System Unit

1
Objectives
• Describe the components in the system unit
• Explain how the CPU uses the four steps of a machine cycle to
process data
• Compare and contrast various personal computer processors on the
market today
• Define a bit and describe how a series of bits represents data
• Differentiate among the various types of memory
• Describe the types of expansion slots and cards in the system unit
• Explain the difference between a serial, a parallel, and a USB port
• Describe how buses contribute to a computer’s processing speed
• Identify components in a notebook computer
• Identify components in a handheld computer
2
What is the system unit?
• Box-like case that contains computer’s electronic components
• Sometimes called the chassis

3
common components inside
the system unit
• Processor
• Memory module
• Expansion cards
• Sound card
• Modem card
• Video card
• Network interface card
• Ports and Connectors

4
What is the motherboard?
• Main circuit board in system unit
• Contains chips, integrated circuits, and transistors
• Also called system board

5
central processing unit (CPU)
• Interprets and carries out basic instructions that operate a
computer
• Also called the processor

6
What are the components of the
CPU?

7
control unit
• Directs and coordinates operations in computer
• Control unit repeats four basic operations:
• Fetch - obtain program instruction or data item from memory
• Decode - translate instruction into commands
• Execute - carry out command
• Store - write result to memory

8
What is a machine cycle?
• Four operations of the CPU comprise a machine cycle
• Also called instruction cycle
• Instruction time (i-time) - time taken to fetch and decode
• Execution time (e-time) - time taken to execute and store

9
• An example of a machine cycle
• Student enters math problem (100 x 52) into computer’s
memory
• Result in memory displays on monitor’s screen

10
arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)
• CPU component that performs execution part of the machine
cycle
• Comparison (greater than, equal to, or less than)
• Arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Logical (AND, OR, NOT)

11
Measuring the CPU’s speed
• According to how many millions of instructions per second
(MIPS) it can process

12
Two designs used for the CPU
• CISC (complex instruction set computing)
• Supports large number of instructions
• CPU executes complex instructions more quickly
• RISC (reduced instruction set computing)
• Supports smaller number of instructions
• CPU executes simple instructions more quickly

13
Pipelining
• CPU begins executing second instruction before completing
first instruction
• Results in faster processing

14
Parallel processing
• Using multiple processors simultaneously to execute program
faster
• Requires special software to divide problem and bring results
together

15
Register
• Temporary storage area that holds data and instructions
• Stores location from where instruction was fetched
• Stores instruction while it is being decoded
• Stores data while ALU processes it
• Stores results of calculation

•Coprocessor
• Chip that assists processor in performing specific tasks
• One type is a floating-point coprocessor, also known as a math or
numeric coprocessor

16
Data Representation
• Most computers are digital
• Recognize only two discrete states: on or off

• binary system
• Number system with two unique digits: 0 and 1
• Byte
• Eight bits grouped together
• popular coding systems to represent data
• ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange
• EBCDIC – Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
• Unicode –coding scheme capable of representing all world’s 17
languages
18
How is a character sent from
keyboard to computer?
• Step 1: Press letter T
• Step 2: Electronic signal
for letter T sent to system
unit
• Step 3: Signal changed to
its ASCII code (01010100)
and stored in memory
• Step 4: After processing,
binary code for letter T is
converted to image on
output device
19
Memory
• Temporary storage area for operating system, application
programs, and data
• Consists of one or more chips on motherboard
• Each byte stored in unique address

20
Measuring Memory
• By the number of bytes available

21
two types of system unit
memory
• Volatile memory
• Loses its contents when computer's power is turned off

• Non-volatile memory
• Does NOT lose its contents when computer’s power is turned off

22
Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Memory chips that can be read from and written to by
processor
• Most RAM is volatile
• The more RAM a computer has, the faster it operates

23
Two basic types of RAM
chips:
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• Most common type
• Also called main memory
• Static RAM (SRAM)
• Used for special applications such as cache
• Faster and more reliable than DRAM chips

24
• How much RAM is needed?
• Software package usually indicates RAM requirements
• Depends on type of applications you intend to run on your
computer

• Cache
• Helps speed computer processes by storing frequently used
instructions and data
• Also called memory cache, cache store, or RAM cache
• L1 cache built in processor
• L2 and L3 cache not built in processor

25
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
• Memory chips that contain data, instructions, or information
that is recorded permanently
• Data can only be read; cannot be modified in ROM
• ROM is nonvolatile — Contents not lost when computer is
turned off
• BIOS (basic input/output system) stored on ROM
• Sequence of instructions computer follows to load operating
system and other files when you turn on the computer

26
Types of ROM
• Firmware
• ROM chips manufactured with permanently written data,
instructions, or information
• PROM (Programmable Read-only Memory)
• Blank ROM on which you can place items permanently
• EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory)
• ROM chip that can be erased by exposing to a strong ultra-
violet light
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only
Memory)
• Type of PROM containing microcode programmer can erase
electrically 27
Flash memory?
• Nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and
reprogrammed
• Used with handheld computers and digital cameras, cellular
phones, and automobiles

28
CMOS
• Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) memory
• Stores information about the computer
• type of disk drives
• Keyboard
• Monitor
• current time and date
• Uses battery to retain information when computer is turned
off

29
Memory Access Time
• Speed at which processor can access data from memory
directly
• Measured in nanoseconds (ns), which is one billionth of a
second

30
Expansion Slot
• An opening, or socket, where circuit board is inserted into
motherboard
• Expansion card inserted in expansion slot

• Plug and Play 31

32
Flash Memory Card
• Adds memory to handheld computers, digital music players,
cellular telephones, and similar devices

33
Ports
• A port
connects
external
devices to the
system unit

34
Different Types of Connectors

35
Serial Port
• Transmits one bit of data at a time
• Used to connect slow speed devices, such mouse, keyboard,
modem

Parallel Port
• Connects devices that can transfer more than one bit at a
time, such as a printer
• Transmits 8 bits of data at a time

36
 Buses
• A bus is a channel that allows
devices inside the computer to
communicate with each other
• System bus connects processor
and RAM
• Bus width determines number
of bits transmitted at one time
• Word size determines number
of bits processor can interpret
and execute at a given time

37
Expansion Bus
• Allows processor to communicate with peripherals

38
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
• Converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC)
• Some peripheral devices have AC adapter

39
Bays
• A bay is an open area
inside system unit
used to install
additional equipment

40
Summary of the Components
of the System Unit
• The system unit
• Central processing unit
• Data representation
• Memory
• Expansion slots and expansion cards
• Ports, buses, bays
• Power supply

41