1. Hardware Components & Software Concepts
Intro to Digital Technology
HARDWARE CONCEPTS

2. GPS Standard
IT-IDT-4 Identify, describe, evaluate, select, and use appropriate technology. IT-IDT-5 Understand, communicate, and adapt to a digital world.

3. What is a computer?
Electronic device that accepts, processes, produces results, and stores data
Data
Collection of unprocessed items
Text, numbers, images, audio, and video
Information
Conveys meaning and is useful
Ex. Data is input to create a grade report

4. Information Processing Cycle
Input
Process
Output
Storage

5. Components of a Computer
Hardware
Electric, electronic, and mechanical components
Input devices
Output devices
System unit
Storage devices
Communications devices

6. Input Devices
Any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer
Keyboard
Mouse
Microphone
Scanner
Digital camera
Web cam

7. Output Devices
Any hardware component that conveys information to one or more people
Printer
Monitor
Speakers
Portable media player

8. System Unit
A case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data

9. Motherboard Sometimes called system board
Main circuit board of the system unit
Many electronic components are attached to the motherboard
Expansion slots
Processor chips
Memory slots

10. Processor or CPU
Interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer

11. Processor Control Unit
Component of processor that directs and coordinates operations
Like a traffic cop: it interprets each instruction issued by a program and then initiates the appropriate action to carry out the instruction

12. System Clock Controls the timing of all operations Clock speed
Pace of clock
Gigahertz (GHz): one billion ticks of the system clock per second
Faster clock speed=more instructions the processor can execute per second
Does the system clock keep track of current date and time?
First computers: 30 MHz
Current: 3 GHz
No, the system clock does not keep track of real time. A separate battery backed chip, called the real-time clock, keeps track of the the date and time. It contiunies to run the real-time clock even when the computer is off.

13. Comparison of Processors
Leading chip manufacturers
Intel
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
IBM
Motorola
Today’s high performance PC’s: Intel Core
Less expensive PC’s: Pentium or Celeron

14. Processors Multi-core processor Increases overall performance
Single chip with 2 or more processors
Dual-core: 2 separate processors
Quad-core: 4 separate processors
Increases overall performance
Especially noticeable when running multiple programs
, antivirus software, spyware remover, IM, media player, CD burning software, and photo editing software

15. Memory
Store instructions, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processed data
One or more chips on motherboard
Stores 3 basic categories
Operating system
Application programs
Data being processed by
application programs

16. Byte Character, basic storage unit of memory Each byte has an address
Unique number that identifies the location of the byte in memory

17. Memory Sizes

18. RAM Random access memory Examples:
Temporary memory
More information processed = more RAM needed
Volatile: loses its contents when power is removed
Examples:
Operating system interface
Browser windows
Paint program
More RAM = faster response from computer
Software applications usually have a minimum requirement for RAM for the application to run properly. EX. Vista, Microsoft Office

19. Cache Pronounced cash Temporary storage for faster viewing
Ex. Web pages, images, media

20. ROM Read-only memory Permanent storage
Non-volatile: not lost when power is removed
Cannot be modified
Ex. ROM chips in printers contain data for fonts
Ex. When your system boots up

21. Flash Memory Nonvolatile Fast Examples
Downloading music on iTunes to your iPod
Storing phone numbers on your phone
Pagers
Digital cameras

22. Expansion Slots/Adapter Cards
Motherboard
To enhance functions or provide connections to devices

23. Ports
Port: a point in which peripheral attaches to or communicates with a system unit. Connectors: joins a cable to a port

24. Connectors

25. 4 Components of a Computer
Input
Storage
Processing
Output