Hardware: Input, Processing, and Output Devices

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Chapter 3

• Hardware Input, Processing, and Output Devices

Most information in this presentation has been
copied from the Dell.com web site
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What is Hardware?

• Hardware consists of any machinery (most of which
  use digital circuits) that assist in the input,
  processing, storage, and output activities of an
  information system.

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What is a Computer System?

• A computer system is a special subsystem of an
  organizations overall information system used to
  input, process, store and output data and
  information.
• Putting together a complete computer system is
  more than just connecting computer devices.
  Components must be selected and organized with an
  understanding of the tradeoff between overall
  system effectiveness and efficiency, and
  considerations of cost, control and complexity.
• When selecting computer system devices, you must
  consider the current and future needs of the
  overall information system.

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Computer System Hardware Components

• Computer system hardware components include
  devices that perform the functions of input,
  processing, communication, data storage and
  output.

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Part I How to Buy a Computer
Most information in this presentation has been
copied from the Dell.com web site
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DimensionTM  XPS Gen 4 NEW! Extreme Performance
with Expandability

• The most advanced Dimension ever built _at_ 5,573
  (configured system)
• Pentium 4 Processor w/ HT Tech Extreme Edition
  (3.40GHz, 800 FSB)
• 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (4x1GB)
• 400GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
• 256MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI
  Radeon X850 XT PE
• 20 inch Ultrasharp 2001FP Digital Flat Panel
• Dual Drives 48x CD-RW Drive 16x DVD/-RW w/
  double layer write capable
• 1GB Compact Flash Card
• Dell Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse
• Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System with
  Subwoofer
• IEEE 1394 Adapter
• 56K PCI Telephony Modem

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Pentium 4 Processor w/ HT Tech Extreme Edition
(3.40GHz, 800 FSB)

• Your processor is the brain of your computer. It
  is also called the central processing unit (CPU).
  It interprets and executes instructions of
  computer programs or the operating system. In
  terms of computing power, the CPU is the most
  important element of a computer system. The
  combination of processor clock speed,
  architecture, cache, and front side bus decides
  the performance of a processor.
• Clock Speed Speed of the processor's internal
  clock which dictates how fast the processor can
  process the data. Clock speed is usually measured
  in GHz (gigahertz, or billions of pulses per
  second).
• Architecture Basic design of a microprocessor.
  It may include processor technology and/or other
  architectural enhancements.
• Cache A temporary storage for frequently
  accessed or recently accessed data. Having
  certain data stored in a cache speeds up the
  operation of the computer. Cache size is measured
  in megabytes (MB) or kilobytes (KB). Level 1
  Cache is a small, fast memory cache that is built
  in to the main chip and helps speed access to
  important and frequently-used data. Level 2 Cache
  is a collection of built-in memory chips, slower
  than the Level 1 Cache but faster than the main
  memory area. Level 2 (L2) Cache can help speed
  the operation of some applications.
• Front Side Bus The connecting path between the
  processor and other key components such as the
  memory controller hub. FSB speed is measured in
  GHz or MHz.

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4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (4x1GB)

• Random Access Memory (RAM) is the workhorse
  behind the performance of your computer. RAM
  temporarily stores information from your
  operating system, applications, and data in
  current use. This gives your processor easy
  access to the critical information that makes
  your programs run. The amount of RAM you have
  determines how many programs can be executed at
  one time and how much data can be readily
  available to a program. It also determines how
  quickly your applications perform and how many
  applications you can easily toggle between at one
  time. Simply put, the more RAM you have, the more
  programs you can run smoothly and
  simultaneously.Upgrading your memory is truly one
  of the most cost-effective ways you have to boost
  system performance.
• Tests show that increasing memory from 128MB to
  256MB increases system performance up to 37.
  Increasing memory from 128MB to 512MB improves
  system performance up to 50.
• DDR SDRAM Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic
  Random Access Memory is memory that provides
  higher bandwidth than ordinary SDRAM memory.
• Frequency The number of repetitions in a signal
  or waveform, measured in Mega-Hertz (MHz). A
  higher frequency improves system performance and
  speed.
• Dual Channel Memory technology that delivers
  twice the peak bandwidth of single channel
  memory.

