(Even Block – 2 Hours)

Focus: Motherboards + CPUs

🎯 Learning Intention

I will learn how motherboard and CPU specifications affect performance and compatibility.

✅ Success Criteria

I can identify socket types, chipset features, and CPU specs relevant to a build.

🌍 Why Are We Learning This?

Every build starts with choosing the right motherboard + CPU combo — mistakes here mean the rest of the system won’t work.

🧠 Warm-Up / Tech Journal

“If you were designing a new PC, what’s one thing you’d want the CPU to be best at (speed, multitasking, gaming, efficiency)?”

📚 Vocabulary

• Socket Type – physical connector for CPU (LGA, AM4, etc.)
• Chipset – controls features like PCIe lanes, USB ports
• Core/Thread – processing units inside the CPU
• Clock Speed – speed of processing cycles (GHz)

📣 Independent Focus Notes (Provide to Students)

• Motherboards:
  • Form factors: ATX, microATX, ITX
  • Expansion slots: PCIe x16 (GPU), PCIe x1 (small cards)
  • RAM slots: dual vs quad channel
  • BIOS/UEFI role
• CPUs:
  • Intel vs AMD socket types
  • Cooling methods (air, liquid, stock vs aftermarket)
  • Core count vs clock speed trade-offs
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP)