Lecture 13

Computer Components

CSc 250 - Spring 2018

Benjamin Dicken

Desktop PC

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Lenovo Desktop

Laptop PC

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Apple Macbook Pro

All-In-One PC

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Microsoft Surface Studio

Computer Dissection

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• All of these are computers!
• The core architecture and components inside of each of these devices is the same
• The shape, size, and form-factor are just cosmetic differences
• We will study the components and makeup of a standard desktop PC since it is the largest and easiest to “dissect”

Computer Dissection

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What does the inside of a computer look like?

Main Computer Components

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Motherboard

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The Motherboard (mobo) is the main printed circuit board (PCB) found in general purpose computers. It holds and allows communication between the crucial electronic components of a system, such as the central processing unit (CPU) and memory, and provides connectors for other peripherals. (wp)

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

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The central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions.

The Computer

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Mobo

CPU

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

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The hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile data storage device that uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information using one or more rigid rapidly rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material. The platters are paired with magnetic heads on a moving actuator arm, which read and write data to the platter surfaces. (wp)

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A solid-state drive is a non-volatile, solid-state storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data persistently. SSD technology primarily uses electronic interfaces compatible with traditional block input/output (I/O) hard disk drives (HDDs), which permit simple replacements in common applications. (wp)

HDD/SSD

• Why would it be beneficial to have both an SSD and an HDD in the same computer?

ICA

(Random Access) Memory (RAM)

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Random-access memory (RAM) is volatile computer data storage which stores frequently used program instructions to increase the general speed of a system. A random-access memory device allows data items to be read or written in almost the same amount of time irrespective of the physical location of data inside the memory. (wp)

Volatile and Non-Volatile

• Volatile Memory (VM) is storage that only persists while power is on. Once shut down, all stored info is gone.
• Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) (persistent storage) is storage that remains regardless of the power state.

The Computer

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Mobo

CPU

RAM

HDD / SSD

HDD/SSD vs RAM

• Why do computers need both?
• What kinds of computer users could use a large amount of HDD/SSD capacity and a small amount of RAM?
• And vice-versa?

ICA

Volatile and Non-Volatile

• Typically, data can be stored to and retrieved from volatile memory much faster than non-volatile memory
• However, volatile storage is often much more expensive for comparable capacity
• A 16 GB stick of DDR4 RAM (VM) costs ~ $120 on Amazon
• A 1 TB (1000 GB) HDD (NVM) costs ~ $50 on Amazon
• VM and NVM are typically combined, to get the best of both worlds!

Wireless Network Interface Ctrl (WNIC)

A wireless network interface controller (WNIC) is a network interface controller which connects to a wireless radio-based computer network, rather than a wired network, such as Ethernet. This card uses an antenna to communicate via microwave radiation. These cann connect via PCI, USB, and others. (wp)

Video Card

A video card (also called graphics card) is an expansion card which generates a feed of output images to a display (such as a computer monitor). Frequently, these are advertised as discrete or dedicated graphics cards, emphasizing the distinction between these and integrated graphics. (wp)

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A power supply unit (or PSU) converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer. Modern personal computers universally use switched-mode power supplies. Some power supplies have a manual switch for selecting input voltage, while others automatically adapt to the mains voltage. (wp)

Input Devices

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Output Devices

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The Computer

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Mobo

CPU

RAM

HDD / SSD

Video

Card

Mouse

Keyboard

Touch

Sensor

Monitor /

Screen

Speaker /

Headset

WNIC

Audio

Ctrl