Fundamentals of Computer Networks
CE51100-1
Components of System Unit
Degree : Level-1
Prepared by: SGU First Prepared on: 10.12.06 Last Modified on: 31/12/2006
Quality checked by: xxx
Copyright 2007 Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology
Topic & Structure of the Lesson
System Unit
System unit Ports and Connectors
Motherboard Buses
Central Processing Unit Bays
(CPU) Power Supply
Memory
Adapter cards and
Expansion slots
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 2 of 20
The System Unit
System Unit
System Unit
• What is the System Unit ?
Case that contains
electronic components
of the computer used to
process data
Also called the chassis
System Unit
System Unit
System Unit
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 3 of 20
The System Unit
System Unit
The common components inside the System Unit
Processor
Memory
Adapter cards & Expansion Slots
Ports and Connectors
Bus & bays
Power supply
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 4 of 20
The System Unit
System Unit
Power supply Drive bays
Processor
Memory
Ports
Sound card
Modem card Video card
Network card
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 5 of 20
Motherboard
System Unit
Motherboard
Main circuit board in system unit
Contains adapter cards, processor chips and memory
chips
Also called system board
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 6 of 20
Motherboard
System Unit
Adapter cards
Processor chip
Memory chips
Memory slots
Expansion
slots for
Motherboard
adapter cards
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 7 of 20
Motherboard
System Unit
• What is a chip ? Dual inline
packages (DIP)
Small piece of semi- holds memory
chips
conducting material on which
integrated circuits are etched
Integrated circuits contain
many microscopic pathways
capable of carrying electrical
current
Pin grid
Chips are packaged so they array (PGA)
package
can be attached to a circuit holds processor
board chips
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 8 of 20
Processor
System Unit
• What is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) ?
Interprets and carries out basic instructions that
operate a computer
Contains three main components :
Control Unit
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Register
Also called the processor
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 9 of 20
Processor
System Unit
• What is a Control Unit ?
Directs and coordinates most of the operations in the
computer
Control unit repeats four basic operations :
Fetch
Obtain program instruction or data item from memory
Decode
Translate instruction into commands
Execute
Carry out command
Store
Write result to memory
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 10 of 20
Processor
System Unit
• What is an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) ?
Performs the execution part of the machine cycle
Performs and controls the :
Arithmetic operation
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
Comparison operation
Greater than, Equal to, Less than
Logical operation
AND, OR, NOT
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 11 of 20
Processor
System Unit
Register
Temporary high-speed storage area holds data and
instructions
Consists of a number of registers, each performing a
specific functions:
Stores location
from where instruction
was fetched
Stores Stores data
instruction while it is while ALU
being decoded computes it
Stores results
of calculation
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 12 of 20
Processor
System Unit
• What is a Machine cycle ?
Four operations of the CPU comprise a machine cycle
Also called instruction cycle
The machine cycle consists of two parts :
Instruction time (I-time) in the Control Unit
Time taken to fetch and decode
Fetches an instruction from main memory
Decodes the instruction
Execution time (E-time) in the Arithmetic Logic Unit
Time taken to execute and store
Executes the instruction (performs the operation on the data)
Stores the processed results in the register
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 13 of 20
Processor
System Unit
An example of Machine Cycle
Student enters math
Problem (100 x 52)
Into computer’s
memory
Result in memory
Displays on
Monitor’s screen
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 14 of 20
Processor
System Unit
• What are the types of processor upgrades ?
Chip-for chip upgrade
Replace the chip
Piggyback update
Stack new chip on top of old one
Daughterboard upgrade
Chip is on adapter card that plugs into motherboard
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 15 of 20
Processor
System Unit
• What is a zero-insertion force (ZIF) socket ?
Allows you to install and remove chips with no force
lever
lever
Step 1. Step 2. Step 3.
Lift the lever on the socket. Insert the chip. Push the lever down.
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 16 of 20
Processor
System Unit
• What is pipelining ?
