TOPIC 2

THE SYSTEM UNIT Adapted from slides provided by the authors of the textbook
“Computing Essentials 2017” by Timothy O'Leary and Linda O'Leary and Daniel O'Leary
“Discovering Computers 2011: Living in a Digital World” by Gary B. Shelly, Jeffrey J. Quasney, Misty E. Vermaat, Steven M Freund, and Susan L. Sebok
Learning Objectives

1 Differentiate between the five basic types of system units.

2 Describe system boards, including sockets, slots, and bus lines.

Recognize different microprocessors, including microprocessor chips and

3 specialty processors.

Compare different types of computer memory including RAM, ROM, and

4 flash memory.
Learning Objectives
5 Explain expansion slots and cards.

6 Describe bus lines, bus widths, and expansion buses.

7 Describe ports, including standard and specialized ports.

8 Identify power supplies for desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile devices.

9 Explain how a computer can represent numbers and encode characters electronically.
THE SYSTEM UNIT
Introduction Expansion Slots and Cards
System Unit Bus Lines
• Desktops Expansion Buses
• Laptops Ports
• Tablets Standard Ports
• Smartphones Specialized Ports
• Wearable Computers Cables
Components Making IT work for you:
Tv Tuners
• System Board
Power Supply
• Microprocessor
• Microprocessor Chips Electronic Data and Instructions
Numeric Representation
• Specialty Processors
Character Encoding
•Memory
• RAM Careers in IT
• ROM A Look to the Future: Chips inside Your
• Flash Memory Brain
Introduction
• Speed, capacity, and flexibility determine the power of personal
computers.
• Knowledge of a computer’s power allows you to make good buying
decisions and to determine if your current system will run new
applications.
• Competent end users need to understand the functionality of the
basic components of the system unit
 System Unit
also known as System Chassis
• Container that houses most of the
electronic components that make up
a computer system
• Contains system’s electronic
components and selected secondary
storage devices
System Unit for Different Types
of PCs

Desktops Laptops Tablets Smartphone Wearables

System unit is in a Portable and much Smaller, lighter, and Most popular Contain embedded
separate case smaller generally less device – handheld computers
-Tower Units Two-in-one powerful than computer
laptops- laptop computers. Extend the Common wearable
-All-in-Ones
touchscreen – fold Mini tablet - type capabilities of cell Computers:
-All components flat of tablet with a phones
including monitor -Smartwatches like
Ultrabooks – laptop smaller screen - to Apple’s Watch.
and tablet in one transport in pockets
and purses -Activity trackers
Gaming – high end like Fitbit’s Flex..
graphics
System Unit Components

Components
• Although all devices
come in many shapes
and sizes they have
similarities such as
• System boards
• Microprocessors
• Memory
 System Unit Components>System Board

System Board
System board or main board or
motherboard controls communication
for the entire computer system
• All components and devices connect
to the system board
• Data path and traffic monitor
• Allows various components to
communication efficiently with one
another
 Sockets and Chips
The system board contains a variety of
electronic components
• Sockets – the connection
point for chips Chip
Chips
• Tiny circuit boards etched onto squares of silicon
• Also called silicon chip, semiconductor, or
integrated circuit
• Mounted on chip carriers

Chip mounted onto a chip carrier

 Slots and Bus Lines
• Slots
• Provide a connection point for
specialized cards or circuit boards
• Provide expansion capabilities for
the computer
Bus lines
• Connecting lines that provide
pathways to support communication
among electronic components
 System Unit Components>Microprocessor

