Computer Hardware

The physical components of a

computer system, such as the
circuit boards, chassis, enclosures,
peripherals, cables, etc.

It does not include data or

computer programs.
Overview of Computer Hardware
• Motherboard
• CPU
• RAM
• Harddisk
• CD-ROM
• Video Card
• Sound Card
• LAN Card
• Cooling Fan
• Clock
CPU

• CPU is often referred to as the brain or engine of a computer where

most of the processing and operations take place.
• Other common names of the CPU: main processor, central processor,
etc.
• The CPU is the primary component of a computer that executes,
interprets, and carries out all instructions.
Hard Disk

• The main data storage device

• A hard disk drive is a spindle of a set of stacked magnetic disks
(platters) that records and stores information (like phonograph
records).
• When you install programs or save data on your computer’s hard
disk, the information is written to the hard disk.
• Hard drives can be internal or external.
 Main Memory
• Storage media installed on the motherboard
• store data and instruction to be executed by the CPU
• Main memory is classified into
• RAM
• ROM
• CMOS
 Computer
• A computer system includes a system unit along with all its software
(such as Office 2016, Windows 10, etc.) and peripheral devices (such as
a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.) connected to it
 System Unit/Computer Case

• The main part of a desktop computer (the

case) that contains all of the main electronic
components of a computer.
• tower, chassis, or main unit.
• A system unit includes the motherboard,
CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM
(Random-Access Memory), hard drive,
expansion cards, power supply, etc.
• A system unit does not include peripheral
devices, such as keyboard, mouse, monitor,
printer, etc.
Computer System Hardware

BIOS Basic Input/Output System

UNESCO ICTLIP Module 1. Less 3 8
Motherboard

• the main circuit board of the computer.

• The motherboard is the system core of a computer.
• The motherboard is a computer’s central structure
that connects the different parts of a computer
together.
• It holds many of the crucial electronic components
of the system, such as the central processing unit
(CPU) and memory, and provides connectors for
other peripherals.
• Whole computer system is connected, managed, and
controlled by the motherboard.
 Integrated motherboard
An integrated system board has multiple components integrated into the board itself. These may include the CPU video card
, sound card and various controller cards.
 Non integrated motherboard

Non integrated system board uses installable components and expansion cards.
For example, non integrated system board may allow you to upgrade the video
card by removing the old one and installing a new one. Non integrated
motherboard typically have several PCI expansion slots as well.
central processing unit (CPU)

• The central processing unit (CPU, occasionally central

processor unit

• is the hardware within a computer system which carries

out the instructions of a computer program by performing
the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations
of the system.

• The CPU plays a role analogous to the brain in the

computer.
CPU SOCKET
A CPU socket or CPU
slot is a mechanical
component(s) that
provides mechanical and
electrical connections
between a
microprocessor and a
printed circuit board
(PCB). This allows the
CPU to be replaced
without soldering.
CPU Performance depends on…
• Clock rate
• the speed at which the CPU can execute an instruction.
• unit is Hertz (Hz).
 System Clock
The system clock determines the clock speed
of the computer which is the speed at which a
microprocessor executes instructions.

Every computer contains an internal clock that

regulates the rate at which instructions are
executed and synchronizes all the various
computer components.
 MEMORY SLOTS
A memory slot, memory socket, or RAM
slot is what allows computer memory
(RAM) to be inserted into the computer

Depending on the motherboard, there

will usually be 2 to 4 memory slots
(sometimes more on high-end
motherboards) and are what determine
the type of RAM used with the
computer.

The most common types of RAM are

SDRAM and (DDR SDRAM) Double Data
Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM desktop
computers.
 CMOS
BATTERY
Nonvolatile BIOS memory refers
to a small memory on PC
motherboards that is used to
store BIOS settings.

