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Chapter 2. Computer Hardware

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Chapter 2. Computer Hardware

Uploaded by

cabiaza.theo489
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 2.

COMPUTER HARDWARE
What is computer hardware?

- refers to all physical parts of a


computer system, or those which
can be touched or seen.

- “any physical parts or


components that contribute to a
computer system.”

- it is required for a computer to


function
Can be classified as :
INTERNAL EXTERNAL
- required for the computer to run - enhances the use or functionality
Input Devices
- is a piece of equipment used
to provide data and control
signals to an information
processing system, such as
a computer or information
appliance.

- allow users to interact with a


computer system by
providing data or commands
Storage Devices

- A storage device is a piece of


hardware that can be used to store
digital information and programs,
such as photographs, videos, audio,
and other types of data.
HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Traditional storage device using spinning disks to
hold your files. Think of it like an old-school record player for your computer's
data.

SSD (Solid State Drive): Non-volatile storage based on flash memory.


Provides super-fast read/write speeds, shock resistance, and silent operation,
but costs more per gigabyte than HDDs.

RAM (Random Access Memory): Volatile memory where the computer's


currently running programs and active data are stored. Crucial for system
responsiveness, as RAM access is significantly faster than storage devices.
ROM (Read-Only Memory): Non-volatile memory that usually contains
permanent instructions for the computer, like the BIOS (Basic Input/Output
System). ROM typically cannot be altered after the initial programming.

Pen Drive (Flash Drive/USB Drive): Portable non-volatile storage device


using flash memory and a USB interface. Convenient for file transfers and
storing smaller datasets.

Floppy Disk: Outdated magnetic storage with extremely limited capacity


(approximately 1.44 MB). Obsolete and mostly replaced by larger and faster
storage options.
What is CPU?
- The Central Processing Unit,
responsible for executing instructions,
and therefore the core of any
computer.

- Analogy: If the computer was a body,


the CPU is its brain.
Important Parts of CPU
- Cores: Think of cores like multiple
mini-brains inside the CPU – more cores
mean better multitasking (handling several
things at once).

- Clock Speed: This is how fast the CPU


'thinks', measured in GHz. Faster clock
speed usually means faster programs.

- Cache: A small, super-fast memory for


storing the most important instructions,
making everything quicker.
Choosing the Right CPU

- Workload: Consider what kind of tasks you'll


be performing:
- Basic use (web browsing, email):
Budget-friendly CPUs are fine
- Gaming: Prioritize high clock speeds
and more cores.
- Video editing/Design: Lots of cores
and high clock speeds are essential.
- Brand: Intel, AMD and Apple Silicon are the
dominant players, each with their strengths
and pricing strategies.
Output Devices
- piece of computer hardware
that converts information or
data into a
human-perceptible form or,
historically, into a physical
machine-readable form for
use with other
non-computerized
equipment. It can be text,
graphics, audio, or video.
How computer process data?
Input: Data is entered into the computer system through various input devices such as keyboards, mice, scanners,
microphones, or sensors. This data can be in the form of text, numbers, images, sound, or any other digital
information.

Processing: Once the data is input, the computer's central processing unit (CPU) executes instructions to manipulate
and transform the data. This involves performing calculations, sorting, filtering, or any other operations specified by
software programs or algorithms.

Storage: Processed data or intermediate results may be temporarily stored in the computer's memory (RAM) for quick
access during processing. For long-term storage, data is saved on storage devices such as hard drives, solid-state
drives (SSDs), or cloud storage services.

Output: Finally, the processed data is presented to the user or another system through output devices such as
monitors, printers, speakers, or network connections. This output could be in the form of text, graphics, audio, video, or
any other format depending on the nature of the data and the intended audience.

Throughout this process, the computer follows instructions provided by software programs or algorithms, which define
the specific tasks to be performed and the sequence in which they should be executed.

This combination of hardware and software enables computers to efficiently process vast amounts of data, perform
complex calculations, and automate various tasks to support a wide range of applications across different industries
and domains.

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