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400GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

• The hard drive is the primary storage unit of the
  computer. It is where the operating system,
  applications, files and data are kept. If you use
  your computer for digital video, audio file
  storage or you like to work with intense
  applications, you should consider buying a larger
  size hard drive or RAID.
• RAID hard drives combine the performance and
  security of multiple hard drives into one disk.
  RAID 0 (data striping) for maximum performance or
  RAID 1 (data mirroring) for data security.
  Performance users such as video editors often
  utilize RAID 0. Users to whom data integrity is
  vital often utilize RAID 1. With RAID 0 all
  capacity on both hard drives is usable. With RAID
  1 only half the capacity is usable and the other
  half is devoted to back-up.
• Storage Capacity Why buy a higher capacity hard
  drive? - Higher capacity drives allow you to
  store larger amounts of data. This may prevent
  you from having to upgrade your system or hard
  drive in the future due to lack of storage space.
  If you download content or manage content on your
  system, you may want to buy a larger drive
  initially as well.
• Rotational Speed Why Buy a Higher RPM Drive? -
  Rotational speed is a major factor in hard drive
  selection as it determines how quickly data can
  be retrieved. Typical rotational speeds are 5400
  RPM or 7200 RPM for desktops, and 4200 RPM or
  5400 RPM for notebooks. The higher the RPM
  (revolutions per minute), the less time you'll
  spend waiting for your computer to access files.
• Interface (Parallel or Serial) Is interface
  important? - The interface is the link between
  the hard drive and the computer used to transfer
  data. It is important because it regulates the
  speed of data throughput from the system to the
  hard drive. The new SATA (Serial Advanced
  Technology Attachment) is the evolutionary
  follow-on to IDE. SATA is capable of higher data
  throughput than the UATA-100 interface.

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256MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI
Radeon X850 XT PE

• A video card is the part of your computer that
  transforms video data into the visual display you
  see on your monitor. The video solution plugs
  into your computer's motherboard, and is
  responsible for decoding and processing the video
  signal. The quality of video you see on your
  monitor depends on both the video card and the
  monitor you choose. More video card memory and
  faster graphics processors can result in more
  stunning and enjoyable visual effects when
  running games and programs with detailed graphic
  design.
• Memory Video cards have their own memory, which
  is reserved for storing graphical images. Video
  memory on a video card frees the computer's RAM,
  so the computer's memory does not have to store
  graphics. Video memory is available in standard
  sizes 32MB, 64MB, 128MB, etc. Typically, a card
  with a higher memory capacity will be capable of
  more advanced rendering and support for 2-D and
  3-D graphics. If you are planning on doing
  presentations, desktop publishing, gaming, or
  video editing, you should consider at least 128MB
  video memory.Processor In addition to memory,
  video cards have their own graphics processor for
  creating images. A graphics processor is
  specially designed for computing graphical
  transformations, and it can achieve faster
  graphics results than the general-purpose CPU
  used by the computer. An integrated graphics
  solution uses the CPU of your computer to create
  graphics, so it typically will not render
  pictures as quickly as a video card with its own
  processor. It takes thousands of calculations to
  produce even basic images on your monitor. The
  video card processor is also known as the
  controller or graphics engine.
• PCI Express PCI Express (PCIe) is the latest
  interface specification designed to improve a
  system's graphic performance by increasing its
  bandwidth. It helps speed the communication flow
  between the CPU and the graphics controller. This
  enhancement allows texture maps of greater size,
  detail, and realism enabling 3D applications to
  run faster because of even higher bandwidth
  compared to AGP.

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20 inch Ultrasharp 2001FP Digital Flat Panel

• Size Monitors are measured in inches and refer
  to the diagonal length from one corner of the
  monitor box to the other. The actual viewable
  area (or screen measurement) is the measurement
  in parentheses and labeled VIS (viewable image
  size). Monitors are usually listed as 17-in
  (16.0 viewable). This is very important when
  comparing flat panels to CRT's. A flat panel
  usually has the same VIS as its size category a
  17" flat panel has a 17.0" VIS. However a 17" CRT
  may have a 16.0" VIS or less as the width of the
  CRT bezel is included in the monitor size
  measurement. Also keep in mind that most
  conventional CRT monitors are as deep as they are
  wide so if space is a limitation, you should
  consider purchasing a flat panel display.
• Flat panel quality is determined by resolution.
  Resolution refers to the number of individual
  pixels contained on a display. The higher the
  resolution, the more pixels can fit onto the
  screen and so the sharper and more detailed
  images can be displayed. Resolution together with
  contrast ratios, brightness and viewing angles
  determine the overall quality of a flat panel.
• CRT quality is measured in dot pitch or strip
  pitch. Dot pitch is the measure of space between
  a display's pixels the smaller the pitch, the
  sharper the images. A measurement of .27mm is
  average for dot pitch. The monitor's viewable
  area, refresh rate and dot pitch all directly
  affect the maximum resolution a monitor can
  display.
• Active Matrix TFT LCD technology displays sharp,
  brilliant images with resolutions from 1024 x 768
  to 1600 x 1200 pixels, depending on display
  model.
• A wide viewing angle allows viewing from various
  angles without compromising image quality
  allowing for viewing flexibility or multiple user
  viewing.
• Digital DVI functionality provides seamless
  digital connection, helping to maintain image
  integrity.

