Computer Hardware Flashcards
What is a computer?
An electronic device that uses digitalized data, software and hardware components to perform various functions such as running applications, storing and processing data.
Relationship between Hardware, System Software and Application Software.
Draw the diagram
System Software
Facilitates the connection between the hardware and the application software.
Where does the Application Software run?
System Software
Application Software Layer
Is used to run specific software applications that are optionally available to download later.
Hardware
Devices that contribute to completing the user’s task.
Motherboard
Is the spine of the Computer that works like a circuit.
Function of the Motherboard
Facilitates the communication between the CPU and other hardware components, storage devices and peripheral Hard-disks.
ATX
Advanced Technology eXtended
Purpose of ATX
It is a standard that specifies the physical dimensions, mounting points, and correct standards of components to ensure compatibility with devices.
Parts of the Motherboard
- RAM Slot
- Chipset
- CPU
- GPU
- Cable Ports
Function of RAM Slot
Used when extending the RAM with a new RAM card.
Which is the ideal RAM Slot to insert the first RAM card and why?
The slot closest to the CPU for easier access therefore better performance.
Which is the ideal RAM Slot to insert the later inserted RAM cards and why?
The slot that has the same color of the initially picked slot.
This is due to the dual channeling where there is parallel access between the RAM and CPU.
What is DDR?
Double Data Rate - its a type of RAM.
Features of DDR
Doubles the data transfer rate by allowing the transfer of data on the rising and falling edge of the clock cycle.
What is the latest version of DDR?
DDR5
Chipset
Is integrated onto the Motherboard and controls the data flow between the hardware and the (CPU and Motherboard).
Types of Chips
- Northern Bridge
- Southern Bridge
Function of the Northern Bridge
Facilitates the high speed communication between the RAM, CPU and Graphic Card.
Location of the Northern Bridge
Directly connected to the CPU.
Function of the Southern Bridge
Facilitates the communication between the CPU and peripheral devices.
Location of the Southern Bridge
Housed in the Platform Controller Hub
Function of Control Unit
Provides instructions and produces control signals to coordinate the communication between the other CPU components, memory modules and hardware.
GPU
Is a circuit that accelerates the process of generating images and videos in computers.
Functions of the GPU
- Rendering Graphics
- Displaying images and graphics
RTX
Real Time Ray Tracing
What is RTX?
It is a rendering technique that stimulate how light interacts with objects.
Differentiate CPU from GPU
- Is non specific about tasks.
- Fewer Cores
- Very Powerful Cores
- Sequential processing
- Higher Clock Speed
Differentiate GPU from CPU
- Is specific to graphical content
- High number of Cores
- Less Powerful Cores
- Parallel Processing
- Slower Clock speed
Von Neumann Computer Architecture
- Is a stored program structure.
- It is a fixed programming device that can perform only one task.
Stored Program Strucure
Instruction set that can be saved on the computer.
What does the Von Neumann comprise of?
- CPU
- I/O Units
- Store (Memory)
Von Neuman Diagram
Draw the diagram
What does the CPU consist of?
- CU
- ALU
- Registers
- Buses
What are the CPU Registers?
- IR (Instruction Register)
- IMR (Instruction Memory Register)
- ACC (Accumulator)
Function of the ALU
Processes and executes the instructions.
Function of the Store/Memory
Shared Memory location to store both the Data and Instructions.
Function of the I/O Units
- Reads user inputs
- Provides user with outputs
Types of Buses
- Control Bus
- Address Bus
- Data Bus
Control Bus
Sends control signals to the Store/Memory and I/O Units.
Is Uni-directional.
Address Bus
Transfers the memory address between the CU and Memory.
Is Bi-directional.
Data Bus
Transfers data and instructions between the CU & Memory and the CU & I/O Units.
Is Bi-directional
What is the issue that the Von Neumann structure faces?
The Bottle Neck issue.
Bottle Neck Issue
Has limiting factors:
- Only one data bus to transfer both data and instructions
- One location for both the data and instructions
Due to those factors, the long waiting time cannot be handled by the CU.
CPU Cycle
- CU fetches the instruction from the Memory.
- The CU decodes the instruction.
- The ALU executes the instruction.
- Results are stored in the memory (optional).
What is the issue with the old CPU Cycle?
It cannot execute multiple instructions simultaneously because there is only one pathway between the memory and CPU.
Interrupt
It is a signal that is sent to the processor to temporarily halt execution to address a higher priority task. Once the task has been handled, the processor will resume it’s previous activities.
