LESSON 3 • Chip is flipped over so that the top of the chip is on the

bottom and makes contact with the socket

ITS 204
• Sockets and processor use different methods to make
REVIEWER contacts between them (cont’d):
All about Motherboards – Staggered pin grid array (SPGA)
MOTHERBOARD TYPES AND FEATURES • Pins staggered over socket
• Motherboard • Squeezes more pins into a small space
– Most complicated computer component – Ball grid array (BGA)
– One of the first items to consider when building a • Not really a socket
computer
• Processor is soldered to the motherboard
• Consider the following when purchasing a Motherboard:
• Zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets
– Form factor
– All current processor sockets
– Processor socket and chipset
– Side lever lifts processor up and out of the socket
– Buses and number of bus slots
• Sockets for AMD Processors
– Other connectors, slots, and ports
– AMD uses the PGA socket architecture (desktops)
MOTHERBOARD FORM FACTORS

Determines motherboard size, features

– Compatible with power supplies, cases, processors,

expansion cards

• Most popular

– ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX

• Mini-ITX is smaller than MicroATX and is also known as

ITX

• The following slides show examples of form factors and

comparisons of sizes and hold positions of several form Match a processor to the socket and motherboard
factors
– Refer to motherboard, processor compatibility
documentation

THE CHIPSET

• Chipset: set of chips on motherboard that work with

processor to collectively control:

– Memory, motherboard buses, some peripherals

PROCESSOR SOCKETS
• Major manufacturers
• Processor socket – determines which processors a board
– Intel and AMD
can support
• Intel Chipsets
– Socket holds Intel or AMD processors
– North Bridge and South Bridge - Uses hub interface
• Sockets for Intel processors
• All I/O buses (input/output buses) connect to hub
– Intel makes several Itanium and Xeon processors
designed for servers – Hub connects to system bus
• Sockets and processor use different methods to make • North Bridge – fast end of hub
contacts between them:
• South Bridge – slow end of hub
– Pin grid array (PGA) socket
• Intel Chipsets (cont’d)
• Pins aligned in uniform rows around socket
– Nehalem chipset
– Land grid array (LGA)
• Contain memory controller within processor housing
• Uses lands (pads) rather than pins
• Memory connects directly to processor
• Examples of LGA sockets: LGA775 and LGA1366
• Has QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) technology
– Flip-chip land grid array (FCLGA) socket
– Has 16 lanes for data packets
 • Carried by bus:

– Sandy Bridge chipset – Power, control signals, memory addresses, data

• Memory and graphics controller in processor – These lines are sometimes called data bus

• Second Generation Core i7 processor is an example • Data and instructions exist in binary

• Sandy Bridge motherboards use DDR3 memory – Only two states: on and off

• Intel Chipsets (cont’d) • Data path size: width of a data bus

– Ivy Bridge chipset – 3rd generation processors released in – Examples: 8-bit bus has eight wire (lines) to transmit
2012

• Use less power

• System clock (system timer) – times activities on the
• More transistors in a smaller place motherboard

• Perform better than earlier products • Speed of memory, Front Side Bus, processor, or other
component is measured in hertz (Hz), which is one cycle
• Uses a single Platform Controller Hub per second

– Megahertz (MHz): one million cycles per second

• Intel Chipsets (cont’d) – Gigahertz (GHz): one billion cycles per second
– Haswell and Broadwell chipsets • Motherboards can have more than one bus
• Haswell - released in 2013 – Table 3-4 on the following slide lists many buses
– Work with the LGA1150 and LGA2011 sockets

– Work with DDR3 and DDR4 memory and use less power
than previous chipsets

• Broadwell – released in 2015

– Faster than the Haswell chipsets

– Use the LGA1150 socket

• AMD chipsets
• Conventional PCI
– AMD A-series
– Improved several times
• Designed to support the AMD Accelerated Processing
– PCI Version 2.x introduced the 64-bit, 3.3 V PCI slot,
Unit
doubling the data throughput of the bus
(APU), which is a combination of a CPU and a graphics
– Four types of slots and six possible PCI card
processing unit (GPU)
configurations
• Support AMD CrossFire technology, which uses dual
• PCI-X
video cards in the same system
– Uses 64-bit data path
– AMD 9-series
– Latest revision is PCI-X 3.0 (all revisions are backward-
• Designed to support AMD processors that can have up to
compatible)
eight cores
• PCI Express (PCIe)

– Not backward compatible with conventional PCI or

BUSES AND EXPANSION SLOTS
PCI-X
• Bus
– Expected to replace both PCI and PCI-X
– System of pathways used for communication

– Uses a serial bus, which is faster • MiniPCi and MiniPCIe in Laptops – Mini PCI slot is wider with 100 or
than parallel 124 pins
– Smaller versions of the PCI and
– Comes in four different slot sizes PCIe slots • MiniPCi and MiniPCIe in Laptops

• PCI Express x1, x4, x8, and x16 – Mini PCIe slots have 52 or 54 pins – Smaller versions of the PCI and
and one notch offset from the center PCIe slots
– Latest version is PCIe 4.0 which of the slot
doubles the throughput of version
3.0
– Mini PCIe slots have 52 or 54 pins • Varies from one manufacturer to • Each VM works like a physical
and one notch offset from the center another computer and is assigned virtual
of the slot devices such as virtual motherboard
• See documentation for your and virtual hard drive
– Mini PCI slot is wider with 100 or motherboard or watch the screen
124 pins near the beginning of the boot – Virtualization must be enabled in
BIOS setup
• PCI Riser cards – Setup screen appears with menus
and Help features • LoJack for Laptops Technology
– Installs in a PCI slot and provides
another slot at a right angle • Change the boot sequence – Technology embedded in the
BIOS of many laptops to protect a
– Used to fit PCI, PCIe, and PCI-X – Might need to change boot system against theft
cards into a low-profile or slimline sequence from hard drive to DVD
case for a new Windows install – Must subscribe to service

ONBOARD PORTS AND – After the OS is installed, change – Software and BIOS work together
CONNECTORS setup BIOS to boot first from the to locate a laptop whenever it
hard drive connects to the Internet
• Onboard ports (integrated
components) • To prevent accidental boots from a • Drive Encryption and Drive
DVD or other media Password Protection
– Ports coming directly off the
motherboard – If troubleshooting a boot problem, – Some motherboards allow you to
be sure to set BIOS to perform a full set a password in order to access the
• USB, sound, network, FireWire, POST hard drive
video, eSATA ports
• Configure onboard devices – Password is kept on drive so that
• Older motherboards might have it still works even if drive is moved
mouse and keyboard ports, parallel – Enable/disable a port or group of to another computer
and serial ports ports
• TPM chip – Trusted Platform
• I/O shield • View hard drive and optical drive Module chip
information
– Plate installed in computer case – BitLocker Encryption in Windows
providing holes for on-board ports • Processor and clock speeds 8/7/Vista works with this chip
• Internal connectors – Some motherboards allow – Encryption key is kept on chip
changing the processor speed and/or
– SATA, USB or FireWire (IEEE the memory multiplier – Assures that a drive cannot be
1394) connectors (overclocking) used in another computer
CONFIGURING A • Monitor temperatures, fan speeds, – Can be used with other encryption
MOTHERBOARD and voltages software that may be installed on
the hard drive other than BitLocker
• Motherboard settings • Intrusion detection
– If the motherboard fails and is
– Enable or disable connector or – Can enable event logging (logs replaced, you’ll need a backup copy
port when case is opened) of the startup key to access data on
– Set CPU frequency, system bus, the hard drive
• Power-on passwords
other buses
• Exiting the BIOS setup menus
– Assigned in BIOS setup to prevent
– Control security features unauthorized access to the computer – Most exit screens give several
and/or BIOS setup utility options
– Control what happens when PC
first boots – May be possible to set a USING UEFI SETUP TO
supervisor and user password CONFIGURE A MOTHERBOARD
• Motherboards may use these types
of firmware: • If both passwords are set, must • Extensible Firmware Interface
enter a valid password to boot the (EFI), original version first
– BIOS – used on older
system developed by Intel
motherboards
– How to set passwords varies • Improves on BIOS in these ways:
– UEFI – replacing BIOS
depending on motherboard and
– UEFI with BIOS – for backward BIOS – Faster and better booting
compatibility
• BIOS Support for Virtualization – Mouse-enabled interface
USING BIOS SETUP TO
– Virtualization is when one – Secure boot
CONFIGURE A MOTHERBOARD
physical machine hosts activities
that are normally done on multiple – Support for hard drives larger than
• Access the BIOS Setup Program
machines 2 TB
– Press a key or combination of
– Virtual machine (VM) is software • Provides a BIOS boot through its
keys during the boot process
that simulates the hardware of a Compatibility
physical computer
Support Module (CSM)
MAINTAINING A – Require digital signatures for – Select an appropriate motherboard
MOTHERBOARD update to be verified
– Install or replace one in a desktop
• Motherboard is considered a field • UEFI firmware, drivers, and or laptop computer
replaceable unit databases can be updated by way of
a USB flash drive or from within HOW TO SELECT A DESKTOP
– Need to know how to: MOTHERBOARD
Windows
• Update motherboard drivers • Three approaches to selecting a
• Windows updates sometimes motherboard:
• Update flash BIOS or UEFI include UEFI updates
– Select the board that provides the
• Replace CMOS battery – When Windows receives a UEFI most room for expansion, so you
update, it hands off the update to can upgrade and exchange
UPDATING MOTHERBOARD
UEFI components and add devices easily
DRIVERS
– Firmware is responsible for – Select the board that best suits the
• Device drivers are small programs
applying the update and displays a needs of the computer’s current
that allow software to interact with
screen letting user know not to configuration
certain hardware
disturb the system while the update
is in progress – Select a motherboard that meets
• Use Windows internal drivers,
your present needs with moderate
bundled CD drivers, or download
USING JUPERS TO CLEAR BIOS room for expansion
drivers from manufacturer site
SETTINGS
• Consider the following when
• Always use 32-bit drivers with a
• Jumper – two small posts or metal selecting a motherboard:
32-bit OS and 64-bit drivers with a
pins that stick up off the
64-bit OS – Form factor
motherboard that is open or closed
FLASHING BIOS – The brand (Intel or AMD) and
– Open jumper has no cover and a
closed jumper has a cover on the model processors the board supports
• Flashing BIOS is the process of
upgrading or refreshing the two pins
– Chipset and memory speeds the
programming stored on the board supports
• Jumpers can be used to clear a
firmware chip
forgotten supervisor or power-on
– Expansion slots (type and how
– BIOS updates are downloaded password
many needed)
from motherboard manufacturer’s
• If flashing BIOS fails, a jumper
Web site or third party site – Hard drive controllers
can be set to undo the update
– Performed if: – Case
REPLACING THE CMOS
• System hangs at odd times or BATTERY – Price and warranty
during boot
• CMOS (complementary metal- – Support
• Motherboard becomes unstable oxide semiconductor)
HOW TO INSTALL OR
• Incorporating new feature, or RAM is a small amount of memory REPLACE A MOTHERBOARD
component stored on the motherboard that
retains data • General process for replacing a
motherboard:
– Even when computer is turned off
• Methods of installing BIOS – 1. Verify right motherboard is
updates – If the CMOS battery is selected
disconnected or fails, setup
– Express BIOS update information is lost – 2. Get familiar with
documentation, features, and
– Update from a USB flash drive • To replace the CMOS battery: settings
using setup BIOS
– Choose correct replacement – 3. Remove components to reach
– Update using a bootable CD battery old motherboard
– Recovery from a failed update – Power down system, unplug it, – 4. Install the I/O shield (metal
press power button to drain the plate)
• “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it” –
power, remove case cover
only update if you’re having trouble – 5. Install motherboard
with a motherboard – Use ESD strap, remove old battery
using a flat-head screwdriver, pop – 6. Install processor and processor
• Don’t update unless the update is a cooler
new battery into place
later version than the one installed
INSTALLING OR REPLACING A – 7. Install RAM
• Update should not be interrupted
MOTHERBOARD
while in progress – 8. Attach cabling (case switches,
• A motherboard is considered a power supply, drives)
FLASHING UEFI
field replaceable unit
• General process for replacing
• UEFI updates are more secure than motherboard (cont’d.)
• A technician needs to know how
BIOS updates
to:
– 9. Install video card on – Remove the keyboard, optical • Buses include conventional PCI,
motherboard drive, and mini PCIe card PIC-X, and PCI

