Objective #10

 10. Describing the internal components of a computer.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System):

• Firmware stored on a chip on the motherboard that initializes hardware components during the boot process and provides basic communication between the operating system and hardware.
  
  
  

Memory:

• Types:
  • Main types include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read-Only Memory (ROM), with variations like DDR4, DDR5, SRAM, DRAM, etc.
• Characteristics:
  • RAM is volatile memory used for temporary storage of data and program instructions.
  • ROM retains data even when the computer is powered off and typically stores firmware or BIOS.
• Speeds:
  • Measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz) for RAM, indicating the frequency at which data can be accessed.
    
    
    

Processor (CPU - Central Processing Unit):

• History:
  • Evolved from early computing devices to modern microprocessors, with significant advancements in speed, architecture, and efficiency over time.
• Types or Families:
  • Includes various architectures like Intel x86, AMD Ryzen, ARM, and families such as Intel Core, AMD Ryzen, Intel Xeon, etc.
• Technical Characteristics:
  • Core count, clock speed (measured in GHz), cache size, architecture (e.g., x86, ARM), instruction set (e.g., x86-64, ARMv8), and thermal design power (TDP).
• Mathematical Coprocessor:
  • Also known as a Floating Point Unit (FPU), assists the CPU in performing floating-point arithmetic operations, enhancing mathematical processing capabilities.
• Cache:
  • High-speed memory located on the CPU die used to store frequently accessed data and instructions, providing faster access than main memory.
    
    
    

Heatsink:

• A passive or active cooling component attached to the CPU to dissipate heat generated during operation.
• Typically made of metal (e.g., aluminum or copper) with fins or other structures to increase surface area for heat dissipation.
• Often paired with a fan (in a combination known as a heatsink-fan or heat sink and fan) to enhance cooling efficiency.
  
  
  

Motherboard

1. Types:

   • ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended): Standard size motherboard commonly used in desktop computers.
   • Micro ATX: Smaller form factor than ATX, often used in smaller desktop systems or compact builds.
   • Mini ITX: Compact motherboard designed for small form factor (SFF) PCs or HTPCs (Home Theater PCs).
   • Extended ATX (E-ATX): Larger than standard ATX, offering more expansion slots and features, often used in high-end gaming or workstation builds.
   • Other Form Factors: There are various other form factors designed for specific applications or industries, such as server motherboards, industrial motherboards, etc.

2. Technical Characteristics:

   • Size: Dimensions of the motherboard, which determine compatibility with PC cases and the number of expansion slots.
   • Chipset: Integrated circuit responsible for managing communication between the CPU, memory, storage devices, and other peripherals.
   • Expansion Slots: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slots for adding expansion cards such as graphics cards, sound cards, or network adapters.
   • RAM Slots: Slots for installing RAM modules, typically DDR4 or DDR5 in modern systems.
   • Storage Interfaces: SATA (Serial ATA) ports for connecting hard drives and SSDs, M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, and sometimes U.2 or PCIe slots for additional storage options.
   • I/O Ports: Connectors for USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio, and other peripheral devices.
   • Power Connectors: ATX power connector for supplying power from the PSU (Power Supply Unit) to the motherboard.
   • BIOS/UEFI: Firmware stored on a chip on the motherboard, providing basic input/output functions and settings for configuring hardware.
   • Networking: Integrated Ethernet controller for wired networking, and sometimes integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules.

3. Parts:

   • CPU Socket: Slot for installing the CPU (Central Processing Unit).
   • Memory Slots: Slots for installing RAM modules.
   • Expansion Slots: PCIe slots for adding expansion cards.
   • Storage Connectors: SATA ports, M.2 slots, etc., for connecting storage devices.
   • Power Connectors: ATX power connector, CPU power connector, etc., for supplying power to the motherboard and components.
   • Chipset: Integrated circuit responsible for managing communication between components.
   • I/O Connectors: USB ports, audio jacks, Ethernet port, etc., for connecting peripheral devices.
   • BIOS/UEFI Chip: Chip containing the firmware for the motherboard.
     
     
     

Grooves or Sockets:

• These are physical slots or sockets on the motherboard where various components are installed, such as the CPU socket for the processor and the DIMM slots for RAM modules.
  
  
  

Multimedia:

• Onboard audio and video components integrated into the motherboard for multimedia playback and processing.
• This may include audio codecs, graphics processors (in some cases), and other multimedia-related features for enhanced audio and video capabilities.

