Core 1 (1101) hardware fundamentals
Motherboard Components
| Component | Purpose | Key Info |
|---|
| CPU Socket | Houses processor | LGA (Intel), AM4/AM5 (AMD) |
| RAM Slots | Memory modules | DDR4/DDR5, dual-channel |
| Chipset | Manages communication | Northbridge/Southbridge (legacy) |
| BIOS/UEFI | Firmware | Boot settings, hardware config |
| CMOS Battery | Maintains BIOS settings | CR2032, replace if settings lost |
Expansion Slots
PCIe x16
Graphics cards, high bandwidth
PCIe x4/x1
Network, sound, storage cards
SATA
Storage drives, optical drives
Power Supply (PSU)
- ATX 24-pin: Main motherboard power
- 4/8-pin CPU: Processor power
- 6/8-pin PCIe: Graphics card power
- SATA power: Storage devices
- 80 Plus: Efficiency rating (Bronze, Gold, Platinum)
Exam Focus Areas
- DDR4 = 288 pins, DDR5 = 288 pins (not interchangeable)
- NVMe is faster than SATA SSD (uses PCIe lanes)
- ECC RAM for servers - error correction
- Always use anti-static precautions when handling components
