Weekly Subject - 06B- Motherboards & CPUs

[greengoose1]

We are going to start this replacement thread and don't worry about what we have lost. We can reconstruct pretty much what has gone on in general. This will give the powers that be time to see what has happened on the original thread.

Before we get started back into Mobos and CPUs, does anyone have an inkling what happened? We lost a bunch of posts. Almost 24 hours worth.

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[bistro]

Haven't the foggiest....but anyway, as I was saying,....mobos are really nice. Be sure to get one if you want to build a computer.
(Is that a good summary? Uh...DrMDJ...where are you?)

[DrMDJ]

And people already say my posts are confusing. What's gonna happen when I summarize and comment on posts that don't exist (and never did in some people's eyes)? Humm, maybe nothing. Maybe they'll say what they always say: "What the hell is this guy talking about?"

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[This message has been edited by DrMDJ (edited 06-18-2001).]

[DrMDJ]

So does anyone know what happened? Is it corrected? Is what had been posted gone forever? Ya just gonna have them delete the prior thread (what's left) and start fresh here?

Oh, and by the way: who's on first?


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[Shinma]

I guess I'll start off.

Motherboards are also referred as: systemboards, mobos.
It may be referred as "dualie" if it is capable of running two processors at the same time.

Decision on which processor will be used, should be decided on.
Since motherboard and the processor(s) must be compatible.
Intel P!!! and P4 processor motherboards are not compatible with each other.
AMD and Intel processor motherboards are not interchangeable either.

Current processors in use are:

From the company, AMD (Advanced Micro Devices):
Athlon - with 200MHz FSB (Front Side Bus)
Athlon - with 266MHz FSB
Duron

From the company, Intel:
Pentium !!!
Pentium4


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[greengoose1]

Here are some of the questions near as I can recall.

1. Does a mobo requiring grounding or is it done thru a plug?

2. How do I mount it?

3. How is the CPU attached to the Mobo?

4. Is static electricity a problem?

5. How should the Mobo be handled?

This will get the questions started again. If this helps anyone remember what was said please repost.

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[bistro]

1. Does a mobo requiring grounding or is it done thru a plug?

Though some mobos do not require it, some have an additional hole in them to place a metal standoff to ground the mobo to the case.

2. How do I mount it?

Place it on the floor and take one step at a time...
Not really. Place in the case carefully, inserting the serial/parallel ports, etc. through the I/O plate in the back; settle it over the matching holes on the mobo tray in the case (or in some cases the mobo tray is removable: then attach to the tray and install the tray into the case). Secure it with either the plastic or metal standoffs that came with the board (hopefully) or that came with the case.

3. How is the CPU attached to the Mobo?

Most mobos have what's called a ZIF socket--Zero Insertion Force--will vary from mobo to mobo in type/size to accomodate different CPUs. A small lever on the side is raised up; the CPU is inserted flat, matching the CPU pins with the pattern on the socket (pin holes), then the lever is lowered and clipped in place to secure the CPU. Other mobos are Slot One type; for Intel SECC CPUs (Single Edge Contact Cartridge)--a CPU chip contained in a casing. On a Slot One mobo, the SECC is inserted into a slot--very much like an AGP slot, then secured by a frame on either side. Slot One's are pretty much being phased out now. Best to get a socket board. You have to choose a board that supports the desired processor(Socket A, Socket 370, etc.)--they aren't "one mobo fits all". Basic sizes ("form factors") of mobos: AT or ATX (there are others, but are not commonly used). You want ATX--the industry standard now. Remember: you must match the mobo and case. ATX mobo to ATX case.

4. Is static electricity a problem?

Ask a sheep...she'll tell you. Ok...OK...Yes. Before handling ANY piece of electronic hardware such as vid/sound cards, mobo, CPU, etc. you need to touch the chassis of the case to discharge any static buildup. Best to work on a non-conductive or static dissipating surface.

5. How should the Mobo be handled?

Carefully. Those circuits are fragile and can fracture under stress. As above, static electricity can fry components on the mobo.
Never force it while installing. If something on the mobo is not fitting right in the case, remove it and try again. If you happen to drop a small piece of metal behind the board (such as a standoff)--remove the board and get it out of there. Metal conducts; if that screw is touching the mobo underneath, you'll probably get an arc or short---goodbye mobo.




[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 06-19-2001).]

[Shinma]

Photo of a processor ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket.
In this case, specifically a ZIF socket 462, also commonly referred as "socket A" used by AMD.



socket

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[This message has been edited by Shinma (edited 06-19-2001).]

[Shinma]

Photo of a typical ATX form factor motherboard with accompanying parts identified.
Colors can vary from motherboard to motherboard, even from the same manufacturer.



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[This message has been edited by Shinma (edited 06-19-2001).]

[Shinma]

Larger photo of a different motherboard providing more detailed look.




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Cheers.

[greengoose1]

Good Morning All, And Thanks for getting us back up and running.

Bistro, Thanks for getting the answers on those questions quickly.

Shinma, Thanks for posting the examples of the Mobos. Things can be poointed out really well on those boards.

Don't worry JTDoom, you will get another chance

Don't know anthing yet DrMDJ on what happened.

Can somewhat reexplain what the motherboard does and why its needed?

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[defung]

What's that fan below the ZIF socket in the bottom right? Is this common in AMD mobo?

Originally posted by Shinma:
Photo of a processor ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket.
In this case, specifically a ZIF socket 462, also commonly referred as "socket A" used by AMD.



socket

[bistro]

That's a mobo chipset fan, to cool the....mobo chipset. AMD mobo's tend to use a little more power than others; the chipset can get quite warm, so some manufacturers throw in the fan.

EDIT: You know...on second look, it's possible that's a Northbridge fan. What model of mobo is that, just out of curiousity?

Whoop! Never mind. Looked it up--it IS a Northbridge fan. I'm SO confused....

OK...violated my own KISS rules. Simply put, the Northbridge is the mobo chipset (bus) that controls the system (CPU, memory, AGP etc.). The Southbridge bus controls the peripherals (PCI, ISA, all input/output (I/O), etc.). There...clear as mud? It's STILL a "mobo chipset fan"...

Next topic: How to be a tech and still avoid early senility....


[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 06-19-2001).]

[Shinma]

Trying to explain in general english:

The motherboard holds or provides areas required to hold core components that make up a computer.
Basically a foundation/area where all the components can communicate and work together.

As the photos above illustrate, it holds/provides areas for the:

Processor
Memory
Drives (of various types ie. HDD, CDROM drive... via the IDE connectors)
Expansion cards via the AGP, PCI, ISA, AMR, CNR expansion slots.

The specific standardized dimensions (length, width, arrangement/placement of the I/O components) of the motherboard indicate its form factor.
Photos above as stated already are ATX form factor examples.
There are several form factors in use by the computer industry.

Someone else can list them.




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[This message has been edited by Shinma (edited 06-19-2001).]

[Train]

PC/XT
AT/babyAT
ATX

Per this page

And this says I left some out.

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[This message has been edited by Train (edited 06-19-2001).]