Introduction to the Personal Computer

PC Hardware

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 Basic Personal Computer
System
 A computer system consists of hardware and software
components.
 Hardware is the physical equipment such as the case,
storage drives, keyboards, monitors, cables, speakers,
and printers.
 Software is the operating
system and programs.
 The operating system
instructs the computer how
to operate.
 Programs or applications
2 perform different functions.
 Computer Cases and Power
Supplies
Computer case
Provides protection and support for internal
components
Should be durable, easy to service, and have
enough room for expansion
Power supply
Converts AC power from the
wall socket into DC
Must provide enough power
for the installed components
and future additions
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 Computer Cases
Contain the framework to
support and enclose
internal components of
the computer
Typically made of plastic,
steel, and aluminum
Available in a variety of
styles
The size and layout of a
case is called a form
factor
Designed to keep internal
components cool
Helps to prevent damage
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from static electricity
 Case Selection
Factor Rationale
Two main case models (one for desktop PCs and the other for
Model Type tower PCs). The type of motherboard determines the type of
case. Size and shape must match exactly.
If a computer has many components, it will need more room for
Size airflow to keep the system cool.
Desktop cases allow space conservation in tight areas because
Available the monitor can be placed on top of the unit. The case design
Space may limit the number and size of the components that can be
added.
Match the power rating and connection type of the power supply
Power Supply to the type of motherboard chosen.
There are many case designs to choose from if it is necessary
Appearance to have a case that is attractive.
LED indicators that are mounted on the front of the case can tell
Status Display you if the system is receiving power, when the hard drive is
being used, and when the computer is on standby or sleeping.
All cases have a vent on the power supply. Some cases have
Vents more vents to dissipate an unusual amount of heat.
 Power Supplies
The power supply converts alternating-current
(AC) power coming from a wall outlet into
direct-current (DC) power, which is a lower
voltage.
DC power is required for all of the
components inside the computer.
Cables, connectors, and
components are designed
to fit together snugly.
Never force any connector
or component.
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 Four Basic Units of Electricity
 Voltage (V) is a measure of the force required to
push electrons through a circuit. Voltage is measured
in volts. A computer power supply usually produces
several different voltages.
 Current (I) is a measure of the amount of electrons
going through a circuit. Current is measured in
amperes, or amps (A). Computer power supplies
deliver different amperages for each output voltage.
 Power (P) is voltage multiplied by current. The
measurement is called watts (W). Computer power
supplies are rated in watts.
 Resistance (R) is the opposition to the flow of
current in a circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms.
7 Lower resistance allows more current to flow through
a circuit.
 Power Supplies

CAUTION: Do not
open a power supply.
Electronic capacitors
located inside of a
power supply can
hold a charge for
extended periods of
time.

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 Internal Components

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 Motherboards
The main printed circuit board.
Contains the buses, or electrical
pathways found in a computer.
Buses allow data to travel
among the various components.
Also known as the system board,
the backplane, or the main board.
Accommodates CPU, RAM, expansion slots,
heat sink/fan assembly, BIOS chip, chip set,
sockets, internal and external connectors,
various ports, and the embedded wires that
10 interconnect the motherboard components.
 Motherboard Form Factors
The form factor of motherboards pertains to
the size and shape of the board.
It also describes the physical layout of the
different components and devices on the
motherboard.
Various form factors exist for motherboards.
AT – Advanced Technology
ATX – Advanced Technology Extended
Mini-ATX – Smaller footprint of ATX
Micro-ATX – Smaller footprint of ATX
LPX – Low-profile Extended
NLX – New Low-profile Extended
11 BTX – Balanced Technology Extended
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Known as the brain of the computer. Also
referred to as the processor.
Most important element of a computer
system. Executes a program, which is a
sequence of stored instructions.
Two major CPU architectures related to
instruction sets:
Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)
Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)

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 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 To an operating system, a single CPU with
hyperthreading appears to be two CPUs.
 The wider the processor data bus width, the more
powerful the processor. Current processors have a 32-bit
or a 64-bit processor data bus.
 Overclocking is a technique used to make a processor
work at a faster speed than its original specification.
 MMX enabled microprocessors can handle many common
multimedia operations that are normally handled by a
separate sound or video card.
 The latest processor technology has resulted in CPU
manufacturers finding ways to incorporate more than one
CPU core onto a single chip.
Single core CPU and Dual core CPU
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 Factors affecting the
performance of a CPU
Multiple cores
Cache memory,
clock speed,
word length,
address bus width,
data bus width.

