Q30. What Is Address Bus, Data Bus and Control Bus? Describe

Q30. What is address bus, data bus and control bus? Describe.

Ans. a)Address Bus

1)It is a group of wires or lines that are used to transfer the addresses of memory or I/O devices.It is unidirectional.

2)This bus is multiplexed with 8 bit data bus, so the most significant bits(MSB) of address goes through Address bus.

3)The more wires(digits) used in calculating these addresses, the greater the total number of address locations.

4)The size of address bus indicates maximum amount of RAM a chip can address.

5)The size of the data bus indicates the chip's information-moving capability and the size of the address bus can tells u how much memory a chip can handle.

b) Data bus

1)As name tells that it is used to transfer data within Microprocessor and memory or I/O devices.

2)It is bidirectional as Microprocessor requires to send and receive data.

3)The data bus also works as address bus when multiplexed with lower order address bus.

4)To increase the amount of data being send(called bandwidth)by increasing either the cycling time or the number of bits being sent at a time,or both.

5)The more wires you have ,the more individual bits you can send in the same interval.

c)Control bus

1)Microprocessor uses control bus to process data,that is what to do with the selected memory location

2)Some control signals are Read,Write and opcode fetch etc.

3)Various operations are performed by microprocessor with the help of control bus.

4)This is a dedicated bus,because all timing signals are generated according to control.

Q.What is motherboard? State component and function of each motherboard and latest motherboard?

Ans.

1. Motherboard is sometime called system board, mainboard etc. Which is the main pcb found in the computer.

2. It is the main component of the computer.

3. It is the component where all the processing of the computer is carried out.

4. It also connect various peripheral to the computer.

The component of motherboard are

Processor.
PCI slot.
AGP slot.
Chipset.

Processor:-

1. It is the main component of the motherboard which executes all the program.

2. Two leading computer which manufactures processor are INTEL and AMD.

2. PCI Slot:-

1. PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect.

2. PCI slot supports the external card which can be replaceable which increases the performance of the computer.

3. PCI slot connect sound card, video card etc.

4. It has two types of 32-bit and 64-bit connector

 32-bit PCI connector, 5v.

32-bit PCI connector, 3.3v.

64-bit PCI connector, 5v.

64-bit PCI connector, 3.3v.

3.AGP Slot

1. AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port.

2. It is a high speed point-to-point channel for attaching the graphics card to the computer to assist the acceleration of 3D computer graphics.

3.Because of it PC supports high graphics gaming.

Q5. Describe PCI, PCI-X and PCI-E.

PCI.

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect).

Introduced in 1992 by intel.

It was later revised in 1995 and is an expansion to ISA bus.

The PCI bus is a 32 bit (133mbps) computer bus i.e also available as a 64 bit bus and was most commonly used in computer bus.

PCI X

It is a server oriented variant of the conventional PCI.

Operated at higher frequencies upto 533mhz.

PCI E

It is known as PCI express.

It is a high speed serial computer expansion bus standard.

It is designed to replace the older PCI,PCI X and AGPbus standards.

It has numerous improvements over the aforementioned bus standards.

Q9. Describe with neat diagram of Hub architecture in detail.

ANs:

HUB ARCHITECTURE

Intel HUB architecture is also called as AHA(Accelerated Hub Architecture).
Intel introduced this Hub architecture starting with the 820 chipset.
The Hub architecture divides control between a memory controller Hub(MCH) that supports memory and AGP and an I/O controller Hub(ICH) that supports PCI, USB, sound , IDE & LAN.
The word Hub in Intel Hub architecture refres t the north & south bridges in a chipset.
Intel has replaced those two terms with the word HUB.
It uses a memory controller Hub(MCH) that is conneted to an I/O controller Hub (ICH) via a 266 MB/sec bus.
The MCH chip supports memory & AGP, while the ICH chip provides connectivity for PCI,
USB, sound, IDE hard disks and LAN.

