Experiment No.

01
Components of computer: Desktop and Laptop
AIM
Familiarization of computer components both Desktop and Laptop.

MOTHERBOARD
A motherboard is the central printed circuit board (PCB) in many modern computers and
holds many of the crucial components of the system, providing connectors for other
peripherals.
The motherboard is sometimes known as the main-board, system board, or, on Apple
computers, the logic board.

Southbridge & Northbridge

The south-bridge and North-bridge are the two basic chips in the personal computer (PC)
motherboard.
The north-bridge typically handles communications among the CPU, in some cases RAM, and PCI
Express (or AGP) video cards, and the South-bridge.
The south-bridge governs various ports such as Serial ATA ports, USB ports etc. and BIOS, Power
management, Clock generation, PCI bus etc.

SOCKET
A CPU socket or CPU slot is a mechanical component that provides mechanical and electrical
connections between a device (usually a microprocessor) and a printed circuit board (PCB). This
allows the CPU to be replaced without risking the damage typically introduced when using
soldering tools. Common sockets utilize retention clips that are designed to apply a constant force,
which must be overcome when a device is inserted.

Type of sockets:

1. PGA:

PGAs are often mounted on printed circuit boards using the through hole method or inserted into a
socket. PGAs allow for more pins per integrated circuit than older packages such as dual in-line
package (DIP). A pin grid array, often abbreviated PGA, is a type of integrated circuit packaging. In
a PGA, the package is square or rectangular, and the pins are arranged in a regular array on the
underside of the package.

LGA

LGA stands for land grid array. Unlike earlier common CPU sockets, such as its predecessor Socket
478, the LGA 775 has no socket holes; instead, it has 775 protruding pins which touch contact
points on the underside of the processor (CPU). LGA 775, also known as Socket T, is an Intel
desktop CPU socket.
MEMORY SLOT

A DIMM or dual in-line memory module comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory
integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in
personal computers, workstations and servers. DIMMs began to replace SIMMs (single in-line
memory modules) as the predominant type of memory module as Intel P5-based Pentium
processors began to gain market share.

This is a 240 pins DDRII (Double Data Rate II) DIMM Slots. It support Dual Channel memory
Technology.

Switched-Mode Power Supply

A switched-mode power supply (SMPS) is an electronic power supply that incorporates a switching
regulator to convert electrical power efficiently.

Process of SMPS:

1. It changes normal AC power to DC and distribute to the device connected to it.

2. An SMPS is usually employed to efficiently provide a regulated output voltage, typically at a

level different from the input voltage.

3. It converts the main power supply 230volts to 12volts, 5volts, 3volts and distribute to all
components of computer.
MAIN POWER CONNECTOR

2X12 Main power connector is used to connect SMPS to Motherboard.

Primary Memory:
Primary memory is the very important memory of the computer it governs all the internal process of
computer. RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is so called as its access mode is random.
It is also termed as Read and Write Memory. Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of
computer data storage.

Types of RAM:

The two main forms of modern RAM are

1. static RAM (SRAM)

2. dynamic RAM (DRAM)

static RAM (SRAM):

Bit of data is stored using the state of a flip-flop.

More expensive to produce.

Generally faster

Requires less power than DRAM

Used in modern computers

Often used as cache memory for the CPU

dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Stores a bit of data using a transistor and capacitor pair, which together comprise a memory cell.

Less expensive to produce than static RAM

Predominant form of computer memory used in modern computers.

DDR

DDR-SDRAM Is a Double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory

Higher data rate compared to SDR(Single Data Rate) Memory.

SOLID STATE CAPCITORS

Solid State capacitors are used to exclusive processor voltage regulation design maximizes stability
and power for advanced over-locking.

SURROUND SOUND

Surround Sound also supports Dolby system audio to connect.

EXCLUSIVE REGULATOR HEAT SINK

It provides reliable and reliable and silent cooling for extreme performance tuning.

Primary ATA Connector

It is a 39 / 40 pins IDE Connector which used to connect t to IDE hard disk or CD ROM or DVD
ROM.

USB Headers
Besides the default USB ports on the I/O panel, some motherboard do provides additional USB
headers on the motherboard to connect to the case USB Connector. Each USB 2.0 header can
support up to two USB 2.0.

Infrared Module Header

This header support an optional Wireless transmitting and receiving module.

Internal Audio Connector

This connector allow transmitting stereo audio from other sound source such as CD ROM, DVD
ROM or TV capture

System Panel / Front-Panel Connector

This header accommodates several system Front- panel function Power button, reset button, hard
disk indicator and power indicator.

