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Hardware Specifications of a Computer System
Hardware Specifications ofa Computer System
Objective
Interpret the hardware specifications of acomputer system.
The main purpose of the CPU is to executeprograms.
It does this using three basic steps: The CPU uses the ALU to perform mathematical operations.
Moves data from one location in memory to another.
Makes decisions and moves to the new set of instructionsbased on those decisions.
Purpose of CPU
The main purpose of the CPU is to executeprograms.
It does this using three basic steps: The CPU uses the ALU to perform mathematical operations.
Moves data from one location in memory to another.
Makes decisions and moves to the new set of instructionsbased on those decisions.
CPU Type and Speed
The CPU is also called a processor ormicroprocessor.
It receives data/instructions input by the user,process information and executes commands.
Generally the CPU is housed in a single chip calledmicroprocessor.
The CPU market is dominated by Intel, AMD, IBMmanufacturers.
The CPU is also called a processor ormicroprocessor.
It receives data/instructions input by the user,process information and executes commands.
Generally the CPU is housed in a single chip calledmicroprocessor.
The CPU market is dominated by Intel, AMD, IBMmanufacturers.
Processors
Intel Processors Best used for desktop publishers
Visit
http://www.intel.com/consumer/learn/processors/index.htm?iid=gg_play+learn_processors - to learn more about the intelprocessors
AMD (Advanced Micro Device) Better for games and power uses
Visit
http://www.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDHomePage.aspx
Intel Processors Best used for desktop publishers
Visit
http://www.intel.com/consumer/learn/processors/index.htm?iid=gg_play+learn_processors - to learn more about the intelprocessors
AMD (Advanced Micro Device) Better for games and power uses
Visit
http://www.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDHomePage.aspx
To determine the CPU Type
Click on start.
Control Panel
Systems/Systems Information
The processor type is displayed as CPU Type orProcessor.
Click on start.
Control Panel
Systems/Systems Information
The processor type is displayed as CPU Type orProcessor.
CPU Speed and Performance
• The performance of a CPU is measured in hertz by itsclock rate. E.g. Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz)
• The clock rate is usually used to reference the speedof the CPU. It measures the speed of the processor tocompute calculations per cycle.– E.g. A 1 MHz CPU can accomplish 1 million CPU cycles per
second.
• The performance of a CPU is measured in hertz by itsclock rate. E.g. Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz)
• The clock rate is usually used to reference the speedof the CPU. It measures the speed of the processor tocompute calculations per cycle.– E.g. A 1 MHz CPU can accomplish 1 million CPU cycles per
second.
As other components of the system take on moreworkload, CPU speed has lesser impact.
Differences in technology means a slower chip thatperforms more calculations per cycle can be fasterthan a higher rate chip performing fewercalculations.
As other components of the system take on moreworkload, CPU speed has lesser impact.
Differences in technology means a slower chip thatperforms more calculations per cycle can be fasterthan a higher rate chip performing fewercalculations.
Memory
• RAM consists of memory modules that are installedon the motherboard that contain microchips whichhold data and programs while the CPU processesboth.
• RAM is volatile
• RAM comes in modules of either:– SIMM (Single in-line Memory Module)
– DIMM (Dual in-line Memory Module)
– RIMM (Rambus in-line Memory Module)
• RAM consists of memory modules that are installedon the motherboard that contain microchips whichhold data and programs while the CPU processesboth.
• RAM is volatile
• RAM comes in modules of either:– SIMM (Single in-line Memory Module)
– DIMM (Dual in-line Memory Module)
– RIMM (Rambus in-line Memory Module)
Memory: this is a location where information isstored that is currently being used by the OS,software programs, hardware devices and or users.
E.g. Recommended 32MBMinimum 16MB
Memory: this is a location where information isstored that is currently being used by the OS,software programs, hardware devices and or users.
E.g. Recommended 32MBMinimum 16MB
Memory Capacity
This is the maximum/minimum amount of memorya computer or hardware device is capable of havingor the required amount of memory required for aprogram to run.
Memory Type
• There are two main types of RAM:– Static RAM (SRAM)
– Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• Static RAM will hold data as long as it has power andprovides a memory cache.
• Dynamic RAM needs to be refreshed every fewmilliseconds.
• NB. Refreshed refers to rewriting data to the chip
• There are two main types of RAM:– Static RAM (SRAM)
– Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• Static RAM will hold data as long as it has power andprovides a memory cache.
• Dynamic RAM needs to be refreshed every fewmilliseconds.
