Mobo + Mobo + Processor+RAM=a good Processor+RAM=a good

start!start!

So far in our A+ unit, So far in our A+ unit, we’ve learned about all of we’ve learned about all of

the abovethe above

Now…..Learning Target today:Now…..Learning Target today:

Let’s learn about how they fit Let’s learn about how they fit togethertogether

The types of Mobo, CPU, and RAM The types of Mobo, CPU, and RAM you may want to consider buying if you may want to consider buying if you were building a computer.you were building a computer.

A typical ATX Mobo and her parts:A typical ATX Mobo and her parts:

Drive Drive Controller-Controller-sends & sends & received received data to data to your hard your hard drives & drives & optical optical drivesdrives

SATA Drive ControllerSATA Drive Controller

Much like a ref. at a soccer match.Much like a ref. at a soccer match. Power users favor an onboard serial Power users favor an onboard serial

ATA (SATA) controllerATA (SATA) controller SATA controllers=faster performance SATA controllers=faster performance

than Pentium 4 than Pentium 4

Spend extra for onboard portsSpend extra for onboard ports

Onboard drive controllerOnboard drive controller Onboard USBOnboard USB FireWireFireWire eSATA (external SATA) ports save an eSATA (external SATA) ports save an

adapter slotadapter slot Onboard sound cardOnboard sound card Add your own video adapterAdd your own video adapter

Spend more for onboard portsSpend more for onboard ports

ATX mobo should have serial and ATX mobo should have serial and parallel ports onboardparallel ports onboard

Mobo Shopping Guidelines! Mobo Shopping Guidelines!

PCI Express Slots for video cardsPCI Express Slots for video cards PCI=Peripheral Component PCI=Peripheral Component

Interconnect technologyInterconnect technology Provides better technology for your Provides better technology for your

adapter cards.adapter cards.

MOBO ShoppingMOBO Shopping

Every Mobo carries a set of chips Every Mobo carries a set of chips called:called:– BIOS (Basic input output system)BIOS (Basic input output system)– BIOS determines much of what your BIOS determines much of what your

computer can docomputer can do– Also controls what happens for different Also controls what happens for different

types of input.types of input.– Keeps track of what hard drives and Keeps track of what hard drives and

floppy drives you can use.floppy drives you can use.

MOBO Shopping!MOBO Shopping!

BIOS (cont.)BIOS (cont.)– What happens when you press a key on What happens when you press a key on

the keyboardthe keyboard– How data is read and written to RAMHow data is read and written to RAM– Displays the error messageDisplays the error message– Either Intel, Award, Phoenix, NVIDIA, or Either Intel, Award, Phoenix, NVIDIA, or

AMIAMI

MOBO Shopping!MOBO Shopping!

Flash BIOSFlash BIOS-Just like a superhero!-Just like a superhero!

-Most mobos include Flash BIOS-Most mobos include Flash BIOS

Enables you to update the capabilities of Enables you to update the capabilities of your computer with new features and your computer with new features and bug fixes from the motherboard bug fixes from the motherboard manufacturer.manufacturer.

Mobo Shopping!Mobo Shopping!

CHOOSE MORE RAM!CHOOSE MORE RAM!– The more the merrier!The more the merrier!– All mobos have a maximum amount of All mobos have a maximum amount of

RAM that they can handle.RAM that they can handle.– A board that supports 3 to 4 GB RAM A board that supports 3 to 4 GB RAM

should be sufficient at the date of this should be sufficient at the date of this book.book.

– Real techno-nerds or ultra-power users Real techno-nerds or ultra-power users might demand 6 GB of RAM (what I might demand 6 GB of RAM (what I have).have).