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