Hardware & Software
Hardware
All of the electronic and mechanical equipment in a
computer is called the hardware. Examples include:
• Motherboard
• Hard disk
• RAM
• Power supply
• Processor
• Case
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
Hardware & Software
Software
The term software is used to describe computer
programs that perform a task or tasks on a computer
system. Software can be grouped as follows:
• System software - Operating System etc.
• Utility programs - Antivirus etc.
• Applications Software - Word, SolidWorks etc.
System Devices
Memory is sold in modules:
• DIMM’s (dual inline memory module) for
desktop computers
• SODIMM’s (small outline dual inline memory
module) for notebook computers.
DIMM
Module
SODIMM
Module
System Devices
3
4
2
Graphics card handles it’s own processing making it
1 Processor and fan
almost independent of the processor.
2 Board connector AGP or PCI-Express
Graphics card has it’s own memory. This makes it much
3 Memory
faster. Most new cards use DDR3 memory.
4 DVI connector Digital output is supplied through this port.
5 VGA connector Analogue output is provided through this port.
System Devices
Graphic card - screen images are made up of dots
called pixels (picture elements). The graphics card
must process each of these pixels to create the image.
The resolution of a screen is the number of pixels
being displayed. Typical resolutions include:
• 800 x 600 - 480,000 pixels
• 1024 x 768 - 786,432 pixels
• 1280 x 1024: - 1,310,720 pixels
• 1600 x 1200: - 1,920,000 pixels
System Devices
There are two types of graphic card available:
• AGP (accelerated graphics port) - the older
technology but still available. It can output in
analogue or digital or both.
• PCI-Express - the newer technology - faster
than AGP. Allows for two graphics cards to
improve the performance - called Scalable
Link Interface (SLI). PCI-Express can also
output in analogue or digital or both.
• These cards are mutually exclusive and the
choice is made according to the graphics slot
on the motherboard.
System Devices
Sound card
1 PCI connector Connects the sound card to a PCI slot
Musical Instrument Digital Interface port is used
2 MIDI socket to connect digital musical instruments to the
computer.
These are used to connect microphones, speakers,
3 Audio jacks
stereo systems etc to the computer.
System Devices
The main functions of a sound card are:
• To use a DAC (digital to analogue converter)
to prepare audio for speakers etc.
• To use an ADC (analogue to digital converter)
to convert the audio coming into the computer.
A sound card can be connected to the following:
• Analogue input devices - Microphone, Radio,
Tape deck, Record player etc
• Headphones and speakers
• Output to tape etc.
System Devices
Network card
• allows computers join a network. Can be wired
or wireless. The standard used is called
Ethernet - covers wired and wireless
networks.
The wired standards include:
• Fast Ethernet - transmission speed of
100Mbps.
• Gigabyte Ethernet - transmission speed of
1000Mbps.
PCI PC card USB
System Devices
Modem
• Internet access using a telephone line.
• Converts the digital computer data to analogue
(Modulation) before transmission over the
telephone line and converts the analogue data
to digital (DEModulation) before transmission to
the computer. The device gets it’s name from
these two terms.
• The standard transmission speed of a modem is
56Kbps.
PCI USB
System Devices
Card readers
Replaces floppy drives in new computers. They can
read media cards from most digital cameras:
• Microdrive:
• Smartmedia:
• SD memory card:
• Memory stick/Duo/Pro:
• xD picture card:
Card reader drive
System Devices
Monitors
A computer monitor displays images generated by the
graphics card.
Monitors are almost exclusively LCD (Liquid Crystal
Display). CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors are rare
and are now as expensive as LCD monitors.
19 inch Widescreen LCD
System Devices
Keyboard
Primary input device - divided into sections:
• Typing keys - contains the letter and number
keys, shift keys, spacebar, return key etc.
• Numeric keypad - These keys are arranged as
on a calculator.
• Function keys - programmable keys used by
software for special functions. E.g. - F1 - Help.
• Control keys - screen and cursor control.
System Devices
• Most common arrangement is called
QWERTY after the first six keys.
• Other arrangements are available including
Dvorak, ABCDEF, AZERTY etc.
QWERTY
Dvorak
System Devices
Keyboards are available wired or wireless:
• Wired - These are either PS/2 or USB.
• Wireless - The keyboard uses batteries.
Wireless keyboard
Rubber keyboard - useful for use with notebook
computers. Leaves users less prone to RSI (Repetitive
Strain Injury)
System Devices
Mouse
Input device - uses point and click technology
There are two main types:
• Ball mouse - uses a ball to roll across the surface and move
rollers attached to sensors inside the mouse - reflecting the
ball movement as cursor movement.
• Optical mouse - camera takes thousands of images per
second and sends them for digital processing. The red LED
lights up the surface for the camera.
Ball mouse
Optical
mouse