© 2009 prentice-hall, inc. 1. 2 technology in action chapter 6 understanding and assessing...


Technology in ActionTechnology in Action

Chapter 6Chapter 6

Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System Evaluating Your System


Chapter Topics Chapter Topics

• To buy or upgrade?To buy or upgrade?• Evaluating your system: Evaluating your system:

– CPUCPU– RAMRAM– Storage devicesStorage devices– Video outputVideo output– Sound systemsSound systems– Computer portsComputer ports

• System reliabilitySystem reliability


To Buy or To Upgrade?To Buy or To Upgrade?

• Things to Things to consider:consider:– Moore’s LawMoore’s Law– Cost of Cost of

upgrading vs. upgrading vs. buyingbuying

– Time installing Time installing software and software and filesfiles

– Needs and Needs and wantswants


Assessing Your Hardware: Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your SystemEvaluating Your System

• Assess the computer’s subsystemsAssess the computer’s subsystems

• The subsystems includeThe subsystems include– CPUCPU– RAMRAM– Storage devicesStorage devices– VideoVideo– AudioAudio– PortsPorts


Desktop or NotebookDesktop or Notebook

• DesktopDesktop– Hard to move aroundHard to move around– Less expensiveLess expensive– Harder to stealHarder to steal– Easier to upgradeEasier to upgrade– Difficult to ship Difficult to ship

(repairs)(repairs)

• NotebookNotebook– PortablePortable– More expensiveMore expensive– Easily stolenEasily stolen– Difficult to upgradeDifficult to upgrade– Prone to damageProne to damage


Evaluating the CPUEvaluating the CPU

• How does the CPU work?How does the CPU work?– Control unitControl unit– Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)– Machine cycle:Machine cycle:

• FetchFetch• DecodeDecode• ExecuteExecute• Store Store

– Speed:Speed:• MHzMHz• GHzGHz


Evaluating Other CPU FeaturesEvaluating Other CPU Features

• Front side bus and cache memoryFront side bus and cache memory

• Some CPUs are optimized to process Some CPUs are optimized to process multimedia instructionsmultimedia instructions

• Intel CPUs called core duo processorsIntel CPUs called core duo processors– Use less power than dual processorsUse less power than dual processors– Increase multitasking performanceIncrease multitasking performance


Upgrading the CPUUpgrading the CPU

• Expensive Expensive • Easy to installEasy to install• Motherboard Motherboard

compatibilitycompatibility


Evaluating RAMEvaluating RAM

• Random access memory (RAM):Random access memory (RAM):– Temporary storage (memory)Temporary storage (memory)– VolatileVolatile

• Memory modules fit on motherboardMemory modules fit on motherboard– Most are Most are called dual inline memory modules (DIMMs)

• Types of RAM:Types of RAM:– DDRDDR– DDR2DDR2– SRAMSRAM– DRAMDRAM– SDRAMSDRAM


How Much Ram Do You Need?How Much Ram Do You Need?• Physical memory vs. kernel memoryPhysical memory vs. kernel memory• Need RAM for system software, productivity Need RAM for system software, productivity

software, entertainment, graphics programssoftware, entertainment, graphics programs


Virtual MemoryVirtual Memory• Memory bound systemMemory bound system• Virtual memoryVirtual memory• Page filePage file• Drawback = speedDrawback = speed• Increasing RAM can avoid this problem Increasing RAM can avoid this problem


Adding RAMAdding RAM• Increases system performanceIncreases system performance

• Things to consider:Things to consider:– Type of RAM moduleType of RAM module– Amount of RAM:Amount of RAM:

• Maximum limitMaximum limit• Number of slotsNumber of slots• Operating systemOperating system• Applications running at the same timeApplications running at the same time


Evaluating StorageEvaluating Storage

• Types of storage devices:Types of storage devices:– Hard driveHard drive– Floppy driveFloppy drive– Zip disk driveZip disk drive– CD/DVDCD/DVD– Flash memoryFlash memory

• Nonvolatile storageNonvolatile storage


The Hard Disk DriveThe Hard Disk Drive

• Storage capacity up to 1.5 Storage capacity up to 1.5 Terabytes (TB)Terabytes (TB)

