hard drive accessing
5
Q
Address Bus
A
Allows the CPU to send the address to RAM, and the data bus allows the actual data transfer to the PC.
Transmits the location of stored information.
6
Q
Administrator Password
A
Locks/unlocks access to system setup utility.
7
Q
ALU (Arithmatic Logic Unit)
A
A unit in a computer which carries out arithmatic and logical operations.
8
Q
AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
A
AMD Ryzen: Brand 7: Market Segment 2: Generation 7: Performance Level 00: Model number X: Power suffix (high-performance)
9
Q
AMP
A
AMD Memory Profile:
AMD’s version of XMP
10
Q
Amperage (Current)
A
The amount of electrons moving past a certain point on a wire.
(measurement in Amps/Amperes)
11
Q
AT (Form Factor)
A
Invented by IBM in early 80s
Predominant form factor for mobos through mid 90s.
Greatest issue: lack of external ports
12
Q
ATX (Form Factor)
A
12 x 9.6 in
Most common form factor to date.
Overtook AT around 1998.
AT keyboard port replaced with rear panel that has all necessary ports.
13
Q
ATX PSU
A
Single 20-pin P1 connector
Molex/mini connectors for peripherals
5V running to mobo (always “on” when powered down)
Soft Power: BIOS handles PC on/off:
Prevents user from powering down before OS
Enables power-saving modes
Obsolete once devices needed more current
14
Q
ATX12V 1.3
A
First widespread update to ATX power standards (2003)
P4 Power Connector: 4-pin mobo connector for CPU
(Any PSU that provides P4 is an ATX12V)
P1 Power Connector: 20/24-pin
6-pin AUX connector: 3.3 & 5V current to mobo
15
Q
ATX12V 2.0
A
ATX version that incorporated ideas from EPS12V
24-pin power connector (backward compatible with 20-pin)
2 12V Rails (for 230+W)
Dropped AUX connector; Requires SATA connectors
8-pin CPU Power Connector (2 4-pin sets; one being P4)
AKA: EPS12V, EATX12V, ATX12V 2x4
PCIe power connector: 6-pin or 8-pin
(NOT CPU connector)
16
Q
Auto-Switching (PSU)
A
PSU automatically switches VAC depending on location/socket.
17
Q
Bank (RAM Terminology)
A
DIMM slots
18
Q
Beep Codes (POST code beeps)
A
Computer uses sound to indicate problems.
Varies among manufacturers.
19
Q
BIOS
A
Basic Input/Output Services:
The firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process.
Provides runtime services for OS and programs.
20
Q
BIOS Boot Process
A
Power good, CPU, POST, boot loader, OS
PSU tests for proper voltages, then sends signal down “power good” wire to awaken CPU.
CPU sends built-in memory address via address bus.
Initiates POST
Bootstrap loader: few dozen lines of BIOS code at end of POST program (for finding OS)
21
Q
Boot Sector
A
Location containing special programming designed to tell the system where to locate the OS.
22
Q
Boot Sequence
A
Order of devices to boot from.
23
Q
Branch
A
CPU program with an IF statement. Instruction in a program that can cause a computer to begin executing a different instruction sequence, deviating from the original.
24
Q
Bytes Per Second (Calculation)
A
MHz speed x 8
25
Cache
To reduce pipeline stalls (wait states), CPUs come with built-in high-speed RAM called SRAM (Static RAM).
26
Chipsets
Manufacturers combined controllers to make chipsets.
Extends the data bus to every device on PC.
27
Circuit Breaker
Heat-sensitive electromagnetically operated electrical switch rated for a specific amperage.
Too much amperage:
Wiring inside detects heat/current increase and automatically opens.
(Stops the flow of electricity)
28
CISC
Complex Instruction Set Computing. Contains a very large set of computer instructions from complex to specialized.
29
Clearing CMOS
CMOS RTC RAM:
Can be set to factory defaults by shorting the pins 10 sec
OR
Remove CMOS battery, wait several seconds, reinstall, boot
30
Clock Cycle
A single electronic pulse of a CPU. During each cycle, a CPU can perform a basic operation such as fetching an instruction, accessing memory, or writing data.
31
Clock Multiplier
Sets the ratio of an internal CPU clock rate to the externally supplied clock. 10x = 10 internal cycles for every external clock cycle
32
CMOS
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor:
A tiny bit of RAM hooked up to a small battery to keep it working with the PC off.
