Hardware

COMPUTER AWARENESS

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Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical and tangible parts of a computer system, i.e. the components that can be
seen and touched by user. Hardware can be taken as the body of a computer consisting different logically and
physically operational parts for different functions.

Following can be examples of Hardware:

 Input devices − keyboard, mouse, etc.

 Output devices − printer, monitor, etc.

 Secondary storage devices − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.

 Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.

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Relationship between Hardware and Software

 Both Hardware and Software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them should work in
collaboration in order to make a computer produce a useful output.

 Software cannot be used without equivalent hardware.

 Hardware in absence of a set of programs to operate upon cannot perform any useful operations and is
useless.

 To get a particular task or operation executed by the computer, relevant software must be loaded into
the hardware.

 Hardware is a one-time investment.

 Development of Software is comparatively expensive and is a prolonged expense.

 Various software applications can be installed on a hardware to perform various tasks.

 A software works as an interface between the hardware and its user.

 If the hardware can be considered as the 'heart' of a computer system, then the software is considered
as its 'soul'. Both of them are complementary to each other.

CPU
Central processing unit (CPU), principal part of any digital computer system, generally composed of the main
memory, control unit, and arithmetic-logic unit.

 Central Processing Unit (CPU) consists of the following features −

 CPU is considered as the brain of the computer.

 CPU performs all types of data processing operations.

 It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program).

 It controls the operation of all parts of the computer.

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CPU itself has following three components.

 Memory or Storage Unit

 Control Unit

 ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)

Memory or Storage Unit

This unit can store instructions, data, and intermediate results. This unit supplies information to other units
of the computer when needed. It is also known as internal storage unit or the main memory or the primary
storage or Random Access Memory (RAM).

Its size affects speed, power, and capability. Primary memory and secondary memory are two types of
memories in the computer. Functions of the memory unit are −

 It stores all the data and the instructions required for processing.

 It stores intermediate results of processing.

 It stores the final results of processing before these results are released to an output device.

 All inputs and outputs are transmitted through the main memory.
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Control Unit
This unit controls the operations of all parts of the computer but does not carry out any actual data pro-
cessing operations.

Functions of this unit are −

 It is responsible for controlling the transfer of data and instructions among other units of a computer.

 It manages and coordinates all the units of the computer.

 It obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them, and directs the operation of the computer.

 It communicates with Input/Output devices for transfer of data or results from storage.

 It does not process or store data.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

This unit consists of two subsections namely,

 Arithmetic Section

 Logic Section

Arithmetic Section

Function of arithmetic section is to perform arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division. All complex operations are done by making repetitive use of the above operations.

Logic Section

Function of logic section is to perform logic operations such as comparing, selecting, matching, and merging
of data.

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What is the latest computer processor?

 Best CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. ...

 Best high-end CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X. ...

 Best mid-range CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X. ...

 Best entry-level CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3100. ...

 Best gaming CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X. ...

 Best VR CPU: Intel Core i5-10600K. ...

 Best performance processor: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X. ...

 Best budget CPU: AMD Athlon 300GE.

Motherboard
 The motherboard works as a single platform to assemble all of the parts of a computer system together.
It connects the primary components like CPU, memory, hard drives, and the secondary components like
optical drives, video card, sound card, and other ports and expansion cards directly or via cables. It acts
as the backbone of a computer.

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Features of Motherboard
A motherboard comes with various features as follows:

 Motherboard varies very much in supporting different types of devices and components.

 Motherboard provides provision for a single type of CPU and a multiple number of memories.

 Devices like video cards, hard disks, sound cards have to be compatible with the particular moth-
erboard to integrate with the rest of the components.

 Motherboards, cases, and power supplies should be compatible to work properly in collaboration
with the other components.

Popular Manufactures
Following are few of the popular manufacturers in the market of the motherboard:

 Intel

 ASUS

 A Open

 ABIT

 Bio star

 Gigabyte

 MSI

Description of Motherboard
 The motherboard is installed inside the case or cabinet and is securely attached using small screws. Moth-
erboard consists of ports to connect all of the internal hardware components. It has provision for a single
socket for CPU, whereas for memory, generally one or more slots are available. Motherboards contain
ports to attach input devices like the floppy drive, hard drive, and optical drives via ribbon cables. Moth-
erboard carries fans for heat dissipation and a special component called SMPS (switched-mode power
supply) designed for power supply.
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 It contains a peripheral card slot in front of the motherboard which can be used to attach output/input
devices like video cards, sound cards, and other expansion cards to the motherboard.

