Computer Hardware!

CPUs in Computer Systems.
1. Fetch, decode and execute sets of instructions.
  1. The higher the Clock Frequency is, the faster that the process can take place.
    1. The more cores there are, the more processes can be completed at the same time.
      1. Cache allows for a small amount of data to be stored close to the CPU, so that the process can be completed in a significantly faster manner oppose to it having to travel to the system's RAM. Therefore, the larger the amount of cache is, the more processes can be completed within a shorter space of time.
        The CPU is effectively the brain of a Computer System; it directs all data that enters and exits the system.
Memory.
1. RAM is Random Access Memory.
  1. Doesn't retain data when no power is being supplied to it.
  2. Allows for active tasks to be quickly stored and accessed within a Computer System.
    1. Each task is assigned a different amount of the total RAM available, depending on its complexity.
      1. The more RAM that there is in a Computer System, the more tasks can be completed simultaneously due to there being more data storage space available to use.
2. ROM is Read Only Memory.
  1. Retains data when no power is being supplied (non-volatile).
    1. Used mainly in server farms and workstation PCs.
3. Virtual Memory.
  1. Virtual Memory enable Computers to more easily carry out tasks due to them being able to store more data temporarily at once.
4. Flash Memory.
  1. Withholds data when no power is being supplied to it.
5. Computer Design Innovations.
  1. Allow for lower overall power consumption.
    1. Consequently, this leads to a longer battery life for devices such as tablets and smartphones, which are heavily reliant on memory chip based storage solutions.
  2. Read and Write speeds are drastically increasing annually.
  3. CPU cache memory is rapidly increasing, which subsequently is allowing for PCs to output tasks in a much faster manner due to the memory being built onto the chip, oppose to it being on the other side of the motherboard.
  4. Lower production costs are allowing for a rapid decrease in the price of RAM/ ROM / SODIMM technologies.
Input and Output Devices.
1. Input Devices.
  1. Microphones.
  2. Keyboards.
  3. Mice.
  4. Devices that require data to be inputted in order for them to be able to function.
  5. Webcams.
  6. Scanners
2. Output Devices.
  1. Printers.
  2. Monitors.
  3. Speakers.
  4. Devices that output data.
  5. Projectors.
  6. Buzzers.
  7. Lights,
  8. Desk hoovers.
3. Devices for people with specific needs.
  1. Input.
    1. Eye-tracking equipment.
    2. Motion sensors.
    3. Sip and puff devices.
    4. Speech recognition equipment.
  2. Output.
    1. Screen readers.
    2. Screen magnifiers.
Secondary Storage.
1. Secondary Storage is where data is stored once it has been processed through the Primary Storage (the RAM).
2. Magnetic-based storage devices.
  1. Data is stored on a disk covered with a magnetic field which attracts a needle to a certain part of it, when a specific piece of data is requested by a user.
  2. Due to them being fairly cheap to purchase, magnetic disks would be perfect for a server farm. They work at a faster rate than Optical storage devices and are generally more reliable also.
3. Optical-based storage devices.
  1. Useful for a band wanting to mass produce copies of their must recent album.
  2. Data is burned onto a disk using an Optical beam, and the indentations of data are then read when requested by a User.
4. Solid State storage devices.
  1. SSDs, being the most expensive to purchase out of the three, are perfect for a User that will be constantly accessing data and wants overall the most durability and speed out of their investment.
  2. As SSD prices slowly decrease, the demand for them drastically increases. By the year 2021, Computer Scientists predict that HDD and Optical Drives will be an icon of the past.
5. Needed so that data can be permanently stored until a User wishes to access it.
Binary Logic.
1. The Binary Logic system is built up of 1s and 0s, and this simple set of data allows for computers to quickly and accurately complete tasks that have been assigned to them.
  1. 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 and 1 can all be used to represent different amounts of data.
    1. OR.
      1. Functions when at least either A or B is equal to one.
    2. NOT.
      1. Only functions when both A and B are equal to 0.
    3. AND.
      1. Only functions when both A and B are equal to 1.

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Computer Hardware!

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	Created by James Harris. over 7 years ago