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