1. All About Motherboards
Chapter 3
All About Motherboards

2. A+ Guide to Hardware, Sixth Edition
Objectives
Learn about the different types and features of motherboards
Learn how to use setup BIOS and physical jumpers to configure a motherboard
Learn how to maintain a motherboard
Learn how to select, install, and replace a motherboard

3. Motherboard Types and Features
Most complicated computer component
One of the first items to consider when building a computer
Consider the following when purchasing a motherboard:
Form factor
Processor socket and chipset
Buses and number of bus slots
Other connectors, slots, and ports

4. Intel DX58SO Motherboard
Socket LGA1366
PCIe x16 slots for two
video cards
Four DDR3
DIMM slots
South Bridge
X58 North Bridge

5. Motherboard Form Factors
Determines motherboard size, features
Compatible with power supplies, cases, processors, expansion cards
Most popular
ATX
MicroATX
Mini-ITX
Mini-ITX is smaller than MicroATX and is also known as ITX

6. Motherboard Form Factors
Form factors and comparisons of sizes and hold positions of several form factors

7. Motherboard Form Factors

8. A+ Guide to Hardware, Sixth Edition
Processor Sockets
Processor socket – determines which processors a board can support
Socket holds Intel or AMD processor

9. Processor Sockets
Currently supported sockets supported by new Intel processors

10. Processor Sockets
The six sockets in the table have been discontinued by Intel, but you still need to be able to support them because you might be called on to replace a processor or motherboard using one of these legacy sockets

11. Processor Sockets
Sockets and processor use different methods to make contacts between them:
Pin grid array (PGA) socket
Pins aligned in uniform rows around socket
Land grid array (LGA)
Uses lands (pads) rather than pins
Examples of LGA sockets: LGA775 and LGA1366
Flip-chip land grid array (FCLGA) socket
Chip is flipped over so that the top of the chip is on the bottom and makes contact with the socket

12. Processor Sockets
Sockets and processor use different methods to make contacts between them (cont’d):
Staggered pin grid array (SPGA)
Pins staggered over socket
Squeezes more pins into a small space
Easily bent
Ball grid array (BGA)
Not really a socket
Processor is soldered to the motherboard

13. Processor Sockets Zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets
All current processor sockets
Side lever lifts processor up and out of the socket

14. Processor Sockets AMD uses the PGA socket architecture (desktops)
Types of sockets
FM1
FM2
AM2
AM3

15. Sockets for AMD Processors Used for Desktop Computers

16. Processor Sockets Match a processor to the socket and motherboard
Refer to motherboard, processor compatibility documentation
Make sure that when you insert the processor you match the key on the processor to the socket

17. The Chipset
Chipset: set of chips on motherboard that work with processor to collectively control:
Memory
Motherboard buses
Some peripherals
Manufacturers
Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, SiS, and VIA

18. Intel Chipset (Intel)
North Bridge and South Bridge - Uses hub interface
All I/O buses (input/output buses) connect to hub
Hub connects to system bus
North Bridge – fast end of hub
South Bridge – slow end of hub

19. Intel Chipset (Intel)
The fast end of the hub, called the North Bridge, contains
the graphics and memory controller
connects directly to the processor by way of a 64-bit bus, called the Front Side Bus (FSB), system bus, or host bus.
The slower end of the hub, called the South Bridge, contains
the I/O controller hub (ICH)
all I/O (input/output) devices, except video

21. The Chipset (Intel) Core i7 and X58 chipset
Referred to by Intel as Nehalem chipset
Contain memory controller within processor housing
Memory connects directly to processor
Has QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) technology
Has 16 lanes for data packets
support the Intel LGA1366 socket
the Core i7 processors,
PCI Express Version 2.
They can also support either SLI or CrossFire technologies.

