hardware
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Hardware refers to the tangible parts of computer systems and typically includes support for processing, storage, input, and output.
Hardware
• Processing• Storage• I/O
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware
In this section:
In this section:
Processing carries out the instructions provided by software using specially designed circuitry and a well-defined routine to transform data into useful outputs.
Processing
• Transistor• Integrated Circuit• Central Processing
Unit
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing
• Multicore Processor• Moore’s Law• Multiprocessing
• Motherboard• Bus • Machine Cycle
A transistor is an electronics component typically composed of silicon that opens or closes a circuit to alter the flow of electricity to store and manipulate bits.
Transistor
Links:PBS: Transistorized!
BBC News: Chips pass two billion milestoneIntel: How Transistors Work
When electricity is flowing through a transistor, it represents a 1; when it is not flowing, it represents a 0.
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Transistor
Integrated Circuit
An integrated circuit connects tiny transistors and other electronics components on a thin piece of semiconductive material such as silicon.
Links:Intel: How Chips are Made
Nobelprize.org: The History of the Integrated Circuit
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing > Integrated Circuit
Central Processing UnitThe Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a group of circuits that perform the processing in a computer, typically in one integrated circuit called a microprocessor.
Links:Intel: Silicon Technology from IntelIntel: How Microprocessors Work
Intel microprocessors AMD microprocessors
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing > Central Processing Unit
Most of today’s microprocessors contain multiple CPUs or cores. Multicore processors, such as dual core (two processors) and quad core (four processors), use an architecture that allows the cores to work together for faster processing.
Multi-Core Processor
Multicore processors such as dual core, triple core, and quad core combine multiple CPUs on one chip to share the workload and speed up processing.
Links:AMD Multi-Core ProcessorsIntel Multi-Core Technology
Intel News Release: Intel Research Advances ‘Era Of Tera’CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing > Multi-Core Processor
Multicore processors are used in computers other than PCs. Some of the fastest multicore processors are used in graphics processors (GPUs) powering game consoles. They are also used in servers, supercomputers, and embedded systems.
Moore’s Law
Moore’s Law states that the number of transistors on a chip will double about every two years.
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing > Moore’s Law
Links:Intel: Moore’s Law
Intel: No Exponential Is Forever Intel: World’s First 2-Billion Transistor Microprocessor
Intel: Revolutionizing How We Use Technology—Today and BeyondIntel: Hafnium-based Intel 45nm Process Technology
Multiprocessing
Multiprocessing is processing that occurs using more than one processing unit, to increase productivity and performance.
Links:Apple Mac Pro
Silicon Graphics Octane2IBM: The Roadrunner Project
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing > Multiprocessing
MotherboardThe motherboard is the primary circuit of a computer to which all core components are connected including the CPU.
Links:MacBook Air motherboard
iPhone motherboardYouTube video: Alienware Thermaltake Liquid Cooling
Apple Mac Pro Processor My Super PC: How To Build A PCCT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing > Motherboard
The motherboard connects all of a computer’s components together and enables them to communicate. Both general-purpose and special-purpose computers utilize motherboards.
Bus
The bus is a subsystem on the motherboard that transfers data among system components.
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing > Bus
Links:Intel Developer Network for PCI Express Architecture
Understanding System Memory and CPU Speeds
FSB speeds
Machine Cycle
The machine cycle is used as an orderly method of processing software instructions.
Links:Being Fluent with Information Technology
Information LiteracyComputer literacy standards
Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³)CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Processing > Machine Cycle
In computing and digital technologies, storage refers to the ability to maintain data within the system temporarily or permanently.
Storage
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Video Memory• Read Only Memory
(ROM)
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Storage
• Magnetic Storage• Optical Storage• Solid-State Storage
In this section:
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random access memory (RAM) is temporary, or volatile, memory that stores bytes of data and program instructions for the processor to access.
Links:Crucial, the Memory Experts
Hardware Secrets: How to Upgrade your Notebook MemoryeHow: How to Install RAM
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Storage > Random Access Memory (RAM)
Video memory, sometimes called video RAM, VRAM, or graphics memory, is used to store image data for a computer display in order to speed the processing and display of video and graphics images.
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Storage > Video Memory
Links:Karbo’s Guide: The video card
Most of today’s PCs come equipped with at least 256 MB of video memory and may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) to process the graphics and take the load off the CPU.
Video Memory
Read-only memory (ROM) provides permanent storage for data and instructions that do not change, such as firmware—programs and data from the computer manufacturer, including the boot process used to start the computer.
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Storage > Read Only Memory (ROM)
Read Only Memory (ROM)
The software stored in ROM in many different types of digital devices is sometimes called firmware. Firmware may be updated over time to correct bugs or provide additional functionality.
Magnetic storage is a storage technology that uses the magnetic properties of iron oxide particles to store bits and bytes more permanently than RAM using magnetic properties rather than electric charges.
Links:StorageReview
PC Magazine
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Storage > Magnetic Storage
Magnetic Storage
Optical Storage
Links:CNET optical drive reviews
PC Magazine hard drive reviewsInPhase Technologies holographic storage
Optical storage media, such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, store bits by using an optical laser to burn pits into the surface of a highly reflective disc. A pit in a specified location represents a 0 and the lack of a pit represents a 1.
Optical storage represents bits using microscopic pits burned into the disc surface with a laser.
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Storage > Optical Storage
Solid-State Storage
A solid-state storage device stores data using solid-state electronics such as transistors, rather than the magnetic technology of disks or tape, and does not require any moving mechanical parts.
A USB thumb drive
8 GB comes in a tiny package for your cell phone.
Flash drives attach to a USB port and come in a variety of shapes and styles
Solid state drive.
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > Storage > Solid-State Storage
I/O refers to input and output—the manner in which data is received into a computer system, and the manner in which information and the results of processing are provided to the user from a computer system.
I/O
• Input Device• Output Device
In this section:
• Video Card• Expansion
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > I/O
Input Device
Links:CNET input device reviews
Kombo.com: Evolution of Game ControllersCT3 > Concepts > Hardware > I/O > Input Device
An input device assists in capturing and entering data into a computer system.
Output Device
An output device allows a user to observe the results of computer processing with one or more senses.
Links:Myvu head-mounted display for iPod
The Scent Dome from TriSenxCNET monitor buying guide
CNET television buying guideCNET printer reviews
CNET: Best Computer SpeakersZ Corporation
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > I/O > Output Device
Video Card
A video card combines video processing and storage onto an expansion card, or integrated onto the motherboard to manage video images for display.
Links:CNET graphics card reviews
NVIDIA (graphics card manufacturer)AMD (ATI) (graphics card manufacturer)
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > I/O > Video Card
Video cards combine powerful graphics processing and memory for realistic 3D real-time image rendering..
Expansion CardExpansion refers to a computer’s capacity to interface with a variety of external devices such as I/O devices, network devices, and storage devices by connecting through ports, slots, and wireless technologies.
Links:Smart Computing: How To Install Ports & Expansion Cards
USB devices at USB GeekTop 10 weirdest USB devices ever
CT3 > Concepts > Hardware > I/O > Expansion Card
The universal serial bus, or USB, standardizes expansion around one type of interface and connector.
A Wireless Connect Card utilizes a notebook computer’s PCMCIA port or USB port to connect to the Internet over a cell phone network.