INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

MODULE 3
HARDWARE COMPONENTS
OF PERSONAL COMPUTER
• To differentiate among various styles of system units on
desktop computers, notebook computers, and mobile
devices
• Identify chips, adapter cards, and other components of a
motherboard
• To explain the control unit and arithmetic logic unit
components of a processor, and the four steps in a
machine cycle
• To differentiate between a port and a connector, and
explain the differences
• To describe different storage devices and types.
• To define and describe input and output unit.
The system unit (NOT CPU ☺) is a case that contains
electronic components of the computer used to
process data.
The inside of the system unit on a desktop personal
computer includes:
Drive bay(s)
Power supply
Sound card
Video card
Processor
Memory
The motherboard is the main circuit board of the
system unit
• A computer chip contains integrated circuits
The processor, also called the central processing unit
(CPU), interprets and carries out the basic instructions
that operate a computer
• Contain a control unit and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

Multi-core Dual-core Quad-core

processor processor processor
The control unit and the arithmetic logic unit:
• The control unit is the component of the processor
that directs and coordinates most of the operations in
the computer
• The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) performs arithmetic,
comparison, and other operations
For every instruction, a
processor repeats a set of
four basic operations,
which comprise a machine
cycle.
The pace of the system clock is called the clock speed,
and is measured in gigahertz (GHz)

The system clock controls

the timing of all computer
operations
• Memory consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed by the processor,
data needed by those instructions, and the results of
processing the data
• Stores three basic categories of items:
Data being
The operating
Application processed and the
system and other
programs resulting
system software
information
• Each location in memory has an address
• Memory size is measured in kilobytes (KB or K),
megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB)
The system unit contains two types of memory:

Volatile memory Nonvolatile memory

Loses its contents when Does not lose contents

power is turned off when power is removed

Examples include ROM,

Example includes RAM flash memory, and
CMOS
Three basic types of RAM chips exist:

Dynamic RAM
Static RAM (SRAM)
(DRAM)

Magnetoresistive
RAM (MRAM)
Dynamic RAM
• is a type of random-access memory that stores each bit of data in
a separate capacitor within an integrated circuit. The capacitor can
be either charged or discharged
Static RAM
• has three different states. It can be in: standby (the circuit is idle),
reading (the data has been requested) and writing (updating the
contents).
Magnetoresistive RAM
• data in MRAM is not stored as electric charge or current flows, but
by magnetic storage elements.
Dynamic RAM
• SDRAM (Singe Data rate RAM)
• DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
• memory transfer data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock
signal
• 400 MT/s
• DDR2 SDRAM
• 8.5 GT/s; “dual channel mode”; memory installed in pairs
• DDR3 SDRAM
• Operates at lower voltages; consuming less power
• 12.8 GT/s; dual and triple channel modes
• RAM chips usually reside
on a memory module and
are inserted into memory
slots.
• The amount of RAM necessary in a computer often
depends on the types of software you plan to use
• Memory cache speeds the processes of the computer
because it stores frequently used instructions and
data
Read-only memory (ROM)
refers to memory chips storing
permanent data and
instructions
• Firmware
• Flash memory can be erased electronically and
rewritten
• CMOS technology provides high speeds and
consumes little power
A hard disk drive (often shortened
as "hard disk“, "hard drive", or
"HDD"), is a non-volatile storage
device which stores digitally encoded
data on rapidly rotating platters with
magnetic surfaces. Strictly speaking,
"drive" refers to a device distinct from
its medium.
DVD, also known as "Digital
Versatile Disc" or "Digital Video
Disc," is an optical disc storage
media format. Its main uses are
video and data storage. DVDs are
of the same dimensions as
compact discs (CDs) but store
more than six times as much data.
Blu-ray Disc (also known as Blu-ray
or BD) is an optical disc storage
medium to supersede the standard
DVD format. Its main uses are for
storing PlayStation 3 games, high-
definition video and data storage with
up to 50GB per disc. The disc has the
same physical dimensions as
standard DVDs and CDs.
A USB flash drive consists of a
NAND-type flash memory data
storage device integrated with a
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
interface. USB flash drives are
typically removable and rewritable,
and most USB flash drives weigh
less than an ounce (30 g)
A memory card or flash memory card is a
solid-state electronic flash memory data
storage device capable of storing digital
contents. These are mainly used with digital
cameras, handheld and Mobile computers,
mobile phones, music players, digital
cinematography cameras, video game
consoles, and other electronics. They offer
high re-record-ability, power-free storage,
small form factor, and rugged
environmental specifications. There are
also non-solid-state memory cards that do
not use flash memory, and there are
different types of flash memory.
The keyboard is used to type data into the computer.
Pointing devices move some object on the screen and can
do some action.
Other pointing devices such as
Joysticks or game controllers.
The scanner allows you
to scan documents,
pictures or graphics
and view them on the
computer. It converts
image into dots that the
computer can
understand.
Digital cameras are
used to take
electronic pictures
of an object.
Microphones are
used to put sound
into a computer.
Today, commands
can also be given to
computer using your
voice.
Monitors shows the processed information on
screen. It displays soft copy of the information..
When the device is turned off the information goes
away.
Printers produces a hard copy of the
information. The information is printed on
paper and can be used when the device is off.
Speakers are used
to output sound.
• Docter, Q., Dulaney, E., & Skandier, T. (2016). CompTIA
+ Complete Study Guide (3rd Edition)
• Meyers, M. (2016). All In One CompTIA A+ Certification.
Mc Graw Hill.
• Pearson. (2016). Introduction to Computers and
Information Technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.
• Tavani, H. T. (2016). Ethics and Technology. Wiley.
• White, R. (2015). How Computer Work: The Evolution of
Technology. IN: Que.