Hardware Specifications of a Computer System

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Hardware Specifications of a Computer System
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Objective

• Interpret the hardware specifications of a
  computer system.

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Purpose of CPU

• The main purpose of the CPU is to execute
  programs.
• It does this using three basic steps
• The CPU uses the ALU to perform mathematical
  operations.
• Moves data from one location in memory to
  another.
• Makes decisions and moves to the new set of
  instructions based on those decisions.

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CPU Type and Speed

• The CPU is also called a processor or
  microprocessor.
• It receives data/instructions input by the user,
  process information and executes commands.
• Generally the CPU is housed in a single chip
  called microprocessor.
• The CPU market is dominated by Intel, AMD, IBM
  manufacturers.

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Processors

• Intel Processors
• Best used for desktop publishers
• Visit
• http//www.intel.com/consumer/learn/processors/ind
  ex.htm?iidgg_playlearn_processors - to learn
  more about the intel processors
• AMD (Advanced Micro Device)
• Better for games and power uses
• Visit
• http//www.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDHomePage.aspx

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To determine the CPU Type

• Click on start.
• Control Panel
• Systems/Systems Information
• The processor type is displayed as CPU Type or
  Processor.

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CPU Speed and Performance

• The performance of a CPU is measured in hertz by
  its clock rate. E.g. Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz
  (GHz)
• The clock rate is usually used to reference the
  speed of the CPU. It measures the speed of the
  processor to compute calculations per cycle.
• E.g. A 1 MHz CPU can accomplish 1 million CPU
  cycles per second.

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• As other components of the system take on more
  workload, CPU speed has lesser impact.
• Differences in technology means a slower chip
  that performs more calculations per cycle can be
  faster than a higher rate chip performing fewer
  calculations.

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Memory

• RAM consists of memory modules that are installed
  on the motherboard that contain microchips which
  hold data and programs while the CPU processes
  both.
• RAM is volatile
• RAM comes in modules of either
• SIMM (Single in-line Memory Module)
• DIMM (Dual in-line Memory Module)
• RIMM (Rambus in-line Memory Module)

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• Memory this is a location where information is
  stored that is currently being used by the OS,
  software programs, hardware devices and or users.
• E.g. Recommended 32MB
• Minimum 16MB

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Memory Capacity

• This is the maximum/minimum amount of memory a
  computer or hardware device is capable of having
  or the required amount of memory required for a
  program to run.

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Memory Type

• There are two main types of RAM
• Static RAM (SRAM)
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• Static RAM will hold data as long as it has power
  and provides a memory cache.
• Dynamic RAM needs to be refreshed every few
  milliseconds.
• NB. Refreshed refers to rewriting data to the chip

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DRAM

• Most common type of RAM
• Must be constantly reenergized or it will lose
  its contents
• Is always stored in either DIMM, RIMM, SIMM
• Variations include SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM),
  RDRAM (Rambus DRAM)
• These are faster than normal DRAM with RDRAM
  being the fastest.

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SRAM

• Does not need data to be constantly rewritten or
  reenergized as often as DRAM
• This saves CPU time which gives SRAM better
  performance, faster and more reliable than any
  variations of DRAM.
• More expensive than DRAM

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Memory Cache

• Pronounced cash is called cache store or RAM
  cache.
• It stores frequently used instructions and data,
  which improves the processing time of the CPU.
  E.g when the CPU needs an instruction it first
  checks cache. If it cannot find the data in
  cache, it then checks RAM.
• Cache has faster access than RAM.

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Word Size

• The amount of data a processors internal data
  register can hold and process at one time.

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Memory Speed
Visit http//www.computermemoryupgrade.net/measu
ring-ram-speed.html for information on memory
speed.
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HARD DRIVE/DISK

• A rigid magnetic disk which provides more storage
  and faster access than a floppy disk
• Capacity the amount of storage on a hard disk,
  measured in gigabytes. This will be determined
  by the size of your applications and the amount
  of data you need to store.
• they are available in many sizes,
• A typical personal computer will have a hard disk
  capacity of at least 40 GB.
• External hard disk has a storage capacity of 250
  GB or more
• Removable hard disks have a storage capacity of
  80 GB or more.