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 Multiple cores
 In a CPU instructions are fetched and executed one at a
time.
Today however we now have dual core and quad
core computers and each core has its own fetch and
execute cycle.
This means that a processor can be up to two or four
times faster than a normal processor . However the
actual speed of the processor is dependent on the
software that’s being run.
Not all software will take advantage of the quad and
dual cores. Game software and video editing software
are normally written to take full advantage of this core
technology, whereas Word processor software or
spreadsheet software maybe not.
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 Clock speed
The processor requires a clock pulse in
order to operate correctly, so a real time
clock is provided to provide the clock pulse.
One clock cycle is equivalent to 1 Hz, that
is one cycle per second.
A PC clock speed is normally in the
gigahertz region. That is a billion cycles per
second. Typical speeds are two to four
gigahertz. The faster the clock speed, the
faster the instructions can be processed by
the processor.
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 Cache memory
Cache memory is a small amount of high
performance RAM (Random Access Memory)
that is built into the processor.
This RAM stores data which has been
repeatedly used by the processor and it does
not require a request from the system
memory.
This type of data is critical to the fast
processing of video editing games and 3D
applications.
Using this type of memory will increase the
speed of processing the data.
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 word length,
This word length is the word length of a
CPU . This is the number of bits a CPU can
process simultaneously. For example a 32-
bit processor is faster than a 16 bit
processor because it has a wider word
length.
A typical computer system word length is
normally between 32 and 64 bits.
Here are three examples of how the CPU
clock speed and word length can vary:

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 Address bus width
The address bus width is the width of the
address bus and determines the maximum
amount of addressable locations. For
example if you have an address bus of 8
bits, this means that you can have 256
addresses.
These addresses or memory locations will
be numbered 0 to 255.
Of course, the wider your address bus, the
larger the memory that can be accessed.

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 Data bus width.
The Data bus width is the number of bits
that can be transferred simultaneously
from one device to another.
Usually the data bus is the same size as the
address bus but not always. If the data bus
is 16 bits and the address bus is 32 bits, so
the data is fetched in 2 x 16 bit groups.

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 Cooling Systems
Electronic components
generate heat. Too much
heat can damage
components.
A case fan makes the
cooling process more
Case Fan efficient.
A heat sink draws heat away
CPU Fan from the core of the CPU. A
fan on top of the heat sink
moves the heat away from
the CPU.
Fans are dedicated to cool
the Graphics-processing
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unit (GPU).
 Read-only Memory (ROM)
 Basic instructions for booting the computer and loading the
operating system are stored in ROM.
ROM
ROM Types Description
Types
Information is written to a ROM chip when it is
ROM Read-only memory chips manufactured. A ROM chip cannot be erased or
re-written and can become obsolete.

Information is written to a PROM chip after it is

Programmable read-only
PROM manufactured. A PROM chip cannot be erased
memory or re-written.
Information is written to an EPROM chip after it
Erasable programmable is manufactured. An EPROM chip can be erased
EPROM with exposure to UV light. Special equipment is
read-only memory
required.

