A typical desktop computer consists of a computer system unit, a

keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor. The computer system unit is the

enclosure for all the other main interior components of a computer. It is

also called the computer case, c Six (6) basic components

of system unit
November 18, 2013 Computer Hardware 6 Comments

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System unit it is where all your computer peripherals  are attached such as mouse, keyboard,
monitor, speakers and etc. It is composed of 6 basic components of system unit, namely;
motherboard, processor, ram, hard drive, video card and power supply. It is often called as CPU
but it is not, the CPU (central processing unit) is the processor itself.
Motherboard – is the core of the system, it really is the PC. Everything else is connected to it,
and it controls everything in the system. Common form factors are ATX and MicroAtx.
MicroAtx is now the most popular among PC users because of its smaller size.

Processor – it is often thought of as the engine of the computer. It is also called the CPU.
Microprocessor is a solid-state central processing unit much like a computer on a chip. An
integrated circuit that accepts coded instructions for execution. For me, processor is the brain of
the system. There are two types of processor; with pins and the pin-less .
Memory – It is the system memory often called as RAM (random access memory). This is the
primary memory, which holds all the programs and data the processor is using at a given time.
All memory accessible at any instant (randomly) by a microprocessor. The latest type of RAM is
the DDR3.

Hard drive – is the primary archival storage memory for the system. It is where we saved our
files and data including our operating system, antivirus and other applications. There are two
types of Hard drive, we have PATA (Parallel Attachment Packet Interface) then SATA (Serial
Attachment Packet Interface). Desktop uses the 3.5 inches and the laptop uses the 2.5 inches of
hard disk. SATA is the latest and most commonly used.
Video Card – it controls the information you see on the monitor. This is also called the video
card or graphics adapter. On many recent low-cost desktop systems and virtually all portable
systems, video might be built into motherboard or included as part of the motherboard’s chipset.
On a desktop computer, you can add a high-speed AGP or PCI-Express video card to some
systems with integrated video. The latest video card supports VGA (video graphics array), DVI
(digital visual interface) and HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface). PCI express is the
latest technology of video cards.

Power supply – is the one that feeds electrical power (voltages and currents) to every single part
in the PC. The latest power supply support both SATA and PATA connectors.

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M-DISC: Digital Storage that will last thousand years
omputer chassis, or computer tower.

bjectives: learn about the common types of computer cases, names and sizes of usual
motherboard form factors and which motherboard fits which computer case.

Prerequisites: no prerequisites.

Key terms: types of computer cases, case size, full tower, mid tower, mini tower, slim
line, small form factor, motherboard form factors, atx, micro atx, mini atx, mini itx, btx, nlx,
riser card

Computer Cases

The most common system case type is the tower. Depending on the specific number of internal
drive bays and the height of the tower, these cases can be further classified into mini-size, mid-
size and full-size tower cases. One of the biggest considerations when choosing between case
sizes is the number of slots and the number of devices we would like to add to those cases.

Full Tower

Full-tower cases are generally big with a height that is about or more than 30 inches (more than
76 cm). The number of internal drive bays inside these cases can be between 6 and 10.
 Image 113.1 – Tower Computer Case

Mid Tower

Another case that might be a step down, would be classified as a mid tower case. Mid-tower
cases are the most widely used computer cases. Mid Tower cases are about 18 to 24 (45 to 60
cm) inches high and they usually contain 2 to 4 internal drive bays and a similar number of
external bays (for CD/DVD readers and similar).
 Image 113.2 – Mid Tower Computer Case

Mini Tower

Mini-tower usually have up to 2 or sometimes 3 internal drive bays. Mini-cases normally stand at
a height of 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm). Expandability is a problem with these cases.

Image 113.3 – Mini Tower Computer Case

Slim Line Case

 Image 113.4 – Slim Line Computer Case

Slim line cases are simply tower cases turned on their sideways. They can hold a monitor on top
of the case.

Small Form Factor (SFF) Case

Small form factor or SFF cases are custom cases that are designed to minimize the spatial
volume of a desktop computer. SFFs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, including
shoe boxes, cubes, and book-sized PCs.

Image 113.5 – Small Form Factor Computer Case

Motherboard Form Factor

There’s one important consideration we need to be aware of when choosing the case size and that
is the size of the motherboard. They need to match. The size of the motherboard is often called
the Form Factor and there are several standards. The form factor identifies the size of the circuit
board, the location of the slots as well as the location of the faceplate that comes out the back of
the computer. The form factor also identifies the location of the holes that are used to mount the
motherboard into the system case. For example, the full tower has more than enough room to fit
an ATX motherboard. Mid-tower case can also accommodate an ATX motherboard in most
cases.

ATX Form Factor (Full ATX)

Probably the most common form factor for a motherboard is the ATX form factor. The board is
approximately 12″ x 9.6″ (30cm x 24cm).

Image 113.6 – ATX Form Factor

Mini ATX

A mini-ATX motherboard is a slightly smaller variation of the full ATX size that measures 11.2″
x 8.2″ (28cm x 21cm). The main difference between ATX and mini-ATX is the number of buses
and possibly memory slots on the motherboard. Mounting holes for both are located in the same
place, making them interchangeable in most cases. A case that supports an ATX motherboard
can also support mini-ATX motherboard.

Micro ATX

The micro-ATX form factor is an even smaller version of the ATX standard, with a maximum
size of 9.6″ x 9.6″ (24cm x 24cm). The faceplate line up to the exact same position as in all other
versions of ATX. System case that can hold an ATX motherboard can also hold micro ATX
motherboard. The smaller mid or mini tower cases would likely be too small for a full ATX
motherboard but should accommodate micro ATX motherboard. The terms mini-ATX and
micro-ATX are often used interchangeably.

