Intel i3 Motherboard Layout Guide
Intel i3 Motherboard Layout Guide
The motherboard layout of Intel i3 processor typically follows the standard ATX
(Advanced Technology eXtended) form factor. The CPU socket, where the Intel i3
processor is installed, is located in the upper left-hand corner of the motherboard.
The motherboard also features memory slots, expansion slots, power connectors, and
storage connectors, among others. The H67 and P67 chipsets connect to the
processor through the LGA1155 socket, which is also located in the upper left-hand
corner of the motherboard. The chipset communicates with other components on
the motherboard, including the RAM, graphics card, and storage devices.
1. Memory Slots: The motherboard typically features two to four memory slots
where the RAM is installed.
2. Expansion Slots: These slots allow users to install graphics cards, sound cards,
network cards, and other expansion cards.
3. Power Connectors: The motherboard features power connectors that connect
to the power supply unit (PSU) to provide power to the various components
on the motherboard.
4. Storage Connectors: The motherboard features storage connectors such as
SATA and M.2 slots that allow users to connect storage devices such as hard
drives and solid-state drives.
5. USB Ports: The motherboard features USB ports that allow users to connect
USB devices such as keyboards, mice, and external hard drives.
6. Audio Connectors: The motherboard features audio connectors for speakers,
headphones, and microphones.
In summary, the motherboard layout of Intel i3 processor follows the ATX form factor
with the CPU socket in the upper left-hand corner. The motherboard features various
connections such as memory slots, expansion slots, power connectors, storage
connectors, USB ports, and audio connectors, among others, that connect and
communicate with the Intel i3 processor.
The H67 chipset is a motherboard component that is commonly used with Intel i3
processors. The layout of the H67 chipset can vary slightly depending on the
manufacturer and specific motherboard model, but typically, it features the following
components:
In summary, the H67 chipset layout includes the Northbridge and Southbridge chips,
expansion slots, storage connectors, USB ports, and audio connectors. These
components allow for the communication and control of the various components on
the motherboard with the Intel i3 processor.
Practical 2 Perform Basic Input/output System (BIOS) setting
and configuration setup using Complementary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor (CMOS).
a general guide on how to perform basic BIOS settings and configuration setup using
CMOS.
1. Turn on the computer and immediately press the key to enter the BIOS setup.
The key varies depending on the computer manufacturer and model but
commonly used keys are F2, F10, or Del.
2. Once inside the BIOS setup, navigate to the CMOS setup utility. The location
of the CMOS setup utility varies depending on the BIOS version, but it is
usually found under the Advanced or Main tab.
3. Configure the system date and time under the Date/Time tab. This is
important for correct system operation and timestamps for files.
4. Configure the boot order of the computer under the Boot tab. The boot order
determines the sequence in which the computer searches for bootable
devices.
5. Configure the system performance settings such as CPU speed, RAM timings,
and voltage settings under the Performance tab.
6. Configure the power management settings such as standby mode and sleep
mode under the Power Management tab.
7. Configure the integrated peripherals such as USB ports, SATA controllers, and
audio under the Integrated Peripherals tab.
8. Save the changes made to the CMOS setup utility by pressing the key to save
the settings and exit the BIOS setup. The key to save and exit varies
depending on the computer manufacturer and model but commonly used
keys are F10 or F12.
9. The computer will restart with the new BIOS settings and configuration setup.
It is important to note that accessing and modifying the BIOS settings and
configuration setup should only be done by experienced users as incorrect settings
may cause the computer to malfunction. It is also recommended to backup the
original settings before making any changes.
1. Insert the Windows installation media (e.g. DVD or USB drive) into the
computer and boot from it.
2. Follow the prompts to begin the installation process.
3. When prompted to select an installation location, choose the partition that
was created on the HDD.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the installation process, including selecting
the language, entering the product key, and creating a user account.
1
Make sure that you're using a Windows computer. While it's technically
possible to replace an iMac hard drive, doing so is incredibly difficult and could
void your warranty. Windows desktop computers, on the other hand, tend to be
fairly easy to tinker with.
• If you want to install a hard drive on a Mac computer, you can
take it to an Apple professional and have them help you.
2
Back up your computer's data. If you're removing an existing hard drive from
your computer, back up its information so that you can restore the information
later.
• If you want to keep your original hard drive installed,
consider adding a second hard drive instead. Alternatively, you
can clone an existing hard drive to a newer one.
• You can back up your data using another hard drive or external
device, or using a cloud storage service, like Google Drive,
iCloud, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
3
Make sure you are able to install a hard drive on your computer. Before
you go purchasing a new hard drive for your computer, make sure you are able
to install a new hard drive on your computer. If you want to install a second
hard drive on your desktop PC, make sure it has an expansion slot that allows
you to install a second hard drive. If you have an all-in-one PC monitor, make
sure the hard drive inside the monitor is replaceable.
