The Components of The System Unit

The Components of the System Unit
The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually it's a rectangular box placed on or underneath your desk. Inside this box are many electronic components that process information. The most important of these components is the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the "brain" of your computer. Another component israndom access
memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information that the CPU uses
while the computer is on. The information stored in RAM is erased when the computer is turned off. The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the central processor, but more commonly called processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system. On large machines, CPUs require one or more printed circuit boards. Onpersonal computers and small workstations, the CPU is housed in a singlechip called a microprocessor. Since the 1970's the microprocessor class of CPUs has almost completely overtaken all other CPU implementations. The CPU itself is an internal component of the computer. Modern CPUs are small and square and contain multiple metallic connectors or pins on the underside. The CPU is inserted directly into a CPU socket, pin side down, on the motherboard. Each motherboard will support only a specific type or range of CPU so you must check the motherboard manufacturer's specifications befor\e attempting to replace or upgrade a CPU. Modern CPUs also have an attached heat sinkand small fan that go directly on top of the CPU to help dissipate heat. Two typical components of a CPU are the following: The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations. The control unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.
What is the motherboard?

Main circuit board in system unit Contains chips, integrated circuits, and transistors Also called system board
Central Processing Unit What is the central processing unit (CPU) ?

Interprets and carries out basic instructions that operate a computer Also called the processor
What are the components of the CPU?

Control Unit Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)
What is the control unit?

Directs and coordinates operations in 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
An example of a machine cycle

Student enters math problem (100 x 52) into computers memory Result in memory displays on monitors screen
How is the CPUs speed measured?
According to how many millions of instructions per second (MIPS) it can process
What is the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) ?
CPU component that performs execution part of the machine cycle o Arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) o Comparison (greater than, equal to, or less than) o Logical (AND, OR, NOT)
What is a register?
Temporary storage area that holds data and instructions o Stores location from where instruction was fetched o Stores instruction while it is being decoded o Stores data while ALU processes it o Stores results of calculation
What is the system clock?

Synchronizes all computer operations Each tick is clock cycle MHz megahertz (millions) GHz gigahertz (billions)
What is a microprocessor?
Single processor chip found in personal computers
What is a coprocessor?

Chip that assists processor in performing specific tasks One type is a floating-point coprocessor, also known as a math or numeric coprocessor
What is parallel processing?

Using multiple processors simultaneously to execute program faster Requires special software to divide problem and bring results together
Data Representation How do computers represent data?

Most computers are digital Recognize only two discrete states: on or off
What is the binary system?
Number system with two unique digits: 0 and 1
Memory What is memory?

Temporary storage area for operating system, application programs, and data Consists of one or more chips on motherboard
Each byte stored in unique address
How is memory measured?
By number of bytes available o KB o MB o GB o TB
What are two types of system unit memory?
volatile memory o Loses its contents when computer's power is turned off
nonvolatile memory o Does NOT lose its contents when computers power is turned off
What is random access memory (RAM)?

Memory chips that can be read from and written to by processor Most RAM is volatile The more RAM a computer has, the faster it operates
What are two basic types of RAM chips?
Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

o o
Most common type Also called main memory Used for special applications such as cache Faster and more reliable than DRAM chips
Static RAM (SRAM)

o o
How much RAM is needed?
Software package usually indicates RAM requirements
How much RAM is needed?
Depends on type of applications you intend to run on your computer
Types of ROM
Firmware
ROM chips manufactured with permanently written data, instructions, or information PROM (programmable read-only memory) o Blank ROM on which you can place items permanently EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) o Type of PROM containing microcode programmer can erase
Ports What is a port?
Connects external devices to system unit o network port o mouse port o parallel port o speaker port o microphone port
o keyboard port o USB port o serial port o monitor port o game port What is a serial port?

Converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) Some peripheral devices have AC adapter
Transmits one bit of data at a time Used to connect slow-speed devices, such as mouse, keyboard, mode
Buses What is a bus?
Channel that allows devices inside computer to communicate with each other On the motherboard System bus connects processor and RAM Bus width determines number of bits transmitted at one time
What is a bay?
Open area inside system unit used to install additional equipment
What is a power supply?

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The Components of the System Unit

What is the motherboard?

Central Processing Unit What is the central processing unit (CPU) ?

What are the components of the CPU?

Control Unit Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)

What is the control unit?

An example of a machine cycle

How is the CPUs speed measured?

What is the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) ?

What is the system clock?

Single processor chip found in personal computers

What is parallel processing?

Data Representation How do computers represent data?

What is the binary system?

Number system with two unique digits: 0 and 1

Memory What is memory?

Each byte stored in unique address

How is memory measured?

By number of bytes available o KB o MB o GB o TB

What are two types of system unit memory?

What is random access memory (RAM)?

What are two basic types of RAM chips?

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Static RAM (SRAM)

How much RAM is needed?

Software package usually indicates RAM requirements

How much RAM is needed?

Depends on type of applications you intend to run on your computer

Ports What is a port?

Buses What is a bus?

Open area inside system unit used to install additional equipment

What is a power supply?

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