Computing Components:
Processors, Memory, Cloud
Overview
• Define a bit, and describe how a series of bits
represents data
• Explain how program and application instructions
transfer in and out of memory
• Differentiate among the various types of memory
• Describe the purpose of adapter cards and USB
adapters
• Explain the function of a bus
• Explain the purpose of a power supply and batteries
• Describe how to care for computers and mobile
devices
Inside the Case (1 of 4)
• The case contains and protects the electronics of the
computer or mobile device from damage
Typical components in a higher-end desktop and laptop. Many basic
desktops have integrated video and sound capability
Inside the Case (3 of 4)
• The motherboard is the main circuit board of the
computer
– A computer chip is a small piece of semiconducting
material, usually silicon, on which integrated circuits are
etched
Inside the Case (4 of 4)
A desktop motherboard and a laptop motherboard.
Processors (1 of 9)
• The processor, also called the central
processing unit (CPU), interprets and carries out
the basic instructions that operate a computer
• A multi-core processor is a single chip with two
or more separate processor cores
• Processors contain a control unit and an arithmetic
logic unit (ALU)
Processors (2 of 9)
Most devices connected to the computer communicate with
the processor to carry out a task.
Processors (3 of 9)
• The control unit is the component of the
processor that directs and coordinates most of the
operations in the computer
• The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), another
component of the processor, performs arithmetic,
comparison, and other operations
Processors (4 of 9)
• For every instruction, a processor repeats a set of four
basic operations, which comprise a machine cycle
Steps in a Machine Cycle
Processors (5 of 9)
• The processor contains registers, that temporarily
hold data and instructions
• The system clock controls the timing of all
computer operations
– The pace of the system clock is called the clock speed,
and is usually measured in gigahertz (GHz)
Processors (6 of 9)
• The leading manufacturers of personal computer
processor chips are Intel and AMD
Processors (7 of 9)
• A processor chip generates heat that could cause the
chip to malfunction or fail
• Require additional cooling
– Heat sinks
– Liquid cooling technology
– Cooling pads
Processors (8 of 9)
This photo shows a heat sink being attached to the top of a processor to
prevent the chip from overheating.
Processors (9 of 9)
A laptop cooling pad helps reduce heat generated by a laptop.
Cloud Computing
• Home and business users choose cloud computing for
a variety of reasons
– Accessibility
– Cost savings
– Space savings
– Scalability
Data Representation (1 of 4)
• Analog signals are continuous and vary in strength
and quality
• Digital signals are in one of two states: on or off
– Most computers are digital
– The binary system uses two unique digits (0 and 1)
Bits and bytes
Data Representation (2 of 4)
The circuitry in a computer or mobile device represents the
ON or the OFF states electronically by the presence or
absence of an electronic charge.
Data Representation (3 of 4)
Eight bits grouped together as a unit are called a byte. A byte represents
a single character in the computer or mobile device.
Data Representation (4 of 4)
How a letter is converted to binary form and back.
Memory (1 of 12)
• Memory consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed by the processor,
data needed by those instructions, and the results of
processing the data
• Stores three basic categories of items:
– The operating system and other programs
– Applications
– Data being processed and the resulting information
Memory (2 of 12)
• Each byte resides temporarily in a location in
memory that has an address
• Memory size commonly is measured in gigabytes
(GB)
Memory (3 of 12)
• Computers and mobile devices contain two types of
memory:
– Volatile memory
Loses its contents when power is turned off
Example includes RAM
– Nonvolatile memory
Does not lose contents when power is removed
Examples include ROM, flash memory, and CMOS
Memory (4 of 12)
How program and application instructions transfer in and
out of RAM.
Memory (5 of 12)
• Two common types of RAM exist:
– Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
– Static RAM (SRAM)
Memory (6 of 12)
Common DRAM Variations
Name Comments
SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) • Synchronized to the system clock
• Much faster than DRAM
DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM) • Transfers data twice, instead of once, for each
clock cycle
• Faster than SDRAM
DDR2 • Second generation of DDR
• Faster than DDR
DDR3 • Third generation of DDR
• Designed for computers with multi-core
processors
• Faster than DDR2
DDR4 • Fourth generation of DDR
• Faster than DDR3
RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) • Much faster than SDRAM
Memory (7 of 12)
• RAM chips usually reside on a memory module and are
inserted into memory slots
Memory modules contain memory chips.
Memory (8 of 12)
• Memory cache speeds the processes of the computer
because it stores frequently used instructions and data
Memory cache helps speed processing times when the processor
requests data, instructions, or information.
Memory (9 of 12)
• Read-only memory (ROM) refers to memory chips
storing permanent data and instructions
– Firmware
Memory (10 of 12)
• Flash memory can be erased electronically and
rewritten
– CMOS technology uses battery power to retain
information when the power to the computer is off
Memory (11 of 12)
• Access time is the amount of time it takes the
processor to read from memory
– Measured in nanoseconds
It takes about one-tenth of a second to blink your eye, in which time a
computer can perform some operations 10 million times.
Memory (12 of 12)
Table 6-2 access Time Terminology
Term Abbreviation Speed
Millisecond ms One-thousandth of a second
Microsecond µs One-millionth of a second
Nanosecond ns One-billionth of a second
Picosecond ps One-trillionth of a second
Adapters (1 of 4)
• An adapter card enhances functions of a
component of a desktop or server system unit
and/or provides connections to peripheral devices
– Sound card and video card
• An expansion slot is a socket on a desktop or
server motherboard that can hold an adapter card
Adapters (2 of 4)
Adapter cards
Type Purpose
Bluetooth Enables Bluetooth connectivity
MIDI Connects to musical instruments
Modem Connects to transmission media, such as cable television lines or phone
lines
Network Provides network connections, such as to an Ethernet port
Sound Connects to speakers or a microphone
TV tuner Allows viewing of digital television broadcasts on a monitor
USB Connects to high-speed USB ports
Video Provides enhanced graphics capabilities, such as accelerated processing
or the ability to connect a second monitor
Video capture Connects to a digital video camera
Adapters (3 of 4)
• With Plug and Play technology, the computer
automatically can recognize peripheral devices as
you install them
Cards inserted in expansion slots on a desktop motherboard.
Adapters (4 of 4)
• A USB adapter enhances functions of a mobile
computer and/or provides connections to peripheral
devices
A USB adapter inserts into a USB port on a computer or mobile
device.
Buses (1 of 3)
• A bus allows the various devices both inside and
attached to the system unit to communicate with one
another
– Data bus
– Address bus
• Word size is the number of bits the processor can
interpret and execute at a given time
Buses (2 of 3)
Just as vehicles travel on a highway, bits travel on a bus. Buses are
used to transfer bits from input devices to memory, from memory to the
processor, from the processor to memory, and from memory to output or
storage devices.
Buses (3 of 3)
• A computer might have these three types of buses:
– System bus
– Backside bus
– Expansion bus
Power Supply and Batteries (1 of 2)
• The power supply or laptop AC adapter converts the
wall outlet AC power into DC power
Examples of desktop power supply and laptop AC adapter.
Power Supply and Batteries (2 of 2)
• Mobile computers and devices can run using either a
power supply or batteries
• Batteries typically are rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
Rechargeable batteries for mobile computers and devices.
Summary
• Various components inside computers and mobile
devices
• Types of processors, steps in a machine cycle, and
processor cooling methods
• Advantages and services of cloud computing
• How memory stores data and various types of memory
• Adapters, buses, power supplies and batteries
• Ways to care for computers and mobile devices
