Cable Types and Connectors

Cable Types and Connectors

• Objectives consist of explaining cable types, connectors, installing/configuring motherboards, and legacy cable types.
• Components of a PC are divided between user-handled peripheral devices and internal components that may be damaged or dangerous if exposed.
• Peripheral devices provide input (keyboard, mouse), output (monitor, speakers), or external storage.
• The system case houses motherboard, CPU, memory, adapter cards, fixed disks, and power supply.
• Tower form factor cases are designed to be oriented vertically.
• To maintain a PC, you must understand how to open its case, using screws or retaining clips, potentially with anti-tamper mechanisms.
• The front panel has removable media drives, power switch, and LEDs; access may require removing the side panel.
• The rear panel hosts PSU sockets, an integral fan, motherboard I/O ports, and adapter card slots.
• Uncovered slots on the rear panel disrupt airflow, causing overheating and dust accumulation.
• An input/output (I/O) port connects devices to the PC via a peripheral cable.
• Ports can be specific to a device like graphics or support multiple types.
• External ports are in the case or on an expansion card.
• A hardware port is the external connection point for a bus interface and a bus allows data transfer to and from devices.
• A connector is part of a cable that can be inserted into a port, and a bus interface can have multiple connector form factors.
• Connectors and ports now use edge contacts and keying preventing incorrect insertion.

Binary Data Storage

• Proper units are needed to compare bus interfaces and each binary digit/bit (b) is one or zero, storage is measured in multiples of eight bits/byte (B).
• Transfer rates use units per second (bits and bytes):
• 1000 Kilobits (Kb/s or Kbps) and kilobytes (KB/s and KBps).
• 1000x1000 Megabits (Mb/s) or megabytes (MB/s).
• 1000x1000x1000 Gigabits (Gb/s) and gigabytes (GB/s).

Universal Serial Bus Cables

• Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the standard for connecting peripherals, managed by a host controller.
• USB peripheral functions are divided into classes: human interface, mass storage, printer, and audio.
• Each host controller supports multiple ports on the same bus.
• Theoretically up to 127 devices can be connected per controller, but for bandwidth, most PC motherboards provision multiple controllers, each with three or four ports.
• USB standards have iterated, increasing data rates and some define new connector form factors and improvements.
• Example of speeds and connectors:
• USB 3.2 Gen 1 SuperSpeed USB with 5 Gbps uses USB-A, USB-C, USB Micro connectors and is also labeled USB 3.0.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps uses USB-A, USB-C, USB Micro connectors and is also labeled USB 3.1 SuperSpeed+.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbps uses a USB-C connector.
• USB 2 connector form factors:
• Type A: for host and some peripherals, flat rectangles. It should be inserted with the USB symbol facing up.
• Type B: for large devices such as printers, square shape, with a beveled top.
• Type B Mini: a smaller peripheral device connector, seen more on early digital cameras but is no longer widely used.
• Type B Micro: newer connector for smaller devices, like smartphones.
• Maximum USB cable lengths: 3m for Low Speed, 5m for Full/High Speed.
• SuperSpeed-capable cables do not have an official length (3m recommended).
• USB can supply power to the connected device.
• USB Type A and Type C ports can be used to charge connected devices.

