This domain requires knowledge of specific terminology, facts, ways and means of
dealing with classifications, categories and principles of motherboards,
processors and memory in desktop computer systems.
4.1 Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic
characteristics. Content may include the following:
Popular CPU chips (Intel, AMD, Cyrix)
Characteristics
Physical size
Voltage
Speeds
On board cache or not
Sockets
SEC (Single Edge Contact)
4.2 Identify the categories of RAM (Random Access Memory) terminology, their
locations and physical characteristics. Content may include the following:
Terminology:
EDO RAM (Extended Data Output RAM)
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
SRAM (Static RAM)
RIMM (Rambus Inline Memory Module 184 Pin)
VRAM (Video RAM)
SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
WRAM (Windows Accelerator Card RAM)
Locations and physical characteristics:
Memory bank
Memory chips (8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit)
SIMMS (Single In-line Memory Module)
DIMMS (Dual In-line Memory Module)
Parity chips versus non-parity chips
4.3 Identify the most popular type of motherboards, their components and
architecture (bus structures and power supplies). Content may include the
following:
Types of motherboards:
AT (Full and Baby)
ATX
Components:
Communication ports
SIMM and DIMM
Processor sockets
External cache memory (Level 2)
Bus Architecture
ISA
PCI
AGP
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
VESA local bus (VL-Bus)
Basic compatibility guidelines
IDE (ATA, ATAPI, ULTRA-DMA, EIDE)
SCSI (Wide, Fast, Ultra, LVD (Low Voltage Differential))
4.4 Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary metal-Oxide Semiconductor),
what it contains and how to change its basic parameters. Example basic CMOS
settings:
Printer parallel port — Uni., bi-directional, disable/enable, ECP, EPP
COM/serial port — memory address, interrupt request, disable
Floppy drive—enable/disable drive or boot, speed, density