Motherboard Types and Features

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a commonly found onboard port on a motherboard?

  • HDMI
  • PS/2
  • SATA (correct)
  • USB

What is the name of the plate that is installed in the computer case to provide holes for the I/O ports?

  • Expansion Slot
  • Header
  • PCIe connector
  • I/O shield (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a type of video port found on a motherboard?

  • eSATA (correct)
  • VGA
  • DisplayPort
  • DVI-D

What is the purpose of the notch in a PCI slot?

<p>Keeps the card from being inserted backwards. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of internal connectors on a motherboard?

<p>Connect internal devices like hard drives and optical drives (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following connectors is typically used for connecting M.2 solid-state drives (SSDs)?

<p>M.2 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the PCI bus?

<p>Transporting data in parallel between the motherboard and expansion cards (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which internal connector is commonly used for connecting front panel ports, such as power buttons and LED indicators?

<p>Header (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the SATA Express standard?

<p>Provides a faster bus than SATA Revision 3 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most current version of the SAS standard?

<p>SAS-4 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common use case for the M.2 connector?

<p>Connecting a SATA Revision 3 drive (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the difference between SATA and SAS?

<p>SAS is more expensive, durable, and faster than SATA. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using an M.2 slot for an SSD over using a SATA connection for an SSD?

<p>M.2 slots provide faster speeds than SATA. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which SATA version is commonly known as SATA 6Gb/s?

<p>SATA Revision 3.x (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the formal name for the M.2 connector?

<p>Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial consideration before installing Windows on an M.2 drive?

<p>Ensuring the motherboard BIOS/UEFI firmware can boot from the M.2 drive (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a non-functional system, where can you find the brand and model of the motherboard?

<p>On the motherboard itself (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major manufacturer of motherboards?

<p>Dell (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most helpful resource for understanding the features and settings of a specific motherboard?

<p>The manufacturer's website (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If you are trying to identify the motherboard in a functional system, which of the following tools would be most helpful?

<p>The Windows System Information utility (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a functional system, where can you find information about the BaseBoard Product?

<p>All of the Above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What PCIe version provides the fastest speeds?

<p>PCIe Version 5 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum power a typical PCIe ×16 slot can provide to a graphics card?

<p>75 watts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A graphics card requiring more than 75 watts of power may need additional power connectors. Which of these is not a common type of power connector for graphics cards?

<p>USB Type C (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about PCIe ×16 slots is correct?

<p>Motherboards with fewer PCIe lanes may still offer PCIe ×16 slots, but with reduced performance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much power can a 6-pin PCIe connector provide?

<p>75 watts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using PCI Express (PCIe) over conventional PCI?

<p>PCIe provides significantly faster data transfer speeds than PCI. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected release date for PCIe Version 6?

<p>2022 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to carefully read motherboard advertisements when choosing a graphics card?

<p>To confirm the compatibility of the graphics card's power requirements. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a correct statement about M.2 slots?

<p>M.2 slots are keyed to ensure compatibility with only specific M.2 cards. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when an M.2 card using the SATA interface is installed in a motherboard slot that supports both PCIe and SATA interfaces?

<p>The motherboard uses the SATA interface for the M.2 slot and disables one of the SATA connectors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where can you typically find the motherboard user manual?

<p>All of the above. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the USB header on a motherboard?

<p>To connect a cable from the motherboard to USB ports on the front of the computer case. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following information is NOT required to find the correct user guide for a motherboard online?

<p>The operating system installed on the motherboard. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the keying mechanism in M.2 slots?

<p>To ensure compatibility with only specific M.2 cards. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the cover on some M.2 slots?

<p>To protect the M.2 slot from dust and debris. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of searching for motherboard documentation?

<p>To identify and understand the components of the motherboard. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following SATA revisions offered a data transfer rate of 6 Gb/sec?

<p>SATA Revision 3.x (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year did the latest SATA revision, SATA 3.5, get released?

<p>2020 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following USB versions offers the fastest data transfer rate?

<p>USB 4 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about PCIe expansion slots is incorrect?

<p>All PCIe slots are backward compatible with older PCI expansion cards. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum data transfer rate offered by USB 3.1?

<p>10 Gb/sec (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of connector is primarily used by storage devices like hard drives and optical drives?

<p>SATA (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about SATA is TRUE?

<p>SATA Revision 2.x provides the highest data transfer rate among all revisions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using a PCIe ×16 slot over a PCIe ×1 slot?

<p>PCIe ×16 slots offer a faster data transfer rate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

PCIe x16 slot

A slot on the motherboard used primarily for high-throughput graphics cards.

Data lanes

The channels within a PCIe slot through which data transfers occur.

PCIe Version 5

The fastest version of PCI Express currently available, providing higher data transfer rates.

Graphics card power requirements

The amount of power a graphics card needs, often up to 450 watts, with PCIe slots providing 75 watts standard.

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Power connectors

Additional connectors near PCIe slots that supply extra wattage to graphics cards.

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6-pin and 8-pin PCIe connectors

Types of power connectors for supplying extra wattage; 6-pin provides 75 watts, and 8-pin provides 150 watts.

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Auxiliary power

Extra power needed for high-demand graphics cards, often connected via specific power connectors.

