Form Factors, Motherboards, RAM, and CPUs

The 4 main motherboard form factors discussed in TestOut 3.1 are:

• ATX, BTX, CTX, DTX
• ATX, ITX, NLX, BTX
• WWE, NXT, TNA, WCW
• ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX

When you purchase a computer case, it will usually come with the following EXCEPT:

• CPU
• Power Supply
• Case Fans
• Screws and Standoffs

Notebook (or laptop) cases are:

• All the same
• Never the same
• Proprietary (each company makes their own)
• Designed to be able to add extras (like extra RAM, extra Video cards, etc.)

You will find all of the following connections on most motherboards EXCEPT:

• CPU Socket
• RAM Memory Slots
• Expansion Slots (for graphics cards, sound cards, network cards, etc.)
• Hip and Elbow Socket

I/O connectors for external components are located on the back of the motherboard. These connectors typically include the following:

• PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard Ports, USB ports, Audio jacks
• Phone ports, TV ports, wifi antennas, and parallel ports
• RAM slots, CPU socket, Expansion Slots, and Chipset
• Penny Slots, Nickel Slots, Quarter Slots, and Dollar Slots

An example of firmware for a computer is:

• USB
• HDMI
• BIOS
• SCSI

The two major CPU (Processor) manufacturers are:

• Barnes and Noble
• Intel and AMD
• Microsoft and Apple
• Ben and Jerry

Modern CPUs can typically process how many bits of information at a time:

• 16 or 32 GB
• 1 or 2 TB
• 32 or 64 bits
• 256 or 512 megapixels

CPU speed (or frequency) is measured in:

• Megahertz (MHz)
• Gigabytes (GB)
• Watts (W)
• Volts (V)

The following are all drawbacks to overclocking your processor EXCEPT:

• Voids the warranty
• Shortens the lifespan of the cpu
• Runs at a higher temperature
• Runs at a faster speed