COMP 1 (COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS & PROGRAMMING)

INSTRUCTION & LABORATORY MANUAL

CHAPTER V
SYSTEM AND STORAGE UNITS
Guide Questions:
1. Describe the Central Processing Unit.
2. What are the components of a processor, and how do they complete a machine
cycle?
3. What is the unit of the speed of computer processor?
4. What are the various type of memory?
5. What is a bit?
6. Imagine that you are buying a personal computer. What specification of the
processor and its hard disk would you choose and why?

Outcomes:
At the end of the Chapter, the students can:
☺ identify the parts of the system unit
☺ differentiate various personal computer processors on the market today
☺ differentiate storage device and storage media
☺ recognize the terminologies used in identifying computer storage
specifications.
☺ describe the characteristics of optical discs.
Pre-Test:
Multiple Choice. Write the capital letter of your answer on the space provided.
____1. ____ loses its contents when the computers power is turned off. a. ROM
b. Flash memory c. Nonvolatile memory d. Volatile memory
____2. The case of the system unit is sometimes called the ____. a. processor
b. chassis c. motherboard d. control unit
____3. The number system that has just two unique digits, 0 and 1, is called the ____.
a. digital system b. bit system c. analog system d. binary system
____4. The new ____ processor integrates the functions of a processor, memory, and
video card on a single chip. a. microprocessor b. power processor c. system
on a chip d. multimedia processor
____5. Optical discs used in personal computers are ____ inches in diameter. a. 3.5
b. 4.75 c. 5 d. 8

5.1. Introduction
The system unit is a case that contains electronic components of the computer
used to process data. System units are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The
case of the system unit, sometimes called the chassis, is made of metal or plastic
and protects the internal electronic components from damage. The storage unit
holds data, instructions, and information for future use. Every computer uses
storage to hold system software and application software. A storage medium, also

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called secondary storage, is the physical material on which a computer keeps data,
instructions and information.

System Unit

The System Unit

THE MOTHERBOARD
Sometimes called the system board, is the main circuit board of the system unit.
Many electronic components attach to the motherboard; others are built into it.

Expansion slots for

Adapter Cards inserted Processor slot
here

Memory modules are

inserted here

Motherboard

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 COMP 1 (COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS & PROGRAMMING)
INSTRUCTION & LABORATORY MANUAL

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT

The CPU is the brain of the computer. It is a microscopic
circuitry that serves as the main information processor in a
computer. A CPU is generally a single microprocessor made
from a wafer of semi-conducting material, usually silicon, with
millions of electrical components on its surface. A silicon chip is
smaller than a thumbtack.

The figure shows examples of an

integrated circuit: at the center is a F-100
microprocessor, only 0.6 cm square and is small
enough to pass through the eye of a needle.

Parts of the CPU Processors

 Control Unit. Controls, supervises and

directs the operation of the computer. The
CPU’s control unit coordinates and times the Microprocessors
CPU’s functions, and it uses the program counter to locate and retrieve the
next instruction from memory. Like an orchestra leader, the control unit
does not execute the instructions itself; rather it directs other parts of the
system to do so.
 Arithmetic / Logic Unit(ALU). Has special circuitry for performing
processing operation which performs calculations and comparisons. The
ALU performs specific operations such as addition, multiplication, and
conditional tests on the data entered in the computer for processing.
 Registers. A small, high-speed storage locations that temporarily hold data
and instruction. Registers are part of the processor, but not part of the
memory or permanent storage device. Register functions include storing
the location from where an instruction was fetched, storing an instruction
while the control unit decodes it, storing data while the ALU computes it,
and storing the results of a calculation.
 System Clock. The processor relies on this quartz crystal circuit that
controls the timing of all computer operations. The system clock generates
regular electronic pulses or ticks that set the operating pace of components
of the system unit. The pace of the system clock is called the clock speed.
Current personal computers have clocks speed in gigahertz range(hertz is
one cycle per second). The system clock is one of the factors that influence
a computer’s speed. The faster the clock speed, the more instruction the
computer can execute.

Leading processor chip manufacturers:

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Intel – Xeon MP, Itanium, Pentium D, Pentium 4 w/HT, Pentium 4,

Pentium III, Celeron, Pentium II, Pentium Pro, 80486, 80386, 80286,
Core Dou, Pentium M
AMD- Opteron, Athlom MP, Sempron, Athlon 64, Athlon, Duron, AMD
K6III, AMD K6-2, AMD K6
Motorola / IBM – PowerPC G5, G4, G3, G2, G1, 68040, 68030, 68020
Transmeta – Efficeon, Crusoe
PRIMARY MEMORY OR STORAGE UNIT
Storage capacity determines the amount of information that can
be held within the computer memory at a particular time. Memory
ROM Chip
consists of electronic components on one or more chips on
the motherboard that store instructions waiting to be
executed by the processor, data needed by those
instructions, and the results of processed data. . RAM
Types of Memory are:
Volatile memory – When the computer’s power is turned off, volatile
memory loses its contents. Ex. RAM
Nonvolatile memory – Does not lose its content when power is removed
from the computer. Ex. ROM, flash memory, CMOS.
 Read Only Memory. Semiconductor-based memory that contains
instructions or data that can be read but not modified. ROM is non-volatile
– its contents do not disappear when the power is turned off. Ex. ROM
chips for printer contain data for font.
 Random Access Memory. The computer’s temporary storage
compartment; generally understood to refer to volatile memory, which can
be written as well as read. It holds the instructions and data for whatever
programs we happen to be using. Measured as an amount of data or in
bytes – nowadays are usually in Megabytes, the more RAM your computer
has, the more powerful the programs you can run. RAM is usually volatile –
that is, the data is lost once the power is shut off.
 Cache. A type of memory that helps speed the processes of the computer
because it stores frequently used instructions and data. Most computers
today have two types of memory cache, L1 cache and L2 cache.
 Flash Memory. A type of non-volatile memory that can be erased
electronically and rewritten. Used in most computers because it holds their
start-up instructions by allowing the computer to easily update its
contents.
 CMOS (Complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor). CMOS technology
uses battery power to retain information even when the power to the
computer is off. It can keep calendar, date, and time even when the
computer is off.

