Basic Knowledge
CompTIA A+
Sayed Shah Agha ”Mosavi”
HCSA-CCTV #052023-0032-
00-0001
CONTENT
Computer motherboard component.
Computer Motherboard peripherals (graphic card).
Mass Storage devices.
Computer Power supplies.
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OBJECTIVES
In this chapter, you will learn :
Identify the different types PC power requirement.
Explain the different between old desktop power supply and new .
know the different between AC power and DC power.
Know the different between 12v 5v 3v and 48v DC.
Explain what is the UPS and the different between online and offline UPS.
Identify the main PC power supply pinout.
Know the UPS type, mini UPS, tower UPS, and rack mount UPS.
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AC (alternating current ) DC (direct current )
Electricity comes in two flavors:
direct current (DC), in which the electrons flow in one direction around a continuous circuit, and alternating current (AC), in which the flow of
electrons alternates direction back and forth in a circuit.
Most electronic devices use DC power, but all power companies supply AC power because AC travels long distances much more efficiently than DC.
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Protecting PC form spikes and sage in AC power
UPS An uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
protects your computer (and, more importantly,
your data) in the event of a power sag or power
outage.
A UPS essentially contains a big battery that
provides AC power to your computer regardless
of the power coming from the AC outlet.
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Online (uninterruptible power supply)
An Online UPS is a type of uninterruptible
power supply that utilises either a double
or delta conversion technology.
With double conversion, network
equipment does not receive electricity
directly from the AC outlet.
Instead, AC power travels to a rectifier,
where it becomes DC power.
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Offline UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
Offline UPS – also referred to as VFD (Voltage
and Frequency Dependent) or Standby UPS
– offer the most basic level of power
protection.
When the mains supply fails or fluctuates
outside of the UPS's operating window, a
relay connects the load to the inverter output
(resulting in a 4-8ms transfer time).
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Mini UPS for router, P2P and mobile phone
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UPS for Laptop and Desktop computer
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Rack mount UPS for network component
A rack mount UPS (Uninterruptible Power
Supply) is a crucial component in data centers
and server rooms, ensuring continuous power
supply to critical equipment.
Designed to be mounted on standard 19-inch
server racks, these UPS units save valuable
floor space.
They provide protection against power surges,
spikes, and outages, safeguarding sensitive
electronics and preventing data loss or
hardware damage.
Rack mount UPS systems typically offer
features like automatic voltage regulation,
remote monitoring, and hot-swappable
batteries for maximum reliability and uptime.
With their compact form factor and robust
performance, rack mount UPS units are
indispensable for maintaining uninterrupted
operations in professional IT environments.
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Tower UPS for server room
A tower UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for a
server room provides essential power backup and
protection against outages and fluctuations,
ensuring continuous operation of critical systems.
These units offer high efficiency, reliable
performance, and scalable capacity to meet varying
power demands.
Advanced features often include real-time
monitoring, automatic voltage regulation, and
network management capabilities.
Their compact design allows for easy integration
into existing server room setups.
Overall, tower UPS systems are crucial for
maintaining data integrity and minimizing downtime
in IT environments.
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Computer power supply
Computers need electricity to run.
Where this electricity comes from depends on the
device. Mobile devices use batteries, Desktop
computers need a special box—the power supply
unit (PSU)—that takes electricity from the wall
socket and transforms it into electricity your
computer can use.
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Power supply according to the physical size
ATX (Advanced Technology extended )
power supply form factor is the most
common standard for desktop computers.
It measures 150 × 86 × 140 mm and
features a 24-pin main connector for the
motherboard, with additional connectors
for CPU, graphics, and drives. ATX power
supplies ensure compatibility with a wide
range of cases and components, providing
reliable power and efficient cable
management.
They are widely used due to their balance
of size, power output, and flexibility.
This form factor supports various system
configurations, from basic desktops to
high-performance gaming rigs.
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Power supply according to the physical size
SFX (Small Form Factor extended) power
supply is designed for compact computer
cases, measuring 125 × 63.5 × 100 mm.
It provides reliable power in a smaller size
compared to the standard ATX, making it
ideal for mini-ITX builds and small form
factor PCs.
Despite its compact size, SFX power
supplies often deliver high efficiency and
sufficient wattage for powerful
components.
They feature similar connectors to ATX
units, ensuring compatibility with modern
hardware.
SFX units help maintain a neat, efficient
build with good airflow in limited spaces.