 On the other side, motherboards carry a variety of ports to connect the important input/output devices
like monitor, printer, mouse, keyboard, speaker, and network cables. Motherboards also consists ad-
vanced technology known as USB ports, which allow compatible devices to be connected in plug-in/plug-
out fashion. For example, pen drive, digital cameras, etc.

RAM
RAM, which stands for random access memory, and ROM, which stands for read-only memory, are both
present in your computer. RAM is volatile memory that temporarily stores the files you are working
on. ROM is non-volatile memory that permanently stores instructions for your computer.

The information stored in RAM can be checked with the help of BIOS. It is generally known as the main
memory or temporary memory or cache memory or volatile memory of the computer system.

Two main types of RAM are:

 Static RAM

 Dynamic RAM

Static RAM
Static RAM is the full form of SRAM. In this type of RAM, data is stored using the state of a six transistor
memory cell. Static RAM is mostly used as a cache memory for the processor (CPU).

Dynamic RAM
 DRAM stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory. It is a type of RAM which allows you to stores each
bit of data in a separate capacitor within a specific integrated circuit. Dynamic RAM is a standard
computer memory of the many modern desktop computers.

 This type of RAM is a volatile memory that needs to be refreshed with voltage regularly. Else it loses the
information stored on it.

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SRAM VS DRAM

SRAM DRAM

SRAM is costlier than DRAM. DRAM costs less compared to SRAM.

It is a complex internal circuitry, and it

offers less storage capacity is available It is the small internal circuitry in the one-bit memory cell of DRAM.
compared to the same physical size of a The large storage capacity is available.
DRAM memory chip.

Types of RAM

Type of RAM Year Invented

EDO RAM (Extended data operations

1994
read-only memory)

RDRAM (Rambus RAM) 1998

DDR2 2003

DDR4 2012

ROM
 Read-Only Memory (ROM), is a type of electronic storage that comes built in to a device during
manufacturing. You’ll find ROM chips in computers and many other types of electronic products; VCRs,
game consoles, and car radios all use ROM to complete their functions smoothly.

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 ROM chips come built into an external unit – like flash drives and other auxiliary memory devices or
installed into the device’s hardware on a removable chip. Non-volatile memory like ROM remains viable
even without a power supply.

Ports
 In terms of computers, a port is a physical docking socket using which an external or internal device can
be connected to the motherboard. It may also be programmatic docking point which can be used for flow
of information from a program to the computer or over the Internet.

Characterstics of Ports
Following are the characteristics of a port:

 Most of the external devices are connected to the system through cables and ports.

 Ports are sockets on the motherboard of the system into which the device itself or the cable of external
device is plugged in.

 Examples: mouse, keyboard, monitor, microphone, speakers, etc.

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Serial Port
 Useful for external modems and older version of computer mouse

 Two possible versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model

 Data travels at the speed of 115 kilobits per second

Parallel Port
 Used to attach scanners and printers

 Also known as printer port

 25 pin model

 IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port

PS/2 Port
 Used to connect earlier version computer keyboard and mouse

 Also known as mouse port

 Most of the earlier version computers provide two PS/2 port, each for the mouse and keyboard

 IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port

 It can be used to attach variety of external USB devices like external hard disk, printer, scanner, mouse,
keyboard, etc.

 It was introduced in 1997.

 Most of the newer versions of computers are equipped with two USB ports as minimum.

 Data travels at the speed of 12 megabits per seconds.

 USB compliant devices can receive power from a USB port.

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VGA Port
 It is used to connect monitor to a computer's video card.

 It consists 15 holes.

 It resembles the serial port connector. However, serial port connector consists pins, VGA port consists
holes.

Power Connector
 Three-pronged plug.

 It connects to the computer's power socket available in SMPS that plugs into a power bar or wall socket.

FireWire Port
 It can transfer huge amount of data at comparatively very fast speed.

 It can connect camcorders and video equipment to the computer system.

 Data flows at the speed of 400 to 800 megabits per seconds.

 Invented by Apple.

 It has 3 variants: 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and 9-Pin FireWire 800 con-
nector.

Modem Port
 It is used to connect a PC's modem to the telephone network.

Ethernet Port
 Used to connect computer system to a network and high speed Internet.

 Connects the network cable to the system.

 This port is available on the Ethernet Card.

 Data travels at the speed of 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds, which depends upon the network
bandwidth.
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Game Port
 Used to connect a joystick to a PC

 It is now replaced by USB

Digital Video Interface, DVI Port

 Used to connect digital signal accepting Flat panel LCD monitor to the computer's high-end video graphic
cards.

 Very popular now a days among video card manufacturers.

Sockets
 Sockets usually connects the microphone (mic) and speakers to the sound card on the motherboard.

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