Essential PC Expansion Cards

Posted on Nov 21, 2024 in Technology

1. Graphics Card

The graphics card is crucial for displaying text, images, and graphics on your monitor.

Key Components

  • GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): A processor dedicated to graphics, reducing the load on the CPU.
  • Video Memory (VRAM): Dedicated memory for graphics processing, ranging from 128MB to 1TB. Common types include DDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, and GDDR5, with clock frequencies between 400 MHz and 3.6 GHz.
  • RAMDAC: Converts digital signals to analog for the monitor.

Connectors

  • SVGA: Prone to noise and distortion.
  • DVI: Provides high-quality digital display.
  • S-Video: Separate video signal.
  • HDMI: High Definition Multimedia Interface.

2. Parallel Processing (Graphics Cards)

Connects two or more PCIe video cards for a single output signal.

  • SLI: NVIDIA technology.
  • CrossFire: ATI/AMD technology.

3. Network Card

Connects computers to share resources and form a network.

  • Connectors: RJ45 and BNC.
  • MAC Address: A unique 48-bit identifier for the network interface.
  • Speed: Ethernet (10Mb/s), Fast Ethernet (100Mb/s), Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mb/s).
  • Wake on LAN: Allows remote power-on via a magic packet.

4. Wi-Fi Card

Uses radio waves for network connectivity. Available as PCI cards and USB adapters.

5. Multimedia Cards

Enhances audio and video capabilities. Common types include sound cards, video capture cards, and TV tuner cards.

Sound Card

Enables sound reproduction and digitization.

Components

  • Mixer: Blends different sound sources.
  • ADC: Analog-to-digital converter.
  • DAC: Digital-to-analog converter.
  • DSP: Processes data temporarily.
  • Buffer: Short-term data storage.
  • Motherboard Interface: Communication link.

Video Capture Card

Captures and encodes analog video into digital formats.

TV Tuner

Allows viewing television on the computer screen. Connectors include coaxial, S-Video, RCA video, and mini-audio jacks.

6. Disassembly

Safety Precautions

(Add specific safety precautions here)

Steps

  1. Unscrew the case.
  2. Unscrew the power connector.
  3. Disconnect IDE or SATA cables.
  4. Disconnect USB and FireWire expansion cards.
  5. Disconnect CD-ROM.
  6. Disconnect front panel connectors.
  7. Disconnect the graphics card.
  8. Disconnect the hard drive.
  9. Unscrew the power supply.
  10. Remove RAM.
  11. Remove the motherboard.
  12. Unscrew the motherboard.