Handles system's real-time clock (RTC).
Stores settings & information.
Standalone CMOS chip has been incorporated into main chipset.
If CMOS data about hardware differs from actual specs, the computer cannot access the hardware.
33
CMOS Battery Issues
Replace if CMOS information is lost.
Replace if clock keeps resetting.
34
Controller Chip
A communication bus that enables the CPU to send commands to and from devices.
Extends the data bus & address bus throughout the mobo.
Acts as an interface.
35
CPU Sockets (Intel)
LGA 1150 (H3): Core i3/i5/i7, Pentium, Celeron, Xeon
LGA 1151 (H4): Core i3/i5/i7, Pentium, Celeron, Xeon
LGA 2011 (R/R3): Core i7, Core i7 Extreme, Xeon
LGA 2066 (R4): Core i5/i7/i9, Xeon
36
DC
Direct Current:
Electrons flow in one direction around a continuous circuit.
Most electronic devices use DC.
37
DDR (Speed Rating)
```
Clock Speed (200MHz)
x 2
DDR Speed (DDR-400)
x 8
PC Speed Rating (PC-3200)
```
38
DDR DIMMs (Pins)
184-pin (match 168 in physical size)
39
DDR micro-DIMM (Pins)
172-pin
40
DDR SDRAM
Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory:
| Similar to Rambus, doubles throughput of SDRAM by making two processes per clock cycle.
41
DDR SO-DIMMs (Pins)
200-pin
42
DDR2 (Speed Rating)
```
Clock Speed (200MHz)
x 2
DDR I/O Speed (400MHz)
x 2
DDR2 Speed Rating (DDR2-800)
x 8
PC Speed Rating (PC2-6400)
```
43
DDR2 DIMM (Pins)
240-pin
44
DDR2 RAM
Clock doubles the i/o circuits on the chips (speeds up i/o) & adds special buffers.
45
DDR2 SO-DIMM (Pins)
200-pin
46
DDR3 (Speed Rating)
```
Clock Speed (200MHz)
x 4
DDR I/O Speed (800MHz)
x 2
DDR3 Speed Rating (DDR3-1600)
x 8
PC Speed Rating (PC3-12800)
```
47
DDR3 DIMM (Pins)
240-pin
48
DDR3 RAM
Higher speeds, more efficient architecture, and 30% lower power consumption than DDR2.
Higher-density memory chips, up to 16GB DDR3 modules.
Triple channel architecture; Quad channel architecture
49
DDR3 SO-DIMM (Pins)
204-pin
50
DDR3L
Low-voltage version of DDR3.
Provides substantial cost savings when used in massive RAM applications (data centers)
1.35V
51
DDR3U
Ultra-low voltage version of DDR3
1.25V
52
DDR4 (Speed Rating)
```
Clock Speed (400MHz)
x 8
Bandwidth (3200 MT/s)
=
DDR4 Speed Rating (DDR4-3200)
x 8
PC Speed Rating (PC4-25600)
```
53
DDR4 DIMM (Pins)
288-pin
54
DDR4 RAM
Higher density and lower voltages than DDR3, and can handle faster data transfer.
Could theoretically go up to 512GB
DDR4 DIMMs max at 64GB (1.2V)
55
DDR4 SO-DIMM (Pins)
260-pin
56
Device Drivers
File stored on PC's hard drive that contains all of the commands necessary to talk to whatever device it's for.
OSs employ a method of loading drivers into RAM when the system boots:
Looks at list (file/s) to figure out which drivers the system needs to load.
57
Device Manager (Device Driver) Errors
Black "!" on Triangle:
Device is missing; windows does not recognize device; driver problem.
```
Black Downward Arrow on White Field:
Disabled device (turned off/damaged)
Right click, select enable (or try reinstalling/rollback)
```
"!":
Check device connections; try "Update Driver" to reinstall
58
DIMM
Dual Inline Memory Module:
Has 2 lines of connectors (as opposed to SIMMs)
64-bit data path
59
Double-Sided DIMMs
Have chips on both sides. Basically 2 sticks soldered onto one board.
60
DRAM
Dynamic Random Access Memory:
Functions like electronic spreadsheet.
Numbered rows containing cells each holding a 1 or 0.
Standard RAM in all computers.
61
Early (Classic) Chipsets
Northbridge: Handled faster connections. (Handled RAM)
| Southbridge: Interconnection to slower connections.