4
Buy a hard drive that is compatible with your desktop motherboard. SATA
is the most common hard drive type for modern computers, though many
newer motherboards support M.2 SSD hard drives, which are much smaller and
often faster than SATA drives (if the drive and your motherboard support
NVMe).[1]
• SATA drives come in two sizes. 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) SATA drives
are used in most desktop computers. All-in-one PC monitors
may require a 2.7 inch (6.9 cm) SATA drive.
• Solid State Drive (SSD) vs. Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Hard Disk
Drives are mechanical disk drives. They are usually slower, but
less expensive. Solid-state drives have no moving parts. They
are much faster, quieter, and more expensive. You can also
purchase a hybrid HDD/SSD drive.
5
Shut off and unplug your computer. To shut down your computer, click the
Windows Start icon and the power icon in the Start menu. Click Shut Down to
turn off your computer. You can also press and hold the power button on your
laptop keyboard, or desktop PC tower to shut down your computer. Unplug
your computer and press the power button to exhaust any residual electricity
in the computer electronics.
6
Ground yourself. This will prevent electrostatic shock from damaging the
components of your computer. You can ground yourself by touching something
metal while you work, or purchasing static wrist bands that you wear while you
work inside your computer.
7
Remove your computer panel. You will most likely need a Phillips
screwdriver. Remove the side panel of the computer tower. You may need to
remove both sides of the computer tower.
8
Remove the old drive. The way a hard drive is mounted varies from one
computer case to the next.[2] If you are removing an old hard drive, make sure
any and all cables are disconnected from both the motherboard and the power
supply. You may need to remove more cables or cards in order to access the
hard drives in a tight case.
• Drive Bays: Some computer cases have a drive bay that you
slide the hard drive into and then secure it by fastening it to the
chassis with screws. If this is the case, remove the screws and
then slide the hard drive out of the drive bay.
• Drive Cages: In some computer cases, the hard drive is
mounted to a metal or plastic drive cage that is then inserted
into the computer case. The hard drive may be secured to the
drive cage using screws, or it may be a toolless drive cage that
uses pins and clips that fasten to the hard drive. If your
computer case uses a drive cage, remove the screws or detach
the clips that secure it to the computer chassis, and then slide
the cage out with the hard drive inside.
9
Transfer the drive cage to the new hard drive (if present). If your computer
case uses a drive cage, remove all the screws and pull the old hard drive out.
Place the new hard drive in the same enclosure and secure it with the screws. If
you have a toolless drive cage, pull the sides away from the hard drive to
unfasten it, and then slide the hard drive out of the drive cage.
10
Secure the hard drive. Once the hard drive has been inserted, use the screws
that came with it to secure the hard drive in the drive cage. Ideally, you should
use two screws on each side of the hard drive. If the hard drive is loose, it can
rattle and cause more noise and lead to physical damage.
• Tighten the screws to a firm tightness but don't over-tighten as
that may cause damage as well.
• If you are using a toolless drive cage, make sure the hard drive is
securely fastened to the clips and pins of the mounting bracket.
11
Slide the hard drive back into the case. Go ahead and slide the hard drive
back into the hard drive bay in the computer chassis. If needed, secure it using
screws.
12
Attach the drive to the motherboard. Newer hard drives will use SATA
cables, which are thin and resemble USB cables. Use a SATA cable to connect
the hard drive to the motherboard. SATA cables can be connected in either
direction.
• If you are connecting your primary hard drive, the SATA cable
should be plugged into the first SATA channel. This may be
labeled SATA0 or SATA1. Refer to your motherboard
documentation for detailed information on your motherboard.
13
Connect the power supply to the hard drive. Most newer power supplies
have SATA power connectors, though older power supplies typically only have
Molex (4 pin) connectors. If this is the case, and you are installing a SATA drive,
you will need a Molex-to-SATA adapter.
• Ensure that none of the cables can come undone by wiggling
them a little bit.
14
Close up your computer. Replace the case sides and reconnect your cables if
you had to move the case to work on the inside.[3]
15
Plug in your computer and power it back on. You should hear the hard drive
begin to spin up.
• If you hear beeps or any jarring noises, immediately turn off the
computer and check the hard drive's connections.
16
Format the hard drive. If you are installing a new primary hard drive, you will
need to install Windows. If you are installing the new hard drive as a secondary
drive, you will need to format the new hard drive. Use the following steps to do
so on Windows:[4]
• Right-click the Windows Start menu and click Disk
Management.
• Locate the new hard drive. It will probably be listed as
"Unallocated."
• Right-click the new hard drive and click New simple volume.
• Click Next in the dialog box.
• Leave the drive space as it is and click Next.
• Enter a new drive letter (or leave it as it is) and click Next.
• Click Next and then click Finish.
It is important to note that formatting and partitioning an HDD will erase all existing
data on the drive, so it is important to back up any important data before
proceeding.
1. Platters: These are the circular disks that are coated with a magnetic material. Data is
stored on the platters in the form of magnetic patterns. A typical HDD can have multiple
platters stacked on top of each other.
2. Read/Write Heads: These are small electromechanical devices that are used to read and
write data on the platters. The read/write heads move back and forth across the platters,
reading and writing data using magnetic fields.
3. Actuator Arm: This is an arm that holds the read/write heads and moves them across the
platters to access the data.
4. Voice Coil: The voice coil is responsible for moving the actuator arm and the read/write
heads. It works on the principle of electromagnetic induction, where a current is passed
through a coil of wire, creating a magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnet
on the actuator arm, causing it to move.
5. Spindle Motor: The spindle motor is responsible for rotating the platters at a constant
speed. This allows the read/write heads to access the data on the platters.
6. Controller Board: The controller board is the brain of the HDD. It consists of a
microprocessor and firmware that control the various components of the HDD. The
controller board also handles communication between the HDD and the computer.
7. Cache: The cache is a small amount of high-speed memory that is used to temporarily
store frequently accessed data. This allows the HDD to access data more quickly and
improves overall performance.
8. Interface: The interface is the connection between the HDD and the computer. Common
interfaces include SATA, SCSI, and SAS.
These components work together to store and retrieve data on the HDD. The platters, read/write
heads, and actuator arm work together to read and write data, while the spindle motor ensures
that the platters are rotating at a constant speed. The controller board controls the functions of
all components, communicates with the computer, and ensures that data is read and written
correctly. The cache and interface help to improve performance and ensure that data is
transferred quickly and efficiently.
Functions of the HDD components:
The function of a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is to store and retrieve digital data on a long-term basis.
It is a non-volatile storage device, which means that it retains data even when the computer is
turned off.
When data is written to an HDD, it is stored on the platters in the form of magnetic patterns. The
read/write heads access this data by moving across the platters and reading the magnetic
patterns. The actuator arm moves the read/write heads to the correct location on the platters to
access the data.
The spindle motor rotates the platters at a constant speed, allowing the read/write heads to
access the data quickly and efficiently. The controller board controls the functions of all
components, communicates with the computer, and ensures that data is read and written
correctly.
HDDs are commonly used in desktop computers, laptops, servers, and other electronic devices
for long-term data storage. They are widely available, affordable, and offer large storage
capacities, making them an ideal choice for storing large amounts of data, such as operating
systems, applications, documents, and media files.
In summary, the HDD is a complex storage device that uses multiple components to
store and retrieve data. Understanding the layout, characteristics, and functions of
these components can help users make informed decisions when choosing an HDD
for their computing needs.
That's it! With the VGA or SVGA display card successfully installed, you should be able to enjoy
improved graphics and visual performance on your computer.
Practical 6 Install and understand the working of printer
A printer is an output device that prints text or graphics on paper or other print
media. There are various types of printers available, but the most common ones are
inkjet printers and laser printers.
Inkjet printers work by spraying tiny droplets of ink onto the paper through a print
head that moves back and forth across the page. The ink cartridges contain different
colored ink, and the printer mixes these colors to create the desired color output. The
print head moves across the page in a series of horizontal lines, laying down ink
droplets as it goes, until the entire image or document has been printed.
Laser printers, on the other hand, use a toner cartridge that contains a powder made
up of tiny particles of toner. The printer heats up the toner particles and transfers
them onto the paper in the form of an electrostatic charge. The toner is then fused
onto the paper using heat, resulting in a high-quality printout.
Before printing, the user sends the document to be printed to the printer through a
cable or wireless connection. The printer receives the data and converts it into a
format that can be understood by the print head or toner cartridge. The printer then
prints the document by moving the print head or toner cartridge across the page
and depositing ink or toner onto the paper.
1. Make sure your modem is compatible with your computer and your internet
service provider (ISP).
2. Connect the modem to your computer using an Ethernet cable or USB cable,
depending on the type of modem you have.
3. Connect the modem to a power outlet and turn it on.
4. Insert the installation CD that came with your modem into your computer's
CD/DVD drive. If your computer doesn't have a CD/DVD drive, you can usually
download the necessary drivers and software from the modem manufacturer's
website.
5. Follow the prompts on the installation wizard to install the necessary drivers
and software for your modem.
6. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.
7. Connect the modem to your telephone or cable line, depending on your ISP.
8. Test your internet connection by opening a web browser and visiting a
website.
Working of Scanner:
A scanner is an input device that captures digital images of documents, photographs, or other
printed material. The working of a scanner can be summarized in the following steps:
1. Place the document or photo to be scanned on the scanner bed.
2. The scanner uses a light source and sensors to capture the image, and converts it into a
digital format that can be stored on the computer.
3. The scanner software then processes the digital image, allowing the user to edit or
manipulate it as needed.
Working of Modem:
A modem is an input/output device that connects a computer to the internet over a telephone
line or cable line. The working of a modem can be summarized in the following steps:
In summary, a scanner captures digital images of documents or photos, while a modem connects
a computer to the internet over a telephone or cable line. Both devices are input/output devices
that allow the user to send and receive data between the computer and external sources.