Install and Configure System Boards
In the last topic, you installed and configured CPUs. The final system component that you might need to install is the system board. In this topic, you will install and configure a system board.
The most important system component in a computer is the system board. Although you can argue a case for almost any system component as being most important, without the system board, the computer simply cannot run. It’s possible that you will be asked to either build a computer from scratch or to replace the system board in a failed computer. In either case, whether you are building a computer from scratch or repairing a failed computer, you must be prepared to install and configure a new system board.
In the last topic, you installed and configured CPUs. The final system component that you might need to install is the system board. In this topic, you will install and configure a system board.
The most important system component in a computer is the system board. Although you can argue a case for almost any system component as being most important, without the system board, the computer simply cannot run. It’s possible that you will be asked to either build a computer from scratch or to replace the system board in a failed computer. In either case, whether you are building a computer from scratch or repairing a failed computer, you must be prepared to install and configure a new system board.
System Board Selection Tips
You choose a system board based on whether it supports the components you need for the computer.
You choose a system board based on whether it supports the components you need for the computer.
System Component
RAM CPU Ports
Expansion slots Drive interfaces
Form factor Clock speed
RAM CPU Ports
Expansion slots Drive interfaces
Form factor Clock speed
Questions To Ask
Does the system board support enough RAM to meet the user’s needs?
What type of processor can you install? Can you install more than one CPU?
Does the system board have the necessary ports to meet the user’s needs? Specifically, does it have the parallel, serial, USB, and possibly even FireWire ports needed?
How many expansion slots will the user need? What types of slots does it include?
Does the system board include drive interfaces? If not, does it have enough available expansion slots to accommodate the user’s hard disk requirements?
Will the system board fit inside the case of the computer?
Does the system board operate at a high enough frequency to support the processor you want to use?
Does the system board support enough RAM to meet the user’s needs?
What type of processor can you install? Can you install more than one CPU?
Does the system board have the necessary ports to meet the user’s needs? Specifically, does it have the parallel, serial, USB, and possibly even FireWire ports needed?
How many expansion slots will the user need? What types of slots does it include?
Does the system board include drive interfaces? If not, does it have enough available expansion slots to accommodate the user’s hard disk requirements?
Will the system board fit inside the case of the computer?
Does the system board operate at a high enough frequency to support the processor you want to use?
System Board Installation Considerations
When you are replacing a system board, specific requirements need to be considered and can also depend on the manufacturer’s requirements for the system. You need to make sure you get one that fits your case. This is because the holes in the system board need to line up with the connections in the case. The system board is secured to the case using these connections. Also, when replacing the cover on the case, you must make sure the cover is properly aligned. If the cover isn’t properly aligned, it might affect the cooling system and the operation of the internal drives.
Computer Cases
The computer case is the enclosure that holds all of the components of your computer. Com- puter cases come in several formats. Some are designed to hold many internal components and have a lot of room to work around those components. These cases are usually tower cases and take up a good deal of room. Other cases are designed to use a minimum amount of space. The trade-off is that the interior of the case is often cramped, with little room for adding addi- tional components. Because the tower proved to be popular, there are now several versions of the tower model.
When you are replacing a system board, specific requirements need to be considered and can also depend on the manufacturer’s requirements for the system. You need to make sure you get one that fits your case. This is because the holes in the system board need to line up with the connections in the case. The system board is secured to the case using these connections. Also, when replacing the cover on the case, you must make sure the cover is properly aligned. If the cover isn’t properly aligned, it might affect the cooling system and the operation of the internal drives.
Computer Cases
The computer case is the enclosure that holds all of the components of your computer. Com- puter cases come in several formats. Some are designed to hold many internal components and have a lot of room to work around those components. These cases are usually tower cases and take up a good deal of room. Other cases are designed to use a minimum amount of space. The trade-off is that the interior of the case is often cramped, with little room for adding addi- tional components. Because the tower proved to be popular, there are now several versions of the tower model.
System Board Configuration and Optimization
Requirements
When you replace or install a new system board, you must ensure that it is properly configured to match the processor that it will host. In essence, you must configure the system board so that the internal and external frequencies of the processor are compatible. You accomplish this by specifying a frequency multiple. Most system boards operate at a specific speed, but some enable you to select the speed via DIP switches, jumpers, or the BIOS setup software.
DIP Switches and Jumpers
To configure older system boards, you used either DIP switches or jumpers. You might have used these switches to specify the multiplier and the CPU bus frequency. Newer system boards enable you to use software to configure these values (through the BIOS Setup program).
Power supplies have connections to other internal components as well. There are Berg and
Molex connections and a connection to the power switch for the system.
There are specific connectors, depending on the motherboard requirements, usually tied to the
CPU type. There’s the 20-pin (ATX), a 24-pin ATX connector, and the 20+4 combo (which
you can separate, or not, depending on the motherboard). This includes a 20-pin for the main
power, plus a 4-pin connector for additional CPU power. This 4-pin is sometimes known as the
Intel Pentium 4 connector. There’s also an 8-pin CPU connector that requires an ATX 2.02, or
EPS12V, PSU.
To install or upgrade the system board:
Requirements
When you replace or install a new system board, you must ensure that it is properly configured to match the processor that it will host. In essence, you must configure the system board so that the internal and external frequencies of the processor are compatible. You accomplish this by specifying a frequency multiple. Most system boards operate at a specific speed, but some enable you to select the speed via DIP switches, jumpers, or the BIOS setup software.
DIP Switches and Jumpers
To configure older system boards, you used either DIP switches or jumpers. You might have used these switches to specify the multiplier and the CPU bus frequency. Newer system boards enable you to use software to configure these values (through the BIOS Setup program).
System Board Power Connectors
The power supply connection to the system board is a keyed or unkeyed connection that enables the power supply to supply power to the internal components of the system. Keyed connectors are designed so that the plug and socket have notches that must line up in order for the plug to fit into the socket. The connection also might use a single connector or two connectors. If there are two connectors, they are labeled P8 and P9. Be sure not to switch them when you plug them in or you could damage the system board. Most systems have a single, keyed connector that is inserted only one way, which avoids damage to the system board.
The power supply connection to the system board is a keyed or unkeyed connection that enables the power supply to supply power to the internal components of the system. Keyed connectors are designed so that the plug and socket have notches that must line up in order for the plug to fit into the socket. The connection also might use a single connector or two connectors. If there are two connectors, they are labeled P8 and P9. Be sure not to switch them when you plug them in or you could damage the system board. Most systems have a single, keyed connector that is inserted only one way, which avoids damage to the system board.
Specific Connectors
How to Install and Configure System Boards
Procedure Reference: Install or Upgrade a System Board
Procedure Reference: Install or Upgrade a System Board
you are upgrading the computer’s system board, remove the original system board.
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Shut down the system and unplug the power cord.
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Disconnect all external devices.
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Remove the system cover.
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Remove all expansion cards and store them in anti-static bags. (Before removing
components from the system board, you might want to take a picture of the
assembled board so that you can use it as a reference when you reconnect the com-
ponents later.)
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Disconnect cables from the system board, marking each cable as to what it connects
to and where it goes.
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Unscrew the system board from the case.
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Lift the system board out of the case. On some systems, after lifting the system
board over the pin(s), you will need to slide it out of the case.
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Place the new system board into the case and align the mounting holes.
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Secure the system board to the case.
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Install RAM and processor(s) on the new system board. Some sources recommend
installing these components prior to installing the system board. If you do this, be
careful not to bend the board or mash any connectors on the bottom side of the sys-
tem board as you insert the components.
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Reinstall cards and cables removed from the old system board.
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Replace the system cover.
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