Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Personal Computer 15bridge controls access to the RAM, video card, and the speeds at which the CPU can communicatewith them. The video card is sometimes integrated into the northbridge. Thesouthbridge, in most cases, allows the CPU to communicate with the hard drives, soundcard, USB ports, and other input/output (I/O) ports.Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics ofCPUsThe central processing unit (CPU) is considered the computer’s brain. It is sometimescalled the processor. Most calculations take place in the CPU. In terms of computing power,the CPU is the most important element of a computer system. CPUs come in different formfactors, each style requiring a particular slot or socket on the motherboard. Common CPUmanufacturers include Intel and AMD.The CPU socket or slot is the connector that is the interface between the motherboard andthe processor. Most CPU sockets and processors in use today are built around the pin gridarray (PGA) architecture, in which the pins on the underside of the processor are insertedinto the socket, usually with zero insertion force (ZIF). ZIF refers to the amount of forceneeded to install a CPU into the motherboard socket or slot. Slot-based processors are cartridge-shapedand fit into a slot that looks similar to an expansion slot. Tables 1-2 through1-8 list common CPU socket specifications.Table 1-2CPU Socket Specifications: Intel/AMD 486 ClassSocket Pins Layout Voltage Supported ProcessorsSocket 1 169 17×17 PGA 5 V 486 SX/SX2, DX/DX2, DX4 ODSocket 2 238 19×19 PGA 5 V 486 SX/SX2, DX/DX2, DX4 OD, 486Pentium ODSocket 3 237 19×19 PGA 5 /3.3 V 486 SX/SX2, DX/DX2, DX4, 486Pentium OD, AMD 5x86Socket 6 235 19×19 PGA 3.3 V 486 DX4, 486 Pentium ODTable 1-3CPU Socket Specifications: Intel/AMD 586 (Pentium) ClassSocket Pins Layout Voltage Supported ProcessorsSocket 4 273 21×21 PGA 5 V Pentium 60/66, ODSocket 5 320 37×37 SPGA 3.3 V/3.5 V Pentium 75-133, ODSocket 7 321 37×37 SPGA VRM Pentium 75-233+, MMX, OD, AMDK5/K6, Cyrix M1/ll