Computer Hardware Fundamentals

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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Timeline
1972 - Intels 8008 microprocessor made its debut.
1973 - The Micral, the earliest commercial, non-kit personal
computer based on the 8008 microprocessor, was
developed.
1974 - Scelbi advertised its 8H computer, the first
commercially advertised US computer based on the
8008 microprocessor.
1976 - Steve Wozniak designed the Apple I, a single-board
computer.
1977 - Apple Computer introduced the Apple II.
1979 - Motorola introduced the 6800 microprocessor.
1981 - Xerox introduced the star, the first personal
computer with a graphical user interface (GUI).
IBM shipped its first PC in 1981.
1983 - Apple introduced the Apple Lisa computer which
incorporated a GUI thats very similar to the one first
introduced on the Xerox Star.
1984 - Apple Computer launched the Macintosh, the first
successful mouse-driven computer with GUI.
IBM released the first commercial implementation of
80286 called PC/AT (PC Advanced Technology).
1986 - Compaq announced the Deskpro 386, the first
computer on the market to use what was then Intels
new 386 chip.
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Timeline
1972 - Intels 8008 microprocessor made its debut.
1973 - The Micral, the earliest commercial, non-kit personal
computer based on the 8008 microprocessor, was
developed.
1974 - Scelbi advertised its 8H computer, the first
commercially advertised US computer based on the
8008 microprocessor.
1976 - Steve Wozniak designed the Apple I, a single-board
computer.
1977 - Apple Computer introduced the Apple II.
1979 - Motorola introduced the 6800 microprocessor.
1981 - Xerox introduced the star, the first personal
computer with a graphical user interface (GUI).
IBM shipped its first PC in 1981.
1983 - Apple introduced the Apple Lisa computer which
incorporated a GUI thats very similar to the one first
introduced on the Xerox Star.
1984 - Apple Computer launched the Macintosh, the first
successful mouse-driven computer with GUI.
IBM released the first commercial implementation of
80286 called PC/AT (PC Advanced Technology).
1986 - Compaq announced the Deskpro 386, the first
computer on the market to use what was then Intels
new 386 chip.
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Timeline
1987 - IBM introduced its PS/2 machines, which made the
3 1/2 floppy disk drive and VGA video standard for
PCs.
1988 - Compaq and other PC-clone makers developed
Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA).
1989 - Intel released the 486 microprocessor.
1993 - Intel released its fifth generation processor called
P5.
1995 - Intel released the Pentium Pro processor.
1997 - Intel released the Pentium II processor.
1997 - AMD introduced the K6.
1998 - Intel released the Celeron.
1999 - Intel released the Pentium III, essentially a Pentium
II with SSE added.
1999 - AMD introduced Athlon.
2000 - Both Intel and AMD introduced processors running
at 1GHz.
2000 - AMD introduced Duron, a low cost Athlon with
reduced L2 cache.
Intel introduced the Pentium 4.
2001 - Intel introduced the first 2GHz processor, a version
of the Pentium 4.
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Motherboard
core of the system which controls all the
devices
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Processor
serves as the brain or engine of the PC
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Memory
contains data which the processor is using
at a given time
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Case
frame that houses the system unit
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Power supply
source of electrical power of every part in
the PC
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Hard disk drive
secondary storage that is used when large
amounts of data have to be stored
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Floppy disk drive
secondary storage device that can read
and write to a floppy disk
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Compact disk / digital versatile disk drive
high-capacity removable-media, optical
storage device of the system
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Monitor
video display which displays information
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Video card
controls the information displayed on the
monitor
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System Components
Sound card
enables the PC to generate complex and
sophisticated sounds
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Keyboard
primary input device used to communicate
with the PC
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Components
Mouse
pointing input device used to communicate
with the PC
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Types
Processor Data Bus Width
8088 8-bit
8086 16-bit
286 16-bit
386SX 16-bit
386DX 32-bit
486/AMD-5x86 32-bit
Pentium/AMD-K6 64-bit
Pentium Pro/Celeron/II/III 64-bit
AMD Duron/Athlon/Athlon XP 64-bit
Pentium 4 64-bit
Itanium 64-bit
AMD Athlon 64 64-bit
Pentium 4 w/EM64T 64-bit
Source: Mueller, Scott, (2006), Upgrading and repairing PCs (17th ed.),
Que Publishing
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Types
Two basic types of PC hardware based on the
motherboard host bus, or processor bus
design and width:
1. 8-bit (PC/XT-class) systems PC stands
for personal computer and XT stands for
an extended PC.
2. 16/32/64-bit (AT-class) systems AT
stands for an advanced-technology PC.
