Computer Hardware CPU Memory Storage Ports 1 To

Computer Hardware CPU, Memory, Storage, & Ports 1

To Buy or To Upgrade? s Things to consider: s s Moore’s Law Cost of upgrading vs. buying Time installing software and files Needs and wants 2

Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your System s Assess the computer’s subsystems s The subsystems include s s s s CPU RAM Virtual memory Storage devices Video Audio Ports 3

Evaluating the CPU s How does the CPU work? s Control unit s Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) s Machine cycle: s Instruction Cycle s Fetch s Decode s Execution Cycle s Execute s Store s Speed: s MHz s GHz 4

Evaluating Other CPU Features s Some CPUs are optimized to process multimedia instructions s Intel CPUs called Core Duo processors s Use less power than dual processors s Increase multitasking performance s Intel has more than 17 other designs for chips with more than one core 5

Upgrading the CPU s Expensive s Easy to install s Motherboard compatibility 6

Evaluating RAM s Random access memory (RAM): s Temporary storage (memory) s Volatile s Memory modules: s SIMM s DIMM s RIMM s Types of RAM: s SRAM s DRAM s SDRAM 7

How Much Ram is Needed? s s RAM RAM for for System Software Productivity Software Entertainment Graphics Programs System Software Windows XP 128 MB Productivity Software MS Office Pro 128 MB Entertainment Software Windows Media Player 64 MB Graphics MS Picture It! 128 MB 8

Adding RAM s Increase system performance s Things to consider: s Type of RAM module s Amount of RAM: s Maximum limit s Number of slots s Operating system s Applications running at the same time 9

Evaluating Storage s Types of storage devices: s s s Hard drive Floppy drive Zip disk drive CD/DVD Flash memory s Nonvolatile storage 10

The Hard Disk Drive s Storage capacity up to 500 GB s Access time is measured in milliseconds s Data transfer rate is measured in megabits or megabytes per second s Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm) 11

How a Hard Disk Works s Composed of several coated platters stacked on a spindle s Data saved to the disk: pattern of magnetized spots Platters Read/write head – Spots = 1 – Spaces = 0 s Between platters are read/write heads that read and write magnetized data s Spots are translated Access arms into data 12

Portable Storage s Gives us the ability to move data from one computer to another s Types of portable storage devices: s Floppy disk: s Capacity 1. 44 MB s Zip disk: s Capacity 100 MB to 750 MB s CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RW: s Capacity 700 MB to 9. 4 GB s Flash drive: s Capacity 32 MB to 1 GB s Flash memory Card: s Up to 4 GB 13

Magnetic Storage s Magnetic media: s Metal platters: Track s Hard disks s Plastic film: s Floppy disks s Zip disks Sector s Tracks s Sectors s File Allocation Table 14

Optical Storage s Optical media: s s s CD-ROM CD-RW DVD-ROM DVD-RW s Laser s Pits scatter laser light equaling a 1 s Nonpitted area reflects laser light equaling a 0 15

Upgrading Storage s Hard drive options: s Replace current drive with a larger capacity drive s Install an additional hard drive s Other options: s Zip drive s Replace CD ROM with CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW s Flash card reader s Flash memory drive 16

Evaluating Video s Two components: s Video card (adapter) s Monitor 17

Video Cards s Process binary data into images s Contain memory known as video RAM (VRAM) s Control the number of colors a monitor can display (bit depth) s Standard VGA s 4 bits s 16 colors s True color (SVGA) s 24 bits s 16 million colors 18

Monitors s Things to consider: s Types: s CRT or LCD s Size: s 15, 17, 19, or 21 inch s Resolution: s Increasing resolution allows more to be displayed s Dot pitch: s. 31 mm or less s Refresh rate: s 75 Hz or higher 19

Evaluating Audio s Sound card: s Process digital data into sounds s 3 D sound cards s Surround s Dolby Digital 5. 1 20

Evaluating Audio s Speakers: s s Amplified Not amplified Subwoofer Surround sound 21

Evaluating Ports s Ports are used to connect peripheral devices to the computer s Things to consider: s Devices you want to use s Ports needed for the devices 22

Types of Ports s Serial Port s Transfers data one bit at a time; 56 Kbps PS/2 Port COM 1 Port PS/2 Connectors Serial Connector 23

Types of Ports s Parallel s Transfers eight bits of data simultaneously; 12 Mbps LPT 1 Port Printer Cable Connector 24

Types of Ports s Universal serial bus s Transfer speed up to 480 Mbps; hot swapping USB Port USB Connector 25

Types of Ports s Fire. Wire s Transfer rate of 400 Mbps; Digital cameras s Newer Fire. Wire 800 is fastest s Available only on the Apple Mac Fire. Wire Port Fire. Wire Connector 26

Types of Ports s Ethernet s Transfer rate of 100 Mbps; connects computers to networks Ethernet Port Ethernet jack 27

Types of Ports s Ir. DA s Transfer rate of 4 Mbps; Uses infrared light waves Ir. DA 28

Types of Ports s Bluetooth s Transfer rate of 1 Mbps; radio waves send data over short distances Bluetooth 29

Types of Ports s MIDI Port s Musical Instrument Digital Interface s 31. 5 Kbps transfer rate 30

Adding Ports s Expansion cards: s New port standards s Expansion hubs: s Enables several devices to be connected to a port 31

Evaluating System Reliability s Performance: s Slow s Freezes s Crashes s Upkeep and maintenance: s System tools s Control panel s Update software and hardware drivers 32

Upkeep and Maintenance s System tools: s Disk defragmenter s Disk cleanup s Unnecessary files s Control panel: s Add/remove programs s Display s System s Device manager 33

Update Software and Hardware Drivers s Software: s Automatic updates s Patches s Hardware: s Download updated drivers 34

The Last Resort s If problems persist: s Reinstall the operating system s Upgrade the operating system to the latest version 35