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650 - Chapter 4
Form Factors and Power Supplies
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| active backplane | A type of backplane system in which there is some circuitry, including bus connectors, buffers, and driver circuits, on the backplane. |
| alternating current | Current that cycles back and forth rather than traveling in only one direction. In the United States, the AC voltage from a standard wall outlet is normally between 110 and 115 V. |
| ampere or amp | A unit of measurement for electrical current. One volt across a resistance of one ohm will produce a flow of one amp. |
| AT | A form factor, generally no longer produced, in which the motherboard requires a full-size case. Because of their dimensions and configuration, AT systems are difficult to install, service, and upgrade. Also called full AT. |
| ATX | The most common form factor for PC systems presently in use, originally introduced by Intel in 1995. ATX motherboards and cases make better use of space and resources than did the AT form factor. |
| ATX12V power supply | A power supply that provides a 12 V power cord with a 4-pin connector to be used by the auxiliary 4-pin power connector on motherboards used to provide extra power for processors. |
| Baby AT | An improved and more flexible version of the AT form factor. Baby AT was the industry standard from approximately 1993 to 1997 and can fit into some ATX cases. |
| backplane system | A form factor in which there is no true motherboard. Instead, motherboard components are included on an adapter card plugged into a slot on a board called the backplane. |
| brownouts | Temporary reductions in voltage, which can sometimes cause data loss. Also called sags. |
| BTX (Balanced Technology Extended) | The latest form factor expected to replace ATX. It has higher quality fans, is designed for better air flow, and has improved structural support for the motherboard. |
| bus riser | Also called a riser card. |
| capacitor | An electronic device that can maintain an electrical charge for a period of time and is used to smooth out the flow of electrical current. Capacitors are often found in computer power supplies. |
| clamping voltage | The maximum voltage allowed through a surge suppressor, such as 175 or 330 volts. |
| compact case | A type of case used in low-end desktop systems. Compact cases, also called low-profile or slim-line cases, follow either the NLX, LPX, or Mini LPX form factor. They are likely to have fewer drive bays, but they generally still provide for some expansion. |
| data line protector | A surge protector designed to work with the telephone line to a modem. |
| daughter card | A subordinate extension of a motherboard. |
| desktop case | The initial screen that is displayed when an OS has a GUI interface loaded. |
| diode | An electronic device that allows electricity to flow in only one direction. Used in a rectifier circuit. |
| direct current | Current that travels in only one direction (the type of electricity provided by batteries). Computer power supplies transform AC to low DC. |
| Display Power Management Signaling | Energy Star standard specifications that allow for the video card and monitor to go into sleep mode simultaneously. See also Energy Star. |
| electromagnetic interference) | A magnetic field produced as a side effect from the flow of electricity. EMI can cause corrupted data in data lines that are not properly shielded. |
| Energy Star | “Green” systems that satisfy the EPA requirements to decrease the overall consumption of electricity. See also Green Standards. |
| field replaceable unit | A component in a computer or device that can be replaced with a new component without sending the computer or device back to the manufacturer. Examples |
| FlexATX | A version of the ATX form factor that allows for maximum flexibility in the size and shape of cases and motherboards. FlexATX is ideal for custom systems. |
| form factor | A set of specifications on the size, shape, and configuration of a computer hardware component such as a case, power supply, or motherboard. |
| full AT | Another term for AT. |
| Green Standards | A computer or device that conforms to these standards can go into sleep or doze mode when not in use, thus saving energy and helping the environment. Devices that carry the Green Star or Energy Star comply with these standards. |
| intelligent UPS | A UPS connected to a computer by way of a USB or serial cable so that software on the computer can monitor and control the UPS. Also called smart UPS. |
| joule | A measure of work or energy. One joule of energy produces one watt of power for one second. |
| line conditioner | A device that regulates, or conditions, power, providing continuous voltage during brownouts and spikes. |
| line-interactive UPS | A variation of a standby UPS that shortens switching time by always keeping the inverter that converts AC to DC working, so that there is no charge-up time for the inverter. |
| low-profile case | Another term for a compact case. |
| LPX | A form factor in which expansion cards are mounted on a riser card that plugs into a motherboard. The expansion cards in LPX systems are mounted parallel to the motherboard, rather than perpendicular to it as in AT and ATX systems. |
| MicroATX | A version of the ATX form factor. MicroATX addresses some new technologies that were developed after the original introduction of ATX. |
| Mini-ATX | A smaller ATX board that can be used with regular ATX cases and power supplies. |
| Mini-LPX | A smaller version of the LPX motherboard. |
| NLX | A low-end form factor that is similar to LPX but provides greater support for current and emerging processor technologies. NLX was designed for flexibility and efficiency of space. |
| notebook case | A type of case used for portable notebook computers. |
| ohm | The standard unit of measurement for electrical resistance. Resistors are rated in ohms. |
| P1 connector | Power connection on an ATX or BTX motherboard. |
| P8 connector | One of two power connectors on an AT motherboard. |
| P9 connector | One of two power connectors on an AT motherboard. |
| passive backplanes | A type of backplane system in which the backplane contains no circuitry at all. All circuitry in a passive backplane system is contained on a mothercard plugged into a backplane. |
| power conditioner | A line conditioner that regulates, or conditions, power, providing continuous voltage during brownouts. |
| rectifier | An electrical device that converts AC to DC. A PC power supply contains a rectifier. |
| resistor | An electronic device that resists or opposes the flow of electricity. A resistor can be used to reduce the amount of electricity being supplied to an electronic component. |
| riser card | A card that plugs into a motherboard and allows for expansion cards to be mounted parallel to the motherboard. Expansion cards are plugged into slots on the riser card. |
| sleep mode | A mode used in many “Green” systems that allows them to be configured through CMOS to suspend the monitor or even the drive, if the keyboard and/or CPU have been inactive for a set number of minutes. See also Green Standards. |
| slimline case | another term for compact case. |
| soft switch | A feature on an ATX or BTX system that allows an OS to power down the system and allows for activity such as a keystroke or network activity to power up the system. Also called soft power. |
| spikes | Temporary surges in voltage, which can damage electrical components. Also called swells. |
| surge protector | A device or power strip designed to protect electronic equipment from power surges and spikes. |
| swell | another term for spike. |
| tower case | The largest type of personal computer case. Tower cases stand vertically and can be as high as two feet tall. They have more drive bays and are a good choice for computer users who anticipate making significant upgrades. |
| transformer | A device that changes the ratio of current to voltage. A computer power supply is basically a transformer and a rectifier. |
| transistor | An electronic device that can regulate electricity and act as a logical gate or switch for an electrical signal. |
| uninterruptible power supply | A device designed to provide a backup power supply during a power failure. Basically, a UPS is a battery backup system with an ultra-fast sensing device. |
| volt | A measure of potential difference in an electrical circuit. A computer ATX power supply usually provides five separate voltages |
| watt | The unit used to measure power. A typical computer may use a power supply that provides 200 W. |
Created by:
gcarboni
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