Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Eastern University,
Sri Lanka.
The Computer
A computer is essentially an information processor that is able to
perform substantial computation without intervention by
human operators.
Hardware
Software
Input Devices
System
Software
Live ware
Firm ware
Application
Software
Output Devices
Operating
System
Storage Devices
Language
Translators
Communication
Devices
System
Utilities
Computer Hardware
Internal Storage
It is also known as primary storage, main storage, immediate storage and RAM & ROM.
RAM- Random Access Memory
1. This is also called as the main memory, and most commonly RAM (Random Access Memory).
2. It is a volatile memory. That is, it requires continuous supply of electrical power to retain
information.
3. The internal storage (RAM) is used to,
Receive the commands and data from the input units.
Store the information to ready to be sent to the output units.
Store the currently running programs.
Store the data required for the currently running programs.
ROM-Read Only Memory
Non-volatile memory and can read the data inside the ROM but can not write .
This is the permanent memory to store special control programs (system software) written by the
manufacturer to perform a variety of functions such as, loading of main components of the
operating system at the time of starting a computer.
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
Secondary Storage
Secondary storage is also called auxiliary storage. Secondary storage is more permanent than
main memory, as data and programs are retained when the power is turned off. These media
can transfer large block of data rapidly to the primary memory storage, but slower compared
to primary storage because it requires mechanical movement to gain access to the data.
Main Points
1. Secondary storage units are non-volatile.
2. They are used to store programs and data for future use.
3. The common secondary storage units are Floppy disks, Hard disk, CD ROM, Magnetic Tape.
Removable storage
Removable storage, in computing terms, is any form of data
storage which is not incorporated into the computer itself.
Removable storage is also much more portable than an entire
computer, allowing people to easily carry data back and forth
from a wide variety of locations.
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the central
processor, but more commonly called processor, the CPU is where most calculations take
place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer
system.
Two typical components of a CPU are the following:
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU),
ALU is a part of a computer that performs all arithmetic
computations, such as addition and multiplication, and all
comparison operations. The ALU is one component of the
CPU
The Control Unit (CU),
CU is a typical component of the CPU that implements the
microprocessor instruction set. It extracts instructions
from memory and decodes and executes them, and sends
the necessary signals to the ALU to perform the operation
needed.
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
Software
Computer software, or just software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer
programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system.
1.
Intangible in nature.
2.
Consists of step by step instructions that tell the computer what to do.
3.
4.
Microprocessor
The Central Processing Unit, Which is often referred to as the Processor is the brain of the computer.
Without this chip no other function of the PC is possible. It is the CPU that understands commands, executes
program instructions and does all basic processing in the computer.
The leading manufacturer and designer of processor for the personal computer is the Intel Corporation.
Other companies that manufacture processors are AMD, Cyrix, and Motorola.
PROCESSORS
INTEL 4004
(World First Microprocessor)
INTEL 80286
INTEL PENTIUM 4
INTEL Core i7
The first CPU worked at a frequency of 4.77 MHz. Subsequently then, clock frequency rates 16,
25,50,66,90,133 and 200 MHz to the best today, which operate at almost 3800 MHz. Clock frequencies
are still being increased. In a few years we will have CPUs operating at5000MHz and more. To reach
these very high clock frequencies, one has to employ a technique called clock multiplying.
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
Cache Memory
Cache (pronounced cash) memory is extremely fast memory that is
built into a computers central processing unit (CPU), or located next
to it on a separate chip. In its simplest terms, cache memory is a highspeed memory buffer that temporarily stores data the processor needs,
allowing the processor to retrieve that data faster than if it came from
main memory.
Hyper-Threading Technology
Hyper-threading is a new technology which allows a single core
processor to simulate having two cores, giving a performance boost
when running several programs at once. However, Hyper Threading
technology requires a motherboard that supports Hyper threading
technology which are generally very expensive. And of course the
software you use has to be optimized for Hyper threading to give more
speed.
Dual Core Technology
Dual-core processors have two processor cores on one chip for twice
the operating power and for better multitasking. Major advantages of
dual core processors are evident when doing heavy multitasking, such
as encoding video and playing video games at the same time.
