Computer Hardware

Computer Hardware

1. Processing

   • CPU - Executes programs using cycles
   • Memory/RAM - Stores program operations and data while the program is being executed
   • Storage - Main storage point for the saving of long term files such as OS photos and software
   • CPU performance is measured by things such as number of cores, clock speed, cache size processor type.
     • Number of cores correlates to the number of channels of which can complete a process at any one time. More cores = more processing power.
     • Clock speed indicates how fast the CPU can run, the speed at which the instruction cycles through the CPU. 1gHz relates to 1Billion cycles a second!
   • Motherboard
     • The motherboard is a physical circuit board where the CPU is connected, along with other hardware pieces are connected. It is necessary as it is the method of which power and processed data is sent between components. It does so through the use of buses. Which themselves have a transfer speed. The higher this speed the decreased time taken for the data to be passed on. When information is sent it is sent either on a address bus which forwards it in only one direction. Whereas data bus can send and receive data from the memory.

2. Graphics

   • Most modern devices have a dedicated graphical processing unit, but some are in built within the CPU. They primarily focus on processing the graphics and animations done on the system.

3. Peripherals

   • Input
     • Keyboard, Mic, Mouse, Scanner, Webcam
     • More recently there has been an increase in the ability of the wireless input abilities.
       • RFID, NFC, Magnetic strips, Barcode reader
   • Output
     • Monitor, Printer, Speakers, Data Projector
       • Input peripherals are usually connected via HDMI or VGA, but there is also DVI-D and Display port. External devices are connected through USB or more recently Bluetooth.
   • Storage
     • Hard disk, Floppy disk, USB pen, CD, DVD