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HARD DISK/DRIVE

• Speed
• The hard drive spins continuously at a very fast
  rate about 5400 to 7200 rpm (revolutions per
  minute)
• It has an access time of about 8 ms (milliseconds)

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FIRE WIRE
FireWire is a method of transferring information
between digital devices, especially audio and
video equipment. Also known as IEEE 1394,
FireWire is fast -- the latest version achieves
speeds up to 800 Mbps.
You can connect up to 63 devices to a FireWire
bus. Windows operating systems (98 and later) and
Mac OS (8.6 and later) both support it. FireWire
is plug-and-play. FireWire devices are hot
pluggable, which means they can be connected and
disconnected at any time, even with the power on.
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EXPANSION SLOTS

• An opening in a computer where a circuit board
  can be inserted to add new capabilities to the
  computer. Nearly all personal computers except
  portables contain expansion slots for adding more
  memory, graphics capabilities, and support for
  special devices. The boards inserted into the
  expansion slots are called expansion boards,
  expansion cards , cards , add-ins , and add-ons.

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EXPANSION SLOTS Contd
Expansion slots for PCs come in two basic sizes
half- and full-size. Half-size slots are also
called 8-bit slots because they can transfer 8
bits at a time. Full-size slots are sometimes
called 16-bit slots. In addition, modern PCs
include PCI slots for expansion boards that
connect directly to the PCI bus.
PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect
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Ports
An interface on a computer to which you can
connect a device.
Information taken from http//www.vsubhash.com/wri
teups/pchardware.asp
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Types of Ports
Port Device used with/for
Serial ports Mice
Parallel ports Printers
PS/2 Keyboards and mice
USB Universal Serial Bus Printers, broadband modems, data drives, Mp3 players, mobile phones
Firewire Transferring information between digital devices especially audio and video equipment
Other types composite video (RCA) port, Audio channel port, Optical S/PDIF audio port, Gigabit Ethernet Video, microphone, speakers etc.
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Other terms

• Pentium type of processor
• Dual Core processor containing two independent
  processors integrated into a single chip. Both
  AMD and Intel have dual-core processors
  available. This type of processor is only
  beneficial if the software being used supports
  it.
• 64 bit the CPU can handle more memory and
  larger files. It will drastically enhance the
  performance of demanding applications e.g audio,
  video and complex engineering programs.

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Terms Contd

• SDRAM memory that can hold both data and
  programs
• Video card designed to give a PC display
  capabilities
• Types of interfaces of Video cards
• AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port
• PCI-E Peripheral Component Interconnect
  Express
• PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect

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Terms Contd

• Integrated sound card
• USB Universal Serial Bus way of setting up
  computers between a computer and peripheral
  devices
• Replaces serial and parallel ports
• HDD Hard disk drive
• DVD-R Digital Video Disk Recordable
• LCD monitor Liquid crystal display
• AGP Slot an area on the motherboard designed
  for a video card
• it gives the motherboard display capabilities

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Terms Contd

• APC Biometric reader - a quick and easy way to
  add biometric protection to your PC. The device
  uses an AuthenTec fingerprint reader and the
  OmniPass password manager to provide
  fingerprint-based access to websites, protected
  files and directories, and the Windows login
  screen.
• http//www.engadget.com/2005/06/15/apc-biometric-m
  ouse-adds-fingerprint-reader-to-pcs/

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Line Conditioner

• Tripp Lite's 1200 watt Automatic Voltage
  Regulation (AVR) system.
• Protects sensitive electronics, computer
  accessories and home theater equipment from
  power-related damage and performance problems.
• Extends the useful life of connected equipment by
  providing optimum voltage conditions for enhanced
  efficiency and cooler internal operating
  temperatures.
• http//www.altex.com/Tripp-Lite-1200-Watt-Line-Con
  ditioner-AVR-System-LC-1200-P139529.aspx

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Line Conditioner
APC AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION
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REFERENCES
http//www.webopedia.com/TERM/E/expansion_slot
.html www.techterms.com
http//computer.howstuffworks.com/firewire.htm
http//www.computermemoryupgrade.net/measuring-ram
-speed.html
http//www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,tha
rddrivecapacityi44089,00.asp
http//www.compsource.com/ttechnote.asp?part_noLC
1200vid450
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References Contd

• Information Technology for CXC CSEC Glenda
  Gay/Ronald Blades
• IT for CSEC Jan Holligan and Stephen Doyle