Chapter 2 Computer Hardware This lesson covers: Personal Computers and their Systems Mobile computers Laptops, tablets, smartphone Hardware and software components Information about buying computers and system components Information about troubleshooting a system Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Components of a personal computer Motherboard (system board) Slot for processor Fan and connector to processor Slots for main memory (DRAM) Volatile (data is lost if power is off) BIOS typically in (flash) ROM memory Clock generator Power connectors Interface to buses for i/o devices Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware System unit System unit houses main circuit board other storage devices (hard disk, optical disk drives, etc.) typically contains modem, graphics card, sound card, and network interface card (NIC) Probably wired and wireless NICs (adaptors) may also contain antenna and speakers Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Sound system Output device for digitally represented sound (music, speech, sound effects for system purposes, such as starting up, mail messages, errors) Sound card sends signals to speakers that may be external or built into the system unit Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Display system Visual output Graphics card converts digital data (such as documents, photos, and videos) to images for display devices (such as monitors, screens) Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Network and Internet Access Adaptor is typically inside the System Unit- connects with a cable to a modem and then is then connected to a Router for connection to a LAN and/or the Internet In most wireless networks, modems connect to an Access Point that then connects to other cells or to a Router Peer-to-peer wireless networks connect to each other Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Buying a desktop computer Desktop computers do not run on batteries Must be plugged into an electrical output Price ranges from about $300- $1000 Apple computers are closer to $1300-2000 Components stored in towers- vertical system units for ease of modification or in screen case Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Desktop and Portable Computers The term form factor refers to the size and dimensions of a component, such as a system board or system unit A desktop computer fits on a desk and runs on power from an electrical wall outlet Chapter 2: Computer Hardware

Portable & mobile computers Run on electrical power or batteries (as long as battery is sufficiently charged) Mobility is a great advantage!!! Smaller, lighter than desk tops Classified as Laptops (notebooks) Netbooks Tablet PCs Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Laptops (notebooks) Lightweight, portable personal computer Prices range from $400 to $4000 and more Weigh about 5 or 6 pounds Mobility Require assignment of frequency bands (typically by base station) Most include Bluetooth and/or 802.11 (also called WiFi), and cameras and speakers Display is not as good as desktops but uses less power Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Netbook (mini laptops) About 2 pounds and perhaps 7” - 8” wide CD or DVD drive is connected externally through a serial port Cost may be less than $300 Bluetooth is typically provided at an extra cost 802.11 is included Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Tablet Computers Excellent portability More desirable input capabilities Touch-sensitive screen Writing or drawing pad Keyboard must be attached externally Some accept voice input iPad costs about $300 to $1000 Designed for music, video, camera, apps Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware SmartPhones Convergence of technologies Mobility, light to carry, power saving capabilities Camera, video, mail, connection to Internet Apps Telephony Extensive computing, storage via the cloud Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Software & Hardware Components Operating Systems Control hardware devices Provide user with friendly interface Manage application programs Provide protection and security services Applications Programs Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Operating systems As the size of memory in portable computers has increased, the same operating systems as desk tops are being used: typically Windows, Mac, Linux Android is built on top of a Linux kernel Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Home Computer Systems Netbooks, desktops, etc. may be networked together Used for personal finances (e.g., taxes) and entertainment, photoshop, word processing, digital cameras, downloading music, games, movies) Internet applications (e-mail, facebook, e-commerce, etc.) Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Gaming PCs High end desk top computers More memory Better sound Digitizing analog sound uses more samples Better video Digitizing analog pictures takes more samples Higher resolution More processing units Multiple cores Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Gamer Paladin E810 http://www.ibuypower.com/Info/chimera4se.aspx Chimera 4 E-1 $979 and up (not top of the line) • Intel® Core i5-4670k Processor(quad core) 8GB or 32GB of memory 120 mm Liquid CPU Cooling • 8GB DDR3 1600 Memory ( DRAM) • 1TB SATA-III Hard Drive • Gigabyte GA-X87 HD3 Motherboard Windows 8 Tower Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Small business systems Desk tops typically considered more reliable, less likely to be stolen (or lost), easier to repair Typically do not have expensive graphics cards, audio systems, perhaps not even speakers Do have business software Database, spreadsheets, accounting, etc. Connection to Internet may be filtered Employee smartphones may be connected Security issues Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware What should you buy? Research the topic! Set a budget! My opinion is that even the cheapest computers today have more than adequate speed, main memory and hard disk storage for most usage Check Consumers Report or the Internet for reliability If you want specific peripherals or software, make sure the computer you buy is compatible Apple has great graphics for video editing, etc. Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Compatibility You want your programs from school or work to be compatible with your home computers Windows OS today typically runs on Apple computers. Linux OS typically can be installed on Windows and Apple platforms Check on this before you buy your computer You want to be able to run Windows applications, particularly your old programs Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Purchasing software Most PCs have an operating system and a browser installed Other software (for example, virus scanning) may be free for limited period Typically you will have to install software for word processing, spreadsheet, Internet security (although Windows and Apple have their own security programs installed) Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Upgrading your system Easy to add external components- Perhaps plug into the serial (USB) port – You’ll need a cable (like a printer cable) External hard drive ($100), mouse ($15 - $50 for wireless), keyboard, add second display screen ($100 or more), new speakers ($100 or more) Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Upgrading your system Internal – more difficult; takes longer Replace mother board (may not pay) Replace processor (may not pay) Add memory Replace graphics card Replace CD or DVD drive Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

“Modders” custom alter their computers Add lights, see through cases, paint machines, add components as any hobbyist might Parts available at Radio Shack and on line Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Other issues Warrantee How long; how much does it cost? Technical Support Free? how long does it last? Is the staff any good (go to the Internet for this) Repairs Where are the repairs made- are shipping costs covered? What is the turnaround time? Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Computer Performance (micro) processor specifications 3.33 GHz indicates speed of processor clock Clock sets pace for instruction execution Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz) specifies the number of cycles per second, which affect the number of instructions that can be executed some instructions need multiple cycles Pipelined architecture may enable multiple instructions to be executed in a smaller number of cycles Generally more cycles means more instructions/sec Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware FSB FSB or front side bus A bus is a set of wires and circuitry that carry data, addresses, and control information between processor & memory and devices 1333 MHz FSB is a pretty fast bus by today’s standard Processor and memory continually pass data between each other – bus speed is crucial Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Words Word size is the number of bits that the processor works on at a time (size of internal registers), possibly also the number of bits transferred to or from memory at a time Typically 32-bit or 64-bit architectures are used today Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Cache Cache is a high-speed memory RAM cache, cache memory, CPU cache or internal cache are all terms for the cache that is between the processor and main memory More expensive, faster, but smaller than main memory Typically in the Mbytes today L1 cache is inside the processor; L2 cache is external - between processor and memory Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

RISC and CISC instruction sets CISC architecture uses many, variable size, powerful instructions RISC architecture uses a small set of fixed size, comparatively simple instructions Intel and AMD use CISC architecture Important issue to consider when told an execution rate of instructions/second Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Specialized graphics instructions MMX, AVX, SSE5 are enhanced instruction sets (only for CISC architecture) Easier for graphics programmer Typically speeds up graphics and video applications, but only for software that is designed to use these instructions Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Serial, parallel and pipelined processing You bake a pizza pie in your oven. After it is finished, you decide to bake another. The pies are baked serially. Your two friends bake pies in their own ovens. You three are working in parallel. You make the dough while one friend shapes and the other bakes the pies in the oven(s). You are pipelining your work. Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Multi-core processor Processor contains circuitry for multiple processing units. OS and software must utilize the multiple cores With current technology, clock speeds have reached close to their limit Good for games 1 core can handle sound, another core can do rendering, perhaps a third handles display Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Evaluating performance Laboratories run tests (benchmarks) to estimate the speed of a microprocessor AMD (Athlon X2) and Intel (Core 2 quad) have most of the microprocessor market Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q8200 (4M Cache, 2.33 GHz, 1333 MHz) Advanced Micro Devices Apple switched from Motorola (RISC) to Intel in 2005 IBM makes RISC processors for servers Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Random Access Memory RAM means that it takes the same amount of time to get to any addressable unit The cache in the system unit is also RAM Cache is usually denoted as SRAM Main memory is frequently denoted as SDRAM (Synchronous dynamic RAM) SDRAM and SRAM are volatile (lose contents if power is turned off) Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Random Access Memory Microscopic capacitors hold the bits that represent data Most RAM is volatile Requires electrical power to hold data CLICK TO START Figure 2-18 Chapter 2: Computer Hardware

Compare RAM to hard disk RAM is smaller and more expensive RAM is much faster and more reliable RAM has only electronic units while disks have mechanical parts CPU works directly with program and data that are stored in main memory However, because RAM is volatile, anything stored there is lost if power is lost Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware How much RAM do you need? Check any application before you install it. Check task manager/performance for amount of free RAM (physical memory) Most systems running Windows 7 need at least 1 GB of RAM. Games, video need more memory Personal computers may have 8GB of RAM Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Can you run out of memory? Windows 7, Apple, etc. use part of the hard disk to hold parts of program (divided into pages) that are not currently in use Called swap area This “virtual memory” is used by systems to swap different pages between RAM and disk Large performance degradation occurs when too much page swapping occurs Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware RAM specifications Today, most RAM stores data in capacitors SDRAM at 1066MHz is faster than 10 MHz Measures # of cycles per second But 10ns RAM is faster than 12ns (12*10-9 sec) This measures how long one cycle takes DDR (DDR2, DDR3) means dual-channels Two channels on the bus to transfer data between processor and memory Typically installed in a DIMM (dual inline memory module) Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware question What does 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800 MHz (max 4 GB) mean? 2GB is the amount of bytes in main memory Dual channel DDR2 specifies two paths to the CPU (faster than 1 channel) SDRAM is volatile main memory (common) 800 MHz measures RAM speed You can install up to 4GB more – at most Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Read-only memory (ROM) ROM is non-volatile, not changeable Cannot be written to – more secure Typically a startup ROM (or variations of ROM) routine is stored in a single integrated circuit plugged into the board to boot system ROM BIOS (basic input/output system) checks the CD/DVD drive first (at fixed address) to see if it holds a system disk, otherwise goes to hard disk (at known address) to load the Operating System Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM Configuration information is stored semi-permanently Not volatile, but must be able to be changed when you add more memory, etc. You can make changes during setup, if you know what you are doing (F1 while computer is booting)- language, time, date, memory Get out of Setup with ESC (exit) Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Storage devices Data Storage System consists of Storage device – term used for mechanical unit Retrieves and writes to the storage medium Hard disk drives, tape drives, CD and DVD drives, flash drives, external disk drives, SANs Storage medium – unit that contains data Disk, tape, CD, DVD, flash memory Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware SSD and HDD Sold State Drive/ Hard Disk Drive Secondary storage; Both non-volatile HDD- Mechanical arm with read/write head Potential for disk crash $50 for around 500 GB SSD all electronic parts $410 for about 480GB Possibly less reliable for numerous writes Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Data representation in storage Conceptually, two charges stored in capacitors in memory are transmitted as perhaps 2 voltage levels on a bus to a device, where it is stored as perhaps two magnetic or optical states This is a simplification Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Factors to consider in choosing storage technology Cost Size Speed Versatility and portability Durable (robust) Direct or sequential access Data transfer rate Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Hard disks Magnetic (bit determined by magnetic orientation of a particle) Strong magnet can wipe out data Loses magnetic orientation over time