The Components of a System Unit

The Components of a System Unit

PipeliningData Pipelining is set up to

allow one computer’s output is the next computer’s input.

Buffering often happens between lines.

In other words, it is an assembly line way of thinking for a computer’s output/input.

Registers Registers are high speed storage units.

Help keep processing efficient to hold temporary

instructions

Are not part of memory or

permanent storing devices.

System ClockThe system clock is a small quartz crystal circuit used to control the timing of all the computer operations. Each

tick is equal to a ‘clock cycle’. They are often superscalar, which means they can do more than one thing at a

time. They are measured by ‘clock speed’, or by ticks per second. PCs have gigahertz range clock speed (or one billion ticks per second).

PC ProcessorsIntel-chips power 85% of laptops-major producer of boards, systems, and software-developed the world’s first processor in 1971

AMD-2nd largest manufacturer of processors for Windows capable computers-paramedic superiority-guarantees it’s microchips meet or exceed standards

Motorola-PowerPC-low priced-Used in Apples-faster clock speeds-consume less power (small)

Alpha-used in workstations-high-end servers-improved multimedia-wireless capabilities-extended battery life

Comparing Personal

ComputersThe lead processor chip manufactures for personal computers are Microsoft, AMD, IBM, Motorola, and

Transmeta.

Cooling Machines

Some computers use liquid cooling technology. This reduces the temperature of the processor.

It uses liquid like water continuously to carry the heat

away to a radiator-type grill that cools down the liquid and takes it

back to it’s original location.

Processor Installation Upgrades

What you will need:-Screwdriver

-CPU Heat Sink/Fan-Heat Sink Compound

-Processorhttp://youtu.be/FyK-roVdx7c

System UnitThe system unit is a case that contains electronic

components of the computer used to process data. Also called the chassisAll computers have themCommon Components:

ProcessorMemory ModuleExpansion Cards (Sound, modem, video, and

network interface cards)Ports and connectors

MotherboardThe motherboard is the main circuit board

in the system unit.Also called a system boardMany electronic components attach or are

built into the motherboardExpansion cardsProcessor ChipMemory Module

Central Processing UnitAlso called the processor or CPUThe CPU interprets and carries out the basic

instructions that operate a computerMost devices communicate with the CPU in

order to carry out a taskContains a control unit and an arithmetic

logic unit that work together to perform processing operations

Control UnitThe control unit is the component of the

CPU that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer.

It interprets each instruction issued by a program and then starts the appropriate action to carry out the instruction

Arithmetic Logic UnitThe arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a

component of the processor that performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations.

Arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division

Comparison: determines if one data item is greater than, less than, or equal to another

Allows you to add more memory to a computer as well as a sound or video card

The expansion cards plug directly into the expansion slots in the motherboard

Pcle (PCI Express), PCI, AGP, and ISA are all common types of expansion slots located in the PC.

Expansion Slots

They allow you to add additional functions to your computer to help it do something.

Commonly referred to as: Add-on card Internal card Interface adaptor

Types of expansion cards include: Interface card Modem MPEG Decoder Network Card Sound/Video Card Video capture card

Expansion Cards

A PC Card is: a printed circuit board for a personal computerThese are originally known as PCMCIA cards which is short for Personal Computer Memory Card International AssociationWas originally designed for a basic memory-expansion cardUsually the same size as a credit card

PC Cards

Ports◊ Serves as an interface between the

computer and other peripheral devices.

◊ Specialized output on equipment to which a plug or cable connects.

◊ Can be either male or female, but female ports are more common.

◊ Variety of shapes such as round, rectangular, square, or trapezoidal.

Allow users to attach specialized peripherals

Attach to digital video cameras, color printers, scanners, and disk drives

transmit data to wireless devicesTypes are MIDI, eSATA, SCSI,

IrDA, bluetooth port, firewall Port

Special Purpose Ports

Types of Expansion Buses• Expansion bus: a type of bus that allows the processor to

communicate with peripheral devices• Expansion bus type determines the type of expansion card

you can add• Types of expansion buses:– ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)– Local Bus • VESA local bus• PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

– AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)– USB (Universal Serial Bus)– PC card bus

Bays• Bay: open area inside the system unit used to

install additional equipment • Drive bays:– Used for disk drives– External (exposed) drive bay

• Can be accessed from outside the system unit• Examples: DVD-ROM drive, CD-RW drive, floppy disk

drive, – Internal (hidden) drive bay

• Completely concealed within the system unit• Hard disks drives are installed in internal bays

Power Supply• Most personal computers plug into standard wall outlets,

which supply an alternating current (AC) of 115 to 120 volts. • This type of current will not power a computer, which

requires a direct current (DC) from 5 to 12 volts• Power Supply: the component of the system unit that

converts the wall outlet AC power into DC power• AC adapter: an external power supply that converts power for

external peripheral devices such as an external modem, speakers, or a tape drive– One end plugs into the wall outlet and the other end attaches to the

peripheral

Buses• Bus: electrical channel that allows various

devices inside the computer to communicate with each other

• Bus width (the size of the bus) determines the number of bits that can be transmitted at one time

• Word size: the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a give time (usually the same as bus width)