Information is written to an EEPROM chip after

Electrically erasable it is manufactured. EEPROM chips are also
EEPROM programmable read-only called Flash ROMs. An EEPROM chip can be
memory erased and re-written without having to remove
22 the chip from the computer.
 Random-access Memory
(RAM)
 Temporary storage for data and programs that are being
accessed by the CPU
 Volatile memory, which means that the contents are
erased when the computer is powered off
 More RAM means more capacity to hold and process large
programs and files, as well as enhance system
performance.
 Types of RAM:
 Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
 Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)
 Fast Page Mode DRAM (FPM Memory)
 Extended Data Out RAM (EDO Memory)
 Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)
 Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM)
 Double Data Rate 2 SDRAM (DDR2 SDRAM)
 RAMBus DRAM (RDRAM)

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 Memory Modules
 Dual Inline Package (DIP) is an individual memory
chip. A DIP had dual rows of pins used to attach it to
the motherboard.
 Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM) is a small
circuit board that holds several memory chips.
SIMMs have 30-pin and 72-pin configurations.
 Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) is a circuit board
that holds SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, and DDR2 SDRAM
chips. There are 168-pin SDRAM DIMMs, 184-pin DDR
DIMMs, and 240-pin DDR2 DIMMs.
 RAM Bus Inline Memory Module (RIMM) is a circuit
board that holds RDRAM chips. A typical RIMM has a
184-pin configuration.
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 Cache and Error Checking
Cache
SRAM is used as cache memory to store the
most frequently used data.
SRAM provides the processor with faster
access to the data than retrieving it from the
slower DRAM, or main memory.
Error Checking
Memory errors occur when the data is not
stored correctly in the RAM chips.
The computer uses different methods to
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detect and correct data errors in memory.
 Adapter Cards
Increase the functionality of a computer by adding
controllers for specific devices or by replacing
malfunctioning ports.
 Examples of adapter cards:
 Sound adapter and video adapter
 USB, parallel, and serial ports
 RAID adapter and SCSI adapter
 Network Interface Card (NIC),
wireless NIC, and modem adapter
 Types of expansion slots:
 Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
 Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA)
 Microchannel Architecture (MCA)
 Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
 Advanced Graphics Port (AGP)
 PCI-Express
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 Hard Drives and Floppy
Drives
Reads or writes information to magnetic or
optical storage media
May be fixed or removable
The hard disk drive (HDD) is a
magnetic storage device installed
inside the computer. The storage
capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB).
 A floppy disk drive (FDD) is storage
device that uses removable 3.5 inch
floppy disks that can store 1.44 MB of
data.
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 Optical Drives and Flash
Drives
An optical drive is a storage device that uses
lasers to read data on the optical media. The two
types are CD and DVD.
A flash drive is a removable storage device that
connects to a USB port. A flash drive uses a type
of memory that requires no power to maintain
the
data.
Some common drive interfaces:
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)
Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE)
Parallel ATA (PATA)
Serial ATA (SATA)
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Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
 Internal Cables
Data cables connect drives to the drive
controller, which is located on an adapter
card or on the motherboard.
Floppy disk drive (FDD) data cable
PATA (IDE) data cable
PATA (EIDE) data cable
SATA data cable
SCSI data cable

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 Serial Ports and Cables
A serial port can be either a
DB-9, as shown, or a DB-25
male connector.
Serial ports transmit one bit
of data at a time.
To connect a serial device,
such as a modem or printer,
a serial cable must be used.
A serial cable has a
maximum length of 50 feet
(15.2 m).
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 USB Ports and Cables
USB is a standard interface for
connecting peripheral devices to
a computer.
USB devices are hot-swappable.
USB ports are found on computers,
cameras, printers, scanners,
storage devices, and many other electronic devices.
A single USB port in a computer can support up to
127 separate devices with the use of multiple USB
hubs.
Some devices can also be powered through the USB
port, eliminating the need for an external power
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source.
 FireWire Ports and Cables
FireWire is a high-speed,
hot-swappable interface.
A single FireWire port in a computer
can support up to 63 devices.
Some devices can also be powered
through the FireWire port, eliminating the
need for an external power source.
The IEEE 1394a standard supports data rates
up to 400 Mbps and cable lengths up to 15
feet (4.5 m). This standard uses a 6-pin
connector or a 4-pin connector.
The IEEE 1394b standard supports data rates
32 in excess of 800 Mbps and uses a 9-pin
connector.
 Parallel Ports and Cables
Parallel ports can
transmit 8 bits of data at
one time and use the
IEEE 1284 standard.
To connect a parallel
device, such as a printer,
a parallel cable must be
used.
A parallel cable has a
maximum length of 15
feet (4.5 m).
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 SCSI Ports and Cables
A SCSI port can transmit data at rates in
excess of 320 Mbps and can support up
to 15 devices.
Three different types of SCSI ports:
DB-25 female connector
High-density 50-pin female connector
High-density 68-pin female connector
NOTE: SCSI devices must be terminated at
the endpoints of the SCSI chain. Check the
device manual for termination procedures.
CAUTION: Some SCSI connectors resemble
parallel connectors. The voltage used in the
SCSI format may damage the parallel
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interface.
 Network Ports and Cables
A network port, also known as an RJ-45
port, connects a computer to a network.
Standard Ethernet can transmit up to 10
Mbps.
Fast Ethernet can transmit up to 100
Mbps.
Gigabit Ethernet can transmit up to 1000
Mbps.
The maximum length of network cable is
328 feet (100 m).
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 PS/2 Ports and Audio Ports
A PS/2 port connects a keyboard or
a mouse to a computer.
The PS/2 port is a 6-pin mini-DIN
female connector.
 Line In connects to an external source
 Microphone In connects to a microphone
 Line Out connects to speakers or headphones
 Gameport/MIDI connects
to a joystick or
MIDI-interfaced device