Q. Difference between hub and bridge architecture

BRIDGE ARCHITECHTURE

HUB ARCHITECTURE

IT IS FASTER THAN HUB ARCHITECTURE

IT IS SLOWER ARCHITECTURE

It is into almost two ics

It is having only on bridge chip

It is for p4 and p4 onwards processors

It is for p2 and p3processors

North bridge used as MCH & south bridge as ICH

Whereas here whole ic takes a jobs

Q. 11 Describe types of formatting.

Low level formatting

Low-level formatting is the process of outlining the positions of the tracks and sectors on the hard disk, and writing the control structures that define where the tracks and sectors are.

 Often called a "true" formatting operation, because it really creates the physical format that defines where the data is stored on the disk.

 The first time that a low-level format ("LLF") is performed on a hard disk, the disk's platters start out empty.

 That's the last time the platters will be empty for the life of the drive.

 If an LLF is done on a disk with data on it already, the data is permanently erased.

 A HDD low level format tool is a software used to perform this formatting.

High level formatting

After low-level formatting is complete, we have a disk with tracks and sectors--but nothing written on them.

 High-level formatting is the process of writing the file system structures on the disk that let the disk be used for storing programs and data.

If you are using DOS, for example, the DOS FORMAT command performs this work, writing such structures as the master boot record and file allocation tables to the disk.

 High-level formatting is done after the hard disk has been partitioned, even if only one partition is to be used.

2. What is Cache Memory? State its Purpose.

Ans:

cachememory is a high-speed memory buffer that temporarily stores data theprocessor needs, allowing the processor to retrieve that data faster than if it came frommain memory. But there is one additional feature of a cache over a simple buffer, andthat is intelligence.

A buffer holds random data with first-in, first-out basis or a first-in, last-out basis.

A cache holds the data the processor is most likely toneed in advance of it actually being needed.

Cache that is built into the CPU is faster than separate cache, running at thespeed of the microprocessor itself.

Cache is more expensive than RAM, but it is wellworth getting a CPU and motherboard with built-in cache in order to maximize systemperformance.

Purpose:

The processor needs to read from or write to a location in main memory, it first checks whether a copy of that data is in the cache.
The processor immediatelyreads from or writes to the cache, which is much faster than reading from or writing tomain memory.
Cache Memory is to storeinstructions thatarerepeatedlyrequired to runprograms,improving overallsystem speed.
Cache memory isthat the CPU doesnot have louse the motherboard’s system bus for data transfer.

25)what is bios?state its necessity.

Ans)1.)BIOS provides processor with the data required to boot the system from a non-volatile

storage unit (hdd,fdd,cdd or other)

2)it provides system with the settings & resources that are available on the system.

3)bios is an elctronic set of instructions thata computer uses to successfully start operating.

Necessity:1)it loads interrupt handlers & device drivers.

2)it displays system settings

3)initializes the bootstrap sequence

4)it performs poer on self test (post)

08. List Different types of Chipset Architectures.

Ans:

There are two type of chipset architecture

1.Hub Architecture

2.Bridge architecture

Intel Hub Architecture is introduced this hub architecture starting with the 820 chipset.
The hubarchitecture divides control between a memory controller hub (MCH) that supportsmemory and AGP and an I/O controller hub (ICH) that supports PCI, USB, sound, IDEand LAN.
There are two parts of Bridge Architecture:

1. NorthBridge

2. SouthBridge

The southbridge is one of the two chips in the core logic chipset on a personalcomputer (PC) motherboard, the other being the northbridge. The southbridgetypically implements the slower capabilities of the motherboard in anorthbridge/southbridge chipset computer architecture.
The northbridge or host bridge was one of the two chips in the core logic chipset ona PC motherboard, used to managedata communications between a CPU and amotherboard. It is supposed to be paired with a second support chip known asa southbridge.

Q) Explain Hyper threading processor technology with neat diagram.

HT allows a single processor to handle two independent sets of instructions at same time.
HT converts a single processor into two virtual processor.
Several times while coding, some of the processor part is idle.
So, by including some extra registers we can use this idle part for other
Coding and hence the processor is divided into two cores and they work in parallel.
HT was introduced on Xeon workstations-class processors with a 533Mhz system bus with two distinct instruction sets being performed by processor during each clock cycle.
The desktop PC processors started supporting HT technology with the Pentium 4 3.06Ghz processor.
Example:-A quad processor supporting HT Technology will appear as 8-core processors.