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
CPU Transistors
April 1972
Name of Processor: 8008
Clock speed: 200 kilohertz
Number of transistors: 3,500
December 1974
Name of Processor: 8080
Clock speed: 2 MHz
Number of transistors: 6,000
August 1976
Name of Processor: 8085
Clock speed: 5 MHz
Number of transistors: 6,500
September 1978
Name of Processor: 8086
Clock speed: 10 MHz
Number of transistors: 29,000
February 1982
Name of Processor: 286
Clock speed: 12 MHz
Number of transistors: 134,000
October 1985
Name of Processor: 386
Clock speed: 16 MHz
Number of transistors: 275,000
February 1987
Name of Processor: 386
Clock speed: 20 MHz
Number of transistors: 275,000
April 1989
Name of Processor: 486
Clock speed: 25 MHz
Number of transistors: 1,200,000
June 1991
Name of Processor: 486
Clock speed: 50 MHz
Number of transistors: 1,200,000
March 1993
Name of Processor: Pentium
Clock speed: 60 MHz
Number of transistors: 3.1 million
March 1994
Name of Processor: Pentium
Clock speed: 75 MHz
Number of transistors: 3.2 million
March 1995
Name of Processor: Pentium
Clock speed: 120 MHz
Number of transistors: 3.2 million
June 1995
Name of Processor: Pentium
Clock speed: 133 MHz
Number of transistors: 3.3 million
January 1996
Name of Processor: Pentium
Clock speed: 166 MHz
Number of transistors: 3.3 million
June 1996
Name of Processor: Pentium
Clock speed: 200 MHz
Number of transistors: 3.3 million
May 1997
Name of Processor: Pentium II
Clock speed: 300 MHz
Number of transistors: 3.3 million
April 1998
Name of Processor: Pentium II
Clock speed: 400 MHz
Number of transistors: 7.5 million
August 1998
Name of Processor: Pentium II
Clock speed: 450 MHz
Number of transistors: 7.5 million
August 1999
Name of Processor: Pentium III
Clock speed: 600 MHz
Number of transistors: 9.5 million
October 1999
Name of Processor: Pentium III
Clock speed: 733 MHz
Number of transistors: 28 million
January 2000
Name of Processor: Pentium III
Clock speed: 800 MHz
Number of transistors: 28 million
March 2000
Name of Processor: Pentium III
Clock speed: 1.0 GHz
Number of transistors: 28 million
November 2000
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 1.5 GHz
Number of transistors: 42 million
April 2001
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 1.7 GHz
Number of transistors: 42 million
Aug 2001
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 2 GHz
Number of transistors: 42 million
Jan 2002
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 2.2 GHz
Number of transistors: 42 million
Jun 2002
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 2.53 GHz
Number of transistors: 55 million
Aug 2002
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 2.8 GHz
Number of transistors: 55 million
Nov 2002
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 3.0 GHz
Number of transistors: 55 million
Jun 2003
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 3.2 GHz
Number of transistors: 55 million
Feb 2004
Name of Processor: Pentium 4
Clock speed: 3.4 GHz
Number of transistors: 55 million
Motherboards
This comprises a printed circuit board, about the size of an A4 sheet of paper in the case of standard desktop
computers. It has all the computers processing chips mounted on it, either being soldered directly to the board
or being plugged into sockets on the board. The motherboard that contained the sockets and a collection of
slots that auxiliary cards could plug into. All the power, data and addressing information is carried between
components on the copper tracks etched on to the printed circuit board.
modern motherboards
AGP Slots
Rear Connectors
North Bridge
Chipset
RAM Slots
(DIMM)
Front Panel
Connectors
IDE Connectors
Power connector
Chipsets
A chipset or chip set refers to a group of integrated circuits, or chips, that are designed to work together.
In computing, the term chipset is commonly used to refer to a set of specialized chips on a computer's
motherboard or an expansion card. Another name for a chip, an integrated circuit (IC) is a small
electronic device made out of a semiconductor material.
Integrated circuits are often classified by the number of transistors and other electronic components they
contain:
SSI (small-scale integration)
: Up to 100 electronic components per chip
MSI (medium-scale integration)
: From 100 to 3,000 electronic components per chip
LSI (large-scale integration)
: From 3,000 to 100,000 electronic components per chip
VLSI (very large-scale integration) : From 100,000 to 1,000,000 electronic components per chip
ULSI (ultra large-scale integration) : More than 1 million electronic components per chip
Personal Computer Chip Set Manufacturers.
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
nVidia
Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.
VIA Technologies Inc.
Intel
Modern motherboard chipsets nearly always consist of two separate chips. These two chips on the motherboard
are called the north bridge and the south bridge. Together, the north bridge and the south bridge handle all of
the communication between the processor, RAM, video options, PCI slots, BIOS, ATA controller, USB ports,
integrated modem, integrated LAN port and integrated sound.
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
North Bridge
Chipset
South Bridge
Chipset
Heat sinks
A component designed to lower the temperature of an electronic device by dissipating heat into the
surrounding air. All modern CPUs require a heat sink.
There are two types of heat sinks: passive and active.
Passive heat sinks are 100% reliable, as they have no mechanical components. Passive heatsinks are made of
an aluminum-finned radiator that dissipates heat through convection. For Passive heatsinks to work to their full
capacity, it is recommended that there is a steady air flow moving across the fins.
