Fundamentals of Information Technology

Chapter Two
Computer Hardware
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Outline
• What is a Computer? Overview of a Computer
• Computer Hardware, Inside the System Unit
• Power Supply Unit
• Motherboard
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Primary Memory, Secondary Memory
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Memory Hierarchy
• Expansion Cards, Graphics Card
• Input Devices, Output Devices
• Connectors and Buses
• Computer Networks – Quick look Common Network Topologies:
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 What is a Computer?
 A computer is an electronic device that stores and processes data.

 The computer consists of Hardware and Software.

 Hardware refers to the physical elements of the computer.

 Major Hardware Components:

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU).
2. Main memory (such as RAM).
3. Secondary storage devices (such as hard disks, CDs, and DVDs)
4. Input devices ( such as keyboard, mouse, and microphone).
5. Output devices (such as monitors, speakers, and printers).
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Overview of a Computer

o n
ti
Processing ci a
un
m
m
Co
Input

Input Output

Storage
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 Computer Hardware
Computer Hardware is the physical components that a computer system requires to function.

Monitor System Unit

Keyboard Mouse

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Inside the System Unit
RAM

Optical drive
Power supply

Fans
CPU
Hard disk drive

Expansion cards

Motherboard

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Inside a Laptop
RAM CPU

Fans

Optical
Drive Motherboard

Power Supply (Batteries)

Hard Disk Drive

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 Power Supply Unit
Converts AC voltage to DC voltage for use within the computer

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 Motherboard
The main circuit board to which all components are connected, allowing them to
communicate with each other

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 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• The ‘brain’ of a computer. Processes data in a computer using its instruction set.

• Performance measured in instructions per second.

• CPUs must be kept cool, generally using a heatsink and fan.

• Modern CPUs have multiple cores, increasing their processing capacity.

• New kinds of processors, such as system on chip (SoC) are commonly used in
mobile and embedded devices.

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Primary Memory

• Used to store data for quick access by CPU

• Main form of primary memory is Random Access Memory (RAM)
• RAM is volatile memory
• More RAM improves a computer’s speed by providing more quick access memory
• Many types of RAM; common type is DDR3 SDRAM

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Secondary Memory
• Used to store files for repeated access over time

• Also known as non-volatile storage; the storage medium retains its contents
without needing a supply of electricity
• Many forms of secondary storage:
 Hard disk drive (HDD)
 Solid state drive (SSD)
 CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray
 USB drives, external HDDs

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Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• Stores data on spinning magnetic disks. Data is read and written by moving heads

• Advantages:
 Cheap storage medium
 Widely used and supported
 Can have very large capacity drives
 Long operating life

• Disadvantages:
 Noisy operation
 Can consume more power than SSDs
 Fragile, needs to be handled carefully

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Solid State Drive (SSD)
• Stores data on flash memory, the same technology used by USB drives

• Advantages:
 Silent operation
 Higher read/write speeds when compared to HDDs
 Low power usage
 More durable
 Use less space

• Disadvantages:
 Costlier than HDDs
 Can wear out faster than HDDs

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Memory Hierarchy (Comparison in terms of capacity, speed and price)

CPU Caches

Lower Cost
Faster Access
and
Time Primary Memory Higher Capacity
(RAM)

Secondary Memory
(HDD, SSD)

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Expansion Cards
• Additional circuit board that provides extra functionality

• Examples: sound card, graphics card, network card

• Plugged into motherboard using slots that follow certain standards:

 ISA
 PCI-E
 AGP

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Graphics Card
• Used to perform graphics processing and run the computer’s monitors

• Consists of:
 GPU (either part of CPU or separate graphics card)
 Video memory
 Heatsink and fan
 Ports

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Input Devices
• Peripherals that allow the computer to receive input from the outside world, mainly
from the user
• Common input devices:
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Webcam

• Other input devices:

 Voice recognition
 Biometric scanners
 RFID tags

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Output Devices
• Peripherals that present information processed by the computer to the user

• Output devices include:

 Computer monitor
 Printer
 Speakers
 Touchscreens

• New forms of output include:

 Virtual reality

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Connectors and Buses
• All peripherals are connected to the motherboard via ports

• Ports form part of a Bus

• Wired connections:
 USB (Universal Serial Bus)
 Ethernet Examples
 VGA, DVI and HDMI for monitors

• Wireless connections:
 Wi-Fi
 Bluetooth

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 Computer Networks – Quick look
• Computer Network is a collection of interconnected devices (computers, servers, routers,
etc.) that communicate with each other to share resources, data, and services.
Types of Networks
• LAN (Local Area Network)
• Is a network that connects computers and devices within a limited geographical area
such as a home, school, office building, or group of buildings.
• LANs are typically used to share resources like files, printers, or internet connections
within a small area.

• WAN (Wide Area Network) :

• Is a network that covers a large geographical area, often a country, continent, or even
globally.
• WANs are used to connect LANs and other types of networks over long distances, often
using telecommunication lines, satellite links, or leased lines.
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Computer Network
Common Network Topologies:
1- Bus Topology: all devices 2-Star Topology: all devices
are connected to a single are connected to a central
central cable (the "bus"). hub or switch.

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Computer Network (Cont.)
3- Ring Topology: devices are 4- Mesh Topology: every device is
connected in a circular connected to every other device in
fashion. the network.

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ent
Networking Hardware
• Network server
• Computer system or device that provides resources, services, or data to other
computers, known as clients, over a network.
• Connection
• Wired, eg. Ethernet.
• Wireless, eg. Wi-Fi, cellular.

• Network card
• Can be built into the motherboard or an expansion card.
• Some network cards support wired and wireless connections.

• Switch
• Used to connect multiple devices to the same network.

• Router
• Directs traffic around the network and connects networks together.
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