Understanding Computer Hardwaresuraj.lums.edu.pk/~cs101a05/Lecture07.pdf · Title: Microsoft PowerPoint - Understanding Computer Hardware.ppt Author: Sohaib Khan Created Date: 9/19/2005

1

Understanding Computer Understanding Computer HardwareHardware

Sohaib A KhanSohaib A KhanCS101: Wk3 CS101: Wk3 –– LecLec 11

Reading Assignment: Ch 3 of TextReading Assignment: Ch 3 of Text

Figure Acknowledgements: Figure Acknowledgements: ““How Computers WorkHow Computers Work”” 66thth Ed by Ron White Ed by Ron White (Illustrated by Timothy Edward Downs) (Illustrated by Timothy Edward Downs) ©© QueQue Corp 2002Corp 2002

Personal Computer Systems: Personal Computer Systems: An OverviewAn Overview

Laptops, desktops, tower computersLaptops, desktops, tower computersIBM PC Clones (Wintel machines), IBM PC Clones (Wintel machines), MacsMacs

2

3

The MotherboardThe Motherboard

PCBPCB (Printed Circuit Board) made of Fiberglass (Printed Circuit Board) made of Fiberglass sheet with electrical pathways, called sheet with electrical pathways, called tracestraces, , etched into itetched into it–– BusesBuses–– System ClockSystem Clock–– MicroprocessorMicroprocessor–– ReadRead--Only Memory (ROM)Only Memory (ROM)–– Random Access Memory (RAM)Random Access Memory (RAM)–– BatteryBattery–– Power SupplyPower Supply–– PortsPorts–– Expansion SlotsExpansion Slots

MicroprocessorMicroprocessor

Sometimes also Sometimes also called CPUcalled CPUControl UnitControl UnitArithmeticArithmetic--Logic Logic UnitUnitCISC vs. RISC CISC vs. RISC ProcessorsProcessors

4

MemoryMemory

ReadRead--Only MemoryOnly MemoryRandom Access MemoryRandom Access MemoryCache MemoryCache MemoryVirtual MemoryVirtual Memory

HarddiskHarddisk

5

6

How fast is your computer?How fast is your computer?

Depends on a lot of factorsDepends on a lot of factors–– Processor designProcessor design–– Clock SpeedClock Speed–– Size of Cache memorySize of Cache memory–– Bus WidthBus Width–– MathMath--CoprocessorCoprocessor–– Graphics processor, Video Processor, Audio Graphics processor, Video Processor, Audio

ProcessorProcessor–– RAM SizeRAM Size