CSIS 273: Computer Architecture Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Computer Architecture (Hardware)

• CSIS 273 is a course on Personal Computing for Applied Sciences.
• Chapter 1 focuses on computer hardware.

Chapter 2 Objectives

• Understand computer types.
• Describe how computers store and process information.
• Detail a computer's structure and organization.
• Explain the interactions of internal components.
• Explain the different types of memory and storage devices.

Computers in Perspective

• All computers have input and output.
• Input is the information received from the outside world.
• Output is the information that is given to the outside world.

Data and Information

• Data are raw, unprocessed facts, such as test scores or a recipe.
• Information is processed data that has meaning and value.
• Before processing data has little or no meaning.
• Information is a communication that has value, as it informs.

Information Processing Cycle

• Input data is processed to create output information.
• For example, exam scores are processed to compute the average.

Computers in Perspective (Computer System)

• Hardware and software are crucial components for computer versatility.
• Hardware is the physical part of the computer.
• Software provides instructions to transform input data into output.
• People are necessary to utilize the system.

Computer Types: Embedded Systems

• An embedded system is a microprocessor component of a larger system that carries out a specific task.
• Examples include traffic lights, toys, game machines, and thermostats.
• Firmware is a program etched on silicon; meaning it is not alterable.

Personal Computers

• Personal computers (PCs) are used by one person at a time.
• They are used for productivity, creativity and communication.
• PCs, such as desktop computers, have several components.
• Some components are housed in the tower (e.g. microprocessor), while other components (e.g. monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers) can be separate.

Workstations

• A workstation is a high-end desktop computer with powerful computing capabilities.
• These powerful computers are used in computationally intensive interactive applications and large-scale scientific data analysis.
• The line between desktop computers and workstations is becoming less clear.

Portable Computers

• Laptops and notebooks are designed for portability.
• Netbooks are small, lightweight and inexpensive computers without extra features.

Handheld Devices

• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are devices that can combine the functions of a phone, camera, PDA, game machine, and music/video player.
• Smart phones have combined multiple functions in one device.
• Tablets are in between smart phones and notebooks/netbooks.

Servers

• Servers are computers that provide data, programs and other resources to other computers within a network.
• Any desk top computer can be a server, but certain servers are built for the specific purpose.
• Servers typically have faster processors, more memory storage space or faster network connections.

Mainframes

• Mainframes are room-sized multi-user computers used by big organizations (e.g. airlines, banks).
• Mainframes can communicate with several users simultaneously through time-sharing.

Supercomputers

• Supercomputers are multi-user computers constructed from thousands of microprocessors.
• Supercomputers are used for tasks like weather forecasting and encryption/decryption, often needing the most powerful computing capabilities.

B-Hardware Basics (Inside the Box)

• Study of the fundamental hardware within a computer.

What Computers Do is a Processing Cycle

• Four basic operations: receive input, process information, produce output, and store information.

What Computers Do (cont.)

• Input, output, processor (CPU), memory and storage devices, and peripherals are vital hardware components.

Bit Basics

• A bit is the smallest unit of information a computer processes.
• It can be either 0 or 1.
• A byte is a collection of eight bits.

Bits as Numbers

• Computers use binary for numbers, where numbers use combinations of binary digits (bits).
• Decimal numbers are automatically converted to binary by the computer.

Bits, Bytes, and Buzzwords

• Units of measurement for computer data.
• 1 byte = 8 bits
• Kilobyte (KB) = 1024 bytes
• Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB
• Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
• Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB
• Petabyte (PB) = 1024 TB

The Computer's Core: CPU and Memory

• Digital computers are made from on/off switches.
• The user provides input as patterns of bits and the computer follows instructions to transform the input into output.

The CPU: The Real Computer

• CPUs are often called processors.
• They transform input to output.
• They interpret and execute program instructions, with the performance defined by the speed of the internal clock and architectural specification.
• The CPU communicates with other parts of the computer via memory.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• The control unit is the part of the CPU to sequentially access program instructions.
• It decodes them and handles the flow of data.
• The ALU is used for calculations.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)(cont)

• Memory registers store small amounts of data and instructions temporarily.
• The ALU performs mathematical calculations and logic comparisons.

The CPU and the Real Computer (cont)

• Modern CPUs are complex collections of electronic circuits housed on a circuit board.
• The motherboard is the circuit board containing the CPU.