Ball bearing
A ball bearing is an engineering term referring to a type of rolling-element bearing which uses balls to maintain
the separation between the moving parts of the bearing. The purpose of a ball bearing is to reduce rotational
friction and support radial and axial loads.
Types of RAMs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
SRAM
DRAM
FPMDRAM
EDORAM
SDRAM
DDR SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM
DDR3 SDRAM
RDRAM
DDR SDRAM
Double data rate (DDR) SDRAM memory is a standard that is an evolutionary upgrade of standard SDRAM in
which data is transferred twice as quickly. Instead of doubling the actual clock rate, DDR memory achieves the
doubling in performance by transferring twice per transfer cycle.
DDR3 SDRAM
DDR3 is the next generation of Double Data Rate
(DDR) Synchronous Dynamic Random Access
Memory (SDRAM). It is an evolution of DDR and
DDR2 memory technology that delivers higher
speeds, lower power consumption and heat
dissipation.
RD RAM
RDRAM
RDRAM is a radical departure from the previous DRAM architecture. Designed by Rambus, RDRAM uses a
Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM), which is similar in size and pin configuration to a standard DIMM.
What makes RDRAM so different is its use of a special high-speed data bus called the Rambus channel.
Summery Chart
SD RAM
DDR SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM
DDR3 SDRAM
RD RAM
Number of pins
168
184
240
240
232
Module Density
64MB,128MB
128MB-1GB
128MB-2GB, 4GB
128MB-2GB,4GB
Supply Voltage
3.3V
2.5V
1.8V
1.5V
2.5V
DIMM Slot
Dual Inline Memory Module
DIMM Slot
Dual Inline Memory Module
DIMM Slot
Dual Inline Memory Module
RIMM Slot
Rambus Inline Memory Module
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
The figure shows the SIMM inserted in the socket with the
notch aligned, the locking clip locked, and the hole in the
SIMM aligned with the tab in the socket.
BIOS
In computing, stands for Basic Input/Output System or Basic Integrated Operating System. BIOS refers to the
software code run by a computer when first powered on. The primary function of BIOS is to prepare the machine so
other software programs stored on various media (such as hard drives, floppies, and CDs) can load, execute, and
assume control of the computer. This process is known as booting up.
Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor
- Basic Input Output System
Running or Accessing the CMOS Setup Program
If you want to run the BIOS Setup program, you usually have to reboot and press a particular key or key
combination during the POST. The major vendors have standardized the following keystrokes to enter the BIOS
Setup in recent systems:
CMOS Battery
All AT computers (80286 processor) or later require a small battery on the system board that provides power to
the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) chip, even while the computer is turned off. This chip
contains information about the system configuration (e.g., hard disk type, floppy drive types, date and time, and
the order in which the computer will look for bootable disks). The CMOS battery allows the CMOS to preserve
these settings.
The most common battery used in today computers .3 volt Lithium coin cell battery.
On Board Peripherals
Expansion Cards
Video cards
A video card, also known as a graphics accelerator card, display adapter, or graphics card, is an expansion card
whose function is to generate and output images to a display.
Sound Cards
A sound card (also known as an audio card) is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output
of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs.
Network cards
A network card, network adapter, network interface controller (NIC), network interface card, or LAN adapter is
a computer hardware component designed to allow computers to communicate over a computer network.
Modems
Modem, an acronym for modulator/demodulator, is a device that allows one computer to "talk" with another
one over a standard telephone line.
TV tuner cards
A TV tuner card is a computer component that allows television signals to be received by a computer. Most TV
tuners also function as video capture cards, allowing them to record television programs onto a hard disk.
Capture card
A device that is used to digitize analog audio or video and write to a file or write digital audio or video to a file.
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
Sound Cards
Network Cards
RJ45 port
Modems
TV tuner cards
Capture card
Hard Disk
Power connector
ATA connector
Jumper
SATA Power
SATA Data
S.Kishokumar B Sc (EUSL), PG Dip in IT (UPDN), MBCS.
Centre for Information and Communication Technology
Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
Megabits per
Second
Megabytes per
Second
1.5 Mbps
0.1875 MBps
12 Mbps
1.5 MBps
480 Mbps
60 MBps
5120 Mbps
640 MBps
Transfer rate
400Mbps (50MBps)
800Mbps (100MBps)
Maximum number
of devices
Maximum cable
length between
devices
IEEE-1394a (also
called i.Link or
FireWire 400)
IEEE-1394b (also
called FireWire 800)
USB 1.1
USB 2.0
63
63
127
127
4.5 meters
5 meters
5 meters
480Mbps (60MBps)
Transfer rate
400Mbps (50MBps)
800Mbps (100MBps)
12Mbps (1.5MBps)
Typical devices
Keyboards; mice;
joysticks; low-res digital
cameras; low-speed
drives; ;modems; printers;
low-res scanners.
Power Supply