Hardware

Lecture no 06
Lecture Outline

Hardware:
• CPU
• Microprocessor
• Processor
• System bus and Interfaces
• Motherboard and Expansion Cards
• Ports
• Expansion Slots
• Von Neumann Architecture
Lecture Objective

The objectives of this lecture is to explain various aspects of computer hardware, and its
components such as microprocessor, processor, system bus and interfaces, motherboard
and expansion cards.
Hardware

A computer's hardware consists of its physical parts, including its internal

pieces and connected external devices.

Hardware components perform a computer's tasks like calculating data,

storing information, processing input, and providing output.

Any part of a computer that you can physically touch is hardware.

Hardware

All hardware devices, whether internal or external, include chips on a circuit

board to perform a function.

All hardware also requires a way to interface with the rest of the computer,
usually by connecting to a port, socket, or wireless radio. After that, pieces of
hardware will include other parts that help them fulfill their function, like buttons,
sensors, protective cases, or even cooling fans to prevent overheating.
Hardware
Internal Components

Internal hardware parts may also be called "components." These consist of everything inside
a computer's case, including the following examples:

• A motherboard is the main system board every other component connects to, consisting
of a large circuit board with many integrated chipsets and controllers.

• Motherboards also include sockets, slots, and ports that you can use to connect new
components.

• A CPU is the brain of a computer that processes instructions and controls the rest of the
hardware.

• Memory, or RAM, temporarily stores information for the CPU to process.

 Hardware
Internal Components

• Storage devices like hard drives and solid state drives hold the computer's applications
and files. Unlike memory, which temporarily holds data, storage devices keep data even
after the computer is powered off.

• Controller cards and expansion cards plug into special slots on a motherboard to expand a
computer's capabilities.
Examples include more powerful video cards, additional network interfaces, and extra
ports.

• A power supply converts the alternating current from a wall socket into a direct current
that powers a computer's components.
Hardware
External Peripherals

• External hardware devices, meanwhile, are usually called "peripherals." These include
everything that connects to a computer by one of its ports or plugs, including these
common examples:

• Monitors display the output of a computer's video card to provide a graphical user
interface that someone can use to monitor and control the computer.

• Keyboards and mice accept input from the person operating the computer, allowing them
to enter text, issue commands, and manipulate objects displayed on the screen.

• Speakers and headphones play the sounds generated by a computer.

Hardware
External peripherals

• Printers allow a person to print a document from their computer onto paper,
while scanners allow them to create a digital copy of a document or photograph.

• Multi-function printers that combine these functions are now common.

• External storage devices store data just like internal storage devices do, but you can
easily disconnect one from one computer and reconnect to another to move data between
computers.
Central processing unit

CPU is short for Central Processing Unit. It is also known as a processor or microporcessor.
It's one of the most important pieces of hardware in any digital computing system – if not
the most important.

Inside a CPU there are thousands of microscopic transistors, which are tiny switches that
control the flow of electricity through the integrated circuits.

You'll find the CPU located on a computer's motherboard.

A computer's motherboard is the main circuit board inside a computer. Its job is to connect
all hardware components together.

Often referred to as the brain and heart of all digital systems, a CPU is responsible for doing
all the work. It performs every single action a computer does and executes programs.
Central processing unit

In a nutshell, a CPU is responsible for handling the processing of logical and mathematical
operations and executing instructions that it is given.

It can execute millions of instructions per second – but can carry out only one instruction at a
time.
Processor

Processor which is also known as Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a chip, assigned with the
instructions of performing logical I/O operations and arithmetical functions of the computer.
Do not confuse the term CPU/processor with the whole system.

In fact, processor or CPU is a small chip, which contains millions of tiny transistors to run the
system effectively. It is the duty of processor to keep an eye over the computer.
Microprocessor

Microprocessor is developed for multipurpose. It is capable in accepting and storing data and
process them in output as a result according to instructions.

This invention has changed the whole CPU/processor. Processing power cost has been
introduced with an increase in processing speed.

Before microprocessors, medium and small scale circuits were used for small computers. But
now small computers requires one or a few large scale circuits.
Key Differences between Processor and Microprocessor

1. Processor or CPU is capable of performing all kinds of computing and arithmetic functions
while microprocessor deals in BIOS & memory circuits in addition to performing all CPU
functions.

2. Microprocessor functions are greater than the processor. In addition to processor qualities,
some graphic processor units (GPU), sound cards and internet cards are also included in
it.

3. Microprocessor is the latest and upgraded version of processor/CPU.

4. Although microprocessor is the latest and advanced technology but still the main
processing function of the computer is controlled by the processor.
Key Differences between Processor and Microprocessor

1. The new function of audio processing which helps in producing clear audio is stored in a
sound card of the microprocessor which was previously not available in the processor.