Handled some expansion drives & mass storage drives
62
ECC RAM
Error Correction Code (or Error Checking & Correction):
Detects and corrects any time a single bit is flipped on-the-fly
Can detect double-bit error, cannot correct
Slower than non-ECC RAM
72-bit versions (64-bit + extra 8 bits for ECC)
DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 ECC: 240-pin
63
EDB
External Data Bus:
The primary route for data in a PC. All data handling components are connected to it. Provides a channel for the flow of data & commands between CPU & RAM.
64
EPS12V
Developed by SSI (Server System Infrastructure)
Made for server motherboards.
24-pin power connector (but with more stability)
P4, AUX, & 8-pin connectors
65
Expansion Bus
An I/O pathway from CPU to peripheral devices.
Typically comprises of a series of slots on the motherboard (for card insertion).
66
Fanless Cooling
Cooling system that doesn't have CPU fan (heat sinks with no fans)
67
Flashing the ROM
AKA: Updating motherboard firmware
Can be done with flash drive.
Can also be done using update utility that scans internet.
Failed BIOS/UEFI update: Bricks computer/device
68
FlexATX (Form Factor)
9 x 7.5 in
Smallest ATX motherboards; no longer made/used
69
Form Factor (Motherboard)
Determines the physical size of the motherboard & general location of components.
70
FPU
Floating Point Unit:
| A part of a computer system specially designed to carry out operations on floating-point numbers.
71
FRU
Field Replaceable Unit:
| Ex: RAM & Hard Drives
72
Fuses
Electrical safety device that operates to provide over-current protection.
Fuses break when overloaded, which is why circuit breakers prevail.
Still found in electronic devices (like PSU) for internal protection.
Not easily replaceable.
73
Ground Wire
Provides a path of least resistance for electrons to flow back to ground in case of accidental overflow.
74
Heat Sink
Copper or other metal device designed to dissipate heat from whatever it touches.
75
Hyperthreading
Enables CPU to run multiple threads at the same time (simultaneous multithreading).
Turns CPU into 2 CPUs.
76
IEC-320
Power supply connector.
3 Holes
Hot: Carries voltage (like a water pipe)
Neutral: No voltage (acts like water drain)
Completes circuit by returning to local source (breaker panel)
Ground: Excess electricity can return safely to the ground
77
IMC
Integrated Memory Controller:
A digital circuit that manages the flow of data going to and from the computer's main memory.
Handles in/out to the RAM chips (built into processor chip)
78
Intel Core i7 7500U
```
Intel Core: Brand
i7: Brand modifier
7: Generation
500: SKU numbers
U: Alpha suffix (ultra-low power)
```
79
Intel Microarchitecture Family Names
Nehalem, Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge, Haswell, Broadwell, Skylake, Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake
80
Lane (PCIe)
A pair of wires for PCIe: one for sending data, one for receiving data.
Can use up to 16 lanes. Max theoretical bandwidth: 256GTps
Up to 32GBps on x16 (full duplex data throughput)
81
Latency (RAM)
Delay in RAM's response time.
CL17 or CL19 (CAS: Column Array Strobe)
Numbers reflect how may clicks of the system clock it takes before RAM responds.
82
LGA
Land Grid Array:
| Flat platform-like pins instead of spiky pins (Intel)
83
LoJack
If PC is stolen, you can track location, install keylogger, or even remotely shut down computer.
84
MCC (Memory Controller Chip)
Connects RAM & CPU.
| Grabs contents of any line of RAM and places data/command on EDB.
85
Micro DIMM (Pins)
68-pin
144-pin
172-pin
86
microATX (Form Factor)
AKA mATX
9.6 x 9.6 in (30% smaller than ATX)
Fits in standard ATX case, or in much smaller microATX case.
87
Mini Connector
AKA Berg Connector
Supplies 5 & 12V to peripherals
88
Mini-ITX (Form Factor)
AKA mITX
6.7 x 6.7 in
Virtually identical to mATX
Small amount of power needed.
89
Mini-PCI
PCI in laptop form.
Lower power, lies flat.
90
Mini-PCIe
PCI Express Mini Card:
| Smaller form factor version of PCIe for laptops.
91
Modern Beep Codes
Long, Short, Short:
Bad/missing video
Single beep repeated:
Bad/missing RAM
Series of short beeps:
CPU alarm/heat limit
92
Modern Chipsets
Just a Southbridge.
CPU handles old Northbridge functions.
