cs10001 chapter 6nedreed/cs10001/archives/fall_2007/notes/... · 2007. 10. 3. · 2 chapter 6:...

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Chapter 6: Understanding and Assessing Hardware 1

Chapter 6 Chapter 6 –– Part 1Part 1Understanding HardwareUnderstanding Hardware

CS10001CS10001-- Computer LiteracyComputer Literacy


System EvaluationSystem Evaluation

The subsystems to understand:The subsystems to understand: CPU subsystemCPU subsystem

Memory subsystemMemory subsystem

Storage subsystem Storage subsystem

Video subsystemVideo subsystem

Audio subsystemAudio subsystem

Port subsystemPort subsystem


The CPU SubsystemThe CPU Subsystem

Recall that the Recall that the CPU is the CPU is the ““brainsbrains”” of the of the computer and computer and processes userprocesses user--defined input defined input into information.into information.



The CPUThe CPU’’s responsibilities s responsibilities include:include: Processing instructionsProcessing instructions

Performing calculationsPerforming calculations

Managing the flow of information Managing the flow of information through the computer systemthrough the computer system

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Two components do the workTwo components do the work The The control unitcontrol unit coordinates all coordinates all

the computer componentsthe computer components’’activities.activities.

The The arithmetic logic unit (ALU)arithmetic logic unit (ALU)performs the arithmetic calculations performs the arithmetic calculations and makes logic and comparison and makes logic and comparison decisions.decisions. Add, subtract, multiply, divideAdd, subtract, multiply, divide >, <, =, not equal >, <, =, not equal


The CPU SubsystemThe CPU Subsystem The The machine cyclemachine cycle is the steps taken is the steps taken

by the CPU while processing by the CPU while processing instructions.instructions. Instruction cycleInstruction cycle

FetchesFetches the data or instruction from RAMthe data or instruction from RAM DecodesDecodes the instruction into useable machine the instruction into useable machine

formatformat

Execution cycleExecution cycle ExecutesExecutes the instruction after understanding the instruction after understanding

the instructionthe instruction StoresStores the instruction result in RAMthe instruction result in RAM



Clock speedClock speed is the speed or is the speed or pace of machine cycles as pace of machine cycles as determined by the system clock. determined by the system clock. The pace is steady, constant and The pace is steady, constant and

extremely fast.extremely fast. The CPUThe CPU’’s speed is measured in s speed is measured in

Hertz (Hz) which is Hertz (Hz) which is ““machine cycles machine cycles per secondper second””.. MHz (1M Hz) and GHz (1B Hz)MHz (1M Hz) and GHz (1B Hz)


The Memory SubsystemThe Memory Subsystem

Recall that RAM is Recall that RAM is volatilevolatilestorage. It remains accessible storage. It remains accessible while the computer is running but while the computer is running but disappears when the computer is disappears when the computer is turned off.turned off.

RAM holds all the instructions RAM holds all the instructions and data needed by the CPU as and data needed by the CPU as well as the operating system.well as the operating system.

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The CPU uses RAM to access The CPU uses RAM to access data and instructions because it data and instructions because it is faster than accessing data and is faster than accessing data and instructions from the hard disk instructions from the hard disk (nanoseconds vs. milliseconds).(nanoseconds vs. milliseconds).

RAM is located on the RAM is located on the motherboard, in memory modules motherboard, in memory modules (memory cards).(memory cards).

What else is located on the motherboard with RAM?



Virtual memoryVirtual memory is a small is a small amount of memory on the hard amount of memory on the hard disk that is dedicated to storing disk that is dedicated to storing data and instructions when RAM data and instructions when RAM runs out.runs out.

A A page filepage file or or swap fileswap file is is created on the hard disk and it created on the hard disk and it stores the data and instructions.stores the data and instructions.



If files are created on the hard If files are created on the hard drive, why not just use the hard drive, why not just use the hard drive instead of RAM or virtual drive instead of RAM or virtual memory?memory? SpeedSpeed is the single biggest reasonis the single biggest reason

Some applications do not run well Some applications do not run well

in virtual memoryin virtual memory


The Storage SubsystemThe Storage Subsystem

Recall that the hard disk drive is Recall that the hard disk drive is the largest nonvolatile storage the largest nonvolatile storage unitunit

Other permanent storage units Other permanent storage units include:include: Floppy disksFloppy disks ZIP disksZIP disks Flash drivesFlash drives CD/DVD drivesCD/DVD drives

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The Storage SubsystemThe Storage Subsystem Why are hard disk drives so popular?Why are hard disk drives so popular?

