Day 29. PC Component Installation, Part 1

• Objective 1.4: Install and configure PC expansion cards.
• Objective 1.5: Install and configure storage devices, and use appropriate media.
• Objective 1.6: Install various types of CPUs and apply the appropriate cooling methods.

Multicore CPUs can be combined with Hyper-Threading to enable the processor to work on as many as 20 threads or even more at the same time. Both Intel and AMD have processors with multiple cores.

CPU cache is made up of very high-speed RAM called static RAM (SRAM). SRAM is much faster than DRAM, but it is also much more expensive. Because SRAM is expensive and resides in the CPU package, the amount of storage is very limited.

There are three levels of CPU cache: L1, L2, and L3. L1, the fastest and smallest of the three, is built right in to the CPU and is where the processor stores the most commonly used instructions. L1 cache is very small—for example, a four-core processor can have only 32 KB for each CPU core. If the processor does not find the instructions it needs in L1 cache, it will then look in L2 cache.

L2 cache also is built right in to the CPU. This RAM is slower than L1 but is still much faster than DRAM. L2 cache stores frequently used data, but not as frequently used as the data in L1. L2 cache is a larger cache than L1. For example, a four-core processor can have 256 KB for each CPU core. If the processor does not find the instructions it needs in this cache, it will move to the largest and slowest cache, L3.

L3 cache may be the slowest of the three, but it is still much faster than DRAM. When the CPU cannot find the instructions it needs in L3, it will look to DRAM to find them. There is more L3 cache RAM than any other type of CPU cache. For example, a four-core processor can have 8 MB of cache. L3 cache is unlike L1 or L2, whereas it is shared between all the CPU cores.

There are two types of virtualization. The first type is where the guest installations, or virtual machines (VMs), run on dedicated hardware. This is known as a Type 1 hypervisor. A Type 2 hypervisor is a program that runs inside an OS to host additional OSes within it. With either type, multiple instances of multiple types of OSes can be run simultaneously.

It is important to note that a computer used for virtualization requires robust hardware. The more OSes that need to run, the more powerful the CPU needs to be and the more RAM the computer must have installed. Also, because each VM is stored as a large file, hard drive space must be available for each one.

For Type 2 hypervisors, the CPU must support virtualization. Both Intel and AMD CPUs use special extensions to support virtualization. Intel uses the VT extension, whereas AMD uses the AMD-V extension. The motherboard chipset, BIOS/UEFI, and CPU must support virtualization technology.

Today, the CPU is manufactured with a 64-bit (x64) architecture. The registers are much wider and therefore can theoretically address 256 terabytes! When using an x64 CPU, the OS must support the architecture as well. Although older programs based on x86 architecture usually are compatible with x64 OSes, x64 OSes and programs are not usable with a x86 CPU.

An integrated GPU is fine for basic computing, especially in laptops, but for modern games, a separate, powerful graphics card is necessary. Even if the CPU or motherboard has an integrated GPU, a graphics card can still be installed. You might need to turn off the integrated GPU in the BIOS/UEFI.

To use the NX bit, the OS must support its function. When enabled in the OS, the OS is able to mark areas of memory so that no code can be executed from these areas. This prevents malicious programs from being able to inject code into areas of memory where other programs are stored.

Very often, a fan is attached to the top of the heat sink to blow cool air down onto the heat sink, rapidly removing the hot air from the fins. This is known as an active heat sink. The more powerful the CPU, the larger the fan needs to be or the faster the fan needs to spin to dissipate more heat.

In a liquid-based cooling solution, a cooling block is installed on top of the CPU instead of a heat sink. Hoses are attached to the cooling block to carry coolant to and from the cooling block. The other ends of the hoses are attached to a radiator outside the case.

This solution is similar to the cooling of an engine block. Coolant heats up in the cooling block and is pumped through the hose to the radiator, where it is dissipated into the air. The coolant is then returned to the cooling block.