Define RAM capacity, USB capabilities, and more
93
Molex Connector
Supplies 5 & 12V current for fans & older drives.
Chamfers: Notches on molex connector.
94
Multicore Processing
Use of multiple cores in a processor.
95
Multimeter
VOM: Volt-Ohm Meter | DMM: Digital Multimeter
Two probes (analog/digital) & dial for test selection
4 Tests: Continuity, resistance, AC voltage, DC voltage
Continuity: Tests flow of electrons; can determine if a fuse is good or check for wire breaks
Broken wire/fuse: infinite resistance
96
Non-US AC Standard
220-240VAC
Most PSUs provide dual-voltage options
97
NX Bit
Technology used in CPUs
Enables the CPU to protect certain sections of memory.
Stops malicious attacks from getting to essential OS files.
DEP (Data Execution Prevention: Microsoft)
98
OCP
Over-Current Protection:
Monitors amount of amps in each rail.
Shuts down PSU if a rail exceeds cap
99
Ohms
Resistance to the flow of electrons.
100
Option ROM Chip
BYOB (Bring Your Own BIOS)
Individual BIOS not recognized by system BIOS.
Mostly replaced by software.
Exception: Still used in video cards
101
Overclocking
Running systems at clock speeds higher than CPU rating.
102
P1
Power connector from PSU to Motherboard
20 or 24-pin connector
Some mobos require an extra 4, 6, or 8-pin connectors for extra power.
103
Parallel Execution
CPU processing multiple commands and parts of commands in parallel.
104
Parity RAM
Stores an extra bit of data (parity bit) that the MCC used to verify whether the data was correct.
Wouldn't always detect error; couldn't correct
105
PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect:
At the time, provided a wider/faster/flexible alternative to any previous expansion bus.
Parallel communication
32 bits wide; 33MHz
Self-configuring devices
106
PCIe
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express:
Uses point-to-point serial connection (as opposed to PCI parallel)
PCIe device has its own direct connection to CPU. Does not have to wait for devices.
Serial data: All bits arrive one after another in a single stream.
Transfer rate: operations per second (1-to-1 transfer vs. binary data rate)
107
PGA
Pin Grid Array:
| Tiny pins that align with holes in sockets (AMD)
108
Pipeline Stalls
A stage hits a complex command that requires more than one clock cycle, forcing the pipeline to stop.
Current processors use multiple decode stages to reduce the chance of stalls.
109
Pipelining (4 Steps/Stages)
Fetch: Get the data from the EDB.
Decode: Figure out what type of command needs to be executed.
Execute: Perform the calculation.
Write: Send the data back to the EDB.
110
POST
Power-On Self Test:
Checks out the system every time the computer boots.
Sends commands to all devices:
"Check yourselves out!"
Uses beep codes & text messages to indicate problems
111
POST Cards
Inoperative devices can disrupt POST:
PC can act dead (no beeps/screen)
Get POST card!
Can snap into expansion slots on system.
Small, two-character LED.
112
PSU
Power Supply Unit:
Transforms electricity from wall socket into electricity that a computer can use.
(AC to DC)
113
PSU Niche Form Factors
Mini-ITX & Micro ATX
TFX12V: Small form factor for low-profile ATX systems
SFX12V: Small form factor for systems using FlexATX mobos
114
PSU Output Voltages
3.3 VDC
5 VDC
12 VDC
115
PXE
Preboot Execution Environment:
| Enables one to boot a PC without any local storage by retrieving OS from a server or over a network.
116
Rails (PSU)
PC power comes from single transformer.
AC converted to DC split into 3 DC voltage rails: 12V, 5V, 3.3V
Multiple 12V rails used for high-end equipment
Single-Rail: OCP monitors all pathways
Multi-Rail: Each pathway gets its own OCP circuit
117
RAM Recommendations (Windows)
32-bit Windows: 2GB to get by; 4GB for best results
64-bit Windows: 4GB to get by; 16+GB for serious work
118
Page Fault
Milder error that can be caused by memory issues, but not necessarily system RAM problems.
119
RDRAM
Rambus DRAM:
Developed by Rambus Inc.
Up to 800MHz
Shares almost all characteristics of SDRAM
120
ReadyBoost
Enables one to use flash media devices as super-fast, dedicated virtual memory
121
Registered/Buffered RAM
Small register installed on some memory modules to act as buffer between DIMM & MCC.
