The Central Processing Unit Processor and Main Memory

The Central Processing Unit Processor and Main Memory

Learning Intentions • We are learning to: • State the function of the processor • Describe the differences between RAM and ROM • Make comparisons between computer systems using processor speed and main memory size. • State the function of graphics and sound cards.

The Computer System MAIN MEMORY INPUT Processor BACKING STORAGE OUTPUT

Processor and Main Memory • Processor - Deals with all the movement of data and the calculations that need to be carried out. • Main Memory-Used to store programs and data Processo r Main Memory

Makes of processor

Clock speed • Clock speeds are a measure of how powerful a processor is. • 1 Megahertz (1 MHz) = 1 million pulses per second • 1 Gigahertz (1 GHz) = 1000 million pulses per second A 5 processor (IPAD) 800 MHz Intel Core i 7 3. 2 GHz

Clock speed examples Type System Smartphone Black. Berry Bold 9780 Tablet Samsung Galaxy Tablet 2 Laptop Asus Ultrabook Desktop HP Desktop PC Processor Speed 624 MHz Slowest 1 GHz 1. 6 GHz 3. 4 GHz Fastest

The Main Memory • The main memory can be either RAM or ROM. • Random Access Memory is the working space of the computer. • It holds all the programs and data you are currently using. • When you are using MS Word it has been loaded from your computer’s hard disk into RAM. • The unsaved work you have typed so far is also held in RAM.

Read Only Memory • Read Only Memory is used by the computer to store data permanently. • In computer systems ROM is used to store the Operating System of your computer. • Stores the programs that run MP 3 players, Washing machines, Central Heating system and other devices in your home • It is very difficult to change the data held in ROM

RAM vs ROM Random Access Memory Read Only Memory Read and Write Read Only Data can be changed Data CANNOT be changed Data is lost when power is switched off - Temporary Data is kept when power is switched off - Permanent Holds all the data and programs currently in use Holds instructions the computer and devices need to carry out their function

Complete the table in your jotter Computer System Samsung Galaxy S smartphone Yarvik Zania 10 Tablet Acer Apsire Ultrabook ASUS Essentio Desktop PC Processor Speed Using www. pcworld. co. uk 1 GHz Main Memory (RAM) 512 Mb

Answers Computer System Samsung Galaxy S smartphone Yarvik Zania 10 Tablet Acer Apsire Ultrabook ASUS Essentio Desktop PC Processor Speed 1 GHz Main Memory (RAM) 512 Mb 1. 2 GHz 1 Gb 1. 7 GHz 4 Gb 3. 3 GHz 4 Gb

Graphics Card • Specialised piece of hardware used to process the images and videos you see on your screen. • They have their own processor and memory. • The CPU then has the time to get on with processing other data. • The best graphics cards allow your games to run smoothly.

Graphics Card- In Your Jotter Graphics Card Processor speed (frequency) PNY Ge Force 8400 ASUS AMD Radeon HD 6770 ASUS NVIDIA Geforce GTX 680 Using www. pcworld. co. uk Memory Price

Answers Graphics Card Processor speed (frequency) Memory Price PNY Ge Force 8400 520 MHz 512 Mb £ 19. 97 ASUS AMD Radeon HD 6770 850 MHz 1 Gb £ 99. 99 ASUS NVIDIA Geforce GTX 680 1201 MHz 2048 Mb (2 Gb) £ 468. 00

Sound Cards • The sound card is used to capture and output audio data. • They improve the quality of sound output from games and multimedia. • Sample Rate: A measure of the quality of the sound that has been captured. Measure in KHz

Sound Card shopping- In your jotter Graphics Card Test Frequency (Sample Rate) CREATIVE Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme ASUS Xonar HDAV 1. 3 Using www. pcworld. co. uk Price

Answers Graphics Card Test Frequency (Sample Rate) Price CREATIVE Sound Up to 96 k. Hz Blaster X-Fi Xtreme £ 39. 97 ASUS Xonar HDAV 1. 3 £ 129. 97 192 k. Hz