• Access time is measured in Access time is measured in millisecondsmilliseconds

• Data transfer rate is Data transfer rate is measured in megabits or measured in megabits or megabytes per secondmegabytes per second

• Spindle speed is measured Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute in revolutions per minute (rpm)(rpm)


How a Hard Disk WorksHow a Hard Disk Works• Composed of coated Composed of coated

platters stacked platters stacked on a spindleon a spindle

• Data saved to the disk: Data saved to the disk: pattern of magnetized pattern of magnetized spotsspots– Spots = 1– Spots = 1– Spaces = 0– Spaces = 0

• Between platters are Between platters are read/write headsread/write heads

• Spots are translated Spots are translated into datainto data

Platters Read/write head

Access arms


Portable StoragePortable Storage• Provides the ability to move data from one Provides the ability to move data from one

computer to anothercomputer to another• Portable storage devices:Portable storage devices:

– Floppy diskFloppy disk– CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RWCD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW– Flash driveFlash drive– Flash memory cardFlash memory card– Portable hard drivePortable hard drive


CDs and DVDsCDs and DVDs

• Optical media: SOptical media: Store data as tiny pits burned into a disk by a laser– CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RWCD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW– DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RWDVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW– Blu-ray diskBlu-ray disk

• LaserLaser– Pits scatter laser light Pits scatter laser light

equaling a 1equaling a 1– Nonpitted area reflects laser Nonpitted area reflects laser

light equaling a 0light equaling a 0


Upgrading StorageUpgrading Storage

• Hard drive options:Hard drive options:– Replace current drive with a larger capacity driveReplace current drive with a larger capacity drive– Install an additional hard driveInstall an additional hard drive

• Other options:Other options:– Replace CD ROM with Replace CD ROM with

CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RWCD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW– Flash card readerFlash card reader– Flash memory driveFlash memory drive


Evaluating VideoEvaluating Video

• Two components:Two components:– Video card (adapter)Video card (adapter)– Monitor Monitor


Video CardsVideo Cards

• Process binary data into imagesProcess binary data into images• Contain memory known as video memoryContain memory known as video memory• Control the number of colors a monitor can Control the number of colors a monitor can

display (bit depth)display (bit depth)– Standard VGAStandard VGA– True color (SVGA)True color (SVGA)


Monitors Monitors

• Things to consider:Things to consider:– Types: CRT or LCDTypes: CRT or LCD– Size: Size:

• 15, 17, 19, 21, 30 inch15, 17, 19, 21, 30 inch

– Resolution:Resolution:• Increasing resolution allows more Increasing resolution allows more

to be displayedto be displayed

– Dot pitch:Dot pitch:• .31mm or less .31mm or less

– Refresh rate:Refresh rate:• 75 Hz or higher75 Hz or higher


LCD MonitorsLCD Monitors

• Aspect ratioAspect ratio

• Contrast ratioContrast ratio

• BrightnessBrightness

• Pixel response ratePixel response rate

• Digital (DVI)Digital (DVI)


Evaluating AudioEvaluating Audio• Speakers:Speakers:

– Amplified Amplified – Not amplifiedNot amplified– SubwooferSubwoofer


Evaluating AudioEvaluating Audio

• Sound card:Sound card:– Attach to motherboardAttach to motherboard– Process digital data into Process digital data into

soundssounds– 3D sound cards3D sound cards– Surround soundSurround sound

• Dolby Digital EXDolby Digital EX• Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus• Dolby TrueHDDolby TrueHD


Evaluating PortsEvaluating Ports

• Ports are used to connect peripheral Ports are used to connect peripheral devices to the computerdevices to the computer

• Things to consider:Things to consider:– Devices you want to useDevices you want to use– Ports needed for the devicesPorts needed for the devices


Types of PortsTypes of Ports• Universal serial bus Universal serial bus

– Transfer speed up to Transfer speed up to 480 Mbps; hot 480 Mbps; hot swappingswapping