This solution is risky. If leaks develop, the CPU and motherboard can be damaged. If the water pump fails or if air becomes trapped in the hoses, the CPU will overheat.

To install the CPU, first remove any cover installed in the CPU socket. Unlatch the retaining lever and lift it fully. For Intel sockets, lift the retaining bracket.

The next step is to locate pin 1 on the socket and pin 1 on the CPU, as shown in Figure 29-1. Make sure that the CPU is aligned correctly, and gently place it in the socket. For an Intel CPU, lower the retaining bracket. Finally, lower the retaining lever and latch it into place.

The final step is to apply a cooling solution. Follow the instructions that came with the CPU or thermal paste, and apply the paste. Attach the cooling solution using the instructions that came with it and the motherboard to ensure that it is installed properly. Don’t forget to connect the fan cable to the motherboard fan connector.

Finally, note the location of the notch in each stick and the orientation of where that notch will fit into the socket. Press each stick into the socket, straight down and firmly until the locking latch(es) click into the locked position.

Next, install the I/O plate into the back of the case. Be sure to install it from the inside and align it with the orientation of the connectors on the back of the motherboard, which are shown in Figure 29-2.

Finally, place the motherboard on the standoffs and the connectors into the holes in the I/O plate. Secure the motherboard to the standoffs using the screws supplied with the motherboard.

The steps to installing most expansion cards are basically the same. First, locate the proper expansion slot for the card and remove the cover that aligns to the slot from the back of the case. Next, press the card firmly into the slot and make sure it is seated all the way into the slot. Some slots have a locking latch that will click into place when the card is fully seated. Finally, secure the card to the case with a screw where the cover was removed.

After the card is successfully installed, connect any internal or external cables. Start the computer and let the OS find and install drivers, or install the drivers manually. Configure the expansion card using the software that came with the card or through the appropriate Control Panel application.

• Video cards—Video cards can be large, sometimes taking up two slots. Most often, they have fans, so it is a good idea not to install a card right next to the video card if possible. Video cards also might need additional power from the power supply.
• TV tuner cards—A TV tuner card needs to be connected to a signal source. This can be from cable TV or from an antenna.
• Video capture cards—Video capture cards require a source. Install this card where it can be most easily accessed for plugging in wires from the source.
• Sound cards—Sound cards can have multiple analog connections, a digital connection, or both. Make sure you have the proper connections for your speakers and microphones.

• Network cards—Make sure you have drivers for these cards. You can’t download new drivers for anything else unless your network connection already works!
• Modem cards—Older modems use older slots. Check that you have the correct slot available for your modem.
• Wireless/cellular cards—These cards often have an antenna that needs to be connected to the back of the card after installation.

• USB cards—Some USB cards have connectors for cables inside the computer. These can connect to ports on the front of the computer case.
• FireWire cards—The ports on this card look similar to USB ports. Do not confuse them.
• Thunderbolt cards—Use fiber if you need to connect devices more than 3 meters away.

• Storage cards—There are numerous different types of storage cards. Be sure to install memory on the card itself if it is required.
• Riser cards—This expansion device plugs into a motherboard to provide expansion slots of its own. Make sure there is enough space for this type of card.

Magnetic hard drives spin at very high speeds. The higher the speed, the faster the drive can read and write data to the platters. Most hard drives spin at 5400 rpm, 7200 rpm, or 10000 rpm.

Hybrid storage drives also are available. These combine an HDD with flash memory. These drives are faster than HDDs but slower than SSDs.

Many electronic devices use flash memory cards to store data. Often, a reading device can be installed that will read several types of memory cards. After attaching the device to the drive bay, they most commonly are connected to an internal USB connection. Available cards include Compact Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD), miniSD, microSD, and xD.

Another type of flash storage—mostly used in mobile devices—is embedded MMC (eMMC). eMMC has very fast data transfer rates.

There are four common RAID levels, each with its own pros and cons. RAID type 0 does not provide fault tolerance, but it does increase data storage and retrieval speed. Table 29-4 describes the basics of the RAID levels.