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Power supply according to the physical size
TFX (Thin Form Factor extended) power
supply is designed for slim and compact
computer cases, measuring 85 × 65 × 175
mm.
It is ideal for HTPCs (Home Theater PCs)
and other small form factor systems where
space is at a premium.
TFX power supplies offer a balance of
efficiency and performance, delivering
adequate power for low to mid-range
components.
They come with standard connectors to
ensure compatibility with modern
motherboards and peripherals.
The slim design helps maintain airflow and
cooling efficiency in confined case designs.
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Power supply according to the physical size
Flex ATX power supply is a compact form
factor designed for small, flexible computer
cases, typically used in mini-ITX or micro-
ATX builds.
Measuring 81.5 × 40.5 × 150 mm, it
provides a balance between size and power
output, suitable for small desktops and
specialized applications.
Despite its smaller size, it offers sufficient
power for a range of components, ensuring
reliable performance.
Flex ATX power supplies come with
essential connectors for modern hardware,
maintaining compatibility and efficiency.
This form factor is ideal for space-
constrained environments, offering a
streamlined solution without sacrificing
power and functionality.
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Non-modular, fully modular and semi-modular power supply
Non-modular power supplies have all
cables permanently attached, which
can lead to cluttered cable
management and restricted airflow.
Fully modular power supplies allow
users to attach only the cables they
need, enhancing organization and
airflow within the case.
Semi-modular power supplies offer a
compromise, with essential cables
fixed and optional cables detachable.
This flexibility aids in reducing excess
cables while maintaining essential
connections.
Modular designs generally improve
the overall aesthetics and cooling
efficiency of the system.
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Anon-modular computer power supply
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A semi modular computer power supply
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A fully modular computer power supply
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Power to the motherboard
Power to the Motherboard Modern
motherboards use a 20- or 24-pin P1 power
connector.
Some motherboards may require special 4-, 6-,
or 8-pin connectors to supply extra power. We’ll
talk about each of these connectors in the form
factor standards discussion later in this chapter.
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Power to the motherboard
Power to the Motherboard Modern
motherboards use a 20- or 24-pin P1
power connector.
Some motherboards may require
special 4-, 6-, or 8-pin connectors to
supply extra power. We’ll talk about
each of these connectors in the form
factor standards discussion later in this
chapter.
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Power to Peripherals: Molex, Mini, and SATA
Many devices inside the PC require power. These include hard drives, solid-state
drives, optical drives, and fans.
The typical PC power supply has at least three types of connectors that plug into
peripherals: Molex, mini, and SATA. (Higher-end video cards get their own
connector(s) .
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PUS (power supply power efficiency rating)
Efficiency Rating:
•The efficiency rating tells you how well the PSU converts power from AC to DC without wasting energy as
heat. Higher efficiency reduces electricity consumption and heat production.
•Efficiency is categorized by the 80 Plus rating system. The higher the rating, the more efficient the PSU:
80 Plus Bronze: ~82% efficiency
80 Plus Silver: ~85% efficiency
80 Plus Gold: ~87-90% efficiency
80 Plus Platinum: ~90-92% efficiency
80 Plus Titanium: ~94% efficiency or more
•A more efficient PSU will save energy and produce less heat, especially under heavy load.
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How to find how much power do we need?
1- Outer Vision power calculator.
Website link (
https://outervision.com/power-supply-calcul
ator
)
2- cooler master power calculator.
Website link (
https://www.coolermaster.com/en-global/po
wer-supply-calculator
)
3- be quiet power calculator.
Website link
(https://www.bequiet.com/en/psucalculator)
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The most famous computer PSU producer
1- corsair :
Know for a wide range of PSUs form
budget to high-end model.
2- EVGA:
Known for its supernova series which is 80
PLUS gold, platinum and titanium
certificate.
3- cooler master:
Known for good build quality and modular
options.
4- Thermaltake:
Known for wide range of PSUs catering
both entry-level and high end level.
5- silver stone:
Known for compact design, modular
options and reliable performance.
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Class assignment
What is main deferent between AC and DC volte
Explain the UPS and mention the online and offline deference.
Explain the computer power supply usage and the main purpose.
Explain the deferent between modular and semi modular power supply
Calculate the for 5 ASUS gaming motherboard with deferent GPU
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Computer power
supply
UPS
uninterruptible
AC and DC power
power supply and
its usage
Thank you! Computer power
supply power pin
Online and offline
UPS
