Lecture 1 - Basic Structure of Computer
1. Input Components- common user-controlled devices such as keyboards, microphones, Webcams and scanners.
2. Processing Components-
* CPU: It is the computer's main processor. It is composed of two or more processors called cores. Multiple CPU is like a person with two brains. It enables to carry out multiple instructions simultaneously. it even results in better overall performance.
3. Output Components- The most obvious are monitors and printers. It also includes storage devices, network cards and speaker.
4. Storage Components- More the storage, better the performances. Most storage components are inputs and outputs devices. Two main categories are; Short-term storage and Long-term storage.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Short-term storage (Volatile)
- Also called as "Working Storage"
- Crucial to the computers capability to operate efficiently.
- CPU can only access data/code in RAM.
- If there is no enough RAM to run a program, the computer will use the disk drive to suppliment (virtual memory).
Virtual Memory
- Part of disk storage can be set as virtual memory.
- Less used data/code are placed in VM.- Data/code needed by CPU are moved to RAM.
Long-Term Storage
- Maintains its data even when there's no power (non-volatile)
- Used to store documents and multimedia files.
- Examples: Hard disk
CDs/DVDs
USB flash drives
- Amount of storage a computer needs depends on the type and quantity of files to be stored.
Personal Computer Hardware
- Four major PC components:
1. Motherboard
2. Hard drive
3. RAM
4. BIOS/CMOS
Computer Bus Fundamentals
Bus: a collection of wires carrying signals from one place to another on the computer.
There are buses between:
CPU and RAM
CPU and disk drives
CPU and expansion slots
Types of Buses:
1. Data Bus: Used to carry data signals from RAM to CPU and vice versa or from RAM to input/output devices vice versa.
2. Address Bus: Used to carry signals where an input or output device is attached.
3. Control Bus: Used to carry control signals from CPU to memory or port/interface.
Hard Drive Fundamentals
- It is primary long-term storage component on your computer.
- It consists of Magnetic disks called "platters" that store data in the form of magnetic pulses.
- It stores the documents we use as well as the applications that open those documents and the OS our computer loads when it boots.
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