The CPU: The Real Computer (cont): Choosing a Computer

• CPU Type is a critical decision factor for computer purchases.
• Important factors to consider are: compatibility and performance.

Compatibility

• Software compatibility is not universal with all CPUs.
• Similar families of CPU are often backward compatible with earlier instruction sets.
• Not all programs (or software) will run on some CPUs.

Performance

• Some CPUs perform faster than others.
• Performance depends on internal clock speed, measured in GHz. Architecture is determined by word size (32 or 64 bits).
• Increased clock speeds create more heat.

Performance (cont): Multicore Processors

• Multicore processors combine multiple CPUs (cores) on a single chip to improve performance by dividing work.
• Modern PCs generally have two or more cores.
• Multi-core processors are becoming common.

Techniques for Speeding up a Computer's Performance: From Multicore to Cluster

• Increasing the number of cores can improve CPU performance.
• Parallel processing can be achieved via Server Clusters (groups of networked computers) allowing more machines to be used.

The CPU

• The CPU is divided into functional units (Control Unit, ALU, Decode Unit, Bus Unit, Prefetch Unit).
• These functional units work together.

The Computer's Memory

• Random Access Memory (RAM) stores program instructions and data temporarily during the computer's operation.
• Memory addresses are unique identifiers for memory locations.
• RAM is volatile (data is lost when power is turned off).

The Computer's Memory (cont): Read Only Memory (ROM)

• Read-Only Memory (ROM) stores computer start-up instructions and other critical information.
• The information on ROM chips is permanent.

The Computer's Memory (cont): CMOS

• Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) is a special low-energy type of RAM used to store date, time and calendar settings/information.

The Computer's Memory (cont): Flash Memory

• Flash memory is rewritable, compact, portable and requires little energy for operation.
• Flash memory can be written and erased repeatedly.
• Digital cameras, cell phones, and handheld computers use flash memory.

Memory

• The CPU automatically starts by using the instructions from the ROM chips.
• Instructions to load the operating system are copied from the hard disk into RAM.
• When the instructions are in RAM the CPU can execute them.

Buses

• Information travels between motherboard components through wires called buses.
• Buses act like bridges between components like the CPU and RAM.
• Buses connect to storage devices, expansion slots, and external ports.

Ports

• Computers have various ports for diverse needs (e.g. video ports for monitor, audio ports for speakers, USB ports for various devices, external ports).
• Some ports are directly on the system board or are connected to expansion cards.

Expansion Slots

• Expansion slots are areas on the motherboard for inserting expansion cards to add capabilities or functions to the computer.

How the CPU Works

• The CPU works through the Input, Arithmetic-logic unit, Registers, Primary storage, Communication devices, and Secondary storage.

Peripherals

• Peripherals are additional devices that connect to the computer to support or enhance the computer system, such as keyboards, printers, input/output devices or storage media.

Green Computing

• Compared to other industries the computer industry is relatively easy on the overall environment.
• The manufacture and use of computer hardware and software has an environmental impact.
• Users have some control over the environmental impact of their activities through appropriate computing choices.

Green Computing (cont)

• Buying green equipment, using energy-saving features, turning off the computer when away, and choosing energy-saving screensavers can reduce environmental impact.
• Printing documents only when needed, and recycling products are also important in reducing impact.
• Passing on computers/devices to individuals or organizations and understanding environmental costs can also help.

Chapter 2 Summary (final)

• Computers manipulate bit patterns (0 and 1).
• Bits are grouped into coded messages representing information.
• Microprocessors follow software instructions to process calculations, logical manipulations and transforming input into output for users.

Summary (cont.)

• Not all CPUs are compatible with all other CPUs.
• Modern CPUs use multicore processors for faster calculation.
• The CPU uses RAM (random access memory) for temporary storage.
• ROM (read-only memory) contains unchanging information.

Summary (cont.)

• CPU and the main memory are housed on silicon chips of the motherboard.
• Buses connect slots and ports for communication to all devices (internal and external).

This quiz covers Chapter 1 of CSIS 273, focusing on computer hardware fundamentals. Students will explore computer types, the information processing cycle, and the structure and organization of computers. Gain a deeper understanding of how data is transformed into valuable information through various components and memory types.