2. Due to the addition of different processors on a microprocessor, its speed is slower than
the processor.

3. CPUs/processors can be microprocessor but all microprocessors are not CPU.

4. CPU is the main part of the computer while the microprocessor is a simple chip on the
motherboard.
System Bus

In computers, architecture is a bus that is a communication system that transfers data

between components inside a computer or between computers. This expression covers all
related hardware components and software including communication protocols.
Motherboard and Expansion Cards

A motherboard is a circuit board inside general-purpose computing systems, including

personal computers, smart televisions, smart monitors, and other similar devices, which
supports communication between different electrical components and houses components
such as the CPU, memory, etc.

It is typically made of fiberglass and copper.

A computer motherboard may be found inside a computer casing, which is the point of
connection for most of the computer’s elements and peripherals.

When it comes to tower computers, one may look for a motherboard on either the right or
left side of the tower; the circuit board is the most significant.
Motherboard and Expansion Cards

A computer expansion card is a PCB with components and an edge connector that plugs into
a motherboard to expand a computer’s functionality.

Expansion cards are typically something that can be installed into a new computer you’ve
purchased or added as an upgrade component to increase the capabilities of a computer
after the purchase.
Motherboard and Expansion Cards

Common types of expansion cards

An expansion card is a functionality card that fits within a slot in the motherboard. The card
is bought separately depending on the functionality to be added to the computer.

1.Sound card: this is a card that adds all capabilities to do with audio data.

2.Graphic/video card: the card supports high-definition video output. Users who deal with
drawing, video editing, and other multimedia type of data can use the video card to enhance
the output.

3.Network card (NIC card): it is a card for networking. The most common NIC card has
ethernet ports that can be used to connect to the RJ45 connector.
Motherboard and Expansion Cards

Common types of expansion cards

1. Storage card: it is a card that can be added to allow a solid-state type of storage device to
be added to the computer. They are used mostly to add an SD card and flash memories.

2. Modem card: the card was used in old computers to convert analog signals to digital and
vice versa. In most of today’s computers, the capability is inbuilt within the mainboard of the
computer.

3. Wireless /WiFI card: most desktop computers don’t have wireless capabilities. Wireless
cards enable the computer to send and receive wireless signals. The card comes with a small
external antenna to send and receive signals.
Ports

A port is a connection or a jack provided on a computer to connect external or peripheral

devices to the computer, for example, you will need a port on your device to connect a
keyboard, mouse, pen-drives, etc.

So, it acts as an interface or a point of attachment between computer and external devices.

It is also called a communication port, as it is the point where you plug in a peripheral device
to allow data transfer or communication between the device and computer.

Generally, they are four to six in number and present on the back or sides of the computer.

Based on the type of protocol used for communication, computer ports can be of two types:
Serial Ports and Parallel Ports.
Ports

Serial Port

This type of ports provides an interface to connect to peripheral devices using a serial
protocol. For example, D-Subminiature or D-sub connector is a commonly used serial port,
which carries RS-232 signals.
Ports

Parallel Port

As the name suggests, a parallel port is an interface that allows communication or data
transfer between a computer and a device in a parallel manner through more than one
communication line. For example, a printer port is a parallel port.
Von-Neumann Architecture

Modern computers are based on a stored-program concept introduced by John Von

Neumann.

In this stored-program concept, programs and data are stored in a separate storage unit
called memories and are treated the same.

This novel idea meant that a computer built with this architecture would be much easier to
reprogram.
Von-Neumann Architecture
Von-Neumann Architecture

It is also known as ISA (Instruction set architecture) computer and is having three basic
units:

• The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• The Main Memory Unit
• The Input/Output Device
Von-Neumann Architecture

Von-Neumann computer architecture design was proposed in 1945.It was later known as
Von-Neumann architecture.

Historically there have been 2 types of Computers:

Fixed Program Computers – Their function is very specific and they couldn’t be
reprogrammed, e.g. Calculators.

Stored Program Computers – These can be programmed to carry out many different
tasks, applications are stored on them, hence the name.
Lecture Summary

• Hardware refers to the external and internal devices and equipment that enable you to
perform major functions such as input, output, storage, communication, processing, and
more.
References

1. https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/h/hardware.htm

2. https://www.malwarebytes.com/cybersecurity/computer/what-is-a-cpu

3. https://www.difference.wiki/processor-vs-microprocessor/

4. https://www.classmate4u.com/types-of-computer-buses/

5. https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mothboar.htm

6. https://www.technipages.com/what-are-motherboard-expansion-slots/

7. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/computer-organization-von-neumann-architecture/
Review Questions

• Write down difference between microprocessor and processor.

• What is System bus?
• What is the difference between expansion slot and expansion card?
• Define Von Neumann Architecture.