Helps to compensate for electrical problems that crop up in systems with lots of memory modules (ex: servers)
122
Registers
The CPU uses registers for temporary storage of internal commands & data.
123
RIMM
Stick of RDRAM
124
RISC
Reduced Instruction Set Computer. Microprocessor architecture that uses a small, highly-optimized set of instructions. Developed by ARM Holdings. Energy efficient design.
125
Riser Card
AKA Daughterboard
Plugs into system board and provides additional slots for adapter cards.
126
ROM Chip
Read-Only Memory Chip:
Stores programs & services just like RAM.
Nonvolatile: Info stored is not erased when PC turned off.
Read-only: Once stored, can't change
BIOS is stored on these chips.
Motherboards: Flash ROM (system ROM chip)
127
SATA Power Connector
Serial ATA Connector (Mass Storage)
L-Shaped | 15-pin | 3.3, 5, & 12V devices
3.3V is not currently used (perhaps in future)
Supports SATA hot-swappable features
128
SDRAM
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory:
| Tied to system clock, just like CPU & MCC
129
Secure Boot
UEFI protocol that secures the boot process by requiring properly-signed software.
Drive encryption tool.
130
SIMM
Single Inline Memory Module:
| Early RAM Stick (1980s to late 1990s)
131
SO-DIMM (Name & Pins)
Small Outline DIMM:
72-pin
144-pin
200-pin
132
SPD
Serial Presence Detect:
Stores all info about DRAM (size/speed/ECC/non-ECC)
When PC boots, SPD chip is queried so that MCC knows how much RAM is on the stick (and speed)
Any program can query the SPD chip
133
Cell (RAM)
A special type of semiconductor that can hold a single bit by using microscopic capacitors and transistors. (RAM)
134
SRAM
Static RAM:
Preloads as many instructions as possible and keeps copies of already-run instructions and data in case the CPU needs to work on them again.
```
L1 = Fastest
L2 = Feeds the L1, which feeds processor. Slower than L1
L3 = Slower than L2
```
135
Standard PSU Dimensions
150mm x 140mm x 86mm
136
Standoffs
Pegs used to provide electrically-safe spacer between motherboard & case.
137
System Crystal
Determines the speed at which a CPU and the rest of the PC operate.
Usually a quartz oscillator. (CPU Metronome)
138
TDP
Thermal Design Power:
| Gives a rough idea of how much energy a CPU draws and what kind of cooling is needed.
139
TPM
Trusted Platform Module:
Secure cryptoprocessor.
Hardware platform for acceleration of cryptographic functions and the secure storage of associated info.
Can be in chipset, or small circuit board plugged in mobo.
Commonly used for hard disk encryption.
Can accelerate BitLocker Drive Encryption
140
Traces (Motherboard)
Wires contained in the motherboard that make up the buses of the system.
Holds vast majority of the ports used by peripherals, and distributes the power from PSU.
141
UEFI
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface:
Supports booting to partitions larger than 2.2TB
32 or 64-bit.
Handles all boot-loading duties (no more jumping from boot sector to boot sector).
All current systems use UEFI.
142
UEFI: Boot Process
POST hands control of the boot process to boot manager:
Checks boot configuration, then loads OS system boot loader directly (no scanning for boot sector).
Stores the boot manager & boot configuration.
143
US AC Standard
110-120V (~115 VAC: Volts of alternating current)
144
User Password
Locks/unlocks computer booting to OS.
145
Virtual Memory (fully automated)
Computers use portion of HDD & SSD as extension of system RAM.
Saves page file (pagefile.sys)
OS removes running programs temporarily from RAM into the page file so other programs can load/run.
If you have enough RAM, page file not needed
146
Voltage
Pressure from an electrical circuit's power source that pushes charged electrons (current) through a conducting loop, enabling them to do work.
147
Wattage
The amps & volts needed so that a particular device will function is expressed as wattage. (Watts/W)
148
Wattage Requirements
Insufficient Wattage = Dead PC
Min Wattage Rating = total wattage of all devices
No PSU can convert 100% of AC power that it draws:
Difference lost in heat generation
ATX12V 2.0 require 70% minimum (many operate much better at 80%)
149
Wattage Standards Program
AKA 80 Plus
PSUs are rated from 80-94%
```
Bronze = 85%
Gold = 90%
Titanium = 94%
```
150
XMP
Extreme Memory Profile (Intel):
| Enables power users to overclock RAM easily.
