Chapter 1 – summary

1. Cable Types and Connectors

Personal Computers Overview
 Components of a PC:
o Internal Components: Motherboard, CPU, RAM, adapter cards,
fixed disks, power supply.
o Peripheral Devices: Input (keyboard, mouse), output (monitor,
speakers), external storage.
 System Case (Chassis):
o Tower Form Factor: Most common case, oriented vertically.

o Accessing the Case: Side panel removal (screws, retaining clips,

security mechanisms).
o Front Panel: Access to removable drives, power switch, LED
indicators.
o Rear Panel: Access to PSU, I/O ports, adapter card slots (with
blanking plates to prevent dust and overheating).
I/O Ports and Connectors
 I/O Ports: Connect peripheral devices to the computer via specific
interfaces (e.g., USB, HDMI).
 Hardware Port: External connection point for data transfer (e.g., USB,
SATA).
 Bus: Pathway for data transfer between the computer and devices.
 Connector: The physical part of a cable that connects to a port.
Key Concepts:
 Edge Contacts: Modern connectors are designed for easy insertion with
keying (asymmetrical design) to prevent incorrect orientation.
 Binary Data: Measured in bits (b) and bytes (B).
o 1 byte (B) = 8 bits (b).

o Data transfer units: Kilobits (Kb), Megabits (Mb), Gigabits (Gb).

2. Common Cable Types

USB (Universal Serial Bus)
 Purpose: Connects a variety of devices (e.g., keyboards, mice, storage
devices).
  Host Controller: Manages USB devices (up to 127 devices per controller).
USB Standards:
 USB 1.1: 12 Mbps (Low/Full Speed).
 USB 2.0: 480 Mbps (High Speed).
 USB 3.0/3.1: 5 Gbps (SuperSpeed).
 USB 4: 40 Gbps.
USB Connector Types:
 Type A: Rectangular; connects to hosts (PC).
 Type B: Square; connects to large devices (printers).
 Type B Mini/Micro: For small devices (smartphones, cameras).
 USB-C: Reversible, faster speeds, supports video and power delivery.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)
 Purpose: Transmits video and audio signals.
 Types:
o Type A (Standard)

o Type C (Mini)

o Type D (Micro)

 Bandwidth Factors:
o Resolution (e.g., 1920x1200 for HD, 3840x2160 for 4K).

o Refresh Rate (Hz or fps).

DisplayPort
 Purpose: Similar to HDMI but royalty-free, supports audio and video.
 Types:
o Full-size (DP++ for HDMI compatibility).

o Mini DisplayPort (mDP).

Thunderbolt and Lightning

 Thunderbolt: Supports video (DisplayPort) and general peripheral
connections (USB-like).
o Thunderbolt 1 & 2: Use MiniDP, up to 20 Gbps.

o Supports daisy-chaining multiple monitors.

 Lightning: Apple’s proprietary port for iPhones/iPads. Requires adapters

to connect to USB or HDMI.
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)
 Purpose: Connects internal storage drives (SSD, HDD).
 SATA Revisions:
o SATA 1: 150 MB/s

o SATA 2: 300 MB/s

o SATA 3: 600 MB/s

 eSATA: For external storage connections (2 m cable length).

 M.2 Interface: For high-speed SSDs (various lengths; powered by the
motherboard).
Molex Connectors
 Purpose: Legacy power connectors for older devices.
 Pinout: 4 pins—Red (5V), Yellow (12V), Black (Ground).

3. Installing and Configuring Motherboards

Motherboard Functions
 Processing: Managed by the CPU.
 Storage: Temporary (RAM) vs. Permanent (HDD, SSD).
 Buses: Electrical pathways connecting components.
 Clock Speed: Measured in MHz or GHz, synchronized by the system clock.
Safety Precautions
1. Electrical Safety: Disconnect the PC from power before working inside.
2. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD): Use anti-static tools like wrist straps to
prevent damaging components.
CPU Sockets and Chipsets
 CPU Compatibility: Motherboards support specific CPUs (Intel or AMD).
 Chipset: Controls data flow between CPU, memory, and peripherals.
 Socket Types:
o LGA (Intel – Pins on motherboard).

o PGA (AMD – Pins on CPU).

RAM (System Memory)

 Function: Temporarily stores active programs and data.
 Form Factor: Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM).
 Generations: DDR3, DDR4, DDR5 (Not interchangeable).
  Installation: Ensure the correct orientation and secure with side clips.
Storage Connectors
 SATA Ports: For HDD/SSD and optical drives.
 M.2 Slots: For high-speed SSDs.
 eSATA: External SATA drives (requires specific cables).
Adapter Slots
 PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express):
o Main modern expansion slot.

o Supports multiple lanes (x1, x4, x8, x16).

o Used for video cards, sound cards, network adapters.

 PCI: Legacy expansion slot for older cards.

Motherboard Form Factors
1. ATX (Advanced Technology Extended): Standard desktop size (12” x
9.6”).
2. Micro-ATX: Smaller form factor (9.6” x 9.6”).
3. Mini-ITX: Compact form (6.7” x 6.7”).
Installation Process
1. Review motherboard documentation.
2. Align with I/O shield and install standoffs.
3. Install the motherboard and secure it with screws.
4. Connect power cables and front panel headers.

4. Legacy Cable Types

 VGA (Video Graphics Array): 15-pin analog video port (max 1920x1080
resolution).
 DVI (Digital Visual Interface): Supports digital and analog video
signals.
 IDE (PATA): Parallel data transfer for older hard drives (40- or 80-wire
ribbon cables).
 SCSI (Small Computer System Interface): Legacy bus for connecting
multiple devices via parallel cables.
 Serial Ports: Old communication ports for modems (now replaced by
USB).
Key Takeaways
 Understand different cable and connector types, especially USB, HDMI,
DisplayPort, and SATA.
 Be familiar with motherboard components (CPU, RAM, storage) and their
installation process.
 Know how to identify and install expansion cards (PCIe).
 Practice safety procedures to prevent electrical hazards and ESD.
 Recognize legacy cables like VGA, DVI, IDE, and their modern
replacements.