05/01/2024
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Most CPUs have an internal cache memory (built into the processor) known as Level 1 or primary cache memory. This can be supplemented by external cache memory fitted on the motherboard. This is the Level 2 or secondary cache.
In modern computers, Levels 1 and 2 cache memory are built into the . If a third cache is implemented outside the die, it is known as the Level 3 (L3) cache.
PCI slots
The Buses
An expansion bus is an input/output pathway from the CPU to peripheral devices. It is made up of a series of slots on the motherboard. Expansion boards (cards) plug into the bus.
is the most common expansion bus in a PC and other hardware platforms. Buses carry signals such as data, memory addresses, power, and control signals from component to component. Other types of buses include ISA and EISA.
Expansion buses enhance the PC's capabilities by allowing users to add missing features to their computers by slotting adapter cards into expansion.
The Computer Chipsets
A is a group of small circuits that coordinate the flow of data to and from a PC's key components. These key components include the CPU itself, the main memory, the secondary cache, and any devices located on the buses.
A chipset also controls data flow to and from hard disks and other devices connected to the IDE channels.
A computer has two main chipsets:
The (also called the memory controller) is in charge of controlling transfers between the processor and the RAM, which is why it is located physically near the processor. It is sometimes called the GMCH for Graphic and Memory Controller Hub.
The (also called the input/output controller or expansion controller) handles communications between slower peripheral devices. It is also called the ICH (I/O Controller Hub). The term "bridge" is generally used to designate a component that connects two buses.
Also as.......
Chipset manufacturers include SIS, VIA, ALI, and OPTI.
The CPU Clock
The CPU clock synchronizes the operation of all parts of the PC and provides the basic timing signal for the CPU. Using a quartz crystal, the CPU clock breathes life into the microprocessor by feeding it a constant flow of pulses.
For example, a 200 MHz CPU receives 200 million pulses per second from the clock. A 2 GHz CPU gets two billion pulses per second. Similarly, in any communications device, a clock may be used to synchronize the data pulses between the sender and receiver.
A "real-time clock," also called the "system clock," keeps track of the time of day and makes this data available to the software. A "time-sharing clock" interrupts the CPU at regular intervals and allows the operating system to divide its time between active users and/or applications.
The Switches and Jumpers
DIP (dual in-line package) switches are small electronic switches found on the circuit board that can be turned on or off just like a normal switch. They are very small and so are usually flipped with a pointed object, such as the tip of a screwdriver, a bent paper clip, or a pen top. Take care when cleaning near DIP switches, as some solvents may destroy them. Dip switches are obsolete, and you will not find them in modern systems.
pins are small protruding pins on the motherboard. A jumper cap or bridge is used to connect or short a pair of jumper pins. When the bridge is connected to any two pins via a shorting link, it completes the circuit, and a certain configuration has been achieved.
Jumper caps are metal bridges that close an electrical circuit. Typically, a jumper consists of a plastic plug that fits over a pair of protruding pins. Jumpers are sometimes used to configure expansion boards. By placing a jumper plug over a different set of pins, you can change a board's parameters.
NOTE: You can check the jumper pins and jumper cap at the back of an IDE hard disk and a CD/DVD ROM/write
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&_Answers
Question: What is the function of the PCI slot?
Answer: PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect. This is a computer slot that allows you to insert expansion cards into your computer. These can come in the form of sound cards, RAID cards, SSDs, graphics cards, Coprocessors, and several other functional computer parts. So it enables you to expand the capabilities of the PC by adding what you do not have.
Question: How do I identify whether the RAM slots are DDR 1, DDR 2, DDR 3, or DDR 4?
Answer: There are a number of ways you can use to determine the kind of RAM slot you have. To begin with, you can check the number of pins. DDR has 184 pins and DDR2 and 3 has 240 pins while DDR4 has 288 pins. The other method is to look at the key notch position. DDR notch is almost at the center but slightly to the right. DDR2 notch is almost at the center as compared to DDR3 which is slightly to the left. DDR4 has a notch slightly to the right but very close to the center of the RAM slot.
Question: Which is the most important component of a computer system?
Answer: Technically speaking, I would say that each and every component is important. There are those who will be quick to reply that it is the processor. Yes, it is true the processor plays an important role in the computer. But what about the memory, can a computer operate without the memory? That is a big no. What about the power supply? Again can the computer operate without the power supply? That is not possible. So in simple words, all the components of a computer are very important as they are there are there for a reason.
Question: Why is thé network card not mentioned?
Answer: If you look at the article closely, we are talking about various components found on the motherboard. When it comes to the network card, you will find that most modern computers support an internal network interface controller embedded in the motherboard directly rather than provided as an external component. So, in modern motherboards, you will not find a network card as a device on its own. It will be embedded in a chipset.
Question: What is the function of IDE under system hardware?
Answer: Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) is a standard interface for connecting a motherboard to storage devices such as hard drives and CD-ROM/DVD drives. In most older motherboards, there used to be 2 IDE channels where drives were connected via a ribbon cable. Each cable carries 2 devices. There is an integrated disk drive controller on the motherboard for controlling the flow of informing from the drive to the motherboard and vice versa.
Modern motherboards make use of SATA technology. A serial advanced technology attachment (serial ATA, SATA or S-ATA) is a computer bus interface used to connect host bus adapters (disk drive controllers) with mass storage devices like optical drives and hard drives.
Question: What is C.M.O.S?
Answer Try Looking at your dictionary you will get this definition;
a) "a technology for making low power integrated circuits.
b) a chip built using CMOS technology."
That is very true, inside the computer, there are what we call RAM chips normally referred to as the CMOS RAM. CMOS is an acronym for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. It is a technology used to fabricate or make integrated circuits used in most electronic and electrical fields. These ram chips loose power and hence has to be powered using a battery referred to as the CMOS battery. CMOS devices require very little power to operate. The CMOS RAM is used to store basic Information about the PC’s configuration.
Question: What is BIOS?
Answer: "BIOS" stands for "Basic Input Output System." It is software stored on a small memory chip on the motherboard. This software instructs the computer on how to perform some basic functions such as booting and keyboard control. BIOS is also used to identify and configure the hardware in a computer such as the hard drive, floppy disk drive, optical drive, CPU, memory, etc.
Question: What is RAM?
Answer: RAM or Random Access Memory is a high-speed type of computer memory which temporarily stores all the information your PC needs at the moment. It’s where your computer loads up all the things it thinks it will need to find out soon, so you can think of it as a working place of your computer. When it does need something, it fetches it super fast from the memory which is accessed randomly. Note that RAM is temporary storage; thus when the power goes off or when you switch off your computer, all data held in RAM is lost.
Question: What are beep codes from a motherboard?
Answer: Beep codes are audio signals given out by a computer to announce the result of a short diagnostic testing sequence the computer performs when first powering up (called the Power-On-Self-Test or POST). When you power on your computer, it has to test major devices such as RAM, Processor, Keyboard, and Drives among others. If any of the devices are faulty, you will receive a beep sound indicating which device has a problem.
Question: What are the functions of the south bridge Chipset?
Answer: The Southbridge chipset is the chip that controls all of the computers I/O (input-output) functions, such as USB, audio, serial, the system BIOS, the ISA bus, the interrupt controller and the IDE channels.
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