Chapter 2 - ITSP 135

You could accidentally dislodge a chip this way.
Explanation: Stacking boards on top of each other can cause damage to the computer. When taking a computer apart, it is important to not stack boards on top of each other so that the computer is not damaged.

Loose jewelry might get caught in cables and components as you work.

drives
Explanation: The motherboard is the central component of a computer system. It is the main circuit board where all the other components connect to. The drives connect to the motherboard through cables.

A motherboard is installed so that the bottom of the board does not touch the case. If the fine traces or lines on the bottom of the board were to touch the case, a short would result when the system is running.
Explanation: The purpose of raised screw holes or standoffs installed between the motherboard and case is to provide clearance between the motherboard and case so that the motherboard doesn't short out on the case. The standoffs also provide support for the motherboard and help to keep it from flexing.

If you look closely at the board, you can see labels identifying the pins. To help orient the connector on the motherboard pins, look for a small triangle embedded on the connector that marks one of the outside wires as pin1. Look for pin 1 to be labeled on the motherboard as a small 1 embedded to either the right or the left of the group pins. If the labels on the board are not clear, turn to the motherboard user guide for help.
Explanation: There are typically two ways to find out which pins to use for each wire. The first way is to look at the motherboard manual. The manual should have a diagram that shows which pins to use for each wire. The second way is to look at the header itself. Sometimes, the header will have a small diagram next to it that shows which pins to use for each wire.

The cooler sits on top of the processor and consists of a fan and a heat sink. A heat sink uses fins that draw heat away from the processor. The fan can then blow the heat away.
Explanation: The two major components of a processor cooler assembly are the heatsink and the fan. The heatsink is a metal plate that sits on top of the processor and helps to dissipate heat. The fan sits on top of the heatsink and helps to circulate air and keep the processor cool.

4-pin CPU fan header
Explanation: The CPU fan header on a current motherboard typically has four pins. These pins provide power to the fan and allow it to spin. The number of pins can vary depending on the motherboard, but four is the most common.

To get its power, the fan power cord connects to a 4-pin fan header on the motherboard. The fan connector will have three or four holes. A three-hole connector can fit onto a 4-pin header; just ignore the last pin. If you use a fan power cord with three pins, know that the fan will always operate as the same speed.
Explanation: The fourth pin on a CPU fan header is typically used for a fan tachometer, or speed sensor. This sensor provides feedback to the motherboard to indicate how fast the fan is spinning. Without this feedback, the motherboard cannot accurately control the speed of the fan, and it may run either too slowly or too quickly. In some cases, the fan may not even spin at all without the fourth pin connected.

A power supply has wattage ratings, which are the amounts of power it can supply. These wattage capacities are listed in the documentation and on the side of a power supply.
Explanation: The wattage capacity needed by a power supply can be determined by a number of factors, including the number of devices that will be powered by the supply, the types of devices that will be powered, and the amount of power each device requires. In general, it is best to choose a power supply that can provide at least twice the wattage capacity needed by the devices it will be powering. This will help to ensure that the power supply can handle any spikes in power demand that may occur.

Video cards draw the most power.