Offer the largest amount of permanent Offer the largest amount of permanent storage (nonvolatile)storage (nonvolatile)

Provide the fastest Provide the fastest access timeaccess time (the (the time needed for a storage device to locate time needed for a storage device to locate and retrieve its stored data) in and retrieve its stored data) in millisecondsmilliseconds

Provide the fastest Provide the fastest data transfer ratedata transfer rate(the speed at which data is transferred to (the speed at which data is transferred to other computer components, particularly other computer components, particularly RAM) in megabits or megabytesRAM) in megabits or megabytes



Hard disk drives (in detail)Hard disk drives (in detail) PlattersPlatters

Round, thin plates of metal (iron Round, thin plates of metal (iron oxide)oxide)

Divided into Divided into trackstracks (concentric circles)(concentric circles) Then into Then into sectorssectors (pie(pie--shaped shaped

wedges)wedges) Then into Then into clustersclusters (smallest sector (smallest sector

segments)segments)

The spindle is the storage place for stacked platters.



Hard disk drives (in detail)Hard disk drives (in detail)

Platters

Where are the

Tracks?

Sectors?

Clusters?

Data is stored in magnetized spots, 1=data, 0=space

Spindle



Hard disk drives (in detail)Hard disk drives (in detail)

What else about platters?What else about platters?

They spin at high rates of speed, They spin at high rates of speed,

usually between 5400 rpm and usually between 5400 rpm and

7200 rpm (revolutions per 7200 rpm (revolutions per

minute)minute)

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Hard disk drives (in detail)Hard disk drives (in detail) Access Arms

Read/write heads

Special access arms sit between the platters and at the end of the access arms are the read/write heads.



Read/write heads (in detail)Read/write heads (in detail) Do not physically touch the platters, Do not physically touch the platters,

they float above the surfacesthey float above the surfaces Retrieve and record data to and Retrieve and record data to and

from the hard diskfrom the hard disk Start at the outer edge of the Start at the outer edge of the

spinning platters and move towards spinning platters and move towards the centerthe center

This process is the access time. Average access time 10ms.



Read/write heads (in detail)Read/write heads (in detail) Access time is a combination of two Access time is a combination of two

factorsfactors Seek timeSeek time is the time taken by the is the time taken by the

read/write heads to locate the proper read/write heads to locate the proper tracktrack

LatencyLatency is the time taken for the is the time taken for the correct sector to spin to the read/write correct sector to spin to the read/write headsheads



Read/write heads (in detail)Read/write heads (in detail) A A head crashhead crash occurs when dust or occurs when dust or

dirt is located between the dirt is located between the read/write heads and the disk read/write heads and the disk platters.platters.

Results in hard disk drive stoppageResults in hard disk drive stoppage

Results in data lossResults in data loss

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The Storage SubsystemThe Storage Subsystem SpecificationSpecification

Mfr Part Number: WD1600AAJS Mfr Part Number: WD1600AAJS Capacity: 160 GB Capacity: 160 GB Rotational Speed: 7200 rpm Rotational Speed: 7200 rpm Cache: 8 MB Cache: 8 MB Interface: SATA 300 Interface: SATA 300 Max. External Transfer Rate: 300 MB/s Max. External Transfer Rate: 300 MB/s Seek Time: Seek Time:

Track to Track: 2 ms Track to Track: 2 ms Average: 8.9 ms (read)Average: 8.9 ms (read) Full Stroke: 21 ms Full Stroke: 21 ms

Shock: Shock: Operating: 65G @ 2ms Operating: 65G @ 2ms NonNon--operating: 300G @ 2ms operating: 300G @ 2ms

Dimensions (WxLxH): 4 x 5.787 x 1.028 inch / 101.6 x Dimensions (WxLxH): 4 x 5.787 x 1.028 inch / 101.6 x 147 x 26.1 mm 147 x 26.1 mm

Weight: 1.32 lbs / 0.6 kg Weight: 1.32 lbs / 0.6 kg

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=HD-W1600AS&c=pw


The Video SubsystemThe Video Subsystem

Two main componentsTwo main components Video cardVideo card or or video adaptervideo adapter

Expansion cardExpansion card

VRAM for graphics processing redirection from VRAM for graphics processing redirection from

the CPUthe CPU

Translates binary data into imagesTranslates binary data into images

Controls the number of colors displayed by the Controls the number of colors displayed by the monitormonitor

MonitorMonitor


The Audio SubsystemThe Audio Subsystem

Two main componentsTwo main components Sound cardSound card

Expansion cardExpansion card Processes digital data into soundsProcesses digital data into sounds Produces the sounds through the Produces the sounds through the

speakersspeakers

SpeakersSpeakers Amplified Amplified –– uses external poweruses external power Unamplified Unamplified –– uses internal poweruses internal power


The Port SubsystemThe Port Subsystem

PortsPorts are interfaces used to connect are interfaces used to connect external devices to your computer.external devices to your computer.