Q12)State the purpose and features of 1)SDRAM 2)DDR1 3)DDR2 3)DDR3.

1)SDRAM

Purpose: SDRAM’s are used where advantages of synchronous interface are required.

Features: Speed is between 100Mhz-133Mhz.

Available sizes are 32Mb, 64Mb, 128Mb, 256Mb, 512Mb,1Gb.

Operating voltage :3.3v

Synchronous architecture

SDRAM is synchronized with the computers clock to allow it to send instructions more efficiently by joining the pipeline of other instructions the computer

Processing

Due to SDRAM’s pipeling, it is the most popular form of RAM as it provides much

Higher speeds

SDRAM module -168 pin

Can prefetch 1 Bit at a time

2) DDR1/SDRAM

Purposes-used when a dual interface is required;

-when DRAM array can be helpful.

Features:-1)184 pin module

2)speed-100MHz, 133MHz, 166,200Mhz

3)operating voltage- 2.5v

4)Synchronous architecture

5) prefetches 2 bits at a time

6) double faster than SDRAM

3) DDR3

Purpose:- used when 4 word read at a time is required

:- extra speed is required

Features:-1)240 pin module

2)speed- 440MHz,533,667MHz

3)High bandwith

4) Synchronous architecture

5)Operating voltage-1.8v

6)prefetch bit-4 bit

4)DDR3

Features- 1)A Synchronous RESET pin

2)on- DIMM mirror friendly DRAM pinout

3)read and write calibration

4)operating voltage-1.5v

5)prefetch 8 bit at a time

6)speed- 800MHz,1066MHz,1333Mhz,1600MHz and above.

List and describe the selection criteria for motherboard?

Ans.

Form factor:It is set of standardsThe form factor is a set of standards that include the size and shape of the board, the arrangement of the mounting holes, the power interface, andthe type and placement of ports and connectors. Generally, you should choosethe case to fit the mobo, not vice-versa. But if there is a case that yousimply must use then make sure the motherboard you choose is of acompatible form factor.Processor support. You must select a mobo that supports the type and speed.

Processor support: You must select a mobo that supports the type and speedof processor you want to use and has the correct type of socket for that processor.

RAM support: Make sure that the motherboard you select supportsenough RAM of the type (DDR-SDRAM, DDR2-SDRAM, RDRAM, etc.) that youwant to use. Most motherboards manufactured as of this writing can support atleast 4 Gig of RAM, with DDR2 being the most popular type because of its speed and relatively low cost.

Chipset: The chipset pretty much runs the show on the motherboard, and somechipsets are better than others. The chipset cannot be replaced, so the only way tosolve problems caused by a bad chipset is to replace the mobo. Read the reviewsof other motherboards using the same chipset as the one you are considering tosee if a lot of people have reported problems with it.

SATA support: There's really very little reason not to use SATA drives thesedays. They're priced comparably to EIDE drives, but deliver much higher datatransfer. But to use SATA, your motherboard must have SATA support.

Reputation: Search the newsgroups to see if others have found the board you areconsidering to be a lemon. One excellent Web resource for motherboard researchis Motherboards.org. When choosing a motherboard, reliability is the mostimportant factor. Replacing a failed motherboard requires essentiallydisassembling the entire computer, and may also require reinstalling theoperating system and applications from scratch.

Compatibility. Most motherboards include drivers for all recent Windowsversions, but check the documentation just to be sure. If you plan to use theboard for a computer running another operating systemfirst check the with the motherboard manufacturer to see if it is compatible, andthen search the hardware newsgroups for the OS you will be using to see howthat particular board has worked out for others.

On-Board Features. Do you want integrated audio or video? If you don't plan onusing the computer for graphics, multimedia, or gaming, then you may be able tosave money by buying a motherboard with less-than-spectacular integrated audio and video.

Cost. Even if you are on a budget, the motherboard is not the place to cut corners. Try aless fancy case, instead. A good motherboard is more important than neon lights. But atthe same time, the fact that one mobo costs twice as much as another doesn't mean it istwice as good.