It was traditionally called

CMOS RAM because it used a
volatile, low-power
complementary metal- oxide-
semiconductor (CMOS) SRAM
(such as Motorola MC146818 or
similar) powered by a small
battery when system power was
off.
CMOS

• the CMOS chip is used to hold and record all the basic setups of
the computer system such as the number of hard disks installed,
the system date and time, and if other computer peripherals are
connected to it such as modem, sound card and others.

• The CMOS is a type of semi-conductor design technology that

consumes less electrical energy.

• In desktop personal computer, this chip is powered by a battery.

• All settings of hardware and software are recorded on CMOS

chip.
 ROM ( read only memory)
• is non-volatile type of memory because the program
and data stored into it are permanent.
• ROM is non-volatile
• Data are stored permanently
• Data can only be read but cannot be changed

• The ROM is used to check the basic subsystems of the

computer hardware in order to ensure that all basic
parts are working and in good condition. Otherwise, the
ROM won’t let the computer to function.
• Store instructions and tell the computer how to load the
operations system when booting up
• Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
BIOS
• Basic Input Output System
• Collection of very small programs that enable the system to
communicate with the hardware during the boot process
• Permanently stored in ROM chip
• The BIOS (basic input/output system) is firmware stored in a chip
on your computer's motherboard. It is the first program that runs
when you turn on your computer.
Functions of the BIOS
• When you first turn on your PC
• Your PC requires information
• to detect PC components
• To find the operating system(floppy disk, hard drive, or a CD-ROM)
• This information is stored in the BIOS
• Bootstrap loader loads Booting Files while Starting Computer
• Having 4 tests: Start Test, Hard Drive Test, Memory Test &
Battery Test
POST

• The BIOS is boot firmware, designed to

be the first code run by a PC when
powered on. The initial function of the
BIOS is to identify, test, and initialize
system devices such as the video display
card, hard disk, and other hardware.
• The BIOS performs the POST (power-on
self-test), which initializes and tests your
computer's hardware. Then it locates and
runs your boot loader, or loads
your operating system directly.
 POST
(Power On Self Test)

• Takes place right after you power on.

• Contains diagnostic routines for
• initializing the hardware and peripherals
• the video card, the main memory, the processor, the keyboard, etc.
• Checking their functions
• Error message on screen if an error is detected. If monitor cannot be detected,
the beep codes are output by the system loud speaker.
Bootstrap Loader

• Alternatively called bootstrapping, bootloader, or boot

program, a bootstrap loader is a program that resides in the
computer's EPROM (erasable programmable read-only
memory), ROM (read-only memory), or another non-volatile
memory.
• It is automatically executed by the processor when turning on
the computer. The bootstrap loader reads the hard drives boot
sector to continue to load the computer's operating system.
• When the computer is turned on or restarted, the bootstrap
loader first performs the power-on self-test, also known as
POST (power-on self-test). If the POST is successful and no
issues are found, the bootstrap loader loads the operating
system for the computer into memory. The computer can then
access, load, and run the operating system.
RAM

• Random Access Memory

• a type of data storage (memory element) used in computers that
temporarily stores programs and data.
• RAM only holds onto data and programs while the computer is on.
• All information that was stored in RAM is erased when the computer
is turned off.
 Random-access memory
• Random access memory (RAM) is a form
of computer data storage. A random access
device allows stored data to be accessed in any
order in very nearly the same amount of time
for any storage location or size of memory
device. A device such as a magnetic
tape requires increasing time to access data
stored on parts of the tape that are far from
the ends.
• Memory devices (such as floppy discs, CDs and DVDs) can
access the storage data only in a predetermined order,
because of mechanical design limitations; the time to access
a given part of the device varies significantly due to its
physical location.
 Bus
A collection of wires through which data is transmitted from one part of a
computer to another. You can think of a bus as a highway on which data travels
within a computer. When used in reference to personal computers, the term bus
usually refers to internal bus. This is a bus that connects all the internal
computer components to the CPU and main memory. There's also an expansion
bus that enables expansion boards to access the CPU and memory.
Examples include PCI and PCI express for expansion boards and SATA for
hard drives.