The pictures below are of a modern desktop PC motherboard:
the Gigabyte "GA-Z77X-D3H"; both the main circuit board and rear panel. The questions in this part (beginning overleaf) refer to this board and the labelled components.
1. For each of the six internal expansion connectors, labelled A1, A2, B, C, D1 and D2:
a) What is the name generally given to that internal connector?
b) Give a typical example of what might connect to it.
c) What standard(s) are supported by that connector? Provide details where relevant or appropriate, such as the version(s) of standards supported, and their maximum bandwidth.
d) Consider how the connector is mated to the system.
i. Which core component (i.e. CPU or chipset) does it connect to?
ii. How does it connect to this core component - does it connect directly, or via a bus or other interface? Are there any components in between it and the core component?
2. The internal expansion connector labelled E, appears to be a mini-PCI Express socket.
a) What is this connector designed for? What standard(s) and maximum bandwidth does it support?
b) If a mini-PCI Express wireless network adapter (such as an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG) was connected here, would it work? Explain why (or why not).
3. Connector F is for the CPU heatsink/fan.
a) Fans need only two wires (power and ground) to operate, so what are the other two pins for?
b) Briefly explain the role of these two pins, as part of the computer system's thermal solution.
4. A system builder would like to build a desktop computer system using, among other components, this motherboard and a Dell Ultrasharp U3011 monitor. They notice the motherboard has both DVI (connector X1) and HDMI (connector X2) ports.
a) Will these connectors properly support this monitor? Why (or why not)?
b) If the system builder chose to install a discrete graphics card to drive this monitor, which expansion slot should he/she choose, out of connectors A1, A2, B and C? Why?
5. External connectors Y1 and Y2 are both USB ports. What is the difference between them, in terms of standard(s) support and maximum bandwidth?
6. Answer the following questions, noting the source of your pricing information:
a) What is the best price (approximately) of this motherboard, from Australian computer shops/Ebay?
b) If you were to buy 8 GB (2x 4GB modules) of memory to suit this motherboard, what type of modules would you purchase? How much would you expect to pay for the modules?