23. The Chipset (Intel) Sandy Bridge chipset
Rather than using the traditional North Bridge and South Bridge, only one chipset housing is needed, which houses the Platform Controller Hub
Memory and graphics controller in Sandy Bridge processor
Second Generation Core i7 processor is an example
Sandy Bridge motherboards use DDR3 memory

24. The Chipset (Intel)

25. The Chipset (Intel)
Ivy Bridge chipset – 3rd generation processors released in 2012
Use less power
More transistors in a smaller place
Perform better than earlier products
Uses a single Platform Controller Hub

26. The Chipset (AMD) AMD A-series (code name Trinity)
Designed to compete with Ivey Bridge chipsets
AMD 9-series, 8-series, and 7-series
Designed for gamer, hobbyist, multimedia enthusiast
Focus on good graphics capabilities
Support overclocking
AMD 580X Crossfire chipset
Supports ATI CrossFire
AMD 780V chipset
Designed for business needs
AMD 740G and 690 chipsets
Designed for low-end, inexpensive systems

28. The Chipset NVIDIA, SIS and VIA Chipsets
All make graphics processors and chipset for AMD and Intel processors
NVIDIA’s method of connecting multiple video cards is called SLI
If planning a gaming computer using two video cards:
Look for a motherboard that supports SLI and uses the nForce chipset

30. Buses and Expansion Slots
A system of pathways used for communication and the protocols and methods used for transmission
Busses carry
Power - to power components on the motherboard
control signals - to coordinate activity among components
memory addresses - for one program to tell another program where to find data or instructions
Data – binary information

32. Buses and Expansion Slots
Data path size: width of a data bus
Buses have data paths that are 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, or more bits wide.
Examples: 8-bit bus has eight wire (lines) to transmit

33. Buses and Expansion Slots
The CPU, bus, and other devices work in a binary fashion—do something, stop, do something, stop, and so forth
System clock (system timer) – times activities on the motherboard for all components
One system clock line, dedicated to carrying the pulse, is read by other components on the motherboard (including the processor, bus slots, memory slots, and so forth) and ensures that all activities are synchronized
Speed of memory, Front Side Bus, processor, or other component is measured in hertz (Hz), which is one cycle per second
Megahertz (MHz): one million cycles per second
Gigahertz (GHz): one billion cycles per second

34. Buses and Expansion Slots
Motherboards can have more than one bus

35. Expansion Slots (Conventional PCI)
Improved several times
PCI - 32 bit pathway
PCI 2 – 64 bit pathway
Four types of slots and six possible PCI card configurations
Because a card can be damaged if installed in the wrong voltage slot, a notch in a PCI slot distinguishes between a 5 V slot and a 3.3 V slot

36. Expansion Slots (Conventional PCI)

37. Expansion Slots (PCI-X)
Uses 64-bit data path
Latest revision is PCI-X 3.0 (all revisions are backward-compatible)
PCI – X Slots

38. Expansion Slots (PCIe)
Not backward compatible with conventional PCI or PCI-X
Expected to replace both PCI and PCI-X in the future
Uses a serial bus, which is faster than parallel
Comes in four different slot sizes
PCI Express x1, x4, x8, and x16
Latest version is PCIe 3.0 which doubles the throughput of version 2.0

39. Expansion Slots (PCIe)

40. Expansion Slots PCI Riser cards
Installs in a PCI slot and provides another slot at a right angle
Used to fit PCI, PCIe, and PCI-X cards into a low-profile or slimline case
PCI riser card provides a 3.3-V slot or 5-V slot depending on which direction the card is inserted in the PCI slot

41. Buses and Expansion Slots
AGP Buses
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) – standard used by motherboard video slots and video cards for years
Will need to know how to support it even though it is a dying technology
AGP standards include:
Three major releases - AGP 1.0, AGP 2.0, AGP 3.0
One major change in slot length – AGP Pro
Four different speeds – 1x, 2x, 4x, and 8x
Three different voltages
Six different slots

42. AGP Buses

43. AGP Standards Summarized

44. On-Board Ports and Connectors
On-board ports (integrated components)
Ports coming directly off the motherboard
USB, sound, network, video, eSATA ports
Older motherboards might have mouse and keyboard ports, parallel and serial ports

45. On-Board Ports and Connectors
A+ Guide to Hardware, Sixth Edition
On-Board Ports and Connectors
I/O shield
Plate installed in computer case providing holes for on-board ports

46. On-Board Ports and Connectors
Internal connectors
Parallel ATA, floppy drive, serial ATA, SCSI, USB or FireWire (IEEE 1394) connectors

47. Configuring a Motherboard
Motherboard settings
Enable or disable connector or port
Set CPU frequency, system bus, other buses
Control security features
Control what happens when PC first boots
Three ways to configure older motherboards:
DIP switches, jumpers, CMOS RAM
Today, almost all motherboard configuration data is stored in CMOS RAM
Program called BIOS setup or CMOS setup is used to make changes to settings stored in CMOS RAM

