INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Chapter 2
Components/units of Computer
Ansar Javed
Govt. Graduate College Shorkot City, Jhang.
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System Unit
Chapter 2 - Components of the System Unit

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 System Unit
• System unit is the main body of the computer
• It is a case that contains different electronic components of the computer
• These components include a central processing unit, memory (i.e. RAM, ROM), disk
drives, power supply, computer fan, and other electronic components
• All these components are connected to motherboard inside the system unit
• All computers and mobile devices have a system unit
• Input/output devices and some storage devices such as USB flash drive are
connected with system unit
• Different types of computers have system units of different shapes and sizes
• In laptop computers, keyboard with a pointing device is built on the top of the
system unit
• Display screen is attached to system unit with hinges
• Similarly, in mobile devices and many other mobile computers, display screen and
keyboard are often built on system unit
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System Unit

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 Motherboard
• Motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit
• It is also known as the system board or main board
• It is the most important circuit board inside the system unit
• Many electronic components are connected to motherboard and some
components are built into it
• Processor chip and memory chips are plugged (installed) into motherboard
• Motherboard contains sockets or slots on which electronic components are
installed

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 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Also known as a processor, chip, and CPU
• CPU is considered as the brain of the computer
• It performs different operations on data according to given instructions
• It also manages other operations of the computer
• CPU used in a personal computer is known as a microprocessor
• It is located on motherboard inside the system unit
• Today most of the processor chips are multi-core processors
• A multi-core processor is a single chip that contains two or more processors
• Each processor is called processor core or simply core
• Operating system views each processor core as a separate processor
• A multi-core processor typically increases overall performance of computer
system 6
 Registers
• A processor contains small, high-speed storage locations
• These storage locations are called registers
• Registers are used during program execution
• They temporarily hold instructions, data, or intermediate results of
calculations
• The size of these registers is 2 or 4 or 8 bytes
• The large sizes of registers increase the performance of CPU
• For example, a computer having 32-bit (4-bytes) registers means CPU can
process four bytes of data at a time
• A processor has different types of registers
• Each register is used for a specific purpose
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 Machine Cycle
• Process by which CPU obtains a program instruction from memory, decodes &
executes it, and stores result in memory (if necessary)
• Also known as instruction cycle
• CPU performs four basic operations to take action on each instruction of
program
• These operations are fetching, decoding, executing, and storing (if necessary)

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 Machine Cycle
Fetching
• Control unit obtains an instruction (or data item) from memory for taking action on
it
Decoding
• Control unit translates instruction into signals so that computer can understand it
• Control unit analyzes the instruction to determine the type of action to be
performed
• Control unit also reads any required data from main memory to be processed
Executing
• Control unit takes action on decoded instruction
• After decoding instruction and getting required data, control unit executes
instruction
Storing
• Control unit may be required to store results of executed instruction in memory
(but this condition is not always required) 9
 System Clock
• System clock is an electronic component
• It controls the timing of all operations of computer
• It generates regular electronic pulses or ticks
• It is just like your heart that beats at a regular rate to keep your body functioning
• It is because computer clock is known as heart of the computer
• It controls functions of computer by generating regular electronic pulses or ticks
• System clock can generate pulses/ticks from millions to billions per second
• Each tick or pulse is known as clock cycle
• Clock speed is measured by number of clock cycles or ticks per second
• A processor of PC can execute more than one instruction per clock cycle
• For example, today PCs have clock speeds up to GHz (Gigahertz, where Giga means billion, and unit of cycle
per second is hertz)
• Thus, one gigahertz is equal to one billion cycles or ticks per second
• Speed of processor depends upon clock speed
• A processor can execute many instructions per second if clock speed is faster
• Today, speed of PCs is up to 3 GHz or more
• Speed of system clock affects performance of computer
• However, speed of system clock does not affect performance of input/output devices and storage devices
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Data Representation
Chapter 2 - Components of the System Unit