Mechanical components to read/write data to disk (can have a head crash) Holds a lot of data in small size unit; fast access; comparatively cheap Nonvolatile Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Hard Disk Technology Hard disk technology is the preferred type of main storage for most personal computers Not as durable as many other storage technologies Head crash Figure 2-25 Chapter 2: Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Hard disk metrics Assume 160 GB 8 ms 7200 RPM HD costs $160 Cost is $1 per gigabyte or 10MB per penny 8 ms refers to access time the smaller the better 7200 revolutions per minute (RPM) The faster the better Specifications may include transfer rate (of perhaps 50MB/s ) dependent on controller Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Hard disk controller Technologies for controllers include SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), Ultra ATA, EIDE, and SCSI Hard drive manufacturers mount controller circuit on the disk (you don’t have a choice) Controller communicates with device driver in processor to transfer data, commands, addresses DMA (UDMA) transfer data directly to memory Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

CD, DVD, and Blu-ray technology Optical storage Bits stored as microscopic light (lands) and dark (pits) spots Light is reflected differently from light or dark colors – interpreted as 0s and 1s CD – perhaps 700 MB of data; 80 minutes of music DVD – 4.7 GB (double layer stores 8.5GB) Blu-ray 25GB per layer Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Comparing CD, DVD, Blu-ray Transfer rates of perhaps 64Mbps (CD) 297 Mbps (DVD) 1 layer Blu-ray (36Mbps) Multi-layered up to 432Mbps Each uses different data formats for recording different types of data DRIVERS OFTEN ARE NOT COMPATIBLE Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Solid State Storage Flash memory is a popular type Non-volatile Electronic (no mechanical parts) Requires little power Immune to magnetic interference, temperature fluctuations Capacity less than hard drives Tends to “wear out” with use faster than disks do Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware USB flash drive Solid state; built-in connector to USB port portable Vulnerable to viruses Cheap Capacity of perhaps up to 64GB Transfer rate of up to perhaps 28MB/second Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Storage Wrap-up Figure 2-34 Chapter 2: Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Software for devices Manufacturers provide software called “device drivers” to communicate with controllers Windows OS recognizes a number of devices (flash drives, external hard drives) and configures system automatically – called Plug and Play You may have to load device driver yourself from supplied disk or from the Internet Always “safely remove hardware” [taskbar] Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Hardware Security and Maintenance Do not leave notebook computer unattended If you leave it in the car, lock it up. Record tracking information of notebook and store it separately Use an anti-theft device STOP plates contain tracking mechanisms Cables, motion sensor alarms Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Surge Protection Always use a surge strip (suppressor) You frequently have small surges of power in your home – perhaps when the air conditioner goes on Even small surges can cause gradual damage to computer equipment Large surges will destroy computers Unplug surge strip during lighting storm Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware UPS Provides battery backup in case of power failure Check on the amount of time (limited) UPS unit may also include surge protection Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Basic Maintenance Clean keyboard (unplug first) Do not eat or drink while typing Screen Clean regularly Turn it off to see smudges better Do not scrub Do not spray cleaning liquid directly on screen Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Temperature Keep computer in cool place Keep area free around computer Internal fans cool equipment (graphics equipment particularly sensitive) You can try to blow air through the equipment, but turn it off first. Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Software maintenance Back up files regularly Run disk cleanup and disk defragmenter If system does not do so automatically Delete your browser’s history and cache files Automatically update OS (patches) and virus protection Scan your computer for viruses Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Hardware Troubleshooting First, check all cables If system hangs, shut if off, count to 20, turn it on again. Sometimes that works if problems are transient Run your virus protection Check the Internet for a similar problem Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Disposal of computer components Be sure that all sensitive data is erased. Write over multiple times There are programs for this. Or remove your hard disk before disposing of your computer. Chapter 2 Computer Hardware

Where does e-garbage go? Discarded computer components generate tons of toxic waste Cathode-ray tube monitor can contain 8 pounds of lead Should disposal be taxed? Might make environmentally friendly components more competitive Users and manufacturers must cooperate Chapter 2 Computer Hardware