URM112 Introduction to Computers

URM112 Introduction to Computers - Lecture 3 Lecture 2, Week 5

• Course: URM112 Introduction to Computers
• Department: Computer Science
• Week: 5
• Lecture: 3, Lecture 2
• Year: 2024, Fall

Motherboard

• Definition: The main electronic board that connects all parts of a computer together and enables communication among them.
• Components: CPU, Power, Disk Interfaces, External ports, Expansion Slots, Memory Slots, CMOS, Battery
• Form Factor: A specification of physical dimensions and layouts that ensures hardware compatibility among different manufacturers. Different form factors (e.g., Standard-ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, Pico-ITX) have different dimensions (e.g., 12" x 9.6", 9.6" x 9.6", 6.7" x 6.7")

Bus

• Definition: A collection of wires that transmit data between different parts of a computer.
• Types: Internal bus (local bus) for communication between internal components and external bus (expansion bus) for communication with external components like USB or SCSI devices.
• Example: Front Side Bus (FSB) allows communication between the CPU and memory, AGP or PCle bus are also part of Northbridge. Southbridge manages the I/O devices.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

• Definition: A chip on the motherboard with instructions for system boot-up and operation.
• Function: Contains instructions on how to load basic computer hardware and includes a POST (Power On Self Test) that helps the computer boot up properly.
• Malfunction: If POST fails, beeps indicate the malfunctioning component within the computer.

CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor)

• Definition: A memory chip powered by a small battery.
• Function: Stores BIOS configuration settings.
• Purpose: Enables easy restoration of default BIOS settings by removing the motherboard battery for a short time.

CPU Socket

• Definition: A mechanical component (socket or slot) for connecting the CPU to the motherboard.
• Components: Typically made of plastic, with a lever/latch and metal contacts for the pins/lands on the CPU.

Memory Banks

• Definition: Areas on the motherboard that store memory modules.
• Structure: Typically double-sided, allowing for single or double-sided memory modules; Banks are numbered and organized into units representing the minimum number of memory chips needed to operate in tandem.

North Chipset

• Definition: The Northbridge is a chip that connects the CPU to memory, AGP or PCIe bus.
• Connection: Communicates with the CPU through the Front Side Bus (FSB).

South Chipset

• Definition: The Southbridge is a chip that controls the computer's I/O functions.
• Functions: USB, audio, serial, system BIOS, ISA bus, interrupt controller and IDE/SATA channels. Connects with the Northbridge via Direct Media Interface (DMI).

Front Side Bus (FSB)

• Function: Used in Core 2 Quad/Duo processors and earlier to connect the processor to memory,PCIe,video and I/O devices like USB, hard disk and Network.

Direct Media Interface (DMI)

• Function: Used in Intel Core i-series processors, allowing communication between the processor and other components through separate channels with RAM, PCIe, and DMI, for improved performance.

Front Panel Connectors

• Function: Controls computer power, reset and LED lights found on the front bezel.
• Components: Uses Chase cables, black/white wire as ground (GND), and colored wires as powered wire.

Expansion Slots and Bus

• Function: Allows extra electronic cards (e.g., audio, modem, network) to be installed on the Motherboard.
• Compatibility: Each slot accepts only compatible cards.

PCI Express (PCIe)

• Function: Replaces PCI and AGP.
• Data Transfer: Transfers data over wires called lanes in a full-duplex mode (both directions simultaneously).

Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)

• Function: Used with sound, network, video, satellite, modem cards and customized cards for special devices

Parallel ATA (PATA)

• Definition: A physical storage interface for hard drives and optical drives.
• Transfer rate: Up to 100 MBps

Serial ATA (SATA)

• Function: A replacement for PATA to transfer data at up to 6 Gbps (600 MBps) to each hard drive and optical drive.

Audio Modem Riser (AMR)

• Function: Provides analog functionality (sound cards, modems) on an expansion card.

Communication and Networking Riser (CNR)

• Function: Implemented LAN, home networking, audio, and modem subsystems for ATX motherboards.

Throughput

• Definition: A numerical value that illustrates the data transfer rate in bits per second (bps) or bytes per second (Bps).

Connectors (The Rear I/O)

• Devices: Provides interfaces for the keyboard/mouse, USB2, USB3, Firewire, eSATA, display, network (RJ-45), and audio.

Processor (CPU)

• Definition: The Central Processing Unit; the "brains" of a computer executing calculations.
• Function: Fetches, decodes, executes and stores instructions.

CPU Components

• I/O Unit: Allows data and instructions to enter and exit the CPU.

