Overview of new motherboards

Regardless of whether to attach a new graphics card, upgrade a hard disk or replace a power supply with a larger capacity, you will definitely have to open the case and take a few operations directly to the motherboard (mainboard).

If you haven't done this in the last one or two years, you may not be able to identify everything inside. For example, most new motherboards are equipped with PCI Express x16 slots or many other connector types. This article fully introduces the current internal BMC components.

CPU: Usually, it is very rare to have to replace the processor (CPU) and the CPU upgrade is also less effective. However, the new CPUs operate more "hot" so you will notice more heat sinks inside the chassis. It is important that you regularly clean the dirt on these slots as this is the reason for the inefficient heat dissipation. If you want to speed up your computer with a higher speed CPU, you must also upgrade the cooling fan to the CPU. Besides, the addition of hard disk, high-end graphics card or CPU overclocking can also cause the system to overheat. For more information on computer cooling, you can refer to the article "Cool wind inside the PC" on TGV A-2/2002 t.85.

RAM: Upgrading RAM is often the simplest and most economical way to enhance the "energy" for the computer. However, the RAM category is always changing and currently DDR2 RAM is the latest and supports the highest speed. In fact, the hardest part of upgrading RAM is finding the right type and capacity of the RAM modules used for your computer. Please refer to the article "Speed ​​up memory for PC" on TGVT A-10/2000 t.111 for step by step instructions on how to install RAM.

Figure 1: Check the situation of using FreeMem memory for free.

In addition, to regularly monitor memory usage status, you can download the free FreeMem utility.

PCI Express slot: Most high-end computers are now equipped with PCI Express (PCIe) expansion slots along with standard PCI slots. The PCI Express standard slot supports 30 times higher bandwidth than the PCI standard and is really capable of completely replacing both PCI and AGP slots. Fortunately, sound cards, network cards and many old PCI expansion cards will still be "live" for a while as most BMC currently support PCI and PCI Express slots simultaneously.

However, you may not be able to use your AGP standard graphics card with future PC generations. In the United States, most of the new BMC motherboards use PCI Express x16 slots for graphics cards, not AGP slots. Systems that support AGP 8x and PCI Express x16 simultaneously are in the development phase, although the chip maker Uli has announced a new chipset that supports both AGP 8x and PCI Express x16.

PCI Express slots have different lengths, depending on the amount of data that can be supported. The PCI Express x1 slot replaces the standard PCI slot, is about 1 "(or 26mm) long and can support up to 250 MBps of I / O data at the same time. PCI Express x16 slot, like slots Regular PCI, it is possible to replace the AGP graphics card slot with a length of 90 mm (about 3.5 "). A PCI Express x16 slot can transfer data 16 times faster than slot x1: 4 GBps data input / output at the same time.

In addition, to see the bandwidth comparison table between PCI Express and AGP, you can refer to the article " Graphics power: Time of PCI Express " (ID: A0411_137).

SATA: Serial ATA (SATA) replaces the slower parallel ATA standard (also known as PATA or EIDE), used to date to connect hard disks and optical drives to BMC. SATA ports first appeared on BMCs two years ago and many BMCs now support SATA and PATA simultaneously.

The SATA connector is smaller than the PATA connector and supports only one drive. Therefore, you do not need to care about jumpers to set up a master or slave disk as in the case of using PATA standard. Smaller SATA cables are less likely to cause clutter inside the chassis like when using PATA cables and most importantly, smaller cables minimize the risk of causing "overheating" inside the case (larger PATA cables can be obstructing air flow in the case). Moreover, SATA connectors easily extend beyond the case for use with external hard disks and optical drives.

SATA drives require a special power connector instead of the standard 5V connector still used for IDE drives. Many new computers come with a SATA power connector, but usually not on older machines, and you need to add an adapter for $ 5 to $ 10.

Sound and image

DVI port: Most monitors and new graphics cards support Digital Video Interface (DVI) connectors instead of the VGA connectors used in conventional CRT monitors. DVI port type only transfers image signal, without audio.

HDMI port: Some high-end computers also have High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. The HDMI connector is shaped like a standard USB connector but is smaller and easier to use than a DVI connector. This connector is capable of transmitting both video and audio signals, very suitable for home entertainment systems. However, it should be noted that HDMI uses HDCP anti-piracy technology that allows digital content providers to control the number of times customers copy HDTV and other high-definition content.

To mount a computer or graphics card using DVI port with monitor with HDMI port (or vice versa), you need an adapter, such as High Performance HDMI to DVI Video Adapter (30 USD, find.pcworld). com / 49358).

S / PDIF port: Normally, all digital audio signals (digital) must be converted into analog (analog) format. In the computer, the sound card is responsible for converting digital audio signals into analogs, and then transmitting them to the speakers. Digital speakers, using a USB connector, perform digital audio conversion to the same format right inside the speaker.

The longer the sound is kept in digital form, the better the quality. And that is why many high-end and medium-sized computers are now equipped with Sony / Philips Digital Interface Format (S / PDIF) ports used to transmit digital signals directly from BMC to speakers (without a card). any other sound or peripheral device. Find a small square connector - called a TOSlink connector - on the back of the machine or on the sound card.

Bui Xuan Toai
PC World USA