1. Technology In Action Chapter 6 © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.1 Technology In Action Chapter 6 Evaluating Your System: Understanding and Assessing Hardware Chapter 6 Evaluating Your System: Understanding and Assessing Hardware NEXT SLIDE

2. Technology In Action Chapter 6 © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.2 TopicsTopics To buy or upgrade?To buy or upgrade? Evaluating your system:Evaluating your system: –CPU –RAM –Storage devices –Video output –Sound systems –Computer ports System reliabilitySystem reliability To buy or upgrade?To buy or upgrade? Evaluating your system:Evaluating your system: –CPU –RAM –Storage devices –Video output –Sound systems –Computer ports System reliabilitySystem reliability NEXT SLIDE

3. Technology In Action Chapter 6 © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.3 To Buy or To Upgrade? Things to consider:Things to consider: –Moore’s Law –Cost of upgrading vs. buying –Time installing software and files –Needs and wants Things to consider:Things to consider: –Moore’s Law –Cost of upgrading vs. buying –Time installing software and files –Needs and wants NEXT SLIDE

4. Technology In Action Chapter 6 © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.4 Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your System Assess the computer’s subsystemsAssess the computer’s subsystems The subsystems include:The subsystems include: –CPU –RAM –Virtual memory –Storage devices –Video –Audio –Ports Assess the computer’s subsystemsAssess the computer’s subsystems The subsystems include:The subsystems include: –CPU –RAM –Virtual memory –Storage devices –Video –Audio –Ports NEXT SLIDE

5. Technology In Action Chapter 6 © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.5 Evaluating the CPU How does the CPU work?How does the CPU work? –Control unit –Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) –Machine cycle: Fetch Fetch Decode Decode Execute Execute Store Store –Speed: Mhz Mhz Ghz Ghz How does the CPU work?How does the CPU work? –Control unit –Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) –Machine cycle: Fetch Fetch Decode Decode Execute Execute Store Store –Speed: Mhz Mhz Ghz Ghz NEXT SLIDE

6. Technology In Action Chapter 6 © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.6 Upgrading the CPU ExpensiveExpensive Easy to installEasy to install Motherboard compatibilityMotherboard compatibility ExpensiveExpensive Easy to installEasy to install Motherboard compatibilityMotherboard compatibility NEXT SLIDE

7. Technology In Action Chapter 6 © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.7 Evaluating RAM Random access memory (RAM):Random access memory (RAM): –Temporary storage (memory) –Volatile Memory modules:Memory modules: –SIMM (Single inline) –DIMM (dual inline) –RIMM (Rambus inline) Types of RAM:Types of RAM: –SRAM (static) –DRAM (dynamic) –SDRAM (synchronous) Random access memory (RAM):Random access memory (RAM): –Temporary storage (memory) –Volatile Memory modules:Memory modules: –SIMM (Single inline) –DIMM (dual inline) –RIMM (Rambus inline) Types of RAM:Types of RAM: –SRAM (static) –DRAM (dynamic) –SDRAM (synchronous) NEXT SLIDE

8. Technology In Action Chapter 6 © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.8 Adding RAM Increase system performanceIncrease system performance Things to consider:Things to consider: –Type of RAM module –Amount of RAM: Maximum limit Maximum limit Number of slots Number of slots Operating system Operating system Applications running at the same time Applications running at the same time Increase system performanceIncrease system performance Things to consider:Things to consider: –Type of RAM module –Amount of RAM: Maximum limit Maximum limit Number of slots Number of slots Operating system Operating system Applications running at the same time Applications running at the same time NEXT SLIDE