• Control Unit: Manages the CPU's internal activities.

• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes calculations within the CPU.

• Cache Memory: High-speed storage area for frequently accessed data.

• Registers:High-speed storage locations for addresses of data rather than the actual data.

Cache Memory Levels

• Definition: High-speed memory that speeds up the computer's processing. Functions: Different Levels (L1, L2, L3): where L1 on-chip memory is fastest and other levels less so but still on the CPU chip.

CPU Speed

• Definition: The number of cycles the processor can execute per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
• Overclocking: Running the CPU above its recommended speed.
• Dynamic Frequency Scaling (throttling): Automatically adjusting CPU speed to conserve energy or reduce heat.
• Processor Width: The number of bits in the internal bus, defining the data amount transferred in parallel. (e.g. 32-bit, 64-bit).

Threading

• Definition: The ability of a single core to process multiple threads concurrently.
• Hyper-Threading: Process two threads at the same time using a single core.

Pipelining

• Definition: Execute multiple instructions simultaneously by breaking down instructions into different stages in the pipeline

Multi-Core Processors

• Definition: Processors with two or more cores, each with its own processing resources, to improve multitasking performance.

Intel & AMD Socket Types

• List of sockets for Intel and AMD processors.

Cooling

• Method: Using heat sinks, fans, and thermal paste (heat sink compound) for removing heat from the CPU.

Memory

• RAM: The main system memory; stores and accesses data quickly,
• ROM (Read-Only Memory): Non-volatile memory for firmware.
• DRAM types: FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, BEDO DRAM
• SRAM types: Async, Sync, Pipeline Burst

Types of Memory Banks

• SIMMs (Single In-line Memory Modules), DIMMs (Dual In-line Memory Modules), RIMM (Rambus In-line Memory Modules)

Types of Memory Chips

• SRAM, DRAM (types:SDRAM, DDR SDRAM - DDR2, DDR3, DDR4)

Power Supply

• Function: Converts AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) power for the computer.
• Regulation: Regulates voltage to eliminate voltage spikes common in AC circuits.
• Connectors/terminals: Provide voltage according to PC devices' requirements.

How To Select The Right Power Supply

• Wattage: Exceed PC component requirements by a margin (e.g. 10%).
• Size: Fit in the PC case appropriately
• Connectors: Meet the needs of the current PC devices.
• Form Factor Motherboard: Compatibility with the motherboard's power connector (e.g 20 or 24 pin).

PC Performance

• Factors: Processor, RAM, Memory Controller, Hard Drive, Video Card, Swapping (hard drives near capacity), Multitasking and other performance factors like file systems and hardware upgrade
• Processor: Number of cores, clock speed, bus speed, cache.
• RAM/Memory controller: Clock speed, size (GB), latency(nSec.), channels.
• Hard Drive: Cache, RPM, seek time, size
• Video Card: Core speed, memory clock, memory interface and memory size

Storage Devices

• Types: Hard Drives (HDD), Optical Drives (CD, DVD, Blu Ray), Removable Storage Devices, External Devices

Magnetic Storage

• Floppy Disks: Portable, slower access, lower capacity.
• Zip Disks: Larger and thicker floppy disk with a higher capacity.
• Hard Disk Drives (HDDs): Magnetic platters with read/write heads containing data,
• Internal HDD performance (factors)
• External Hard Disk Drive performance (factors)

Optical Storage

• Compact Disks (CDs): polycarbonate with multiple metal layers useing a laser to read data. Various types (ROM,R,RW)
• Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs): Similar to CDs, but with a higher capacity.
• Blu-Ray Disks (BL): Enhanced laser technology with a higher capacity than CDs or DVDs.

Flash Storage

• Solid State Drives (SSDs): Non-volatile memory for faster data access.
• Flash Memory: Non-volatile memory used in USB flash drives, Compact Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD) cards, Multimedia Cards (MMC), Memory Stick Micro (M2), and Memory Stick Duo (MS).
• USB Flash Drives: Portable data storage device.

Hybrid Drives

• Combine flash memory with traditional hard disk drives to improve boot speed, performance and reduce power consumption.

File System

• Definition: An index or database that stores physical data locations on a hard drive and controls how data is stored and retrieved
• FAT32, NTFS: File systems which store file data
• Cluster Size; Important performance factor for file systems

Other File Systems

• exFAT
• HFS+
• ext4

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of URM112 Introduction to Computers, including course focus, schedule, and departmental offerings. Test your knowledge on the various components and descriptions associated with the course material.