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