Video Cards:

• Types:
  • Dedicated Graphics Cards: These are standalone cards with their own processing units and memory, used for rendering graphics in gaming, video editing, and other demanding applications.
  • Integrated Graphics: Graphics processing units (GPUs) integrated into the CPU or motherboard, suitable for basic computing tasks and light gaming.
• Characteristics:
  • GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): The main processing chip on the graphics card responsible for rendering images and videos.
  • VRAM (Video RAM): Memory dedicated to storing graphics data and textures for quick access by the GPU.
  • Ports: Video output connectors such as HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA for connecting monitors.
  • Cooling: Cooling solutions such as fans or heatsinks to dissipate heat generated by the GPU during operation.
• Memory:
  • Video cards have dedicated memory (VRAM) used for storing textures, frame buffers, and other graphics-related data. Common types include GDDR6, GDDR5, and HBM2.
    
    
    

Monitors:

• Resolution:
  • The number of pixels displayed on the screen, typically measured as width x height (e.g., 1920x1080 for Full HD).
  • Common resolutions include Full HD (1920x1080), Quad HD (2560x1440), and Ultra HD or 4K (3840x2160).
• Sizes:
  • Screen size measured diagonally from corner to corner, typically in inches.
  • Common sizes range from 21 inches for smaller monitors to 27 inches or larger for gaming or professional use.
• Cards for Video Capture:
  • Capture cards are hardware devices used to capture video and audio signals from external sources such as cameras, game consoles, or other computers.
  • They typically connect to the computer via PCIe slots or USB ports and can capture and encode video in real-time for streaming or recording purposes.
    
    
    

Adapters of I/O and Ports:

• Concepts:
  • Adapters and ports allow devices to connect to a computer for data transfer, video output, and other functions.
• Characteristics:
  • Compatibility: Adapters and ports must match the interface and protocol supported by the connected devices.
  • Transfer Speeds: Different ports support varying data transfer speeds, such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, Thunderbolt, etc.
• Types:
• Series: Serial interfaces transfer data one bit at a time, suitable for long-distance communication and connecting peripherals like mice, keyboards, and printers.
• Parallel: Parallel interfaces transfer multiple bits simultaneously, providing faster data transfer rates but are less common in modern computers.
• Wireless: Wireless adapters and ports allow devices to connect to the computer without the need for physical cables, using technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.
• USB (Universal Serial Bus): A versatile interface used for connecting various devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, external storage, and smartphones. Different versions include USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, and USB-C, offering different speeds and capabilities.
  
  
  

Net Interface Cards:

• Concepts:
  • Network Interface Cards (NICs), also known as network adapters or network interface controllers (NICs), are hardware devices that enable computers to connect to a network.
  • They facilitate communication between the computer and the network infrastructure, allowing data to be transmitted and received over the network.
• Characteristics:
  • Connection Interface: NICs can connect to the computer via various interfaces such as PCIe, PCI, USB, or integrated into the motherboard.
  • Speed: NICs come in different speed variants, such as 10/100 Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps), 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 Gbps), and higher speeds for specialized applications.
  • Compatibility: NICs are available for different types of networks, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and fiber optic networks.
• MAC Address:
  • Each NIC is assigned a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address, which is a hardware address used to identify devices on a network.
  • MAC addresses are typically assigned by the manufacturer and are used for addressing and routing data packets within the network.
    
    
    

Other Components:

• Buses:
  • Buses are communication pathways that connect various components of a computer system, allowing data to be transferred between them.
  • Types of buses include the system bus, expansion bus (e.g., PCIe, PCI), memory bus, and others.
• Switches and Jumpers:
  • Switches and jumpers are small physical devices used to configure hardware settings on computer components such as motherboards, hard drives, and expansion cards.
  • They can be used to set parameters such as memory timings, CPU voltage, and drive configurations.
• Cables, Bands, and Strips:
  • These are physical components used for connecting various hardware devices and components within a computer system.
  • Examples include SATA cables for connecting hard drives, ribbon cables for connecting drives and peripherals, and cable ties for cable management.
• Wireless Devices:
  • Wireless network adapters enable computers and other devices to connect to a network without the need for physical cables.
  • They use wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular data to establish network connections.
• Portable Devices:
  • These are mobile computing devices designed for portability and convenience, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
  • They typically feature built-in wireless networking capabilities and may also support external network adapters for additional connectivity options.
• Encluster:
  • This term may refer to clustering or grouping together multiple computers or devices to work together as a single system, typically for parallel processing or high-performance computing applications.
• Units of Massive Storage:
  • Refers to storage devices with large capacities, such as hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and network-attached storage (NAS) devices, used for storing large amounts of data.
• Mobile Phone:
  • A portable communication device that combines the functionality of a telephone with additional features such as internet access, email, messaging, and multimedia playback.