1. Power Supply, motherboard, CPU, BIOS, Bus, expansion slots, memory
IT Chapter 2 Part B
Power Supply, motherboard, CPU, BIOS, Bus, expansion slots, memory

2. Motherboard Can also called the system board or main board
Nerve center of the computer system
Everything else in the system plugs into it, is controlled by it, and depends on it to communicate with other devices on the system
Most motherboards are constructed from sheets of fiberglass
Motherboards are usually described by their form factors, which describe their physical dimensions
Two most common form factors in use today are the Baby AT motherboard and the ATX
Most new systems come with the ATX motherboard form factor

3. Motherboard Cont.
Motherboards are sometimes described according to the type of microprocessor interface (socket) they present. Motherboards can be described as Socket 7, Socket 370, Socket 423, Socket 478, Slot 1, and so on.
The major components on the motherboard include the chipset, CPU socket, expansion sockets, I/O support, BIOS, RAM sockets, power supply socket, CMOS chip, dipswitches and jumpers, and the memory cache
The chipset determines how much RAM a motherboard can use, the type of RAM chip, cache size and speed, processor types and speeds, and the types of expansion slots the motherboard can accommodate. In other words, the motherboard chipset determines motherboard performance and limitations

4. CPU
The CPU is contained on a single integrated circuit called the microprocessor.
Often referred to as the brains of a computer
The CPU contains two basic components:
Control unit – Instructs the rest of the computer system on how to follow a program's instructions. It directs the movement of data to and from processor memory
Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) – The ALU performs both arithmetic and logical operations
The processor handles most of the operations that are required of the computer by processing instructions and sending signals out, checking for connectivity, and ensuring that operations and hardware are functioning properly

5. CPU cont.
The microprocessor is connected to the rest of the computer system through three buses, including the data bus, address bus, and control bus
Many different companies that produce CPUs, including Intel, Advanced Micro-Devices (AMD)TM, and Cyrix
Socket X (X being any numerical number) is a descriptive term for the way certain processors plug into a computer motherboard so that it makes contact with the motherboard's built-in circuitry or data bus
Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket. A ZIF socket is designed to make it easy to replace and upgrade the microprocessor. A typical ZIF socket contains a lever that opens and closes, securing the microprocessor in place