1 Computer Literacy Chapter 6 Evaluating Your System: Understanding and Assessing Hardware.

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Computer LiteracyComputer Literacy

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Evaluating Your System: Evaluating Your System:

Understanding and Assessing HardwareUnderstanding and Assessing Hardware

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Topics Topics

• To buy or upgrade?To buy or upgrade?• Evaluating your system: Evaluating your system:

– CPUCPU– RAMRAM– Storage devicesStorage devices– Video outputVideo output– Sound systemsSound systems– Computer portsComputer ports

• System reliabilitySystem reliability

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To Buy or To Upgrade?To Buy or To Upgrade?

• Things to consider:Things to consider:– Moore’s LawMoore’s Law– Cost of upgrading vs. buyingCost of upgrading vs. buying– Time installing software and filesTime installing software and files– Needs and wantsNeeds and wants

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Assessing Your Hardware: Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your SystemEvaluating Your System

• Assess the computer’s subsystemsAssess the computer’s subsystems• The subsystems include:The subsystems include:

– CPUCPU– RAMRAM– Virtual memoryVirtual memory– Storage devicesStorage devices– VideoVideo– AudioAudio– PortsPorts

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Evaluating the CPUEvaluating the CPU

• How does the CPU work?How does the CPU work?– Control unitControl unit– Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)– Machine cycle:Machine cycle:

• Instruction CycleInstruction Cycle– FetchFetch– DecodeDecode

• Execution CycleExecution Cycle– ExecuteExecute– Store Store

– Speed:Speed:• MhzMhz• GhzGhz

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Upgrading the CPUUpgrading the CPU

• Expensive Expensive • Easy to installEasy to install• Motherboard Motherboard

compatibilitycompatibility

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Evaluating RAMEvaluating RAM

• Random access memory (RAM):Random access memory (RAM):– Temporary storage (memory)Temporary storage (memory)– VolatileVolatile

• Memory modules:Memory modules:– SIMM single in-line memory moduleSIMM single in-line memory module– DIMM dual in-line memory module DIMM dual in-line memory module – RIMM rambus in-line memory moduleRIMM rambus in-line memory module

• Types of RAM:Types of RAM:– SRAM static random access memorySRAM static random access memory– DRAM dynamic random access memory DRAM dynamic random access memory – SDRAM synchronous dynamic random access SDRAM synchronous dynamic random access

memorymemory

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How Much Ram is NeededHow Much Ram is Needed

• RAM for System SoftwareRAM for System Software• RAM for Productivity SoftwareRAM for Productivity Software• RAM for EntertainmentRAM for Entertainment• RAM for Graphics ProgramsRAM for Graphics Programs

System SoftwareSystem Software Windows XPWindows XP 128 MB128 MB

Productivity SoftwareProductivity Software MS Office ProMS Office Pro 128 MB128 MB

Entertainment SoftwareEntertainment Software Windows Media PlayerWindows Media Player 64 MB64 MB

GraphicsGraphics MS Picture It!MS Picture It! 128 MB128 MB

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Adding RAMAdding RAM

• Increase system Increase system performanceperformance

• Things to consider:Things to consider:– Type of RAM moduleType of RAM module– Amount of RAM:Amount of RAM:

• Maximum limitMaximum limit• Number of slotsNumber of slots• Operating systemOperating system• Applications running at the Applications running at the

same timesame time

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Evaluating StorageEvaluating Storage

• Types of storage devices:Types of storage devices:– Hard driveHard drive– Floppy driveFloppy drive– Zip disk driveZip disk drive– CD/DVDCD/DVD– Flash memoryFlash memory

• Nonvolatile storageNonvolatile storage

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The Hard Disk DriveThe Hard Disk Drive

• Storage capacity up to 400 Storage capacity up to 400 GBGB

• Access time is measured in Access time is measured in millisecondsmilliseconds

• Data transfer rate is Data transfer rate is measured in megabits or measured in megabits or megabytes per secondmegabytes per second

• Spindle speed is measured Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute in revolutions per minute (rpm)(rpm)

