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Bits, Bytes, and Binary Numbers Bits and bytes are small pieces of computerized data that communicate commands to a computer’s CPU: A bit is either a 1 or a 0 (binary digits). A byte contains eight bits. Each letter in the English language is represented by one byte. 1. What is Hardware?.
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Bits, Bytes, and Binary Numbers Bits andbytes are small pieces of computerized data that communicate commands to a computer’s CPU: A bit is either a 1 or a 0 (binary digits). A byte contains eight bits. Each letter in the English language is represented by one byte. 1
What is Hardware? • “Hardware” is any part of a computer that you can touch. • There are two kinds of hardware: 1. internal 2. external 2
Internal Hardware • Power enters computer through power cord. • Electricity travels through motherboard, where all components are attached. • Electricity travels to the central processing unit (CPU), also called the microprocessor. 3
How Does My Computer Work? The “brain” of a computer is the central processing unit (CPU). When the CPU receives and carries out an instruction, it has completed one cycle. Computer’s speed = number of cycles completed in one second Cycles are measured in: Megahertz (MHz) = millions of cycles per second Gigahertz (GHz) = billions of cycles per second 4
How CPUs Work • The CPU is the brain of the computer. • The CPU performs four tasks: 1. fetch 2. decode 3. execute 4. store 5
Internal Hardware(continued) • The cache holds instructions that are accessed frequently. • There are two kinds of cache: 1. internal or L1 – first place that the CPU looks 2. external or L2 – second place that the CPU looks 7
Internal Hardware(continued) • Expansion slots can hold expansion cards such as a sound card or modem. • Bus is a series of conductor wires that transport data between internal hardware. • Wider bus widths result in more data being transported at faster speeds. 8
Internal Hardware(continued) • Drive bays hold disk drives such as hard drive and DVD drive. • Memory chips are also attached to the motherboard. • ROM – Read Only Memory • also called the system BIOS • houses information such as instructions for start-up • store data even when the computer is turned off • RAM – Random Access Memory • temporary • works when you start up and use computer software • only stores information when the computer is on 9
Computer Storage • The type of storage device used depends on • the type of information being stored • how much information being stored • Examples of storage options include • hard drive • floppy disk • CD-R or CD-RW • DVD+/-R or DVD+/-RW • online storage • external hard drive • USB Flash drive 10
Work • Go to our site and do: • Read Computer Files note • File Naming Worksheet • File Address Worksheet 11