1. Processors
Just the Basics

2. Processors CPU Speeds used to be measured in MHz 1,000 MHz = 1GHz
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
What is a processor?
Essentially the brain of a computer. This is where every instruction given by the user or system is carried out.
They are classified by speed gigahertz (GHZ) and number of cores.
Speeds used to be measured in MHz
We’ve com a long way in a short time
1,000 MHz = 1GHz
Processors today are as high as 3.6GHz

3. CPU Cores Every processor has a core and other circuitry
The core is where the processes are performed
Processors can have more than one core. This greatly speeds up calculations and makes for a much faster computer. One processor can have 2, 4, 6, or even 8 cores to carry out operations.
To better understand cores, lets use the highway demonstration

4. Understanding Cores
Data out
Data in

5. Processor core diagram

6. Processor cores

7. Task Manager This is a snapshot of windows task manager.
It shows two processor cores with a graph of the usage of each one.

8. Two Major Competing Brands
AMD (advanced micro devices)
Intel
You will find people who are loyal to one or the other
Both companies stay on top at different times

9. Processors cont. Every processor has a socket type.
The Socket type is the design of the CPU and how it conforms to fit in the motherboard.
CPU Wattage is an important factor as it will affect the amount of heat produced
A 65 watt processor produces less heat than a 130 watt processor. Just like a light bulb.
Processors do not constantly draw that much current. They have special power features that allow them to automatically adjust based on demand.

10. Types of AMD Processors
Athlon and Athlon X2
Duron
Sempron
Opteron
Phenom X3 and X4

11. AMD Processors Socket types. Differences between Intel
Socket A, 754, 940,939,AM,AM2,AM3
AM, AM2, AM3 are the only ones made at this time, all others are phased out
Differences between Intel
First to introduce 6 core processor
Better for video & content creation
Faster with certain applications
Usually cheaper

12. Intel Processors Socket types Difference between AMD
LGA 775, LGA 1366, 1156, & 1155
Difference between AMD
Tend to be more expensive
Faster with many programs
More widely compatible with software and hardware
Better for gaming

13. Types of Intel Processors
Pentium
Celeron
Xeon
Core 2 & Core 2 duo
Core 2 Quad
Core 2 Extreme
Core i3,i5, and i7

14. Need to knows when buying a processor
Speed (GHz)
Socket type
Number of cores
Price
Compatibility
Wattage

15. Introduction and Components overview
Motherboards
Introduction and Components overview

16. Motherboard Book
This is a manual that will tell you everything you need to know about the motherboard
Every motherboard comes with one if you buy the motherboard separately.
If you buy a pc preassembled you won’t 

17. Motherboards What is a motherboard?
A circuit board that interconnects all other PC Parts
Motherboards allow all the components of a computer to “talk” to each other
They also provide things such as sound and video when onboard
All components both internal and external have a place to plug into the motherboard

18. Motherboards Brands Form Factors
ASUS (probably the leader in motherboard manufacturing), Gigabyte, Foxconn, EVGA, MSI, DFI, Intel
Form Factors
A form factor is an industry standard to the configuration of the motherboard
ATX, Micro ATX, ITX & BTX
ATX, and Micro ATX are most common

19. Motherboard Components
It is important to know what the components of a motherboard are but it is more important to be able to find them on the motherboard
CPU Slot, Memory Slot, Card slots, Power connectors, SATA slots and several more which may or may not be used

20. CPU Socket CPU Socket Where you put the processor in
Must match the processor and be compatible with the motherboard
(Intel) (AMD)

21. Memory slots RAM Slots Where you install the computer memory
Must be compatible with motherboard
Can be 2 or 4 slots or 6 slots.
RAM Slot

22. Power slots Power connectors ATX power (main power plug in) CPU power
There are several small wires attached to the computer case that plug into spots on the motherboard. These are for the power switch and lights, reset switch, hard drive lights, and internal speaker. The motherboard manual will give you details on these.

23. Hard drive plug in SATA/IDE or PATA connectors
This is where your hard drive plugs in
IDE, or now referred to as PATA, is being replaced with SATA
Only IDE/PATA connector now is used for CD ROM/DVD drives and those are going away as well
SATA Connectors

24. Video Card Slots PCI Express X16/2.0 slots
Older slot is AGP, then PCI Express X16 then PCI Express 2.0 X16
This is where your video card plugs in
Must be compatible with your type of video card
Some motherboards come with onboard video
Can be more than one video card slot

25. PCI Express 2.0 and PCI slots

26. Card Slots
PCI Slots
Not to be confuse with PCI x16 slots or PCI Express X1 slots
This is where you install things like sound card, MODEM, Net work card and many other peripherals

27. Form factor Form Factor
This is how the motherboard conforms to a Case and the layout of it
ATX, Micro ATX, BTX, popular form factors
Micro ATX is a smaller circuit board than ATX
The main thing about form factors is your computer case must be compatible with it.

28. FDD FDD connector FDD stands for Floppy Disk Drive
Still around after all these years
This is where that old fashioned floppy disk drive plugs into
Most modern computers do not utilize floppy disk drives

29. Chipsets What is a chipset? Types Why is it important?
A processor built into the motherboard that controls things like, voltage, audio, and video
Types
Northbridge and Southbridge
Why is it important?
For onboard video and Audio you must install chipset drivers
Different chipsets have different abilities: example, can control 2 video cards, HD audio and video

30. Chipsets on the motherboard
Northbridge Chipset
Southbridge chipset

31. Rear Panel ports Ethernet USB PS 2 Audio ports Video (if onboard)
Internet or LAN connection
USB
For things such as jump drives, printers, external hard drives, mouse, keyboard
PS 2
Old style mouse and keyboard plug in
Audio ports
For speakers
Video (if onboard)
Monitor plug in
1394 (fire wire)
Some external devices and hard drives use this connector

32. Rear Panel ports Ethernet port P Audio S Video Ports 2 Ports U S B
SATA

33. BIOS Basic Input Output System
Contains various settings for the motherboard as well as the OS (operating system) and configures all the things that are plugged into the motherboard
Can be changed although its risky, if it fails you ruin your BIOS Chip, called “Flashing the BIOS”
There is a chip on the MB that contains the BIOS
Crash Free BIOS is a failsafe if flashing fails
Some motherboards have dual BIOS in case one fails

35. Need to Knows when buying a motherboard
Brand
Model (important when needing to find information about the motherboard)
CPU Socket type
Expansion Card slots
PIC Express/2.0, PCI
Memory type
DDR type and Speed
Video (onboard or slot type)
Form Factor
ATX / Micro ATS
Price
Motherboards get pricy fast and you could be paying for things you’ll never use so be careful
Chipset model if your interested