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Dual Drives 48x CD-RW Drive 16x DVD/-RW w/
double layer write capable

• The DVD/-RW Burner is a great all-in-one drive,
  allowing you to read or burn DVDR, DVD-R,
  DVDRW, DVD-RW, CD-R and CD-RW discs, as well as
  read CD-ROM and DVD-ROM.
• What is Double Layer? The combination of a double
  layer DVD/-RW drive and double layer capable
  media support writing up to 8.5GB of data or
  video to a double layer DVDR or DVD-R.
• 16x is a measurement of CD or DVD drive speed.
  Each x translates to either 153,600 bytes of data
  per second, the data rate of the CD-audio or
  1,250,000 bytes per second, the data rate of the
  DVD-video.
• What is a CD-RW? A CD-RW will allow you to easily
  create your own custom music CDs and data CDs for
  data back-up or data transfer purposes. It will
  also allow you to store and share video files,
  large data files, digital photos, and other large
  files with other people that have access to a
  CD-ROM drive. This drive will also do anything
  your CD-ROM will do. It reads all your existing
  CD-ROMs, Audio CDs, and CDS that you create with
  your CD burner.
• DVDRW is a DVD-Rewritable disc, a DVD that can
  be written to erased many times (up to 1000).

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1GB Compact Flash Card / Other Storage

• Get extra memory to store important files and
  presentations for productivity on the go - or
  store your favorite MP3 music or eBooks for
  entertainment. This 1 GB CompactFlash (CF) Card
  retains data even if the system's power supply is
  switched off, thus offering significant data
  protection. The CF card features an integrated
  controller which stores all IDE and ATA commands,
  making the CF card fully compatible with all
  operating systems, utilities and application
  programs that support industry-standard IDE disk
  drives. CompactFlash requires no special Flash
  File systems or drivers. It works in systems that
  support only 3.3 V or only 5 V. The non-volatile
  solid-state card uses no moving parts, thus
  maximizing battery power.
• The USB Memory Key lends itself to a wide variety
  of innovative uses. The product is an active
  device with its own central processing unit (CPU)
  and is capable of supporting and running multiple
  applications directly from the product.
• Floppy drives record up to 1.44 MB of data on a
  rugged 3.5" removable magnetic diskette. Floppy
  disk drives have been available in the industry
  for many years and are ideal for customers who
  want to easily and inexpensively transfer small
  files from one computer to another, backup small
  amounts of data, or create a boot disk(s).

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Dell Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse

• The keyboard is the primary tool used to
  interface with the computer. It is a necessary
  and often overlooked component to an enjoyable
  computer experience.
• Key factors when choosing the right keyboard
  include comfort, convenience and ease of use. For
  customers who wish to minimize the appearance of
  wires/cords on their desktop, a wireless keyboard
  and mouse solution is available.
• Radio technology is used to communicate between
  the keyboard and the receiver
• There are three general types of keyboard
  technology
• PS/2 - PS/2 technology is an older, stable and
  very reliable technology. PS/2 keyboards plug
  into the PS/2 connector ports located on the back
  of the computer.
• USB - USB technology is newer than PS/2 It is
  generally more responsive to the touch than PS/2.
  USB keyboards plug into the USB connector ports
  located on the back of the computer.
• Wireless - Wireless technology is fairly new in
  the marketplace It was created to answer
  customer needs for a clutter free desktop.
  Wireless products consist of the actual keyboard
  as well as a receiver. The receiver communicates
  between the computer and the wireless keyboard
  using either radio or infrared technology. Some
  wireless solutions include both the wireless
  keyboard and the wireless mouse.
• Great mouse performance! Optical technology
  records motion more precisely, glides more easily
  than a mouse ball, and has no moving parts to
  wear out or clean. The 400/800 DPI sensor has
  accurate response for applications such as
  gaming, photo editing, and graphic design.
  Programmable buttons provide easy access to
  functions used most often.

