Hardware Specifications
Computer hardware specifications are technical descriptions of the computer’s
components and capabilities.
There are times when you will need to choose a computer system to carry out a
task. When doing this you will need to consider:
What the computer will be used for
Any special needs the user of the computer may have
There are five (5) factors to consider when evaluating a computer system for a task.
1. CPU/Processing Speed – the computer processing unit (CPU) carries out
instructions one after the other. The speed that instructions are carried out
is set by the clock speed of the CPU. Processor speed is typically indicated in
gigahertz (Ghz), the higher the number the faster the computer. Some CPUs
are faster than others. A faster CPU is important in applications where:
Graphics are important (for example, gaming)
Several programs are being run at the same time.
Clock speed – is how fast instructions are carried out by a computer. It is up to 2.9
megahertz (Mhz). that is 2.9 billion instructions per second. More powerful
processors will run faster than that.
Word Size – determines the number of bits that can be stored and processed at a
time by the CPU. Processors normally have a 32 to 64 bit word size. In simpler
terms, it refers to the amount of data the processor can handle at one time
CPU types
Intel AMD
Celeron Semron
Pentium E Athlon
Core 2 Duo Phenom
Core 2 Quad Phenom II
Core i7
2. Memory - The main memory of a computer, often referred to as primary
memory or RAM (Random Access Memory), is a crucial component in the
computer's architecture responsible for storing data that is actively being
used or processed by the central processing unit (CPU). The computer
memory capacity is measured in gigabytes.
Two main types of RAM:
Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)
Rambus Dynamic RAM (RDRAM)
RAM speed indicates how fast the chip updates the data that it contains. The speed
of RAM is measured in Megahertz (MHz) and Gigahertz (GHz).
Most modern computers will have 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. That is enough for web
browsing and office applications and will allow you to have several windows open
at the same time.
3. Secondary Storage (Hard Drive)
A hard drive (or hard disk drive, HDD) is a primary storage device used in
computers to store data permanently. It plays a crucial role in the overall
functioning of a computer, as it holds the operating system, applications, files,
and other data.
Capacity – the storage capacity of a hard disk determines the amount of
information it can store for later use.
Speed – revolutions per minute (RPM) how fast the hard disk spins. Hard drive
speeds are expressed as data transfer rates or RPM. The data transfer rate
measures the speed at which data can be transferred from the hard disk to the
CPU.
4. Software
When evaluating a system, you should research the software that is to be
used on it. Software will have requirements for RAM and, sometimes
secondary storage that need to be considered.
5. Input and Output Devices
A computer system is not just about the main computer unit. You will also
need to think about the input and output devices.
Expansion Slots
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Expansion slots are connectors on a computer's motherboard that allow users to
add additional hardware components, like expansion cards, to enhance the
computer's functionality. These slots provide a pathway for the expansion card to
communicate with the computer's CPU, memory, and other components.
Different types of expansion slots include:
PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express): Common for modern
high-performance cards like GPUs.
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect): Older standard, still used in some
systems.
AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port): Previously used for graphics cards, now
mostly replaced by PCIe.
These slots make it easy to customize or upgrade a computer by simply inserting a
compatible card into the appropriate slot.
Expansion Cards
Expansion cards are hardware components that can be added to a computer to
expand its capabilities. These cards are plugged into the computer's motherboard
through expansion slots (such as PCI, PCIe, or AGP slots) and provide additional
functionality or connectivity. Most Computers have 4-8 expansion slots.
Some common types of expansion cards include:
Graphics cards: Enhance a computer's ability to render images and video,
especially for gaming, video editing, or graphic design.
Sound cards: Improve audio output quality, especially for professional audio
production or gaming.
Network cards: Allow a computer to connect to a network, either through
Ethernet (wired) or Wi-Fi (wireless).
Storage controller cards: Enable the addition of more hard drives or SSDs
for extra storage or faster data access.
Expansion Bus
An expansion bus is a communication pathway that connects the central
processing unit (CPU) of a computer with additional hardware components or
peripherals, such as video cards, sound cards, network cards, and storage devices.
It allows data to move between the internal hardware and these external
components, expanding the computer's capabilities.
The expansion bus provides a standardized way for the CPU to communicate with
various peripherals by transferring data, addresses, and control signals. Examples
of expansion buses include PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), PCIe (PCI
Express), and older types like ISA (Industry Standard Architecture).
Key features of an expansion bus include:
Data transfer rate: How fast data is transmitted between the CPU and
peripheral devices.
Compatibility: Ensures that the CPU can communicate with a variety of
devices regardless of their function.
Slots: Physical connectors on the motherboard where expansion cards can be
inserted.
PCI Bus
Originally developed to meet Other Bus Types
ISA Bus demands of graphical user USB
Developed by IBM for personal interfaces
Connects directly to the PCI
computers High Speed
bus on the motherboard
Slow 32 bit to 64 bit Supports external devices
Originally 8 bit, later Widely used to connect CPU, without inserting expansion
expanded to 16 bit memory, and expansion slots
cards for each device
Still used by some expansion HPSB
cards Firewire
Replaced by PCI bus in the near Similar to USB but faster
future
Expansion Ports
An Expansion Port is a connection or slot on a computer, laptop, or other electronic
device that allows users to add new hardware components or peripheral devices to
expand the system's functionality. These ports enable communication between the
main system and additional hardware, such as external drives, graphics cards,
sound cards, network cards, or other accessories. Common types of ports include
Universal Serial Bus USB, Serial, Parallel, Firmwire.
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