Component Identifcation

[tikal]

Alright I need some help to id some of these components, so here we go.

http://www.geocities.com/juwakema/Clipboard.jpg

( Copy and paste the link if it doesn't work )

1) On top of the CPU, there is a white 4-pin connector.
_____
/ . . . . \
|_____|

I believe it's the CPU fan.

2) Which is the MCH and ICH on the motherboard?

I believe the MCH is the one closest to the CPU, while the other is the ICH.


3) The chip that is above the BIOS, and exactly east of the CPU.
I believe it's the system bus clock? Is there another name for it?

Thanks!

[CDRecorder]

The white 4-pin connector above the CPU in the picture appears to be a standard molex connector, to which you would connect the same type of cable you would connect to your HDD. Why it's there, I'm not sure, but this mobo probably needs more power than the standard AT connectors supply. I've heard of recent mobos with this requirement, but I've never seen such an old board with this requirement.

What are the MCH and ICH? I'm not familiar with these terms, but I'd like to learn.

I think you have correctly identified the clock chip. I think it's called a real-time clock, but I'm not sure.

I hope that helped!

[dodecahedron]

i'm no expert so take my comments accordingly.

2. the MCH (= Memory Controller Hub (?) = NorthBridge) is probably the chip closer to the CPU.
the ICH (= I/O Controller Hub (?) = SouthBridge) is probably the chip nearer the memory and PCI slots (the lower one in the pic).

1. the 4-pin connector, LiteOnGuy identified correctly.

[tikal]

1. Do you have any pics of recent mobo's that have a molex connector on them?

2. Yup the MCH is the Memory Control Hub, I'm pretty sure it regulates the speed of the cpu, ram and cache, while the ICH is the Input Control Hub, I believe it controlls the slower stuff, like ide, kb, mouse, .etc.

[CDRecorder]

I don't have any pics, but I have heard of the molex connectors being used on mobos which need the ATX12V connector so that these mobos would be compatible with old power supplies that don't have the ATX12V connector.