– 10. Plug in PC, attach monitor, – Remove the notebook lid and Express
and keyboard keyboard bezel assembly
• Some components can be built into
– 11. Boot system, enter – Lift up the assembly and the motherboard, called on-board
UEFI/BIOS setup disconnect two cables connecting it components
to the motherboard
– 12. Observe POST, verify no • Firmware that controls a
errors – Remove CPU and DVD drive motherboard and the boot is the
older BIOS and the newer UEFI
– 13. Verify Windows starts with no – Remove screw that hold
errors motherboard in place • Settings that can be changed
include: changing boot order,
– 14. Install the motherboard drivers SUMMARY enabling or disabling onboard
devices, support for virtualization,
– 15. Install other expansion cards • The motherboard is the most
and security settings
and drivers complicated of all components
inside a computer • Motherboard drivers and/or BIOS
– 16. Verify system operating
might need updating to fix a
properly, make final OS and • Most popular motherboard form
problem
UEFI/BIOS adjustments factors are ATX, MicroATX and
Mini-ITX • CMOS battery might need
• setting power-on passwords
replacing
• Motherboard will have one or
REPLACING A LAPTOP more processor sockets • When selecting a motherboard pay
SYSTEM BOARD
attention to the form factor, chipset,
• Chipset embedded on the
• May need to fully disassemble the expansion slots, memory slots, and
motherboard determines what kind
entire notebook processors supported
of processor/memory are supported
– Consider alternatives before • Study motherboard manual before
• Major advancements in Intel:
proceeding installing it
Accelerated Hub
• General procedure for replacing • For laptops, it’s usually more cost
Architecture, Nehalem chipsets, and
the motherboard: effective to replace the laptop than
Sandy Bridge
to replace a failed system board