48. Using Jumpers to Configure a Motherboard
Jumper – two small posts or metal pins that stick up off the motherboard that is open or closed
Open jumper has no cover and a closed jumper has a cover on the two pins
Retain setup or installation information
Jumpers can be used to clear a forgotten supervisor or power-on password

49. BIOS Configuration Jumper Settings

50. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Access the BIOS Setup Program
Press a key or combination of keys during the boot process
Varies from one manufacturer to another
See documentation for your motherboard or watch the screen near the beginning of the boot
Two possible options for accessing Bios
Press DEL to change Setup
Press F2 for Setup
Setup screen appears with menus and Help features

51. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Main Menu

52. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Configure onboard devices
Enable/disable a port or group of ports

53. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
View hard drive and optical drive information

54. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Processor and clock speeds
Some motherboards allow changing the processor speed and/or the memory multiplier

55. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Monitor temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages

56. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Intrusion detection
Can enable event logging (logs when case is opened)

57. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Power-on passwords
Assigned in BIOS setup to prevent unauthorized access to the computer and/or BIOS setup utility
May be possible to set a supervisor and user password
If both passwords are set, must enter a valid password to boot the system
How to set passwords varies depending on motherboard and BIOS
Some allow a System power-on password, which will require a password be entered every boot
A Setup power-on password only requires a password be entered in order to access BIOS setup

58. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Power-on passwords

59. Other Bios Main Tabs

60. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
LoJack
Technology embedded in the BIOS of many laptops to protect a system against theft
Must subscribe to service
Software and BIOS work together to locate a laptop whenever it connects to the Internet
Drive Encryption and Drive Password Protection
Some motherboards allow you to set a password in order to access the hard drive
Password kept on drive so that it still works even if drive is moved to another computer

61. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
TPM chip – Trusted Platform Module chip
BitLocker Encryption in Windows 7/Vista works with this chip
Encryption key is kept on chip
Assures that a drive cannot be used in another computer

62. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Virtualization – when one physical machine hosts multiple activities that are normally on multiple machines
Virtualization must be enabled in BIOS setup for VM software to work

63. Using Setup BIOS To Configure a Motherboard
Exiting the BIOS setup menus
Most exit screens give several options

64. Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)
BIOS has been terribly outdated for decades.
For example a BIOS only has 1,024KB (kilobytes) of executable space, that means BIOS
has trouble starting up the multiple peripheral interfaces (USB, eSATA, ThunderBolt, etc.) devices, ports, and controllers on a modern PC.
Just as annoying, the BIOS was never meant to initialize more than a handful of devices so even if you can get all devices ready to go it will take up to 30 seconds after you turn the switch on before your PC is ready to start booting.

65. Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)
UEFI is a mini-operating system that sits on top of a computer's hardware and firmware
Instead of being stored in firmware, as is the BIOS, the UEFI code is stored in the /EFI/ directory in non-volatile memory.
UEFI can be in NAND flash memory on the motherboard or it can reside on a hard drive, or even on a network share.
Even in a UEFI system there will still be a little bit of the BIOS in the firmware to enable UEFI itself to "boot" up.

67. UEFI Advantage
UEFI systems boot faster and you can have even larger primary drives
BIOS is limited to hard drives with a maximum size of 2.2 TB
With 3TB drives now becoming common, OEMs have no choice but to move to UEFI on high-end PCs
UEFI uses the GUID (Globally Unique ID) Partition Table, both to replace the MBR and address partitions
With GUID, you'll be able to boot from hard disks as large as 9.4ZB (zetabytes)

68. UEFI Advantage
Today, if a PC can't be booted, a technician has to be onsite to fix the PC. BIOS simply doesn't support networking, never mind basic, remote troubleshooting and maintenance tools.
With UEFI, an OEM can built in networking functionality and basic repair tools.
For business use, a properly featured UEFI PC will be far cheaper to support over its lifespan than its older BIOS brother.

69. UEFI Problems
32-bit Windows doesn't support booting from a UEFI system
In addition, UEFI is just a framework. If an OEM wants to offer full support for all the possible hardware that might be available on a given motherboard and offer diagnostic tools, it has to create them.
UEFI can be set to secure boot only form Windows 8.
UEFI itself, since it is both software and mimics an operating system, could itself be attacked.
The latest UEFI specification, (PDF) includes some malware defensive measures such as driver signing and hash-protected authentication.

