The Visible Computer

Week 2 · Module 2: The Visible Computer · Download .docx

Objectives

Identify ATX, microATX, and mini-ITX form factors and their use cases
Name and describe rear I/O panel ports by color and connector shape
Distinguish USB standards by speed and port color
Identify display connector types and their signal types

Key terms

ATX: 305x244 mm — standard full-size desktop motherboard form factor.
I/O shield: Stamped metal plate at the rear of the case covering the motherboard's external ports.
USB 3.0: 5 Gbps USB standard — identified by blue port color.
HDMI: Digital AV connector carrying both video and multi-channel audio.
VGA: Legacy 15-pin analog video connector — no audio, no digital signal.

The concept

Every desktop motherboard follows a form factor standard that defines physical size and mounting holes. ATX (305x244 mm) is the most common — it fits in standard desktop towers and offers the most expansion. microATX (244x244 mm) trades slots for size. mini-ITX (170x170 mm) has one PCIe slot and fits very compact cases. The rear I/O panel has a fixed set of ports: USB (color-coded by generation), display outputs (VGA/DVI/HDMI/DisplayPort), audio jacks (colored by function), and RJ-45 Ethernet. USB port color is the A+ exam standard — know it cold.

Worked examples

Example 1: [object Object]

Example 2: [object Object]

Common mistakes

Using the motherboard HDMI port when a discrete GPU is installed — this runs integrated graphics, not the GPU.
Assuming USB-C is always fast — a USB-C port may be limited to USB 2.0 on budget hardware.
Mixing up audio port colors: green = line-out, pink = mic, blue = line-in.

Self-check

Try each one before you look. A miss here costs nothing and tells you exactly what to reread.

1. A blue USB port on the rear panel transfers data at what maximum speed?

2. Which single cable carries both audio and video in HD quality?

3. mini-ITX cases typically hold how many full-size expansion cards?

4. What does the I/O shield do?

5. DVI-D transmits which signal type?

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