• NB. Refreshed refers to rewriting data to the chip
DRAM
Most common type of RAM
Must be constantly reenergized or it will lose itscontents
Is always stored in either DIMM, RIMM, SIMM
Variations include: SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM),RDRAM (Rambus DRAM)
These are faster than normal DRAM with RDRAMbeing the fastest.
Most common type of RAM
Must be constantly reenergized or it will lose itscontents
Is always stored in either DIMM, RIMM, SIMM
Variations include: SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM),RDRAM (Rambus DRAM)
These are faster than normal DRAM with RDRAMbeing the fastest.
SRAM
Does not need data to be constantly rewritten orreenergized as often as DRAM
This saves CPU time which gives SRAM betterperformance, faster and more reliable than anyvariations of DRAM.
More expensive than DRAM
Does not need data to be constantly rewritten orreenergized as often as DRAM
This saves CPU time which gives SRAM betterperformance, faster and more reliable than anyvariations of DRAM.
More expensive than DRAM
Memory Cache
Pronounced ‘cash’ is called cache store or RAMcache.
It stores frequently used instructions and data,which improves the processing time of the CPU. E.gwhen the CPU needs an instruction it first checkscache. If it cannot find the data in cache, it thenchecks RAM.
Cache has faster access than RAM.
Pronounced ‘cash’ is called cache store or RAMcache.
It stores frequently used instructions and data,which improves the processing time of the CPU. E.gwhen the CPU needs an instruction it first checkscache. If it cannot find the data in cache, it thenchecks RAM.
Cache has faster access than RAM.
Word Size
The amount of data a processor’s internal dataregister can hold and process at one time.
Memory Speed
Visit
http://www.computermemoryupgrade.net/measuring-ram-speed.html
for information on memory speed.
HARD DRIVE/DISK
A rigid magnetic disk which provides more storageand faster access than a floppy disk
Capacity – the amount of storage on a hard disk,measured in gigabytes. This will be determined bythe size of your applications and the amount of datayou need to store.
they are available in many sizes, A typical personal computer will have a hard disk capacity of at
least 40 GB.
External hard disk has a storage capacity of 250 GB or more
Removable hard disks have a storage capacity of 80 GB ormore.
A rigid magnetic disk which provides more storageand faster access than a floppy disk
Capacity – the amount of storage on a hard disk,measured in gigabytes. This will be determined bythe size of your applications and the amount of datayou need to store.
they are available in many sizes, A typical personal computer will have a hard disk capacity of at
least 40 GB.
External hard disk has a storage capacity of 250 GB or more
Removable hard disks have a storage capacity of 80 GB ormore.
HARD DISK/DRIVE
Speed The hard drive spins continuously at a very fast rate – about
5400 to 7200 rpm (revolutions per minute)
It has an access time of about 8 ms (milliseconds)
FIRE WIRE
FireWire is a method of transferringinformation between digital devices,especially audio and video equipment. Alsoknown as IEEE 1394, FireWire is fast -- thelatest version achieves speeds up to 800Mbps.
You can connect up to 63 devices to aFireWire bus. Windows operating systems(98 and later) and Mac OS (8.6 and later)both support it.FireWire is plug-and-play.FireWire devices are hot pluggable, whichmeans they can be connected anddisconnected at any time, even with thepower on.
EXPANSION SLOTS
An opening in a computer where a circuit board canbe inserted to add new capabilities to the computer.Nearly all personal computers except portablescontain expansion slots for adding more memory,graphics capabilities, and support for special devices.The boards inserted into the expansion slots arecalled expansion boards, expansion cards , cards ,add-ins , and add-ons.
An opening in a computer where a circuit board canbe inserted to add new capabilities to the computer.Nearly all personal computers except portablescontain expansion slots for adding more memory,graphics capabilities, and support for special devices.The boards inserted into the expansion slots arecalled expansion boards, expansion cards , cards ,add-ins , and add-ons.
EXPANSION SLOTS Cont’d
Expansion slots for PCs come in two basic sizes: half- andfull-size. Half-size slots are also called 8-bit slots becausethey can transfer 8 bits at a time. Full-size slots aresometimes called 16-bit slots. In addition, modern PCsinclude PCI slots for expansion boards that connectdirectly to the PCI bus.
Expansion slots for PCs come in two basic sizes: half- andfull-size. Half-size slots are also called 8-bit slots becausethey can transfer 8 bits at a time. Full-size slots aresometimes called 16-bit slots. In addition, modern PCsinclude PCI slots for expansion boards that connectdirectly to the PCI bus.
PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect
Ports
An interface on a computer to which you can connect a device.
