Hardware Devices and Hardware Devices and Their UsesTheir Uses

Modified excerpt from:Modified excerpt from:

GO! with MicrosoftGO! with Microsoft®® Office Office 2003 Brief, 22003 Brief, 2ndnd Edition Edition

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

HardwareHardware The computer and any equipment The computer and any equipment

connected to itconnected to it HardwareHardware devicesdevices

The physical components of the computerThe physical components of the computer PeripheralsPeripherals

Items such as the monitor, keyboard, Items such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer that attach to the mouse, and printer that attach to the computercomputer

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System unitSystem unit The computer itselfThe computer itself Contains many of the critical hardware Contains many of the critical hardware

and electrical componentsand electrical components Also referred to as the tower, box, or Also referred to as the tower, box, or

consoleconsole

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System unitSystem unit Key components:Key components:

The The microprocessor chipmicroprocessor chip Also known as the Also known as the central processing unit central processing unit

(CPU)(CPU) MotherboardMotherboard

A large printed circuit board to which all the A large printed circuit board to which all the other circuit boards in the computer are other circuit boards in the computer are connectedconnected

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System unitSystem unit CPUCPU

Brain of the computerBrain of the computer Responsible for controlling all the Responsible for controlling all the

commands and tasks the computer commands and tasks the computer performsperforms

Two main parts:Two main parts: Control unitControl unit Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System unitSystem unit CPUCPU

Control unitControl unit Obtains instructions from the computer’s Obtains instructions from the computer’s

memory, and then interprets and executes themmemory, and then interprets and executes them Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

Performs arithmetic and logic functions for the Performs arithmetic and logic functions for the computercomputer

Handles addition, subtraction, multiplication, Handles addition, subtraction, multiplication, and divisionand division

Makes logical and comparison decisionsMakes logical and comparison decisions

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System UnitSystem Unit Well-known chip (CPU) manufacturers:Well-known chip (CPU) manufacturers:

IntelIntel Chips that Intel makes include:Chips that Intel makes include:

PentiumPentium CeleronCeleron CentrinoCentrino

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Chips that AMD makes include:Chips that AMD makes include:

AthlonAthlon SempronSempron TurionTurion

MotorolaMotorola

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Hardware Devices and Their Hardware Devices and Their UsesUses

The MotherboardThe Motherboard

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System unitSystem unit MotherboardMotherboard

Main computer circuit board; connects all Main computer circuit board; connects all componentscomponents

Components include:Components include: CPUCPU Memory (RAM) chipsMemory (RAM) chips Memory (RAM) slotsMemory (RAM) slots Expansion cardsExpansion cards Expansion slotsExpansion slots

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System unitSystem unit Motherboard components:Motherboard components:

CPUCPU Memory (RAM) chipsMemory (RAM) chips

Temporary holding area where data is stored; RAM means Temporary holding area where data is stored; RAM means Random Access MemoryRandom Access Memory

Memory (RAM) slotsMemory (RAM) slots Slots on motherboard used to hold memory (RAM) chipsSlots on motherboard used to hold memory (RAM) chips

Expansion cardsExpansion cards Removable circuit boards used for new peripherals or to Removable circuit boards used for new peripherals or to

increase capabilitiesincrease capabilities

Expansion slotsExpansion slots Hold expansion cardsHold expansion cards

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System unitSystem unit Clock speedClock speed

Speed at which the CPU can process dataSpeed at which the CPU can process data Measured in either Measured in either megahertz (MHz)megahertz (MHz) or or

gigahertz (GHz)gigahertz (GHz)

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System UnitSystem Unit MemoryMemory

Another critical system unit componentAnother critical system unit component Two types:Two types:

ROMROM RAMRAM

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System UnitSystem Unit MemoryMemory

ROM, ROM, oror Read Only Memory Read Only Memory Prerecorded on a chipPrerecorded on a chip Information on a ROM chip can’t be changed, Information on a ROM chip can’t be changed,

removed, or rewrittenremoved, or rewritten NonvolatileNonvolatile memory memory

Retains its contents even if the computer is Retains its contents even if the computer is turned offturned off

Used to store critical information such as the Used to store critical information such as the program used to start up, or program used to start up, or bootboot, the computer, the computer

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System UnitSystem Unit MemoryMemory

RAM, RAM, oror Random Access Memory Random Access Memory The computer’s short-term memoryThe computer’s short-term memory Stores data temporarily as it is being processedStores data temporarily as it is being processed Contents can be changed or rewrittenContents can be changed or rewritten VolatileVolatile memory memory

Erased when the computer is turned offErased when the computer is turned off

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Hardware Devices and Their UsesHardware Devices and Their Uses

System UnitSystem Unit MemoryMemory

The more tasks your computer performs at The more tasks your computer performs at one time, the more memory it usesone time, the more memory it uses

Installing new memory is one of the Installing new memory is one of the cheapest and easiest system upgrades cheapest and easiest system upgrades