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Storage Terms:
BIT – smallest unit of information
BYTE – a collection of bits
WORD – collection of bytes
1 Byte = 8 bits of binary nos.
Term Approx. # of bytes Exact # of bytes Approx. # of
pages of text
Kilobyte(KB) 1 thousand 210 or 1,024 ½
Megabyte(MB) 1 million 220 or 1,048,576 500
Gigabyte(GB) 1 billion 230 or 1,073,741,824
Terabyte(TB) 1 trillion 240 or 1,099,511,627,776
Petabyte(PB) 1 quadrillion 250
Exabyte(EB) 1 quintillion 260
Zettabyte(ZB) 1 sextillion 270
Yottabyte(YB) 1 septillion 280

SECONDARY OR AUXILIARY STORAGE/ MEMORY UNIT

Alternative storage unit to augment the storage capabilities of the
computer. Secondary storage is necessary because memory, or primary memory,
can be used only temporarily, that is, your programs and data will disappear
from memory when you turn your computer off. However, you probably want to
store the data you have used or the information you have derived from
processing, and that is why secondary storage, or auxiliary storage, is needed.
Often referred to as external storage units. Examples are the following:
 Magnetic Disk. Uses magnetic particles to store items such
Sliding
as data, instructions, and information on the disk’s Plastic
surface.
 Floppy disks. Write protect tab

 ZIP disks 3 ½ Floppy Disk

External Hard Disk

Portable Hard Disk
ZIP Disk in ZIP Drive
Hard Disks
Tape
 Hard disk Removable Hard Disk
PC Card

 Optical Disks. Type of storage media that consists of a

flat, round, portable disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is written

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Optical Disks
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INSTRUCTION & LABORATORY MANUAL

by a laser. Optical discs used in personal computer are 4.75 inches in

diameter. Mini discs have a diameter of 3 inches or less.

Disc Format Read Write Erase Capacity

 CD-ROM Y N N 650 MB to 1 GB
 CD-R Y Y N 650 MB to 1 GB
 CD-RW Y Y Y 650 MB to 1 GB
 DVD-ROM Y N N 4.7 GB to 17 GB
 DVD-R, DVD+R Y Y N 4.7 GB to 17 GB
 DVD-RW, DVD+RW Y Y Y 4.7 GB to 17 GB
 DVD-RAM Y Y Y 4.7 GB to 17 GB
 BD-ROM Y N N 25 GB to 128 GB
 BD-R, BD+R Y Y N 25 GB to 128 GB
 BD-RW, BD+RW Y Y Y 25 GB to 128 GB
 BD-RAM Y Y Y 25 GB to 128 GB

 Magnetic/Cassette
Tape. Magnetic coated
ribbon of plastic capable
of storing large amounts
Compact Flash Memory Stick
SmartMedia Secure Digital xD Picture Card
of data and information at a low cost. A tape cartridge is a
small, rectangular, plastic housing for tape.
 PC Cards. A thin, credit card-sized device that adds memory, USB Flash Drive
storage, sound, fax/modem, network, and other capabilities
to mobile computers
 Flash Memory Cards. A removable flash
memory device that allows user to transfer
data and information conveniently from mobile
devices like PDAs, smart phones, digital microfilm
cameras and digital music players to desktop computers.
 USB Flash Drives. Sometimes called a pen drive, is a flash Microfilm reader
memory device that plugs in a USB port on a computer or portable device.
 Microfilm and Microfiche. Store microscopic images of documents on roll or
sheet film. Microfilm is a 100 to 215 foot roll of film. Microfiche is a small
sheet of film, usually about 4 inches by 6 inches. A computer output
microfilm recorder is the device that records the images on the film.
 Solid State Drive (SSD) is a storage device
that typically uses flash memory to store
data, instructions, and information. With
available form factors of 3.5 inches,2.5
inches, and 1.8 inches, SSDs are used in all
types of computers including servers,

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desktop computers, and mobile computers and devices such as portable

media players and digital video cameras. Storage capacities of current SSDs
range from 16 GB to 256 GB and more.

Post-Test
Multiple Choice. Write the capital letter of your answer on the space provided.
____1. 1 byte = _____ bits: a) 0 b) 8 c) 80 d) 1024
____2. An example of storage unit: a) CPU b) Scanner c) spreadsheet d) DVD
____3. Another name for memory is: a) Secondary storage b) Primary storage
c) disk storage d) tape storage
____4. The CD-ROM is an example of: a) software b) hardware c) a program d) an
output unit
____5. The unit that transform data into information:
a) CPU b) disk drive c) bar code reader d) wand reader
____6. Which of the following can store the most data?
a) 3.5” floppy disk b) cassette tape c) hard disk d) optical disk
____7. PC Cards commonly are used in ____. a. midrange servers b. notebook
computers c. mainframe computers d. supercomputers
____8. A ____ is an erasable multisession disc you can write on multiple times. a. CD-
ROM b. CD-R c. CD-RW d. DVD-ROM
____9. Storage media are sometimes referred to as ____. a. primary storage b.
storage drives c. secondary storage d. RAM
____10. Devices such as a keyboard and mouse usually attach to ____ on the
system unit by a connector on a cable. a. processors b. ports c. adapter cards
d. drive bays

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