How Computers Work The Four Basic Operations The Boot Process Hardware Components & Their Functions

The Four Basic Computer Operations Input – Getting data from the outside world into the computer Input – Getting data from the outside world into the computer Processing – Manipulating the information Processing – Manipulating the information Output – Presenting data from the computer to the outside Output – Presenting data from the computer to the outside Storage – Efficiently and inexpensively holding data for later use. Storage – Efficiently and inexpensively holding data for later use.

Hardware to Provide Four Functions

The Boot Process 1. The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup program loads and runs 2. The Power-On-Self-Test (POST) runs 3. The Operating System loads 4. System Configuration 5. System utilities load

PC Components Processor (CPU) Processor (CPU) Power Supply Power Supply Motherboard Motherboard Memory (Random Access Memory) Memory (Random Access Memory) Hard Drives Hard Drives Removable Media Drives Removable Media Drives Video, Audio Functionality Video, Audio Functionality Case Case Monitor Monitor Mouse, Keyboard Mouse, Keyboard

The Processor Single core vs. Dual core vs. Quad Core Single core vs. Dual core vs. Quad Core Intel vs. AMD Intel vs. AMD Trade-off between price and speed Trade-off between price and speed The newest, fastest processors are always overpriced. Best "bang for the buck" is with the next step down.The newest, fastest processors are always overpriced. Best "bang for the buck" is with the next step down.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) Intel CPU's have pins on the socket, pad connectors on the underside of the CPU. AMD CPU's have pins on the underside of the CPU and holes on the socket.

System Memory (RAM) Volatile, loses its contents when the power is turned off. Volatile, loses its contents when the power is turned off. All program instructions must be loaded into RAM before they're executed. All program instructions must be loaded into RAM before they're executed.

Random Access Memory (RAM) Notice the notch in the pins, and that the two sections of pins are different sizes. This makes it difficult to install RAM incorrectly.

System Memory (cond) How much memory is required? How much memory is required? Windows XP or Windows Vista – Generally, 1 GB of memory is enough for XP, 2GB recommended for Vista.Windows XP or Windows Vista – Generally, 1 GB of memory is enough for XP, 2GB recommended for Vista. Dual-Core vs. Quad-Core Processor – If the user will really make use of the other cores, add more memory.Dual-Core vs. Quad-Core Processor – If the user will really make use of the other cores, add more memory. What kind of memory? What kind of memory? CPU and Motherboard will specify what type of RAM to use.CPU and Motherboard will specify what type of RAM to use.

Storage Hard Drives – Long term storage, not volatile. Stores data magnetically. Hard Drives – Long term storage, not volatile. Stores data magnetically. How much, based on applications usedHow much, based on applications used Standard Business PC's – 60 to 120 GB. Standard Business PC's – 60 to 120 GB. Media PC's need more – 250 to 320 GB. Media PC's need more – 250 to 320 GB. What type (SATA or PATA)?What type (SATA or PATA)? Optical Drives Optical Drives CD Burner, DVD-ROM, DVD Burner (Single Layer or Dual Layer)CD Burner, DVD-ROM, DVD Burner (Single Layer or Dual Layer) How many? Two really make copying disks easy.How many? Two really make copying disks easy.

Hard Drive Components Data Platters Read/Write Heads Enclosure 40-Pin IDE Connector Jumpers Molex Power Connector

Hard Drive Form Factors 3.5 inch – Desktop PC’s 2.5 inch – Notebook PC’s 1.8 inch – UltraLight Notebook PC’s, MP3 Players, Digital Video Cameras 1 inch – Made to fit in a Compact Flash Card slot

Hard Drives IDE (ATA) IDE (ATA) EIDE – ATA2 aka Fast ATAEIDE – ATA2 aka Fast ATA ATA3 – Ultra ATA - Improved interface, hard drives can report status information to the MB.ATA3 – Ultra ATA - Improved interface, hard drives can report status information to the MB. Two devices per channel (or cable)Two devices per channel (or cable) SATA – Serial ATA SATA – Serial ATA One device per channelOne device per channel SCSI – Many devices can be daisy- chained. SCSI – Many devices can be daisy- chained.

SATA vs IDE (PATA)

SATA vs IDE 2

Motherboard Layout Memory (RAM) Sockets CPU Socket Rear I/O Panel SATA Hard Drive Connectors PCI Expansion Card Slots IDE Connector Main ATX Power Connector Floppy Drive Connector

Choosing a Motherboard Supports the chosen Processor Supports the chosen Processor Storage connectors ( PATA [aka IDE], SATA150, SATA 3.0) Storage connectors ( PATA [aka IDE], SATA150, SATA 3.0) Memory type and amount Memory type and amount Built-ins (Video, Audio, LAN) Built-ins (Video, Audio, LAN) Graphic Card support (PCI-e, AGP) Graphic Card support (PCI-e, AGP) PCI Expansion slots PCI Expansion slots RAID support RAID support

PC Power Supplies

Choosing a Power Supply Enough power for high class video cards Enough power for high class video cards Special connectors available for SATA Hard Drives and PCI-E video cards Special connectors available for SATA Hard Drives and PCI-E video cards Motherboard may have a 20-pin or 24-pin main connector Motherboard may have a 20-pin or 24-pin main connector

Case Form Factors

Factors in Choosing a Case 4 Form Factors 4 Form Factors DesktopDesktop Mid-Size TowerMid-Size Tower Full-Size TowerFull-Size Tower Little, Teeny, Tiny Cases (VSFF)Little, Teeny, Tiny Cases (VSFF) External and Internal Drive Bays External and Internal Drive Bays Front (Top) Panel Multi-Media Connectors Front (Top) Panel Multi-Media Connectors Cooling System (can also add-on) Cooling System (can also add-on)

Display Made up of two components Made up of two components MonitorMonitor Video card or circuitryVideo card or circuitry

Monitors CRT CRT CheaperCheaper Takes up more desktop real estateTakes up more desktop real estate Can tire your eyesCan tire your eyes Flat Panel Flat Panel More expensiveMore expensive Saves spaceSaves space Sharper ImageSharper Image

Video Cards PCI PCI Fits in a standard expansion slotFits in a standard expansion slot General purpose videoGeneral purpose video Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) AGP 2X/4X, AGP 4X/8X, AGP Pro 4X/8XAGP 2X/4X, AGP 4X/8X, AGP Pro 4X/8X PCI Express (PCIe) PCI Express (PCIe) PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, PCIe x16PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, PCIe x16 Video circuitry is often built-in to the motherboard Video circuitry is often built-in to the motherboard

Replacing a Video Card Make sure you don't buy too much card for the monitor. Make sure you don't buy too much card for the monitor. It doesn't matter if the original video was built-in to the motherboard. Installing a video card and loading drivers "takes over" from the old video. It doesn't matter if the original video was built-in to the motherboard. Installing a video card and loading drivers "takes over" from the old video. Get a card the motherboard supports. Get a card the motherboard supports.