Microprocessor
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Processor
• Contained on a single chip call a Microprocessor
• Microprocessor = Brains of the computer
• Two Basic Components of the CPU:
1. Control unit
• Tells the computer system how to carry out a program’s instruction
2. Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU)
• Performs arithmetic (fundamental math operations: addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division) and logical operations (comparisons such as whether one
item is equal to (=), less than (<), or greater than (>) the other)
Relationship between Memory, Processor,
Storage, Input and Output Devices
When user starts a program, its
instruction transfer from a storage
device to memory.
Data needed by programs enters
memory from either an input device
or a storage device.
The control unit interprets and
executes instructions in memory, and
the ALU performs calculations on the
data in memory.
Resulting information is stored in
memory, from which it can be sent to
an output device or a storage device
for future access, as needed.
Processor Machine Cycle
For every instruction, a processor repeats a set of four basic operations,
which comprise a machine cycle.
Microprocessor Chips
• Chip capacities are expressed in word size
• Word size refers to the number of bits a computer's processor can handle at
once. It defines the amount of data the processor can process in a single
operation. Word size is commonly measured in bits, such as 16-bit, 32-bit, or
64-bit, and is a fundamental attribute of a computer’s architecture.
• Processing speed is typically represented by its Clock Speed
• Processing speed or the number of times the CPU fetches and processes data
or instructions in a second
• word size affects how much data can be processed at once, processing speed
(measured in gigabits per second, or Gbps) refers to the rate at which data
can be transmitted between devices or processed over a network.
In summary, word size directly influences the amount of data processed in each cycle, while processing
speed (in Gbps) quantifies how fast data can be transferred or processed. Together, they determine a
system’s overall efficiency and performance.
 Multicore Chips
• Multicore Processors
• Multicore processing is more focused on using
multiple cores within a single processor to run tasks
more efficiently, which is common in everyday
computing environments.
• Two or more separate and independent CPUs
within a system unit
• Quad-core supports 4 core processes
• Parallel Processing
• Computer’s ability to divided tasks into parts
that can be distributed across each core
• Windows 8 and Mac OS X support parallel
processing
• Parallel processing is a broader concept that
involves dividing a large task across multiple
processors or systems, ideal for heavy,
computation-intensive tasks.
Specialty Processors
• Coprocessors
• Designed to improve specific computing operations
• One of the most widely used  Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) / Graphics
coprocessors
• Designed to handle a variety of specialized tasks
• 3D images
• Encrypting data
• Standard features in gaming computers
• Many cars have more than 70 separate specialty processors to control nearly
everything from fuel efficiency to satellite entertainment and tracking
systems.
System Unit Components>Memory

Memory
• Holding area for data, instructions, and information
• Contained on chips connected to the system board
• Three well-known types of memory chips:
• RAM
• Random Access Memory
• ROM
• Read Only Memory
• Flash Memory
 Memory
• The system unit contains two types of memory:

Volatile memory Non volatile memory

Does not lose contents when
Loses its contents when power is removed
power is turned off

Example includes RAM, Examples include ROM

cache memory and and flash memory
virtual
System Unit Components>Memory>RAM

RAM
• Random Access Memory (RAM) chips hold programs and data that the
CPU is presently processing
• Volatile or temporary – contents are lost when computer is powered off
• Cache memory – temporary, high-speed holding area between the
memory and CPU
• Additional RAM can be added using an expansion module called a DIMM
(Dual in-line memory module)
System Unit Components>Memory>RAM

RAM continued
• Virtual Memory
• Dividing a program between memory and storage enabling the system to run
very large programs
• Memory is expressed in bytes
 RAM continued
• Virtual Memory
• a memory management capability that uses hardware and software to allow a
computer to compensate for physical memory shortages by temporarily transferring
data from random access memory (RAM) to disk storage.
 RAM continued
• Each location in memory has an address
• Memory is expressed in bytes - memory size is measured in kilobytes (KB
or K), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB)
System Unit Components>Memory>ROM

ROM
• Read-only memory (ROM)
• Information stored by the manufacturer
• Non-volatile and cannot be changed
• CPU can read, or retrieve data and programs in ROM but the
computer cannot change ROM
• Contain special instructions
• Start the computer
• Access memory
• Handle keyboard input
System Unit Components>Memory>Flash Memory

Flash Memory
• Flash memory combines of the features of:
• RAM, it can be updated
• ROM, it is non-volatile -does not lose that information when power
is off.
• Contains startup information
• BIOS (basic input/output system)
• Amount of RAM
• Type of keyboard, mouse, and secondary storage devices connected
• Many ROM chips are being replaced by flash memory
Summary (RAM , ROM,Virtual and Flash Memory