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Conventional PCI vs. PCIe

Conventional PCI slots are slower than PCI Express slots, affecting performance.

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SATA

A connection standard for storage devices like hard drives.

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SATA Revision 3.x

Latest SATA version supporting up to 6 Gb/sec speed.

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USB 3.0

USB version that supports up to 5 Gb/sec transfer speed.

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PCI Express (PCIe)

A standard for expansion slots with varying lane sizes.

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PCIe ×1

PCIe slot with a single lane for data transmission.

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PCIe ×16

PCIe slot with 16 lanes, allowing maximum data transfer.

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USB 4

Latest USB version supporting up to 40 Gb/sec speed.

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Lane Concept

Refers to the number of data paths in a PCIe slot.

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SATA Express

Combines SATA and PCIe for faster bus speeds than SATA Revision 3.

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SAS-4

The most current version of SAS, offering speeds up to 22.5 Gb/s, completed in 2017.

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M.2

Connector used for mini add-on cards, supporting interfaces like PCIe, USB, or SATA.

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NGFF

Next Generation Form Factor, another name for M.2 connector, for compact cards.

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BIOS/UEFI support

Firmware needed to ensure booting from M.2 drives is possible.

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PCI Slots

Expansion slots used for adding cards like Ethernet or sound cards.

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PCIe

A faster slot type mainly used for graphics cards and high-speed devices.

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Onboard Ports

Ports integrated directly onto the motherboard for external connections.

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I/O Panel

A panel that provides access to various external ports on the motherboard.

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I/O Shield

A protective plate that fits into the computer case for I/O ports alignment.

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Internal Connectors

Connectors found on a motherboard for various internal components.

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Header

A group of pins on a motherboard used for connecting components internally.

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Connector Manual

A guide that explains the layout and function of motherboard connectors.

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M.2 Slot

A connector on a motherboard for installing M.2 cards, with specific keys that match card notches.

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M.2 Standards

Different protocols (like PCIe and SATA) that an M.2 slot can support, varying by motherboard.

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Keying Notches

Physical notches on M.2 cards that align with slots to prevent incorrect installation.

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SATA vs PCIe Interface

SATA interface disables one SATA connector when an M.2 card using it is installed; PCIe utilizes the M.2 slot directly.

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USB Header

A pin header on the motherboard used to connect USB ports, enabling external connectivity.

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Motherboard Documentation

User manuals that provide essential details for motherboard components and installation instructions.

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M.2 Card Installation

The process of placing an M.2 card into a keyed slot on a motherboard, ensuring compatibility.

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Identifying Motherboard Components

Using the motherboard user guide to understand and troubleshoot hardware connections and capabilities.

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BIOS/UEFI setup

A firmware interface for computer system configuration and management.

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Windows System Information

A utility in Windows to provide detailed hardware information, including the motherboard.

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System Manufacturer

The brand name of the motherboard displayed in the System Information summary.

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BaseBoard Product

The model name of the motherboard listed in System Information under BaseBoard.

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Motherboard User Guide

A manual provided by the manufacturer containing details on settings and components of the motherboard.

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Study Notes

Motherboard Types and Features

  • Motherboards contain fine lines called traces, which are circuits enabling data, instructions, timing signals, and power to move between components.
  • These pathways for communication are called a bus.
  • A protocol is a set of rules and standards for communication between entities.

Expansion Slots

  • Motherboard specifications always include expansion slots.
  • Expansion slots are identified in motherboard advertisements.
  • Various expansion slots exist on modern motherboards, including different versions of PCI Express, Conventional PCI, SATA, and USB ports.
  • PCI Express versions (e.g., 6.0, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0) have progressively increasing throughput.
  • SATA connectors are primarily used by storage devices. Different SATA revisions exist (e.g. SATA Revision 3, SATA Revision 2, various 6/3 Gb/s specs)
  • USB connectors are used by various USB devices. Various USB versions exist with varying throughput (e.g. USB 4, USB 3.2, USB 3.1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0).
  • PCIe slots come in different sizes (×1, ×4, ×8, ×16) affecting data transfer rates.
  • The PCIe x16 slot is used by high-throughput graphics cards.

Internal Connectors

  • Motherboards have onboard ports and internal connectors, including USB, M.2, SATA, and PCIe.
  • An I/O shield is typically included in motherboard packaging, providing the required holes for I/O ports.
  • Some connectors are headers (a group of pins sticking up on a board).
  • Motherboards may have several SATA connections, each using a specific standard (e.g. SATA revision 3, SATA revision 2, SATA express).
  • SAS is an interface standard usually found in server-class systems.
  • Various M.2 slot types/standards exist.
  • M.2 slots can use PCIe, USB, or SATA interfaces.
  • The M.2 slot is keyed, so the correct card is used in the appropriate slot

Additional Information

  • The A+ Core 1 exam emphasizes recognizing and using SATA, M.2, and USB connectors.
  • To find user guides, check the motherboard manufacturer websites or manuals included with the product.
  • System Information utility (msinfo32.exe) can be used to find the motherboard information.
  • Motherboards may have covers over certain ports. It is important to consult the motherboard manual for installation instructions.

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