70. UEFI Main Screen

71. UEFI Selection Screen

72. Maintaining a Motherboard
Motherboard is considered a field replaceable unit
Need to know how to:
Update motherboard drivers
Update flash BIOS
Replace CMOS battery

73. Maintaining a Motherboard
Update motherboard drivers
Device drivers are small programs that allow software to interact with certain hardware
Use Windows internal drivers, bundled CD drivers, or download drivers from manufacturer site
Flash BIOS
Process of upgrading or refreshing the ROM BIOS chip
BIOS updates are downloaded from motherboard manufacturer’s Web site or third party site
Performed if motherboard unstable, incorporating new feature, or component

74. Methods of Installing BIOS Updates
Express BIOS update
done from Windows.
Download the update file to your hard drive.
Close all open applications.
Double-click the file, which runs the update program, and follow the directions on-screen.
The system will reboot to apply the update

75. Methods of Installing BIOS Updates
Update from a USB flash drive using setup BIOS
Copy the downloaded update file to a USB flash drive.
Then restart the system and press a key at startup that launches the BIOS update process. (For Intel motherboards, you press F7.)
A screen appears where you can select the USB flash drive.
BIOS finds the update file on the flash drive, completes the update, and restarts the system

76. Methods of Installing BIOS Updates
Update using a bootable CD
You can download an ISO file from the motherboard manufacturer’s web site that contains the BIOS update.
An ISO file has an .iso file extension and contains an ISO image of a CD. You can use an ISO image to create a bootable CD with software and data on it.
After you have created the bootable CD, boot from it and follow the directions on-screen to flash the BIOS.

77. Methods of Installing BIOS Updates
Recovery from a failed update
If the BIOS update is interrupted or the update gives errors, you are in an unfortunate situation.
You might be able to revert to the earlier version.
To do this, generally
You download the recovery file from the web site and copy the file to a USB flash drive.
Then set the jumper on the motherboard to recover from a failed BIOS update.
Reboot the system and the BIOS automatically reads from the device and performs the recovery.
Then reset the jumper to the normal setting and boot the system

78. Methods of Installing BIOS Updates
“If it’s not broke, don’t fix it” – only update if you’re having trouble with a motherboard
Don’t update unless the update is a later version than the one installed
Update should not be interrupted while in progress

79. Maintaining a Motherboard
Replacing the CMOS battery
How can you tell?
The CMOS battery on the motherboard is considered a field replaceable unit.
The battery is designed to last for years and recharges when the motherboard has power
Make sure the replacement battery is an exact match to the original or is one the motherboard manufacturer recommends for the board
Power down system, unplug it, press power button to drain the power, remove case cover
Use ground bracelet, remove old battery using a flat-head screwdriver, pop new battery into place
For more specific directions, see the motherboard documentation

80. Build Your Own

81. Purchasing A Motherboard
The form factor and the case
The brand (Intel or AMD) and model processors the board supports (CPU Socket)
Chipset and memory speeds the board supports
Number of memory bays
Integrated graphics

82. Purchasing A Motherboard
Expansion slots (type and how many needed)
Hard drive controllers and number of connectors
External eSATA port
USB 3.0
Audio connectors
Power Connectors
Price and warranty
Support

83. New Mother Packages

84. Installing or Replacing a Motherboard
General process for replacing a motherboard see pages 128 – 131 in book

85. Summary
The motherboard is the most complicated of all components inside a computer
Most popular motherboard form factors are ATX, MicroATX and Mini-ITX
Motherboard will have one or more processor sockets
Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and SiS are the most popular chipset manufacturers
Major advancements in Intel: Accelerated Hub Architecture, Nehalem chipsets, Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge chipsets

86. Summary Buses include conventional PCI, PIC-X, PCI Express, and AGP
Some components can be built into the motherboard, called on-board components
Most common method of configuring a motherboard is BIOS setup
Settings that can be changed include: changing boot order, enabling or disabling onboard devices, support for virtualization, and security settings

87. Summary
Motherboard drivers and/or BIOS might need updating to fix a problem
CMOS battery might need replacing
When selecting a motherboard pay attention to the form factor, chipset, expansion slots, memory slots, and processors supported
Study motherboard manual before installing it