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Technology in Action

This chapter covers the evaluation and assessment of computer hardware components such as CPU, RAM, storage devices, video output, sound systems, computer ports, and system reliability. It also discusses the factors to consider when deciding whether to buy or upgrade, as well as the various features and considerations for each component. Additionally, it provides insights into evaluating and upgrading storage, video, audio, and ports, and emphasizes the importance of system reliability and maintenance.

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Technology in Action

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  1. Technology in Action Chapter 6 Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System

  2. Chapter Topics • To buy or upgrade? • Evaluating your system: • CPU • RAM • Storage devices • Video output • Sound systems • Computer ports • System reliability

  3. To Buy or To Upgrade? • Things to consider: • Moore’s Law • Cost of upgrading vs. buying • Time installing software and files • Needs and wants

  4. Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your System • Assess the computer’s subsystems • The subsystems include • CPU • RAM • Storage devices • Video • Audio • Ports

  5. Desktop Hard to move around Less expensive Harder to steal Easier to upgrade Difficult to ship (repairs) Notebook Portable More expensive Easily stolen Difficult to upgrade Prone to damage Desktop or Notebook

  6. Evaluating the CPU • How does the CPU work? • Control unit • Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) • Machine cycle: • Fetch • Decode • Execute • Store • Speed: • MHz • GHz

  7. Evaluating Other CPU Features • Front side bus and cache memory • Some CPUs are optimized to process multimedia instructions • Intel CPUs called core duo processors • Use less power than dual processors • Increase multitasking performance

  8. Upgrading the CPU • Expensive • Easy to install • Motherboard compatibility

  9. Evaluating RAM • Random access memory (RAM): • Temporary storage (memory) • Volatile • Memory modules fit on motherboard • Most are called dual inline memory modules (DIMMs) • Types of RAM: • DDR • DDR2 • SRAM • DRAM • SDRAM

  10. How Much Ram Do You Need? • Physical memory vs. kernel memory • Need RAM for system software, productivity software, entertainment, graphics programs

  11. Virtual Memory • Memory bound system • Virtual memory • Page file • Drawback = speed • Increasing RAM can avoid this problem

  12. Adding RAM • Increases system performance • Things to consider: • Type of RAM module • Amount of RAM: • Maximum limit • Number of slots • Operating system • Applications running at the same time

  13. Evaluating Storage • Types of storage devices: • Hard drive • Floppy drive • Zip disk drive • CD/DVD • Flash memory • Nonvolatile storage

  14. The Hard Disk Drive • Storage capacity up to 1.5 Terabytes (TB) • Access time is measured in milliseconds • Data transfer rate is measured in megabits or megabytes per second • Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm)

  15. How a Hard Disk Works • Composed of coated platters stacked on a spindle • Data saved to the disk: pattern of magnetized spots– Spots = 1– Spaces = 0 • Between platters are read/write heads • Spots are translated into data Read/writehead Platters Accessarms

  16. Portable Storage • Provides the ability to move data from one computer to another • Portable storage devices: • Floppy disk • CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW • Flash drive • Flash memory card • Portable hard drive

  17. CDs and DVDs • Optical media: Store data as tiny pits burned into a disk by a laser • CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW • DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW • Blu-ray disk • Laser • Pits scatter laser light equaling a 1 • Nonpitted area reflects laser light equaling a 0

  18. Upgrading Storage • Hard drive options: • Replace current drive with a larger capacity drive • Install an additional hard drive • Other options: • Replace CD ROM with CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW • Flash card reader • Flash memory drive

  19. Evaluating Video • Two components: • Video card (adapter) • Monitor

  20. 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 (SVGA)

  21. Monitors • Things to consider: • Types: CRT or LCD • Size: • 15, 17, 19, 21, 30 inch • Resolution: • Increasing resolution allows more to be displayed • Dot pitch: • .31mm or less • Refresh rate: • 75 Hz or higher

  22. LCD Monitors • Aspect ratio • Contrast ratio • Brightness • Pixel response rate • Digital (DVI)

  23. Evaluating Audio • Speakers: • Amplified • Not amplified • Subwoofer

  24. Evaluating Audio • Sound card: • Attach to motherboard • Process digital data into sounds • 3D sound cards • Surround sound • Dolby Digital EX • Dolby Digital Plus • Dolby TrueHD

  25. Evaluating Ports • Ports are used to connect peripheral devices to the computer • Things to consider: • Devices you want to use • Ports needed for the devices

  26. Types of Ports • Universal serial bus • Transfer speed up to 480 Mbps; hot swapping USB Port USB Connector

  27. Types of Ports • FireWire • Transfer rate of 400 Mbps; Digital cameras • Newer FireWire 800 is fastest FireWire Port FireWire Connector

  28. Types of Ports • Ethernet • Fast Ethernet: Transfer rate of 100 Mbps • Connects computers to networks Ethernet jack Ethernet Port

  29. Types of Ports • Serial port • Transfers data one bit at a time • Max speed: 56Kbps

  30. Types of Ports • Parallel • Transfers eight bits of data simultaneously • Max speed: 12 Mbps

  31. Types of Ports • IrDA • Transfer rate of 4 Mbps • Uses infrared light waves IrDA

  32. Types of Ports • Bluetooth • Transfer rate of 1 Mbps to 3 Mbps • Radio waves send data over short distances

  33. Types of Ports • MIDI Port • Musical Instrument Digital Interface • 31.5 Kbps transfer rate

  34. Adding Ports • Expansion cards: • New port standards • Expansion hubs: • Enable several devices to be connected to a port

  35. Evaluating System Reliability • Performance: • Is slow • Freezes • Crashes • Upkeep and maintenance: • System tools • Control panel • Update software and hardware drivers

  36. Upkeep and Maintenance • System tools: • Disk defragmenter • Disk cleanup • Add/remove programs

  37. Update Software and Hardware Drivers • Software: • Automatic updates • Patches • Hardware: • Download updated drivers

  38. The Last Resort • If problems persist: • Reinstall the operating system • Upgrade the operating system to the latest version

  39. The Final Decision • How closely does your system come to meeting your needs? • How much would it cost to upgrade your system? • How much would it cost to purchase a new system?

  40. Chapter 6 Summary Questions • How can I determine whether I should upgrade my existing computer or buy a new one?

  41. Chapter 6 Summary Questions • What does the CPU do, and how can I evaluate its performance?

  42. Chapter 6 Summary Questions • How does memory work in my computer, and how can I evaluate how much memory I need?

  43. Chapter 6 Summary Questions • What are the computer’s main storage devices, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?

  44. Chapter 6 Summary Questions • What components affect the output of video, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?

  45. Chapter 6 Summary Questions • What components affect my computer’s sound quality, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?

  46. Chapter 6 Summary Questions • What are the ports available on desktop computers, and how can I determine what ports I need?

  47. Chapter 6 Summary Questions • How can I ensure the reliability of my system?

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