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Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System with
Subwoofer

• Speakers are a good choice for improving the
  quality of multimedia presentations, online
  training / web casts, music listening, gaming,
  and DVD playback on your system.
• Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Speakers Total surround
  sound, great for listening to DVD-Audio,
  DVD-Video, or that 3D audio gaming experience.
  Center channel speaker features unique flat panel
  mountable capability.
• Multi-Channel Audio Many popular multimedia
  formats support multi-channel audio or surround
  sound. Dolby Digital 5.1 DVD movies and
  DirectSound3D games support multi-channel
  playback. In layman's terms, think of a channel
  as a satellite speaker and the ".1" as a
  subwoofer. If you want to enjoy 5.1 surround,
  your system or sound card must support 5.1
  multi-channel audio. Stereo is two channel,
  meaning two speakers or two speakers plus a
  subwoofer.

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IEEE 1394 Adapter

• Purchase this adapter if you want to capture
  video from a digital camcorder or connect
  external hard drives to your computer. The IEEE
  1394 adapter is a connection standard like the
  USB (Universal Serial Bus) and because of its
  ability to move data quickly (up to 400Mbits/sec)
  it is primarily used to capture video from
  digital camcorders or to connect external hard
  drives.

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Part II What We Missed in Part I?
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Computer System Types

• Personal Computers (PCs) are used by individual
  users (desktops, laptops, notebooks,
  sub-notebooks, Handheld (palmtop)
• Network computers are cheaper versions of PCs and
  are primarily used to access the Internet and
  other networks
• Workstations are high-end microcomputers and use
  RISC processors
• Midrange computers (mini computers) are systems
  that accommodate several users at a time
• Mainframe computers are large, powerful computers
  often shared by hundreds of concurrent users
• Supercomputers are the most powerful computer
  systems used often in military and research
  organizations trying to solve complex problems.

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The Mainboard

• A mainboard is the foundation of the computer.
• Important mainboard components
• Microprocessor Socket houses the Central
  Processing Unit (CPU).
• Memory Sockets are used to add memory to the
  computer.
• Expansion slots house controller cards.
• Buses transfer the data in the mainboard.
• BIOS (basic input/output system) gives the first
  instructions to the computer (look for BIOS that
  supports Plug and Play).
• Chip Sets control the memory I/O, the bus I/O,
  the interrupt requests (IRQs) and in many cases
  the hard disk controllers. If the CPU is the
  heart of the computer, chip sets are the
  pacemakers.

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The Processor

• The processor or Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  is the heart of the computer because it
  ultimately controls all its functions. There are
• CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computing) and
• RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing)
  processors

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CPU characteristics

• Machine cycle time is the time in which a machine
  cycle occurs (instruction execution phases).
  Machine cycle is usually measured in time
  intervals (i.e.microseconds) or MIPS (million
  instructions per second).
• Wordlength is the number of bits the CPU can
  process at any one time. Wordlenght is measured
  in bits (i.e., 64 bits).
• Bus line width is the number of bits a bus line
  can transfer from the CPU to other components and
  is also measured in bits (i.e., 64 bits).

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Memory

• Random Access Memory (RAM) is a volatile primary
  storage location that the processor uses to store
  our data during processing.
• Read Only Memory (ROM) is a non volatile memory
  and as a result its content is permanent.
• Cache memory (SRAM-Static RAM) is a very fast and
  expensive memory type that holds data frequently
  used by the CPU so the CPU does not have to rely
  only on slower RAM. When we talk about cache, we
  are usually talking about Level 2 cache (external
  to the processor). Many vendors will offer
  cache-less PCs at a lower price.

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Controller Cards

• Controller cards are hardware devices that
  control the operations of hardware peripherals.
  Every component that is attached to the computer
  needs a controller card.
• The monitor needs a monitor controller card to
  function
• The hard drive and the floppy drives need a
  controller card
• Speakers attached to the computer need a sound
  card
• A CD-ROM needs a CD-ROM controller card
• The controller card must be compatible with the
  peripheral and the mainboard (i.e., a VGA monitor
  needs a VGA controller card, a SCSI CD-ROM needs
  a SCSI controller card)

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Ports

• Ports are hardware devices used to connect the
  computer with other hardware components called
  peripherals. Ports are the attachment points of
  these peripherals to the computer.
• Some peripheral hardware components are the
  mouse, the printer and the CD-ROM drive
• Common port types are
• The Serial Port
• The Parallel Port
• The Game Port
• USB Port
• Firewire

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Other Input Devices

• Voice-recognition devices
• Digital computer cameras
• Scanning devices
• Optical data readers (OCR and OMR)
• Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)
• Point-of-sale (POS) devices
• Automatic teller machines (ATM) devices
• Pen input devices
• Touch-sensitive screens
• Bar code scanners