Image 113.7 – Micro ATX Form Factor

Flex ATX

The size of Flex ATX is 9” x 7.5” (22,9 cm x 19,1 cm). It is derived from Micro ATX and is
used in small computer cases.

Flex ATX Form Factor

Mini ITX

Going down in size we have a mini ITX motherboard with a maximum size of 6.7″ x 6.7″ (17cm
x 17cm). Notice that there is a single expansion slot and the motherboard itself is considerably
smaller than the ATX and even the micro ATX. Also notice that the faceplate still line up and the
hole positions still match the ATX hole positions. Theoretically we could take this micro ITX
motherboard and place it inside a full tower case. However we usually use a small form factor
case for this motherboard.

Image 113.8 – Mini ITX Form Factor

Em ITX

Em ITX dimensions are 17 cm x 12 cm.

Em ITX Form Factor

Nano ITX

Measures of Nano ITX are 4.7″ x 4.7″ (12 cm x 12 cm). It is used with smaller devices like set-
top boxes, car PCs, media centers, and other embedded devices.
 Nano ITX Form Factor

Pico ITX

The size of the Pico ITX is 3.9” x 2.8” (10 cm X 7,2 cm).

Pico ITX Form Factor

Mobile ITX

Mobile ITX is the smallest form factor with the size of 2.4” x 2.4” (6 cm x 6 cm).
 Mobile ITX Form Factor

The ATX form factor and its variations are the most common motherboard form factors.

DTX Form Factor

DTX form factor is intended for small form factor PCs, and is backward compatible with ATX
form factor cases. Dimensions are 8” x 9.6” (20,3 cm x 24,4 cm).

DTX Form Factor

Mini DTX

Mini DTX is a shorter version of DTX form factor. Dimensions are 8” x 6.7” (20,3 cm x 170
cm).
 Mini DTX Form Factor

SSI CEB

SSI form factors were developed by SSI (Server System Infrastructure) forum, and are intended
for dual or multi processor motherboards used in servers and or even workstations. SSI form
factors were derived from ATX specification, so they have the same rear panel, IO connector
area, and mounting holes. But, SSI form factors are larger than ATX, so SSI motherboards will
not fit cases designed for standard ATX. The computer case has to be designed for larger than
standard ATX form factor.
Three SSI form factors are CEB (Compact Electronics Bay), EEB (Enterprise Electronics Bay),
and MEB (Midrange Electronics Bay). The smallest of them is SSI CEB, and the size is 12” x
10.5” (30,5 cm x 26,7cm).

SSI CEB Form Factor

SSI EEB (also called Extended ATX or E-ATX)

SSI EEB dimensions are 12” x 13” (30,5 cm x 33 cm).

 SSI EEB Form Factor

SSI MEB

The SSI MEB size is 16.2” x 13” (41,1 cm x 33 cm). It is longer in order to provide space for
two additional CPU sockets.

SSI MEB Form Factor

BTX Form Factor

There are a few main differences with the BTX form factor. Notice that the faceplate is on the
opposite end. Another difference is that the hole positions are different. Also, the processor
socket is slightly rotated so that it is at an angle to the system board. This rotation is to aid in the
airflow across the processor to assist in cooling the processor. The BTX motherboard will only
fit within a system case that is designed for a BTX motherboard. In many cases this means that
an ATX system case will not work with a BTX system board, although there are system cases
that are able to accommodate both the ATX and the BTX form factors. The BTX form factor has
not been widely adopted despite its improvements over ATX and related standards. As a result,
the availability and variety of BTX-compatible components is limited.

Image 113.9 – BTX Form Factor

NLX Form Factor

The NLX is an older style form factor that is not used very often anymore. We might see it in
some older motherboards but it’s not likely to encounter it with newer motherboards.

Image 113.10 – NLX Form Factor

NLX is an older form factor used for slimline desktop-style computers. NLX is an improvement
over an even earlier LPX form factor. Notice that this motherboard has no expansion slots for the
PCI or ISA bus. The NLX form factor is used in slim line cases that are very short.

Image 113.11 – NLX With Riser Card

In order to accommodate expansion cards we use a tab on the edge of the motherboard. We insert
a Riser Card on the end of the motherboard. Riser Card is then used for expansion cards, so that
now expansion cards lay flat rather than being perpendicular to the motherboard. The riser card
does not have built-in ports for audio, joystick, USB, network or modem.

Remember

When choosing a system case, other than considering the size of the computer that we want, the
most important thing is to match the motherboard form factor with the form factor supported by
the computer case. The most common system case type is the tower. Tower cases are: Full tower,
Mid tower and Mini tower. Slim line cases are simply tower cases turned on their sideways.
Small form factor or SFF cases are custom cases that are designed to minimize the spatial
volume of a desktop computer. The size of the motherboard is often called the Form Factor. The
most common form factor for a motherboard is the ATX form factor. When considering the size
of ATX we differentiate Full ATX, Mini ATX, Micro ATX, Flex ATX, Mini ITX, Em ITX,
Nano ITX, Pico ITX, Mobile ITX. SSI CEB, SSI EEB, SSI MEB form factors are larger than
ATX. When comparing with ATX, BTX form factor has the faceplate on the opposite side, hole
positions are different and the processor socket is slightly rotated. The BTX motherboard will
only fit within a computer case that is designed for a BTX motherboard. The NLX is an older
style form factor that is not used very often anymore.

http://www.utilizewindows.com/types-of-computer-cases-and-motherboard-factors/

ypes of Motherboard: All That You Need to Know. A motherboard is the heart of a
computer. It is the main printed circuit board present in the computers which holds the main electronic
components of the system like the central processing unit and memory and also provides the
connectors for other important peripherals.May 7, 2014

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