Five common types of ports:Five common types of ports: SerialSerial ParallelParallel USBUSB FireWireFireWire EthernetEthernet

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SerialSerial ports ports transfer one bit transfer one bit at a time at at a time at speeds up to speeds up to 56Kbps56Kbps

COM 1 Port

Serial connector

PS/2 Port and connector



ParallelParallel ports ports transfer transfer groups of bits groups of bits at a time with at a time with speeds up to speeds up to 12Mbps12Mbps

LPT 1 Port

Printer Cable Connector



USB USB (universal (universal serial bus)serial bus)ports transfer ports transfer mass data up mass data up to 480Mbpsto 480Mbps

USB Port

USB Connector



FireWireFireWire ports ports transfer mass transfer mass data between data between 400400--800Mpbs800Mpbs

Also knows as Also knows as IEEE1394 IEEE1394

Digital Digital cameras cameras

FireWire Port

FireWire Connector

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EthernetEthernet ports ports transfer between transfer between 100100--1000Mbps1000Mbps

Fast or Gigabit Fast or Gigabit EthernetEthernet

Used to connect Used to connect computers to a computers to a local network or local network or cable modemcable modem

Ethernet Port

Ethernet jack


Chapter 6 Chapter 6 –– Part 2Part 2Evaluating HardwareEvaluating Hardware

CS10001CS10001-- Computer LiteracyComputer Literacy


Evaluating the CPUEvaluating the CPU To identify your CPUTo identify your CPU’’s s

speed from Windows speed from Windows XP:XP: Start Start My My

ComputerComputer

Select Select Hard Disk Hard Disk DriveDrive

Under Under System TasksSystem Taskson the left, select on the left, select

““View System View System

InformationInformation””

General TabGeneral Tab


Evaluating the CPUEvaluating the CPU To identify your To identify your

CPUCPU’’s usage from s usage from Windows XP:Windows XP: RightRight--click empty click empty

area of the taskbararea of the taskbar

Select Select Task Task ManagerManager

Performance TabPerformance Tab

Want to stay under Want to stay under 90%90%

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Evaluating the RAMEvaluating the RAM To identify your To identify your

systemsystem’’s RAM or s RAM or physical memoryphysical memory:: RightRight--click empty click empty




Total installedTotal installed

Total availableTotal available


Evaluating the VMEvaluating the VM To identify your To identify your

systemsystem’’s virtual s virtual memory:memory: RightRight--click empty click empty




Want to stay < Want to stay < 1.5% of total RAM1.5% of total RAM


Evaluating the VideoEvaluating the Video To identify the type of To identify the type of

video card in your system:video card in your system:

At the Desktop, rightAt the Desktop, right--

click click

Select Select PropertiesProperties

At the At the ““Display Display

PropertiesProperties”” dialog box, dialog box,

select the Settings tabselect the Settings tab

Click the Advanced Click the Advanced

buttonbutton

Adapter tabAdapter tab


Evaluating the VideoEvaluating the Video

To evaluate your systemTo evaluate your system’’s s monitor:monitor:

Consider CRT vs. LCDConsider CRT vs. LCD

Consider size: 15Consider size: 15””, 17, 17””, 19, 19””

Consider refresh rateConsider refresh rate

Adjust screen resolutionAdjust screen resolution

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Evaluating the AudioEvaluating the Audio

Read about speakers and sound Read about speakers and sound cards on pp. 269cards on pp. 269--270.270.


Evaluating the PortsEvaluating the Ports

Read about IrDA, Bluetooth and Read about IrDA, Bluetooth and MIDI on pp. 272MIDI on pp. 272--273.273.

Expansion hubsExpansion hubs are devices are devices that connect to one port (usually that connect to one port (usually USB) and provide new ports to be USB) and provide new ports to be usedused FireWire FireWire 2 and USB 2 and USB 44


Evaluating ReliabilityEvaluating Reliability

Clean out the Startup folderClean out the Startup folder pp. 274pp. 274--275275

Clear out unnecessary filesClear out unnecessary files Use the Disk Cleanup utilityUse the Disk Cleanup utility

Run antiRun anti--virus and antivirus and anti--spyware spyware programsprograms

Reorganize your hard drive spaceReorganize your hard drive space Use the Disk Defragmenter utilityUse the Disk Defragmenter utility

cs10001 chapter 6nedreed/cs10001/archives/fall_2007/notes/... · 2007. 10. 3. · 2 chapter 6:...

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