HDMI and DisplayPort Video Cables

• While USB supports many devices, video often uses a dedicated interface due to high bandwidth.
• Video cable bandwidth depends on resolution (horizontal x vertical pixels) and refresh rate (Hz/fps).
• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI): widely used video interface on TVs, monitors, game consoles, Blu-ray players supporting video, audio, remote control, and digital content protection (HDCP).
• HDMI updates have added support for 4K/8K resolutions and features.
• HDMI connectors come in full-size (Type A), mini (Type C), and micro (Type D).
• DisplayPort: royalty-free standard by VESA to support similar features to HDMI.
• DisplayPort has full-size DP++ and MiniDP/mDP and connectors which are keyed against incorrect orientation.
• Thunderbolt interfaces: associated with Apple but are increasingly common on Windows and Linux PCs.
• Thunderbolt can be a display interface (like DisplayPort/HDMI) or a peripheral interface (like USB).
• Thunderbolt versions 1 and 2 use the same physical interface as MiniDP and are compatible with DisplayPort so that a monitor with a DisplayPort port can be connected to a computer via a Thunderbolt port and a suitable adapter cable.
• Thunderbolt ports are distinguished from MiniDP by a lightning bolt/flash icon supporting links of up to 20 Gbps (version 2).
• Like DisplayPort, multiple monitors can be daisy-chained.
• Lightning interface: used by Apple's mobile devices with port and connector.
• Lightning connectors are reversible.
• Connect an iPhone or iPad to a PC via Lightning-to-USB A/C adapter cable.

SATA Hard Drive Cables

• Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA): standard for connecting internal storage drives in a desktop PC with cables up to 1 m, using 7-pin connectors.
• The 7-pin data connector does not supply power, a separate 15-pin SATA power connector is used.
• Initial SATA supported 150 MBps, augmented by SATA revision 2 (300 MBps) and SATA revision 3 (600 MBps).
• Molex connectors connects legacy components to PSU, while SATA is the better option for new devices.
• A Molex connector is usually white or clear plastic with 4 pins.
• Colour coding of the wire insulation represents the DC voltage: red (5 VDC), yellow (12 VDC), and black (ground).
• External SATA (eSATA): standard for external peripheral drives, with 2m cable needing an eSATA.
• eSATAp: nonstandard powered port by some vendors, compatible with both USB and SATA having an eSATAp cable.

Motherboard Functions

• Motherboard functions include processing, instructions, electrical safety and protection against electrostatic discharge.
• All computer calculations are done through binary code processed by the CPU and instructions are stored in transistors and capacitators.
• The CPU can only store a limited number of instructions, system memory (RAM) is used for additional storage.
• RAM storage technology is nonpersistent, RAM devices can only hold data while the PC is powered on and mass storage devices are used to prevent data lose.
• Storage components are connected by interfaces on the motherboard using transistors and capacitors, transmitted by electrical signals
• The motherboard clock synchronizes components and provides the timing signal for the CPU.
• Clock speeds are measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz), clock multipliers take the timing signal and apply a multiplication factor to produce different timings.
• Motherboard influences system speed and the range of system devices and adapter cards.
• Motherboard manufacturers: AOpen (Acer), ASRock, ASUSTek, Biostar, EVGA Corporation, Gigabyte, Intel, and MSI.
• Motherboards are designed to support CPUs manufactured by Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

Electrical Safety, ESD and Connectors

• Proper procedures are needed when opening the PC for upgrades or troubleshooting to ensure safety.
• When working with a PC, disconnect it from the power supply and hold the power button to drain charge.
• Do not attempt to disassemble the power supply.
• Use procedures minimizing the risk of damage to the PCs components from electrostatic discharge (ESD).
• Components like the CPU, RAM, adapter cards, and motherboard are vulnerable to ESD.
• This is where a static charge is suddenly released into the circuit by touching it.
• Handle components by edges of plastic parts, use an anti-ESD wrist strap.
• Motherboards have connector types and socket types: CPU, memory, fixed disk drives, and adapter cards.
• New motherboards support the latest CPU models from Intel and AMD with different socket designs.
• CPU socket has a square shape, covered by a heat sink and fan after CPU installation.
• CPU function is also supported by the motherboard's soldered chipset, consisting of controllers transferring data between the CPU and various devices and cannot be upgraded.
• The chipset determines the processor type, RAM amount, support for interfaces and ports.
• Interfaces un-supported by chipset can be installed or upgraded with an adapter card.
• System memory uses random-access memory (RAM loaded with program code for processor access and execution, also holding data being modified.
• System RAM is volatile using a dual inline memory module (DIMM) fitted to a motherboard slot with catches.
• RAM technologies - DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5 which are specific to a DDR version.
• There is a label next to the slots identifying the type of DIMMs supported and controller capabilities.

