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Chapter 2 - summary

Chapter 2 covers essential components of computer systems, focusing on power supplies, cooling systems, storage devices, system memory, and CPUs. It explains the functions and types of power supplies, the differences between SSDs and HDDs, and the architecture and performance features of CPUs. Key concepts include power regulation, storage technologies, memory types, and CPU compatibility.

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3 views

Chapter 2 - summary

Chapter 2 covers essential components of computer systems, focusing on power supplies, cooling systems, storage devices, system memory, and CPUs. It explains the functions and types of power supplies, the differences between SSDs and HDDs, and the architecture and performance features of CPUs. Key concepts include power regulation, storage technologies, memory types, and CPU compatibility.

Uploaded by

rowanrajah25
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 2 – summary

1. Power Supplies and Cooling


Understanding Power Supplies
 Power Supply Unit (PSU): Converts AC (from wall outlets) to low-voltage
DC for PC components.
o Contains:

 Rectifier – Converts AC to DC.


 Transformers – Reduce voltage levels.
 Filters/Regulators – Ensure consistent power output.
 Cooling Fan – Dissipates heat.
 PSU Form Factors:
o ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended): Standard for most
desktops.
o Form factor determines compatibility with the system case and
motherboard.
 Voltage Compatibility:
o Low-line (120 VAC): Standard in North America.

o High-line (230 VAC): Used in Europe and data centers.

o Auto-Switching PSU: Adjusts to voltage automatically.

o Manual Switch PSU: Requires manual voltage selection.

Power Supply Ratings


 Wattage Rating: Measures the power output (W = V × I).
o Typical PSU Ratings:

 Standard Desktop: 200–300W


 Workstations/Servers: 300W+
 Gaming PCs: 500W+
Power Connectors
 P1 Connector: Main 20-pin or 24-pin connector for motherboards.
o 20-pin: Older ATX models.

o 24-pin: Supports advanced features (PCIe, multiple GPUs).

 Other Connectors:
o Molex: 4-pin connector for legacy devices (5V, 12V).

o SATA Power: Powers modern drives (HDD, SSD).

o 4/6/8-pin CPU Power: Supplies power to the processor.

 Modular PSU: Cables are detachable to reduce clutter and improve


airflow.
 Redundant Power Supplies:
o Found in servers for failover protection.

o Hot-Swappable: Faulty PSUs can be replaced without shutting


down the system.

Cooling Systems
1. Fan Cooling:
o Heat Sink: Passive metal block (usually aluminum or copper) that
draws heat away from components.
o Thermal Paste: Ensures efficient heat transfer between CPU and
heat sink.
o Case Fans: Circulate air within the case—cool air drawn from the
front and hot air expelled from the rear.
o Smart Fans: Controlled by temperature sensors to adjust speed as
needed.
2. Liquid Cooling:
o Used for high-performance systems (e.g., gaming PCs).

o Components:

 Water Loop & Pump: Circulates coolant.


 Water Blocks: Attached to hot components (CPU, GPU).
 Radiator & Fans: Expels heat outside the case.
o Requires periodic maintenance (cleaning and refilling coolant).

2. Storage Devices
Mass Storage Technologies
 Non-Volatile Storage: Retains data when the system is off.
 Types:
o Magnetic (HDD): Spinning platters with magnetic coating.

o Optical (CD/DVD/Blu-ray): Data read with lasers.


o Solid-State (SSD): Uses flash memory—faster and more durable.

Storage Form Factors:


 5.25-inch: Optical drives (CD, DVD, Blu-ray).
 3.5-inch: Desktop HDDs.
 2.5-inch: Laptops and smaller SSDs.

Solid-State Drives (SSD)


 Faster than HDDs due to no moving parts.
 More durable but can degrade after many write operations.
 Wear Leveling: Evenly distributes write cycles across the drive to extend
lifespan.

Hard Disk Drives (HDD)


 Slower and prone to mechanical failure.
 Stores data on spinning platters:
o Tracks → Sectors → Clusters (basic unit of storage).

 Common for large data storage needs.

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)


 Combines multiple drives for performance or redundancy.
 RAID Types:
o RAID 0: Striping – Fast but no redundancy.

o RAID 1: Mirroring – Copies data on two drives (redundant).

o RAID 5: Striping + Parity – Balance of speed and fault tolerance


(needs ≥3 drives).
o RAID 10: Combination of RAID 1 & 0 – High speed and redundancy.

 Hot-Swappable: Failed drives can be replaced without shutting down (in


hardware RAID systems).

Removable Storage
1. USB Flash Drives: Portable flash memory.
2. Memory Cards: Expandable storage for cameras and mobile devices
(e.g., SD cards).
3. Optical Drives: CD/DVD/Blu-ray for data storage and media playback.

3. System Memory (RAM)


RAM and Virtual Memory
 RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary storage for running
applications.
 Virtual Memory: Uses part of the hard drive (pagefile) to extend RAM.

RAM Types
 DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM):
o DDR3: Older but still common.

o DDR4: Faster and more power-efficient.

o DDR5: Latest with highest speed and efficiency.

Memory Channels
 Single Channel: 64-bit pathway (slower).
 Dual Channel: 128-bit pathway (faster).
 Multi-Channel: Further improves data transfer speed.

Error Correcting Code (ECC) RAM


 Detects and corrects data errors.
 Used in servers and mission-critical systems.
 Requires compatible motherboard and CPU.

4. CPUs (Central Processing Units)


CPU Architecture
 Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle:
1. Fetches instruction from memory.
2. Decodes the instruction.
3. Executes the instruction.

CPU Performance Features


 Clock Speed: Measured in GHz (cycles per second).
 Multithreading (SMT/Hyper-Threading):
o Executes multiple threads per core to improve performance.

 Multicore Processors:
o CPUs with 2+ cores for improved multitasking (e.g., 8C/16T = 8
cores, 16 threads).
 Virtualization (VT/AMD-V): Enables running multiple OS via virtual
machines (VMs).

CPU Socket Types


 LGA (Land Grid Array): Intel CPUs (pins on the motherboard).
 PGA (Pin Grid Array): AMD CPUs (pins on the CPU).
 ZIF (Zero Insertion Force): Ensures safe, easy CPU installation.

CPU Compatibility
 CPUs are vendor-specific (Intel vs. AMD).
 Each motherboard supports a specific socket and CPU generation.
 Categories:
o Desktop: General-use PCs (budget to high-end gaming).

o Workstation: High-performance PCs for specialized tasks (e.g.,


CAD, video editing).
o Server: Multi-core, multi-socket systems for heavy workloads.

o Mobile: Power-efficient CPUs for laptops and tablets.

Summary of Key Concepts:


1. Understand how PSUs deliver and regulate power.
2. Differentiate between SSD vs. HDD and their roles in RAID.
3. Identify DDR memory types, channels, and ECC.
4. Master the CPU architecture—multithreading, cores, and virtualization.

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