32: Enlist and explain different version of PCI.

i)PCI 2.2 allows for 66MH signaling(requires 3.3 volt signaling)(pack transfer rate of 533MB/s)

ii)PCI 3.3 permits use of 3.3 volt and universal keying, but does not allow 5 volt keyed add in cards.

iii)PCI 3.0 is the final standard of the bus, completely removing 5-volt capability.

iv)PCI-X doubles the width to 64-bit, revises the protocol, and increases the maximum signal of frequency to 133MHz (peak transfer rate of 1014MB/s)

v)PCI-X 2.0 permits a 266MHz rate (peak transfer rate of 2035) and also 533MHz rate, expands the configuration space to 4096 bytes, adds a 16-bit bus variant and allows for 4.5 volt signaling.

vi)Mini PCI is a new form factor of PCI 2.2 for use mainly inside laptop’s

22: What is AGP?Describe AGB with neat block diagram.

i)AGP is modified bus design to handle the high data traffic associated with 3D graphics.

ii)It provides direct channel between AGP graphic controller and system main memory.

iii)This removes the video data traffic from the PCI bus.

iv)The speed provided by the direct link permits video data to be stored in system RAM instead of in special video memory.

v)Provides a32-bit channelthat runs at 66Mhz in basic ix video mode

Q.13: WHATIS FORM FACTOR? LIST AND DESCRIBE DIFFERENT FORM FACTOR OF MOTHERBOARD.

ANS: The form factor is a set of standards that include the size and shape of the board, the arrangement of the mounting holes, the power interface, and the type and placement of ports and connectors.

Different Formfactors for MB:

Mother Board Form Factos / Size in inches
Flex ATX / 9 X 7.5 ”
Micro ATX / 9.6 X 9.6 “
Mini ATX / 11.2 X 8.2 “
Standard ATX / 9.6 X 12 “
Extended ATX / 12 X 13 “
Workstation ATX / 14 X 16.75 “
DTX / 9.6 X 8 “
Mini DTX / 8 X 6.7 “
ITX / 8.46 X 7.50 “
Mini ITX / 6.7 X 6.7 “
Nano ITX / 4.7 X 4.7 “
Pico ITX / 3.9 X 2.8 “

Q10. Describe with neat diagram of North and South bridge architecture in detail

Ans.

i)The north bridge was one of the 2 chips in the core logic chipset on pc motherboard.

ii)NorthBridge is nearer to Cpu. It supports Memory & Cpu.

iii)The south bridge is the second from the 2 chips in the core logic chipset on pc motherboard.

iv)South bridge connects to PCI & IDE.

21. Explain with diagram concept of convention, Extended and Expanded memory.

Ans:

Conventional Memory:

The conventional memory is the memory area within first 1MB of ghe system memory that can be used by DOS or other application softwares.
DOS can read write to the entire MB but can manage loading of program only in the portion of RAM space called conventional memory, which at the 1st pc was introduced was 512K.
The other 512K was reserved for the use by the system itself including the motherboard and adapter boards plugged into the system slots.
IBM decided after introducing the system in that only 384K was needed for the reserved uses, and company began marketing PCs with 640K of users memory.
Thus 640K became the standard for memory that can be used by the DOS for running the program and is often called as memory barrier.
First 640KB becomes the standard memory that can be used by DOS for running programs. This is called as the base memory.
After 640K, some area is reserved for the use of graphics boards, other adapters and ROM BIOS of motherboard.

Extended memory:

Extended memory is above 1MB.
This memory is usually not available to computer directly.
It can be accessed through special software or program or driver,this memory is available in AT machines, not in XTs
The limit of extended is 16 MB for 286 processor and for 386,486 and higher processors the extended memory is upto 4GB.
System based on new pentiums have a limit of 64G of memory.
The XMS was developed by intel, Microsoft, lotus development and AST corp. In 1987 to specify how programs would use extended memory.
Etended memory can also be accessed directly by DOS programs running in the protected mode using VCPI or DPMI, two(different and incompatible) methods are using protected mopde under DOS.
Etended memory should not be confused with expanded memory,an earlier methods for expanding the IBM pcs memory capacity beyond 640KB using an expamtion card with bank switched memory modules.
Because of the available support for expanded memory in popular applications, device drivers were developed that emulated expanded memory usind extended memory.

Expanded Memory: