Interpret the hardware specifications of a computer system

1. Interpret the hardware specifications of a computer system What you should know when planning to buy a computer system

2. Objectives • interpret the hardware specifications of a computer system

3. The CPU or processor • Features of CPUs • Speed • measured in GHz (GigaHertz). • 1 GHZ • execute approximately 1 billion instructions per section • Type (Make followed by the model) • Intel, AMD, Centaur Technology, Tlbrus and Transmeta corporation • Wordsize • Measured in bits • determines the number of bits that can be stored and processed at a time by the CPU • Cache • L1, L2 – measured in MB

4. Main Memory Consider • The capacity or size is measured in GB (Gigabytes). • determines the number of programs that it can hold at a time, • affects the performance of a computer system. • Types - SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) and RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM). RDRAM are faster and more expensive than SDRAM abd are used mainly for high performance computers. • Speed • measured in MHz • determines how fast the chip updates the data that it contains.

5. Hard drive • Storage capacity measured in Gigabytes (GB) • determines how much information can be stored for later use. • More hard disk space means you can store more programs and data. • Hard disk speed is normally expressed in revolutions per minute (rpm). • The rpm is how fast the disk is spinning • Interface / Controller • IDE (integrated drive electronics) • SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) • Technology • Magnetic • Solid state

6. Ports • A port is a piece of technology that is used to connect external devices to a computer. • TYPES • Parallel: • Used to connect printers • scanners and external hard disks. • Serial: • Used to connect mouse, • modem and printers. • Universal Serial Bus (USB) • Used to connect most devices mouse, keyboards, printers, scanners, flash drives and digital cameras. • USB-1, USB-2, USB-3 (this one is faster). • Firewire/IEEE 1394: • used to transfer video images from digital devices • OTHERS

7. Expansion Slots • Sockets found on the motherboard • used to insert additional circuit boards (cards). • adding more memory, graphics facilities and other special devices. • Types • Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) - used to attach sound cards, network cards and video cards. • Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) - mainly used for graphics cards

8. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE • A ad in a news pagers gave the following description of a computer system • Intel Pentium IV 64 bit 3.6 GHz, 2GB 533MHz SDRAM (Max - 4GB) and a 160GB SATA HDD 7200 rpm. Answer the following • what is the processor speed? • what is the type? • what is the word size? • what is the speed of the RAM? • what is the RAM type? • what is the memory capacity? • what is the storage capacity? • what is the storage speed? •  what is the hard disk controller

9. Correct responses • QUIZ • 1.Intel Pentium IV 64 bit 3.6 GHz - what is the processor speed? • Answer: 3.6 GHz • 2. Intel Pentium IV 64 bit 3.6 GHz - what is the type? • Answer : Pentium IV • 3. Intel Pentium IV 64 bit 3.6 GHz - what is the word size?Answer : 64 bit • 4. 2GB 533MHz SDRAM (Max - 4GB) - what is the speed? Answer : 533 MHz • 5. 2GB 533MHz SDRAM (Max - 4GB) - what is the RAM type? •  Answer: SDRAM • 6. 2GB 533MHz SDRAM (Max - 4GB) - what is the capacity? •  Answer: 2GB and can allow up to 4 GB • 7. 160GB SATA HDD 7200 rpm - what is the storage capacity? •  Answer: 160GB • 8. 160GB SATA HDD 7200 rpm - what is the speed? •  Answer: 7200 rpm • 9. 160GB SATA HDD 7200 rpm - what is the hard disk controller? • Answer: SATA

10. How to Find Computer System Specs • click the Start button , • clicking Control Panel, • clicking System and (Security)Maintenance, • and then clicking System. OR • Click Start button • Type system • Click system in control panel