USB Port

USB Connector


Types of PortsTypes of Ports• FireWireFireWire

– Transfer rate of 400 Transfer rate of 400 Mbps; Digital Mbps; Digital camerascameras

– Newer FireWire 800 Newer FireWire 800 is fastest is fastest

FireWire Port

FireWire Connector


Types of PortsTypes of Ports• EthernetEthernet

– Fast Ethernet: Transfer Fast Ethernet: Transfer rate of 100 Mbpsrate of 100 Mbps

– Connects computers to Connects computers to networksnetworks

Ethernet Port

Ethernet jack


Types of PortsTypes of Ports• Serial portSerial port

– Transfers data one bit at a timeTransfers data one bit at a time– Max speed: 56KbpsMax speed: 56Kbps


Types of PortsTypes of Ports• ParallelParallel

– Transfers eight Transfers eight bits of data bits of data simultaneouslysimultaneously

– Max speed: 12 Max speed: 12 MbpsMbps


Types of PortsTypes of Ports• IrDAIrDA

– Transfer rate of 4 Transfer rate of 4 MbpsMbps

– Uses infrared light Uses infrared light waveswaves

IrDA


Types of PortsTypes of Ports

• BluetoothBluetooth– Transfer rate of 1 Transfer rate of 1

Mbps to 3 MbpsMbps to 3 Mbps– Radio waves send Radio waves send

data over short data over short distancesdistances


Types of PortsTypes of Ports

• MIDI PortMIDI Port– Musical Instrument Digital InterfaceMusical Instrument Digital Interface– 31.5 Kbps transfer rate31.5 Kbps transfer rate


Adding PortsAdding Ports

• Expansion cards:Expansion cards:– New port New port

standardsstandards

• Expansion hubs:Expansion hubs:– Enable several Enable several

devices to be devices to be connected to a connected to a portport


Evaluating System ReliabilityEvaluating System Reliability

• Performance:Performance:– Is slowIs slow– FreezesFreezes– Crashes Crashes

• Upkeep and maintenance:Upkeep and maintenance:– System toolsSystem tools– Control panelControl panel– Update software and hardware Update software and hardware

driversdrivers


Upkeep and MaintenanceUpkeep and Maintenance

• System tools:System tools:– Disk defragmenterDisk defragmenter– Disk cleanupDisk cleanup– Add/remove programsAdd/remove programs


Update Software and Update Software and Hardware DriversHardware Drivers

• Software:Software:– Automatic Automatic

updatesupdates– Patches Patches

• Hardware:Hardware:– Download Download

updated driversupdated drivers


The Last ResortThe Last Resort

• If problems persist:If problems persist:– Reinstall the operating systemReinstall the operating system– Upgrade the operating system to the latest Upgrade the operating system to the latest

versionversion


The Final DecisionThe Final Decision

• How closely does your system come to How closely does your system come to meeting your needs?meeting your needs?

• How much would it cost to upgrade your How much would it cost to upgrade your system?system?

• How much would it cost to purchase a new How much would it cost to purchase a new system?system?


Chapter 6 Summary QuestionsChapter 6 Summary Questions

• How can I determine whether I should How can I determine whether I should upgrade my existing computer or buy a upgrade my existing computer or buy a new one?new one?



• What does the CPU do, and how can I What does the CPU do, and how can I evaluate its performance?evaluate its performance?



• How does memory work How does memory work in my computer, and how can I evaluate how much and how can I evaluate how much memory I need?memory I need?



• What are the computer’s main storage What are the computer’s main storage devices, and how can I evaluate whether devices, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?they match my needs?



• What components affect the output of What components affect the output of video, and how can I evaluate whether video, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?they match my needs?



• What components affect my computer’s sound quality, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?



• What are the ports available on desktop computers, and how can I determine what ports I need?



• How can I ensure the reliability of my How can I ensure the reliability of my system?system?

© 2009 prentice-hall, inc. 1. 2 technology in action chapter 6 understanding and assessing...

Documents

system slide

ram random access memory

kernel memory need ram

problemincreasing ram

system software

time slide

damage slide

problem slide