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How a Hard Disk WorksHow a Hard Disk Works• Composed of several coated Composed of several coated

platters stacked platters stacked on a spindleon a spindle

• Data saved to the disk: Data saved to the disk: pattern of magnetized spotspattern of magnetized spots– Spots = 1– Spots = 1– Spaces = 0– Spaces = 0

• Between platters are Between platters are read/write heads that read read/write heads that read and write magnetized dataand write magnetized data

• Spots are translated Spots are translated into datainto data

Platters Read/write head

Access arms

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Portable StoragePortable Storage

• Gives us the ability to move Gives us the ability to move data from one computer to data from one computer to anotheranother

• Types of portable storage Types of portable storage devices:devices:– Floppy disk:Floppy disk:

• Capacity 1.44 MBCapacity 1.44 MB– Zip disk:Zip disk:

• Capacity 100 MB to 750 MBCapacity 100 MB to 750 MB– CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-

RW:RW:• Capacity 700 MB to 9.4 GBCapacity 700 MB to 9.4 GB

– Flash drive:Flash drive:• Capacity 32 MB to 1 GBCapacity 32 MB to 1 GB

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Magnetic StorageMagnetic Storage

• Magnetic media:Magnetic media:– Metal platters:Metal platters:

• Hard disksHard disks

– Plastic film:Plastic film:• Floppy disksFloppy disks• Zip disksZip disks

• TracksTracks• SectorsSectors• File Allocation TableFile Allocation Table

Track

Sector

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Optical StorageOptical Storage

• Optical media:Optical media:– CD ROMCD ROM– CD-RCD-R– CD-RWCD-RW– DVD ROMDVD ROM– DVD-RDVD-R– DVD-RWDVD-RW

• LaserLaser• PitPit

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Upgrading StorageUpgrading Storage

• Hard drive options:Hard drive options:– Replace current drive with Replace current drive with

a larger capacity drivea larger capacity drive– Install an additional hard Install an additional hard

drivedrive

• Other options:Other options:– Zip driveZip drive– Replace CD ROM with CD-Replace CD ROM with CD-

R/RW or DVD-R/RWR/RW or DVD-R/RW– Flash card readerFlash card reader– Flash memory driveFlash memory drive

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Evaluating VideoEvaluating Video

• Two components:Two components:– Video card (adapter)Video card (adapter)– Monitor Monitor

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Video CardsVideo Cards

• Process binary data into Process binary data into imagesimages

• Contain memory known Contain memory known as video RAM (VRAM)as video RAM (VRAM)

• Control the number of Control the number of colors a monitor can colors a monitor can display (bit depth)display (bit depth)– Standard VGAStandard VGA

• 4 bits4 bits• 16 colors16 colors

– True color (SVGA)True color (SVGA)• 24 bits24 bits• 16 million colors16 million colors

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Monitors Monitors

• Things to consider:Things to consider:– Types:Types:

• CRT or LCDCRT or LCD

– Size:Size:– 15, 17, 19, or 21 inch15, 17, 19, or 21 inch– Resolution:Resolution:

• Increasing resolution allows more Increasing resolution allows more to be displayedto be displayed

– Dot pitch:Dot pitch:• .31mm or less .31mm or less

– Refresh rate:Refresh rate:• 75 Hz or higher75 Hz or higher

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Evaluating AudioEvaluating Audio

• Sound card:Sound card:– Process digital data into Process digital data into

soundssounds– 3D sound cards3D sound cards– Surround soundSurround sound

• Dolby Digital 5.1Dolby Digital 5.1

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Evaluating AudioEvaluating Audio

• Speakers:Speakers:– Amplified Amplified – Not amplifiedNot amplified– Sub-wooferSub-woofer– Surround soundSurround sound

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Evaluating PortsEvaluating Ports

• Ports are used to connect peripheral Ports are used to connect peripheral devices to the computerdevices to the computer

• Things to consider:Things to consider:– Devices you want to useDevices you want to use– Ports needed for the devicesPorts needed for the devices