CPU Fan Connector

Connect a Case fan power cord this connecter. Once you have a correct fan connected, your BIOS
can detect the existing of the fan and its rotation speed. Fan speed will be automatically adjusted
depends on the motherboard

Chassis Fan Connector

Similar with the CPU Fan Connector, its used to connect the Case Fan in order to increase the
ventilation.

ROM BIOS

Exclusive Fault tolerant BIOS virtually eliminate down time due to corrupted BIOS.

ATX 12V Connector

Some motherboard do requires to connect a power supply with ATX 12V plug to this connector , so
that it can provide sufficient power.

PCI Slot
Allow you to add any addition device which communicate with a PCI slot. Example off PCI slot
device include TV capture card, Network Card etc.

Motherboard Battery
This battery provide power for the BIOS to store information and maintain the clock to run when
the system power-down.

SATA

SATA, short for Serial ATA, is an IDE standard for connecting devices like optical drives and hard
drives to the motherboard. The term SATA generally refers to the types of cables and connections
that follow this standard.
Serial ATA replaces Parallel ATA as the IDE standard of choice for connecting storage devices
inside of a computer. SATA storage devices can transmit data to and from the rest of the computer
over twice as fast as an otherwise similar PATA device.

Hard Disk
It is permanent storage device inside a CPU cabinet under magnetic medium. The technology is
termed as Winchester Technology, contains number of circular metal plate fitted in shaft and
includes a read write head.

LAPTOP
MOTHERBOARD
The system board is the main logic board in any laptop. All internal components are
connected to the system board. This is one of the most expensive parts in a laptop.

LAPTOP RAM

In a Laptop RAM is physically very small part. Like Desktop it can replaceable.

HARD DRIVE

The hard drive is the main storage of information in a laptop. All system files, personal files
are stored inside the hard drive.

PROCESSOR

Like desktop the processor is the brain of a laptop. Faster CPU means faster data processing.
CD/DVD Drive

The CD/DVD drive allows to read/write data from/to a CD or DVD disc.

COOLING FAN

The cooling fan is a part of the cooling module in a laptop. The fan helps to cool down the
processor when the laptop is turned on.

VIDEO CARD / GRAPHICS CARD

In most modern laptops the video card is integrated into the system board. If the video card
fails you have to replace the whole motherboard. In some laptops the video card is a discrete
module and can be removed or replaced separately from the motherboard.

AUDIO BOARD / SOUND BOARD

In most laptops the audio board is a part of the motherboard. If thats the case, all audio
board input/output components such as volume control, microphone jack and headphone
jack are soldered directory to the motherboard.

WIRELESS NETWORK CARD

The internal wireless card helps you to connect to the Internet without running a cable.
Learn about different types of internal wireless cards and how they are connected to the
motherboard.

CMOS BATTERY / RTC BATTERY

The CMOS battery provides power to the CMOS chip when the laptop is turned off or
disconnected form the wall outlet.

LCD SCREEN

The LCD screen is one of the most expensive parts in a laptop computer. The LCD screen
mounts inside the display panel. If you accidentally cracked the screen, it has to be replaced.
You cannot repair a cracked screen.

SCREEN INVERTER BOARD / FL INVERTER

The inverter board is a power supply for the backlight lamp inside the LCD screen. When
inverter fails, the LCD screen goes very dark and you barely can see any image on the
screen. In most laptops the inverter board is mounted inside the display panel below the
LCD screen.
SCREEN BACKLIGHT LAMP / CCFL TUBE

The backlight lamp is the main source of light in the LCD screen. The backlight lamp is
mounted inside the screen. When the backlight lamp fails, you have to replace the whole
LCD screen. Its possible to replace just the lamp inside the screen but its very hard and has
to be performed by an experienced technician.

SCREEN CABLE / VIDEO CABLE

The video cable connects the Laptop screen to motherboard. The video cable carries data
signal for the LCD screen and power for the inverter board.

WEB CAMERA

Many modern laptops come with a web camera built into the display panel. The web camera
is not a part of the LCD screen. The web cameras is located on a separate board and can be
replaced separately from the LCD.

DISPLAY HINGES / SCREEN HINGES

The display hinges connect two main parts of any laptop the display panel and base
assembly.
AC/DC POWER ADAPTER

The AC/DC power adapter converts high voltage AC power from the mains to low voltage
DC power required by the laptop.

MAIN BATTERY

The battery is a secondary source of power for a laptop. The battery gets charged while the
laptop is plugged into the mains and keeps the laptop running when its unplugged from the
mains.