CPU begins fetching
second instruction
before completing
machine cycle for
first instruction
Results in faster
processing
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 17 of 20
Memory
System Unit
Memory
Electronic components that store instructions, data
and results
Temporary storage area for Operating System,
application and data
Consists of one or more chips on motherboard or
other circuit board
Each byte stored in unique location called an address
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 18 of 20
Memory
System Unit
• How is memory measured ?
By number of bytes available for storage
Term Abbreviation Approximate Size
Kilobyte KB or K 1 thousand bytes
Megabyte MB 1 million bytes
Gigabyte GB 1 billion bytes
Terabyte TB 1 trillion bytes
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 19 of 20
Memory
System Unit
• Two types of System Unit memory
Volatile Memory Non - Volatile Memory
Loses its contents when Does NOT lose its
computer’s power contents when computer’s
is turned off power is turned off
e.g. RAM e.g. ROM, Flash Memory,
CMOS
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 20 of 20
Memory
System Unit
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
Memory chips that can be read from and written to by
processor
Also called main memory or primary storage
When the computer starts, operating system files are
loaded from a hard disk into RAM
It responsibility for storing the instructions and data that
the computer is using at that present moment in time
Most RAM is volatile, it is lost when computer’s power is
turned off
The more RAM a computer has, the faster it responds
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 21 of 20
Memory
System Unit
• Where does memory reside ? dual inline memory module
Resides on small
circuit board called
memory module
Memory slots on
motherboard hold memory chip memory slot
memory modules
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 22 of 20
Memory
System Unit
• Three basic types of RAM chips
Dynamic Static
RAM RAM
(DRAM) (SRAM)
Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM)
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 23 of 20
Memory
System Unit
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
Must be re-energized constantly or they lose their
contents
Most common type
Faster variations of DRAM are SDRAM (Synchronous
DRAM) and RDRAM (Rambus DRAM)
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 24 of 20
Memory
System Unit
• Static RAM (SRAM)
Are faster and more reliable than any variation of DRAM
chips
Do not have to be re-energized as often as DRAM chips
Are much more expensive than DRAM chips
Used for special applications such as cache
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 25 of 20
Memory
System Unit
• Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM)
A newer type of RAM
Stores data using magnetic charges instead of electrical
charges
Manufacturers claim that MRAM has greater storage
capacity, consumes less power and has faster access
times than electronic RAM
Retains its contents after power is removed from the
computer, which could prevent data loss
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 26 of 20
Cache Memory
Cache memory is random access memory (RAM)System that Unit
a
computer microprocessor can access more quickly than it can
access regular RAM.
As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in the cache
memory and if it finds the data there (from a previous reading of
data), it does not have to do the more time-consuming reading of
data from larger memory.
L1 cache built into processor
Fast but low capacity
L2 cache slower but has larger capacity. Usually
separate static RAM chips
L2 advanced transfer cache is faster, built directly
on processor chip
L3 cache is separate from processor chip on
motherboard (L3 is only on computers that use L2
advanced transfer cache)
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 27 of 20
Memory
System Unit
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Memory chips that store permanent data and instructions
Non-volatile memory, it is not lost when computer’s power is
turned off
There are three types :
Firmware
Manufactured with permanently written data, instructions or information
PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory)
Blank ROM chip onto which a programmer can write permanently
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory)
Type of PROM containing microcode programmer can erase
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 28 of 20
Memory
System Unit
Flash memory
Non-volatile memory that can be erased electronically and
rewritten
Used with PDAs, smart phones, printers, digital cameras,
automotive devices, audio players, digital voice recorders
and pages
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 29 of 20
Memory
System Unit
CMOS
Stands for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
Memory
Used in some RAM chips, flash memory chips and other
types of memory chips
Uses battery power to retain information when other
power is turned off
Stores date, time and computer’s startup information
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 30 of 20
Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards
System Unit
Adapter card
Can enhance system
unit or provides
connections to external
devices called
peripherals
Also called an
expansion card
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 31 of 20
Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards
System Unit
Expansion slot
An opening or socket, on
the motherboard that can
hold an adapter card
Add new devices or
capabilities to the computer
With Plug and Play, the
computer automatically
configures cards and other
devices as you install them
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 32 of 20
Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards
System Unit
PC cards
A PC card adds memory,
storage, fax/modem,
communications, and other
capabilities to notebook
computers
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 33 of 20
Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards
System Unit
Flash memory cards
A Flash memory allows
users to transfer data
from mobile devices to
their desktop computers
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 34 of 20
Expansion Slots and Adapter Cards
System Unit
Many mobile and consumer devices, such as PDAs,
smart phones, digital cameras and digital music players,
use these memory cards
It is available of shapes and sizes
Another widely used type of removable flash memory is
the USB flash drive
USB flash drive is a flash memory storage device that plugs in a
USB port on a computer or portable device
Hot plugging allows you to insert and remove cards while
computer is running
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 35 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
Ports and connectors
Port connects external devices
to system unit
Connector joins cable to
peripheral
Available in one of two genders :
Male and Female
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 36 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 37 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
Serial port
Transmits one bit of
data at a time
Connects slow-speed
devices, such as
mouse, keyboard and
modem
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 38 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
Parallel port
Connects devices that
can transfer more than
one bit at a time, such
as a printer
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 39 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
USB ports
USB (Universal Serial Bus) port can connect up to 127
different peripherals together with a single connector type
Many devices can be connected to a USB port, such as :
Mouse
Printer
digital camera
Scanner
Speakers
MP3 music player
Removable hard disk
CD and DVD
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 40 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
USB ports
PCs typically have six to eight USB ports on front or back
of the system unit
Single USB port can be used to attach multiple
peripherals in a daisy chain
First USB device connects to USB port on computer
Second USB device connects to first USB device
Third USB device connects to second USB device, and so
on
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 41 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
FireWire ports
Is similar to a USB port in that it can connect multiple
types of following devices that require faster data
transmission speeds
Digital video cameras
Digital VCRs
Colour printers
Scanners
Digital cameras and DVD drives
Allows to connect, up to 63 devices together
Supports Plug and Play
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 42 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
• MIDI port
MIDI port, short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface
Is the electronic music industry’s standard that defines
how devices, such as sound cards and synthesizers,
represents sounds electronically
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 43 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
• IrDA port
IrDA port, short for Infrared Data Association
It is used to transmit data via infrared light waves
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 44 of 20
Ports and Connectors
System Unit
• Bluetooth port
As an alternative to IrDA port, Bluetooth technology uses
radio waves to transmit data between two devices
It does not need to align with each other
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 45 of 20
Bus
System Unit
• What is a bus ?
Channel that allows devices
inside computer to communicate
with each other
System bus connects processor
and RAM
Bus width determines number of
bits transmitted at one time
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 46 of 20
Bus
System Unit
• Expansion bus
Allows processor to communicate with peripherals
The following expansion buses are commonly found in
today’s PC :
The PCI bus (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
The AGP bus (Accelerated Graphics Port)
The USB (Universal Serial Bus)
The FireWire bus
The PC Card bus
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 47 of 20
Bay
System Unit
• What is a bay ?
Open area inside system
unit used to install
additional equipment
Drive bays typically hold
disk drives
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 48 of 20
Power Supply
System Unit
Power supply
Converts Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC)
External peripherals might use an AC adapter, which is
an external power supply
Requires a fan to cool off the heat generated by the
CPU and other electronic components
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 49 of 20
Summary
System Unit
System unit Ports and Connectors
Motherboard Buses
Central Processing Unit Bays
(CPU) / Processor Power Supply
Memory
Adapter cards and
Expansion slots
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 50 of 20
Question and Answer Session
System Unit
Q&A
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 51 of 20
TUTORIAL
System Unit
1) Explain briefly the two types of memory.
2) What are the components of a processor and how
processor completes a machine cycle?
3) Explain the two types of bus. How does bus contribute
to a computer’s processing speed?
4) Explain about Serial Port and Parallel Port.
5) Briefly explain these terms:
a- Pipelining d- Adapter card
b- Bay e- Flash memory
c- Expansion slot f- PC card
Fundamental of Computer Networks Slide 52 of 20