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 Video Ports

A video port connects a

monitor cable to a computer.
 Video Graphics Array (VGA)
 Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
 High-Definition Multimedia
Interface (HDMi)
 S-Video
 Component/RGB

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 Input Devices Fingerprint scanner

Input devices used to enter data or

instructions into a computer:
Mouse and Keyboard
Digital camera and digital video
camera
Digital camera
Biometric authentication device
Touch screen
Scanner

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 Monitors and Projectors
The most important difference
between these monitor types is the
technology used to create an image:
Cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor is
the most common monitor type.
Most televisions also use this
technology.
Liquid crystal display (LCD) is
commonly used in laptops and some
projectors. LCD comes in two forms,
active matrix and passive matrix.
Digital light processing (DLP) is
another technology used in
projectors.
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 Other Output Devices
Printers, Scanners, and Fax
Machines - Printers are output
devices that create hard copies of
computer files. Other all-in-one
type printers are designed to
provide multiple services such as
printing, fax, and copier functions.
Speakers and headphones are
output devices for audio signals.
Most computers have audio support
either integrated into the
motherboard or on an adapter card.
Audio support includes ports that Headphones

allow input and output of audio Speakers

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signals.
 System Resources
System resources are used for communication
purposes between the CPU and other
components in a computer.
There are three common system resources:
Interrupt Requests (IRQs)
Input/Output (I/O) Port Addresses
Direct Memory Access (DMA)

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 Interrupt Requests (IRQs)
 IRQs are used by computer
components to request information
from the CPU.
 When the CPU receives an interrupt
request, the CPU determines how to
fulfill this request.
 The priority of the request is
determined by the IRQ number
assigned to that computer
component.
 Today, most IRQ numbers are
assigned automatically with plug and
play (PnP) operating systems and the
implementation of PCI slots, USB
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ports, and FireWire ports.
 Input/Output (I/O) Port
Addresses
Used to communicate between
devices and software.
Used to send and receive data
for a component.
As with IRQs, each component
will have a unique I/O port
assigned.
There are 65,535 I/O ports in a
computer.
They are referenced by a
hexadecimal address in the
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range of 0000h to FFFFh.
 Direct Memory Access (DMA)
 DMA channels are used by high-
speed devices to communicate
directly with main memory.
 These channels allow the device
to bypass interaction with the
CPU and directly store and
retrieve information from
memory.
 Only certain devices can be
assigned a DMA channel, such
as SCSI host adapters and sound
cards.
 Newer computers have eight
DMA channels that are
numbered 0 to 7.
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 Chapter 1 Summary
This chapter introduced the IT industry,
options for training and employment, and
some of the industry-standard certifications.
This chapter also covered
the components that
comprise a personal
computer system.

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