• RAM is used for short-term, high-

speed data access while running
programs.
• ROM contains essential system code
and does not change often.
• Virtual Memory acts as a backup for
RAM when it’s full, using slower disk
space.
• Flash Memory is non-volatile
storage for long-term data retention,
used in a wide variety of devices.
Expansion Slots and Cards
Expands your system’s capabilities
• Graphics cards for high quality 3D graphics
• Network interface cards (NIC) connect
devices to networks via cables
• Wireless network cards connect devices
to networks without cables
• SD cards (Secure Digital)
• Expansion cards for mobile devices
 Bus Lines / Bus
Connect parts of the CPU to each other and various
other components on the system board
• Pathway for bits representing data and instructions
• Bus width
• Number of bits that can travel simultaneously down a bus
• Architecture and design are tied to the speed and
power for the computer
• Two basic categories of buses
• System bus – connects CPU to memory
• Expansion bus – connects CPU to other components
Expansion Buses
Principle types:
• Universal Serial Bus (USB)
• Connects external USB devices onto the USB bus
• FireWire
• Primarily used to connect audio and video equipment to the
system board
• PCI Express (PCIe)
• Single dedicated path for each connected device
 Ports
Socket for connecting external devices
to the system unit
• Ports connect directly
• To the system board
• To cards inserted into slots on the
system board
• Two Types
• Standard Ports
• Specialized Ports
Ports (PC)
Ports (Laptop)
 Standard Ports
• USB
• Keyboards, mice, printers,
storage devices
• Ethernet
• High speed networking
• HDMI – High Definition Multimedia Interface
• High definition video and audio
• Thunderbolt
• Provides high-speed connections
• Can connect up to 7 separate devices through 1 port
Specialized Ports
• External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA)
• High-speed connection for external secondary storage
• Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)
• Connect musical instruments
• Mini DisplayPort (MiniDP or mDP)
• Connection to large monitors
• VGA & DVI
• Connections to analog and digital monitors
• FireWire
• High-speed connections to FireWire devices
Cables
• Used to connect external devices to the system unit via the ports
• One end of the cable is attached to the device and the other end has
a connector that is attached to a matching connector on the port
Making IT Work for You ~ TV Tuners

• Using Windows Media Center as a DVR

• Install TV Tuner to connect your computer or cable to your computer
 Power Supply
• Computers require direct
current (DC) power converting
alternating current (AC) from
wall outlets or batteries
• Desktop computers have a
power supply unit in the system
unit
• Laptops use AC adapters in the
system unit
• Tablets and mobile devices use
internal AC adapters
• Smartphones can use wireless
charging platforms
 Electronic Data and Instructions
• Digital electronic signals
• in one of two states: on or off
• Recognized by computers
• Analog signals
• Continuous signal vary in strength and quality
• Created by voices
• Conversion must take place from analog to
digital before processing can occur
 Numeric Representation
• Two-state binary system consists of only two
digits called bits
• On = 1; negative charge
• Off = 0; no charge
• Byte = 8 bits grouped together as a unit. A byte
represents a single character in the computer
• Hexadecimal system
• Uses 16 digits to represent binary numbers
(0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F)
 Character Encoding
Character encoding standards assign a unique sequence of bits to each
character
• ASCII
• American Standard Code for Information Interchange
• Used by personal computers
• EBCDIC
• Extended Binary coded Decimal Interchange Code
• Used by mainframe computers
• Unicode
• New encoding due to explosion of the Internet
• Uses 16 bits
• Recognized by virtually all computer systems
A Look to the Future
• Wearable computers
• Send and receive email while jogging
• Maintain your personal schedule book
• Remember the names of people at a party
 Open-Ended Questions (Page 1
of 3)
1. Describe the five most common types of personal computers.
Answer: 1. Laptop 2. Smartphone 3. Tablet 4.Desktop 5. Wearable

2. Describe system boards including sockets, chips, chip carriers, slots, and bus lines.
Answer : system boards is a part that controls communication
for the entire computer system. Sockets is the connection
point for chips and also chips is a part that functions for process data to complete tasks. Chip carriers also provides an easily
swappable socketed chip. Slots is Provide a connection point for specialized cards or circuit boards and Provide expansion capabilities for
the computer. Bus lines is also functionable to connecting lines that provide pathways to support communication among electronic
components

3. Discuss microprocessor components, chips, and specialty processors.

Answer : Microprocessor also known as a brains of computer that include the Control Unit and Arithmetic –logic Unit (ALU).
Microprocessor chips are include chip capacities where this chips are expressed in word size and also processing speed on data
or instructions in a second. Specialty processors were designed for improve specific computing operations.
Open-Ended Questions (Page 2
of 3)
4. Define computer memory including RAM, ROM, and flash memory.
- The computer memory are contains in two types of memory that is velotile memory and
non velotile memory. RAM is chips that hold hold programs and data that the CPU is
represently processing. ROM is an information stored by the manufacturer. Flash memory
are combines of the features of RAM and ROM.

5. Define expansion slots, cards, including graphics cards, network interface cards,
wireless network cards, and SD cards.
-

5. Describe bus lines, bus width, system bus, and expansion bus.
Open-Ended Questions (Page 3
of 3)
7. Define ports including standard and specialized ports. Give examples of each.
-

8. Describe power supply including power supply units and AC adapters.

9. Discuss electronic data and instructions.