Understanding Understanding Computer HardwareComputer Hardware

Sohaib A KhanSohaib A KhanCS101: Wk3 – Lec 1CS101: Wk3 – Lec 1

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

Figure Acknowledgements: “How Computers Work” 6Figure Acknowledgements: “How Computers Work” 6thth Ed by Ron White Ed by Ron White (Illustrated by Timothy Edward Downs) © Que Corp 2002(Illustrated by Timothy Edward Downs) © Que Corp 2002

Personal Computer Systems: Personal Computer Systems: An OverviewAn Overview

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

The MotherboardThe Motherboard PCBPCB (Printed Circuit Board) made of (Printed Circuit Board) made of

Fiberglass sheet with electrical pathways, Fiberglass sheet with electrical pathways, called called tracestraces, etched into it, etched into it– BusesBuses– System ClockSystem Clock– MicroprocessorMicroprocessor– Read-Only Memory (ROM)Read-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 CPU

Control UnitControl Unit Arithmetic-Logic Arithmetic-Logic

UnitUnit CISC vs. RISC CISC vs. RISC

ProcessorsProcessors

MemoryMemory

Read-Only MemoryRead-Only Memory Random Access MemoryRandom Access Memory Cache MemoryCache Memory Virtual MemoryVirtual Memory

HarddiskHarddisk

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– Math-CoprocessorMath-Coprocessor– Graphics processor, Video Processor, Graphics processor, Video Processor,

Audio ProcessorAudio Processor– RAM SizeRAM Size