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PS/2 Port

COM 1 Port

PS/2 Connectors

Serial Connector

Types of PortsTypes of Ports

• Serial PortSerial Port– Transfers data one Transfers data one

bit at a time; bit at a time; 56Kbps56Kbps

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• ParallelParallel– Transfers eight Transfers eight

bits of data bits of data simultaneously; simultaneously; 12Mbps 12Mbps

LPT 1 Port

Printer Cable Connector

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• Universal serial bus Universal serial bus

– Transfer speed up Transfer speed up to 480Mbps; Hot to 480Mbps; Hot swappingswapping USB

PortUSB Connector

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• FireWireFireWire

– Transfer rate of Transfer rate of 400 Mbps; Digital 400 Mbps; Digital camerascameras

FireWire Port

FireWire Connector

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• EthernetEthernet

– Transfer rate of 100 Transfer rate of 100 Mbps; connects Mbps; connects computers to computers to networksnetworks

Ethernet Port

Ethernet jack

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• IrDAIrDA– Transfer rate of 4 Transfer rate of 4

Mbps; Uses Mbps; Uses infrared light wavesinfrared light waves

IrDA

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• BluetoothBluetooth– Transfer rate of 1 Transfer rate of 1

Mbps; radio waves Mbps; radio waves send data over send data over short distancesshort distances

Bluetooth

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• MIDI PortMIDI Port– Musical Instrument Digital InterfaceMusical Instrument Digital Interface– 31.5 Kbps transfer rate31.5 Kbps transfer rate

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Adding PortsAdding Ports

• Expansion cards:Expansion cards:– New port New port

standardsstandards

• Expansion hubs:Expansion hubs:– Enables several Enables several

devices to be devices to be connected to a connected to a portport

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Evaluating System ReliabilityEvaluating System Reliability

• Performance:Performance:– SlowSlow– FreezesFreezes– Crashes Crashes

• Upkeep and maintenance:Upkeep and maintenance:– System toolsSystem tools– Control panelControl panel– Update software and hardware Update software and hardware

driversdrivers

• The last resortThe last resort

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Upkeep and MaintenanceUpkeep and Maintenance

• System tools:System tools:– Disk defragmenterDisk defragmenter– Disk cleanupDisk cleanup

• Unnecessary filesUnnecessary files

• Control panel:Control panel:– Add/remove programsAdd/remove programs– DisplayDisplay– System System

• Device managerDevice manager

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Update Software and Update Software and Hardware DriversHardware Drivers

• Software:Software:– Automatic Automatic

updatesupdates– Patches Patches

• Hardware:Hardware:– Download Download

updated driversupdated drivers

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The Last ResortThe Last Resort

• If problems persist:If problems persist:– Reinstall the operating systemReinstall the operating system– Upgrade the operating system to the latest Upgrade the operating system to the latest

versionversion

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The Final DecisionThe Final Decision

• How closely does your system come to How closely does your system come to meeting your needs?meeting your needs?

• How much would it cost to upgrade your How much would it cost to upgrade your system?system?

• How much would it cost to purchase a new How much would it cost to purchase a new system?system?

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Chapter 6 Summary QuestionsChapter 6 Summary Questions

• How can I determine whether I should How can I determine whether I should upgrade my existing computer or buy a upgrade my existing computer or buy a new one?new one?

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• What does the CPU do and how can I What does the CPU do and how can I evaluate its performance?evaluate its performance?

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• How does memory work and how can I How does memory work and how can I evaluate how much memory I need?evaluate how much memory I need?

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• What are the computer’s main storage What are the computer’s main storage devices and how can I evaluate whether devices and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?they match my needs?

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• What components affect the output of What components affect the output of video and how can I evaluate whether they video and how can I evaluate whether they are meeting my needs?are meeting my needs?

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• What components affect the quality of What components affect the quality of sound and how can I evaluate whether sound and how can I evaluate whether they are meeting my needs?they are meeting my needs?

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• What are the ports available on desktop What are the ports available on desktop computers and how can I determine what computers and how can I determine what ports I need?ports I need?

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• How can I ensure the reliability of my How can I ensure the reliability of my system?system?

1 Computer Literacy Chapter 6 Evaluating Your System: Understanding and Assessing Hardware.

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