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
System Types
System Attributes PC/XT Type AT Type
Supported processors All x86 or x88 286 or higher
Processor modes Real Real/Protected/Virtual Real
Software supported 16-bit only 16- or 32-bit
Bus slot width 8-bit 16/32/64-bit
Slot type ISA only ISA, EISA, MCA, PC Card,
CardBus, ExpressCard, VL-
Bus, PCI, PCI Express, and
AGP
Hardware interrupts 8 (6 usable) 16 (11 usable)
DMA channels 4 (3 usable) 8 (7 usable)
Maximum RAM 1Mb 16Mb/4Gb or more
Floppy controller speed 250Kbps 250/300/500/1,000 Kbps
Standard boot drive 360Kbps or 720Kbps 1.2Mb/1.44Mb/2.88Mb
Keyboard interface Unidirectional Bidirectional
CMOS memory/clock None standard MC146818-compatible
Serial port UART 8250B 16450/16550A or greater
Source: Mueller, Scott, (2006), Upgrading and repairing PCs (17th ed.), Que Publishing
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
PC Case Form
Factors
refer to the shape and general physical
layout of a component
Common case types:
AT
Baby-AT
LPX
ATX
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
PC Case Form
Factors
AT
introduced in 1984
one distinct characteristic of this case was
a round hole at the back used for inserting
the DIN plug of old keyboards
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
PC Case Form
Factors
Baby-AT
scaled down model/version of AT
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
PC Case Form
Factors
LPX
known as Low Profile Extension Format
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
PC Case Form
Factors
ATX
stands for Advanced Technology Extended
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Functions
Housing
The case usually makes room for the
power supply unit, expansion slots/bays,
and I/O ports connected to the
motherboard.
Ventilation
The case should be well ventilated and
can be equipped with cooling fans.
EMF elimination and grounding
The case can keep internal components
from generating EMF to a minimum.
The case can also provide adequate
grounding, causing immunity to static
electric discharges.
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Power Supply
The power supply provides all of the different
voltages the computer needs to operate
properly.
The power supply does not actually generate
electricity but converts the power received
from a standard power outlet, the alternating
current (AC) and reduces it to a voltage that
the computer can handle, the direct current
(DC).
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Functions
A power supply is designed to give an efficient
and inexpensive power source, as well as
it should generate a minimum amount of
heat.
Voltage Devices Powered
+3.3V Chipsets, DIMMs, PCI/AGP cards,
miscellaneous chips
+5V Disk drive logic, SIMMs, PCI/AGP cards,
ISA cards, voltage regulators,
miscellaneous chips
+12V Motors, voltage regulators (high output)
Source: Mueller, Scott, (2006), Upgrading and repairing PCs (17th ed.),
Que Publishing
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
Modern Power Supply
Form Factors
Year Introduced Connector Type
ATX/ATX12V 1995 20/24-pin
ATX/ATX12V
SFX/SFX12V/PS3 1997 20/24-pin
ATX/ATX12V
EPS/EPS12V 1998 24-pin
TFX12V 2002 20/24-pin
CFX12V 2003 20/24-pin
LFX12V 2004 24-pin
SFX12V also includes the PS3 form factor, which is a shortened
version of ATX12V.
xxx12V versions include a 4-pin +12V connector.
EPS12V includes an 8-pin +12V connector.
Source: Mueller, Scott, (2006), Upgrading and repairing PCs (17th ed.), Que Publishing
Obsolete Power Supply
Form Factors
Year Introduced Connector Type
PC/XT 1981 PC/XT
AT/Desk 1984 AT
AT/Tower 1984 AT
Baby-AT 1984 AT
LPX (PS/2) 1987 AT
PC/XT connectors were the same as AT connectors except one
+5V pin (P8 pin 2) was not used.
LPX is also sometimes called PS/2 or Slimline.
Source: Mueller, Scott, (2006), Upgrading and repairing PCs (17th ed.), Que Publishing
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
PC/XT form factor power supply
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
AT/Desk form factor power supply
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Form Factors
AT/Tower form factor power supply
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
Baby-AT form factor power supply
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
LPX form factor power supply
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
ATX form factor power supply
Source: Mueller, Scott, (2004), Upgrading and Repairing PCs (15
th
ed.), Que Publishing
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
SFX/SFX12V standard power supply with internal
60mm fan
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
SFX/SFX12V standard power supply with a
recessed, top-mounted 80mm fan
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
SFX/SFX12V rotated power supply with a
recessed top-mounted 80mm fan
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
SFX/SFX12V low-profile power supply with
internal 40mm fan
Computer Hardware Fundamentals
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
PS3 (SFX/SFX12V) power supply with internal
80mm fan
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
Turbo-Cool 1KW EPS12V form factor power
supply
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
TFX12V power supply form factor
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
TFX12V power supplies
CFX12V power supply
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
CFX12V power supply
LFX12V power supply
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Form Factors
LFX12V power supply
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Switches
Main types of power switches:
Front panel motherboard-controlled switch
(ATX and newer)
Front panel power supply AC switch
(AT/LPX; obsolete)
Integral power supply AC switch
(PC/XT/AT; obsolete)
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Connectors
AT/LPX main P8/P9 power connectors
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
P8/P9 proper orientation when connecting them
to a motherboard
Connectors
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
ATX-style 20-pin motherboard main power
connector
Connectors
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
ATX/NLX 20-pin main power connector
Connectors
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ATX 2.02/2.03 and ATX12V 1.x auxiliary
power connector
4-pin +12V power connector
Connectors
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ATX12V 2.x 24-pin main power connector
Connectors
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Peripheral power connector
Connectors
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PC Hardware, PC Case and Power Supply
Serial ATA power connector
PCI Express x16 Graphics 150W power connector
Connectors