Computer Fundamentals & Configurations

Computer Fundamentals

• Bionics is the applied science mimicking living nature’s organization, properties, and functions in technical devices and systems.
• While "computer" often brings laptops to mind, computers come in various forms, all sharing the same fundamental operating principles.

Computer Types

• Desktop computers are a common type
• Monoblocks
• Notebooks
• Tablets
• Netbooks
• Ultrabooks

Essential Configuration

• The essential equipment included upon purchasing a computer constitutes its "basic configuration."
• As per the principle of open architecture, computer devices may vary. All personal computers have a set of mandatory and additional devices.

Basic Configuration

• The computer's most fundamental device is the system unit.
• Additional devices can be chosen and added based on computer usage.
• Currently, computers with the following four devices are taken under the basic configuration: a system unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
• Internal components include a processor, RAM, permanent memory, a power supply, input/output ports, and data carriers. Internal devices are inside the system block, while external devices connect to the exterior.
• Essential and additional components, along with connectors, are housed inside the system unit. There's a power button to plug the system into electricity. The case can be opened to view internal components.
• The front panel typically has a power switch, a CD/DVD drive, and a reset button.
• Ports for connecting a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, as well as additional devices, line the back panel

Monitor

• A monitor's functionality is indicated by the number of horizontal and vertical pixels.
• Higher pixel counts indicate higher image quality and clarity.
• Key parameters include the screen size, dot pitch, maximum refresh rate, and protection class.
• Monitors come in the following standard sizes: 14, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 21 inches. Graphic design benefits from using 19–20 inch monitors.

Internal Devices

• The motherboard serves as the foundation, housing multiple components via slots and buses. It is the main microcircuit.
• Internal devices such as the central processor, RAM microcircuits, sound and video card are located on the motherboard.
• The motherboard is covered with copper tracks for data transmission to slots.
• Characteristics include BIOS dimensions, processor type, chipset type, bus frequency, cache size, memory type, controller, and hard disk type.
• The processor acts as the computer's "brain", executing program commands. It outputs results to memory.
• The processor handles information processing and calculations. Higher clock speeds improve performance.
• The processor consists of semiconductor elements made of silicon. It transforms complex information. The processor’s bit capacity indicates how many bits of data it can receive/process in one tact.
• Vacuum spraying, ion implantation, and photolithography are used in the process. One crystal houses numerous interconnected molecules to transform information.
• The internal operations are measured in clock frequency, with a hertz (Hz) being the unit of measurement.
• The computer's memory includes internal memory, processor registers, and hard drives.
• A video card outputs and processes graphics for clear images. Larger video memory improves image and video display.
• A dedicated RAM device called “video RAM” or “VRAM” is used to store images.

Power Supply

• A power source provides computers with electricity and voltage. The voltage used is normally 5 or 12 volts. A fan is used to cool the circuit. An additional fan cools the processor itself.

Bus

• Buses manage electrical signals and transmit data between computer devices. There are three main types: data, address and command. Examples include ISA, EISA, USB, PCI, and AGP.

Chipset

• A chipset is a set of microcircuits that perform similar tasks. It is responsible for data exchange between the CPU and other devices.

BIOS Microcircuit

• The BIOS microcircuit, found on the motherboard, configures system parameters. The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) provides the following services: performing a power-on self-test (POST), configuring hardware settings, booting the operating system, and managing system interrupts.
• Common BIOS types include AwardBIOS, AMIBIOS, PhoenixBIOS, and UEFI. UEFI is the latest version, resembling an operating system with an interface, mouse control, internet update capabilities, and quick startup.

Coprocessor

• A coprocessor supplements the main processor's capabilities. It does not have its own program but extends the main processor's instruction set and registers to work together. It speeds up arithmetic operations and image rendering.

Expansion Slot

• An expansion slot is a socket in the motherboard that allows plug-in extensions. Types include AGP, AMR, CNR, EISA, ISA, PCI, etc.

Sound Card

• A sound card processes sound for output or recording.
• It provides high-quality audio output and recording. Sound effects enhances games as well as apps.

Network Card

• A network card enables computer networking. Types include Ethernet, Token Ring and Wi-Fi.

Input/Output

• The front or rear panel houses input/output ports.
• Different ports connect different devices via cables.

External Devices

• External devices connect to the system unit and provide secondary functions.
• Input devices: keyboards, scanners, microphones, web cameras, and manipulators.
• Output devices: monitors, printers, plotters, speakers, and headphones.
• Storage devices: flash memory devices.
• Information exchange devices: modems, routers.

Classifications

• Desktop computer configurations depend on functionality. Common categories include office, home, designer, and gaming computers.

Office Computers

• Commonly used for office applications and connected to local networks. Reliability and continuous use are more important than speed.

Home use Computers

• Home computers handle basic tasks. They feature a monitor, a processor, as well as a video card.

Gaming Computers

• Gaming computers offer high-end graphics.
• Key elements include a CPU, a Radeon graphics card, large RAM and auxiliary equipment like joysticks.

Designer Computers

• Designer computers or graphic stations process graphics, photos, and videos. It calls for 3D graphic cards.

CPU-Z

-CPU-Z identifies technical specs such as the CPU, motherboard and BIOS.

EVEREST Ultimate Edition

• EVEREST Ultimate Edition diagnoses, tests, and configures hardware and software efficiency.

Computer Configuration

• Computer configuration types are basic, non-balanced, balanced, and optimal.

Configuration Types

• Computers need enough hardware and software to function properly.
• Imbalanced Configuration: such as a video card stops while the processor fails to load properly.
• Balanced Configuration: CPU processes data efficiently in the least amount of time.
• Optimal: Balance between components and cost.