Information taken from http://www.vsubhash.com/writeups/pchardware.asp
Types of Ports
Port Device used with/for
Serial ports Mice
Parallel ports Printers
PS/2 Keyboards and micePS/2 Keyboards and mice
USB – Universal Serial Bus Printers, broadband modems, data drives,Mp3 players, mobile phones
Firewire Transferring information between digitaldevices especially audio and video equipment
Other types: composite video(RCA) port, Audio channel port,Optical S/PDIF audio port, GigabitEthernet
Video, microphone, speakers etc.
Other terms
Pentium – type of processor
Dual Core processor – containing twoindependent processors integrated into a single chip.Both AMD and Intel have dual-core processorsavailable. This type of processor is only beneficial ifthe software being used supports it.
64 –bit – the CPU can handle more memory andlarger files. It will drastically enhance theperformance of demanding applications e.g audio,video and complex engineering programs.
Pentium – type of processor
Dual Core processor – containing twoindependent processors integrated into a single chip.Both AMD and Intel have dual-core processorsavailable. This type of processor is only beneficial ifthe software being used supports it.
64 –bit – the CPU can handle more memory andlarger files. It will drastically enhance theperformance of demanding applications e.g audio,video and complex engineering programs.
Terms Cont’d
SDRAM – memory that can hold both data andprograms
Video card – designed to give a PC displaycapabilities Types of interfaces of Video cards
AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port
PCI-E – Peripheral Component InterconnectExpress
PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect
SDRAM – memory that can hold both data andprograms
Video card – designed to give a PC displaycapabilities Types of interfaces of Video cards
AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port
PCI-E – Peripheral Component InterconnectExpress
PCI – Peripheral Component Interconnect
Terms Cont’d
Integrated sound card
USB – Universal Serial Bus – way of setting upcomputers between a computer and peripheraldevices Replaces serial and parallel ports
HDD – Hard disk drive
DVD-R – Digital Video Disk Recordable
LCD monitor – Liquid crystal display
AGP Slot – an area on the motherboard designed for a video card
it gives the motherboard display capabilities
Integrated sound card
USB – Universal Serial Bus – way of setting upcomputers between a computer and peripheraldevices Replaces serial and parallel ports
HDD – Hard disk drive
DVD-R – Digital Video Disk Recordable
LCD monitor – Liquid crystal display
AGP Slot – an area on the motherboard designed for a video card
it gives the motherboard display capabilities
Terms Cont’d
APC Biometric reader - a quick and easy way to addbiometric protection to your PC. The device uses anAuthenTec fingerprint reader and the OmniPasspassword manager to provide fingerprint-basedaccess to websites, protected files and directories,and the Windows login screen.
http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/15/apc-biometric-mouse-adds-fingerprint-reader-to-pcs/
APC Biometric reader - a quick and easy way to addbiometric protection to your PC. The device uses anAuthenTec fingerprint reader and the OmniPasspassword manager to provide fingerprint-basedaccess to websites, protected files and directories,and the Windows login screen.
http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/15/apc-biometric-mouse-adds-fingerprint-reader-to-pcs/
Line Conditioner
Tripp Lite's 1200 watt Automatic Voltage Regulation(AVR) system.
Protects sensitive electronics, computer accessoriesand home theater equipment from power-relateddamage and performance problems.
Extends the useful life of connected equipment byproviding optimum voltage conditions for enhancedefficiency and cooler internal operatingtemperatures.
http://www.altex.com/Tripp-Lite-1200-Watt-Line-Conditioner-AVR-System-LC-1200-P139529.aspx
Tripp Lite's 1200 watt Automatic Voltage Regulation(AVR) system.
Protects sensitive electronics, computer accessoriesand home theater equipment from power-relateddamage and performance problems.
Extends the useful life of connected equipment byproviding optimum voltage conditions for enhancedefficiency and cooler internal operatingtemperatures.
http://www.altex.com/Tripp-Lite-1200-Watt-Line-Conditioner-AVR-System-LC-1200-P139529.aspx
Line Conditioner
APC – AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION
REFERENCES
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/E/expansion_slot.htmlwww.techterms.com
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/firewire.htmhttp://computer.howstuffworks.com/firewire.htm
http://www.computermemoryupgrade.net/measuring-ram-speed.html
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=hard+drive+capacity&i=44089,00.asp
http://www.compsource.com/ttechnote.asp?part_no=LC1200&vid=450
References Cont’d
Information Technology for CXC CSEC – GlendaGay/Ronald Blades
IT for CSEC – Jan Holligan and Stephen Doyle
