3.1 – Displays
Display Types
Our displays provide an important output technology, and there are many options for display types, configurations, and specifications. In this video, you’ll learn about LCD technologies, OLED, Mini LED, touchscreens, digitizers, and inverters.
Display Attributes
Display technologies can vary, and it’s important to purchase the best monitor for the task at hand. In this video, you’ll learn about pixel density, refresh rates, screen resolution, and color gamut.
3.2 – Cables and Connectors
Network Cables
We rely on our network cables to provide high-speed connectivity. In this video, you’ll learn about twisted pair cables, unshielded vs. shielded, direct burial STP cable, and plenum-rated cable.
568A and 568B Colors
Network cables use a standard color scheme to maintain consistency around the world. In this video, you’ll learn about T568A and T568B color schemes for eight-conductor twisted pair cabling.
Optical Fiber
Many organizations use optical fiber to connect locations over high-speed network topologies. In this video, you’ll learn the fundamentals of optical fiber and the differences between multimode fiber and single-mode fiber.
Peripheral Cables
There are standard methods for connecting peripheral devices to our computers. In this video, you’ll learn about USB, USB-C, serial cables, and Thunderbolt technologies.
Video Cables
Our monitors and displays connect to our computers using a number of different methods. In this video, you’ll learn about HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, and video over USB-C.
Storage Cables
Many of the storage devices in our modern computers rely on a cable for connectivity. In this video, you’ll learn about connecting drives with SATA and eSATA interfaces.
Adapters and Converters
We don’t always have exactly the right cable or connector, but we might have a handy adapter or converter. In this video, you’ll learn about converting or adapting DVI to HDMI, DVI, to VGA, USB to Ethernet, USB-C to USB-A, or using one of the many interfaces on a USB hub.
Copper Connectors
Do you have the right cable for the job? In this video, you’ll learn about RJ11, RJ45, F-connectors, punchdown blocks, USB, USB-C, Molex, Lightning, and DB-9 connectors.
Fiber Connectors
Optical fiber allows for high-speed communication over long distances. In this video, you’ll learn about fiber optic SC, ST, and LC connectors.
3.3 – Memory
An Overview of Memory
Memory is one of the most important components of any computer. In this video, you’ll learn about RAM, DIMMs, SO-DIMMs, SDRAM, and DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5 memory.
Memory Technologies
Memory technologies include features to identify errors, correct issues, and improve performance. In this video, you’ll learn about parity memory, ECC memory, and multi-channel RAM.
3.4 – Storage Devices
Storage Devices
There are many different options available for long-term data storage. In this video, you’ll learn about hard drives, solid state drives, PCIe storage, NVME, serial attached SCSI, mSATA, M.2, flash memory, and optical drives.
RAID
We can combine multiple drives together to optimize data throughput and provide redundancy. In this video, you’ll learn about the redundant array of independent disks (RAID), and an overview of RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, and RAID 1+0.
3.5 – Motherboards
Motherboard Form Factors
When purchasing or building a computer, you have a many options for motherboard type and form factor. In this video, you’ll learn about the ATX motherboard standard, the micro-ATX standard, and the ITX motherboard form factors.
Motherboard Expansion Slots
If you’re adding on features to an existing motherboard, then you may be connecting to one of the available expansion slots. In this video, you’ll learn about PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) and PCIe (PCI Express) expansion slot technologies.