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 Data Representation
• Data and instructions must be converted into binary form
• Binary digit ‘0’ or ‘1’ is called a bit
• A group of 8-bits is called byte (basic storage unit in memory)
• Usually, a single character is represented by one byte
• Representation of data and instructions in binary form is called a coding
scheme
• Most widely used coding scheme is ASCII (American Standard Code for
Information and Interchange)
• In 8-bit ASCII code, 256 characters can be represented
• For example, in ASCII coding scheme, alphabetic letter ‘A’ (lowercase
uppercase letter) is represented as ‘01000001’, while ‘a’ (lowercase letter) is
represented as ‘01100001’
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 Memory Unit
• A component of computer that is used to
store data and instructions is called memory
• Personal computer contains a main memory
• Instructions of program and data are transferred to memory from a storage
device (i.e. hard disk), instructions and data exist in memory as bytes
• Each byte exists temporarily in a specific memory location that has an address
• The address is a unique number that identifies the location of a byte in
memory
• CPU reads data and instructions from main memory and processes data
according to given instructions
• Data and results of calculations are also stored in main memory
• Main memory is also known as working area of the computer
• A computer cannot work without having main memory
• Main memory of a computer consists of thousands or millions of cells 13
 Memory Unit
Memory Size
• Storage capacity of memory is expressed in terms of number of bytes
• The data and program sizes are also measured in bytes
• Today, computer memories are available up to a terabyte
• In near future, memories will be available up to Yottabytes (YB)

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 Types of Memories
Volatile Memory
• A type of computer memory that requires continuous power (electricity) to
maintain stored information
• In this type of memory, data and instructions are stored temporarily
• It loses its contents (stored information) when computer is turned off
• So it is a temporary memory
• Examples 🡪 RAM, cache memory, and CPU registers
Non-Volatile Memory
• A type of computer memory that can maintain (retain) stored information even
when power supply is off (or interrupted)
• In this type of memory, data and instructions are stored permanently
• It does not lose its contents when the computer is turned off
• So it is a permanent memory
• Examples 🡪 ROM, flash memory, and all secondary storage devices 15
 Difference between RAM and ROM
ROM RAM
• Read only Memory • Random Access Memory
• Permanent Memory • Temporary memory
• Non-volatile Memory • Volatile memory
• Manufacturer of ROM can only • User can read and write data and
write data and programs into it at programs into it at any time during
its manufacturing time data processing
• Small storage capacity • Large storage capacity
• Data is written into it using special • Data is written into it using
devices and ultraviolet rays electrical devices

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 Cache Memory
• Often processor obtains same data or instructions from RAM again and again (or repeatedly)
• In this way, a lot of time of processor is wasted for obtaining same data or instructions from memory.
• Cache memory is a very small but very fast memory used to improve the performance of computer system

L1 Cache
• This type of cache memory is built into processor chip
• Its storage capacity is very small, ranging from 8 KB to 128 KB
• But in modern PCs, its common size is 32 KB or 64 KB
L2 Cache
• This type of cache memory is also built into processor chip but it is slower than L1 cache
• However, its storage capacity is larger than L1 cache
• Its storage capacity is ranging from 64KB to 16MB
• Today, Advanced Transfer Cache (ATC) is used in processors (type of L2 cache)
• It is also built into the processor chip
• It is a very fast memory
• In PCs, its size is from 512 KB to 12 MB
L3 Cache
• This type of cache memory is not built into processor chip
• It is located on the motherboard between the processor and RAM
• It exists only in a computer that uses Advanced Transfer Cache (ATC)
• In PCs, its size is up to 8MB, and in servers and workstations, its size is from 8 MB to 24 MB

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 Order of Searching Data or Instruction
• When a processor needs any instruction or data, it searches in the following
order:
• L1 cache
• L2 cache
• L3 cache
• RAM
• If data or instruction is not found in all of the above memories, then
processor searches required data or instruction on disk (such as a hard disk)
and loads into RAM
• Processor also loads a copy of data or instruction in one of the cache
memory

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Expansion Slots
Chapter 2 - Components of the System Unit

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 Expansion Slots
• A socket on motherboard in which expansion card (or adapter card) is
inserted (plugged in), is called an expansion slot
• Different expansion slots are available on motherboard to insert various
expansion cards
• For example, video display cards, sound cards, modem cards, memory cards,
and network cards are inserted into expansion slots
• Memory (RAM) card is inserted into memory slot
• Similarly, network interface card is inserted into an expansion slot to connect
computer to a network, and so on
• In modern computers, circuitry of many of these cards is integrated into
motherboard to reduce size and cost