Storage Connectors

• Motherboard storage connectors support one or more fixed disks (SSD or HDD) inside the PC providing persistent storage for the operating system, software programs and data files.
• The Motherboard has Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) ports to connect fixed drives and removable drives (tape drives and optical drives).
• SATA devices are installed to a drive bay in the chassis and then connected to a data port via a cable and to the power supply via a SATA power or Molex connector.
• An SSD can be provisioned in an adapter card form factor using an is M.2 interface.
• An M.2 port is horizontally-oriented and the adapter card is inserted at an angle and secured with a screw.
• M.2 supplies power over the bus, so no power cable M.2 adapters can be different lengths so check the it will fit your motherboard.
• External SATA interface can connect external cables.

Adapter Form Factors

• Expansion slots accept plug-in adapter cards to extend computer functions.
• There are two types of expansion slot interface.
• Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe): the mainstream interface for modern adapter cards, using point-to-point serial communications.
• Each point-to-point connection is referred to as a link, rates in giga transfers per second (GT/s).
• Throughput in GB/s is is the rate after loss through encoding is factored in.
• Computers often support computers can support earlier support to often support earlier technologies.
• Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) is a legacy bus type, and the ports can be included in PCI motherboards to support.
• The motherboard form factor describes its shape and layout and can be used, plus the number of adapter cards that are installed.
• Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) is the standard form factor for desktop PC motherboards and cases with Full-size boards that are 12 inches wide by 9.6 inches deep (or 305 mm x 244 mm), a board can have up to 7 expansion slots.
• The Micro-ATX (mATX) has a 9.6 inch square board with a max of and 4 expansion slots and Micro-ATX (mATX) with a 9.6-inch square board a maximum of four expansion slots.
• Small form factor (SFF) PCs are popular for home use mini servers often using Mini-ITX form factor which is 6.7 inches square with one expansion slot and they can be mounted in ATX cases.
• Nano-, pico-, and mobile-ITX form factors are used for embedded products, rather than PCs can be mounted in ATX cases.

Motherboard Installation

• The motherboard is attached to the case using standoffs to hold the motherboard firmly, these standoffs positioned in holes for line up of standoffs and jumper clips are needed.
• The general procedure for installing a motherboard is as follows: Use the motherboard documentation to familiarize yourself with the specific installation procedure. Check whether any jumper clips need to be adjusted. A jumper is placed over header pins in a particular orientation
• Orient the board to the oblong I/O cutout at the rear of the case is needed.
• Insert standoffs into the case to match the hole locations on the motherboard to make sure the corners and edges of the board are supported.
• After installing the board, secure each standoff using the appropriate screw type making sure that the board is firm and stable, and add power and disk devices to the case, addon adapter cards and data and power connectors.
• Motherboards include connectors for case buttons, speakers, and fans through headers and also headers on the back and front.
• The components are power button (soft power sending a signal to shut down rather than switching, HDD sending a signal, and audio port which Allow speak, headphones and microphones.
• The ports use USB 2 and USB 3 connections.
• Power to parts is also supplied from the motherboard.
• The main P1 motherboard power connector is 2-pin * 12 with square pin receptacles.
• The fan connect are 3 or 4 pin Molex with one CPU and some for memory and video.
• The 4 pins fans support precise fan modulation control via blue wire and 3 are controlled by voltage.

Video and Sound Cards

• An expansion card adds functions that are not supported by integrated features through the PCI and PCle slots.
• Video also uses adapter ports to to connect monitors to provide graphics.
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a microprocessor designed for 2-D and 3-D images on the surface.
• The types of effects and number connections such as Thunderbolt, DisplayPort are provided as well.
• Sound cards playback audio through headphones and speakers or for microphones

Legacy Cables

• DVI and VGA use display supports for video as well.
• Serial ports can be wired to transfter data but they are bit by bit.
• Lastly you have adapter cables which adapt connections for different ports and provide a way to convert a signal into different factors.