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Computer Hardware & Processing Inside the Box. CSA 105 1.0 September 9, 2010. Why does computer technology change so quickly. Moore’s law Technology changes every 18 months. The Motherboard. CPU RAM Expansion cards and slots Built-in components. The CPU - Central Processing Unit.
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Computer Hardware & Processing Inside the Box CSA 105 1.0 September 9, 2010
Why does computer technology change so quickly Moore’s law Technology changes every 18 months
The Motherboard CPU RAM Expansion cards and slots Built-in components
The CPU - Central Processing Unit • Referred to as the “brains” of the computer • Controls all functions of the computer • Processes all commands and instructions • Can perform billions of tasks per second
How fast is a CPU? • Speed • Megahertz (MHz) • Gigahertz (GHz) • Cores • Single • Dual • Quad
Computer Memory • RAM – Random Access Memory • ROM – Read Only Memory • Cache Memory – very fast memory used by the CPU
ROM • Hard wired at the factory • Cannot be changed • Contains the instructions the computer needs to start
RAM • Volatile – No power, no data • All programs and files must be loaded into RAM to be used • RAM connected to the CPU • Primary storage
How much RAM do you need? It depends on what programs you run Operating system is always in RAM
Expansion Slots • Adds versatility and expandability to the system
Video Cards • Process binary data into images • Contain memory known as video memory • Control the number of colors a monitor can display (bit depth) • Standard VGA • True color
Graphics Processing Unit • Performs the same work as a CPU • Specialized to handle • 3D graphics • Image and video processing • CPUs perform better with a GPU handling graphics computation.
Audio Processing • Sound cards • Attach to motherboard • Process digital data into sounds • 3D sound cards • Surround sound • Allow you to connect audio devices
Ports • Allow peripheral devices to be plugged in • On both front and back of desktop computers • USB