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 Expansion Cards
• An expansion card is a small circuit board which is inserted into an expansion slot on
motherboard
• It is also known as an adapter card, adapter board, add-on card, interface card, or just
card
• It is used to add additional peripheral devices to a computer system
• It means that an expansion card provides a connection to a peripheral device and controls
its working
• Examples of peripheral devices are monitor, modem, disk drive, printer, scanner,
keyboard, mouse, etc.
• For example, a network interface card (NIC) is used in a computer to connect it to a local
area network (LAN)
• Similarly, a sound card is used in a computer to connect microphones, headphones, and
speakers
• Some important types of adapter cards are video cards, sound cards, and network
interface cards
• In a modern computer, motherboard includes all necessary capabilities about peripheral
devices and don’t require adapter cards
• For example, sound and video functions may be built into motherboard 21
 Ports & Connectors
• A point at which a peripheral device (such as
keyboard, mouse, monitor, modem, etc.) is
connected to the computer or mobile device is called
port
• Ports provide a standard way of communication
between computer and its peripheral devices
• A computer or mobile device has different types of
ports to connect different peripheral devices
• For example, in a desktop personal computer,
system unit contains different ports on its front and
back
• A peripheral device comes with a cable and a
connector
• A connector joins a cable to a port
• It is connected with computer by plugging its
connector into a port 22
 Computer Buses
• A computer consists of different components and devices such as CPU, main memory, I/O
devices, etc.
• These components and devices are interconnected by using a set of parallel lines or wires
• These are electrical paths or channels
• A set of electrical paths/channels through which computer (CPU) sends and receives data
and instructions (and also sends command signals) to and from different components of
computer is called a computer bus
• Computer bus is backbone of computer and a computer cannot perform any function
without it
• Various devices or components of a computer communicate with each other through
buses
• For example, buses are used to transfer data from the input device to memory, from
memory to output device or storage device, or between memory and processor
• Capacity of a bus depends upon the number of data lines it contains
• Amount of data (or the number of bits) that a Bus can carry at one time from one
component of the computer to another is known as bus width
• For example, a bus with 32 lines can transfer 32 bits (or 4 bytes) at a time
• Larger number of bits handled by bus, faster the data transfer rate of the computer 23
 Power Supply
• Power supply is an electrical component that supplies power to computer
• It is installed inside system unit and has its own cooling fan
• It is a simple electrical system that converts AC power into DC power
• It takes 240 or 110 AC voltage and converts it into DC voltages of 3V, 6V,
12V, and 24V
• Low DC voltage is required to operate different components of a computer

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 AC Adapter
• Some external peripheral devices such as an external modem, router,
speakers, etc. require an AC adapter as a power supply
• It is an external power supply which also converts AC power into DC power
that the peripheral devices require
• AC Adapter is also called an AC converter or charger
• One end of AC adapter is plugged in the wall outlet and the other end is
attached to peripheral device

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 Battery
• A battery is a hardware component that can be charged electrically and can
be used as a source of power
• Mobile phones and other mobile devices run using batteries
• Similarly, mobile computers such as laptops can also run using batteries

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Some important long questions
1. What System Unit? List down its main components.
2. What is Central Processing Unit (CPU)? Why is it called Brain of Computer?
3. How data is represented in Computer?
4. Write a note on Machine Cycle.
5. What is Memory unit? Describe its types.
6. Distinguish between RAM and ROM.
7. What is Cache Memory? Why is it required in computer?
8. What are expansion Slots and Expansion Cards? Describe their link.
9. What are computer Buses? Why do we need those?

*note: Please don’t limit yourselves to these long questions only, examiner can ask you
about same material in different context.
You can extract several short questions as subset of these long questions.
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For more details, refers to

PM Series

Introduction to Computer

by
CM Aslam, Aqsa Aslam, Mussadiq Fida, & Mudassir
Ahmad

Publisher: Majeed Sons