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LECTURE 5: COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware – is the physical components of the computer system whether internal or external that are intangible
in nature.

The components of the internal hardware (organization) are:

 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 Memory Unit
 Input and Output (I/O) Unit

And the external hardware (peripherals) are categories into:

1. Input Hardware
2. Processing Hardware
3. Storage Hardware
4. Output Hardware
5. Communication Hardware

INTERNAL HARDWARE

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

 the most important part of hardware.
 also known as central processor.

Components of CPU

a. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

 operation such as MDAS, are performed by ALU.
o Arithmetic – MDAS (Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction).
 Logical – Yes, No, Or, Not.

b. Central Unit (CU) – functions: decodes program instructions and directs other components of
the computer to perform that task specified in the programs instructions.
c. Primary Storage – stores the program instructions currently being executed and also stores
the data while being process by the CPU.
d. Registers
 it can say the CPU memory.
 serve as primary unit of CPU memory.
 are special temporary storage which quickly accepts, stores, and transfers data and
instructions for immediate use.
 14 word read and write memory.

2. Memory Unit – does not only store data and instructions before the execution but as well as the
processed data.

Computer Memory – under the internal and external memory.

Internal Memory – such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read-Only Memory (ROM).

 Random Access Memory (RAM)

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 refers to as main memory or primary memory.

 it is a volatile type.
Volatile Type – memory which stores data and instructions that have been input are
waiting to be processed, stores the results of processing until they are released to the
output devices.

 can be read and alter by the computer.

It is a read/write memory because information can be read from it or can be written

into it. Once the computer is turned off, the information stored in the RAM is erased.

Examples:
o Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)
o Synchronized Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM)
o Static Random Access Memory (SRAM)

4 Types of RAM:
a. Conventional Memory
b. Upper Memory
c. Extended Memory
d. Expanded Memory

 Read-Only Memory (ROM)

 Contains permanently stored instructions that cannot be changed.
 Enable the computer to perform basic operations such as its start-up procedure.
 can be read by the computer but not alter (fixed).

It is possible to read a ROM, but it is possible to write a new data into it.

Examples:
o Basic Input Output System (BIOS)
o Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CDROM)

3 Variations on ROM:
a. Programmable Read-Only Memory(PROM)
b. Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM)
c. Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)

External Memory –hard drives, CD’s / CD ROM’s, Magnetic Floppy Disc

Secondary Memory
 also known as auxiliary memory.
 It is a non-volatile type of memory that is responsible for keepings files permanently.

It has two types:

a. Sequential Storage (Example: tapes)
b. Direct-access storage devices (Example: diskettes)

3. Input and Output (I/O) Unit

 allows communication between the computer and its outside world via input and output devices.
 it is an entity within a computer responsible for the control of one or more external devices, and for
the exchange of data between those devices and the CPU and/or main memory.

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Example:
o input data can be accepted using the keyboard
o the processing will be done internally with the CPU and memory
o the output data can be viewed using the monitor

EXTERNAL HARDWARE/PERIPHERALS

Peripherals – refer to the external devices attached to the computer that is, they cannot function without the
computer.

Categories of External Hardware

1. Input Hardware–to accept or collect data and convert it into a form suitable for processing (see Lecture
5).

2. Processing Hardware– to retrieve and execute the instructions (in the form of computer programs)
provided to the computer.

Main Components:
o Central Processing Unit (CPU) – the ‘brain’ of the computer.
o Main Memory – it is where all instructions or data that are ready for processing are stored.

System Unit – it contains electrical components that make the computer works.

o Power Supply
 It is a device that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power to run
the computer.
 It generates a lot of heat, therefore, a sort of electric fan is placed inside the system
unit to prevent the power supply and other components from overheating.

o Motherboard
 It is the main circuit board in the system unit.
 It houses the CPU chip, main memory chips and expansion slots where other
additional components such can be plugged-in.

o CPU
 The microprocessor chip.
Microprocessor Chip – is a single piece of silicon containing millions of electrical
components.

3 Types of Microprocessor:
a. Intel-type 86 series
b. Motorola-type 68000-series
c. Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) Chips

o Specialized Processor Chips. These chips help speed up your computer system.
o System Clock. The clock that controls how fast all operations within a computer are
performed. Speeds are measured in megahertz (MHz), with 1 MHz equal to 1 million beats
(cycles) per second.
o RAM Chips. The chips that temporarily hold data and instruction that will be needed shortly by
the CPU.
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o ROM Chips
 The chips containing programs that are built into the compute at the factory.
 These chips contain special instructions including those that execute when you turn
on the computer.
o Cache Memory. This is the special high-speed memory that the CPU can access quickly.
o Expansion Slots and Boards
 are sockets on the motherboard into which you can plug expansion cards, or boards.
 allow the addition of extra features such as mouse, memory expansions, and color
graphics to the computer.

o Bus Line
 is an electronic circuit that sends data and messages between the other components.
 concern with connection.
 flat cable with numerous parallel lines.
 a set of hardware lines, used for data transfer among the components of computer.

o Ports. The sockets on the outside of the system unit that each connected to an expansion
board on the inside of the system unit.

5 Types of Ports:
a. Parallel Ports
b. Serial Ports
c. Video Adapter Ports
d. Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) Ports
e. Game Ports

o Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Slots and Cards.
PCMCIA represents a new bus standard for notebooks, sub-notebooks, and pocket
computers.

3. Storage Hardware– to temporarily or permanently store data used for processing and the output of
such processing.

2 Types of Storage:
a. Primary Storage – it refers to main memory (RAM), which is volatile.
b. Secondary Storage – it refers to storage devices that retain data and instruction in a relatively
permanent (non-volatile) form.

Data on storage devices are measured in:

Bits 10111010
Bytes 8 bits (0-255 bits) uppercase and lower case characters
Kilobytes (KB) 1024 bytes
Megabytes (MB) 1 million bytes
Gigabytes (GB) billion bytes
Terabytes (TB) trillion bytes

Examples of Storage Devices:

o Diskettes – is a random access, removable data storage medium that can be used with
personal computers. 
o Hard Disks – is part of a unit that stores and provides relatively quick access to large amounts
of data on an electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces. 
o Optical Storage – is any storage method in which data is written and read with a laser for
archival or backup purposes. 

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Types:
a. Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)
b. Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R)
c. Write Once, Read Many (WORM)

o Magnetic Tape – a sequential file storage represented by various arrangements of

magnetized spots along the width of the tape.
o Magnetic Disk – a metal plotter where data is represented by magnetized spots on the tracks.
o Magnetic Strip – a recording medium of a data cell device capable of storing 400 million bytes
of data.
o Paper Tape – a continuous strip of paper wound on a reel where data is represented by holes
punched on the paper tape.
o Drum – a recording medium of data represented by magnetized a spot that is coated with
magnetically material divided into tracks.
o Continuous Forms – long sheets of paper where data is represented thru print outs.
o Computer Output Microfilm (COM) – stores large volume of information printed or
photographed as a very small images on sheets or roll of film called Microfiche.
o Flash Memory – uses circuitry on credit-cards (PC cards) that can be inserted into slots
connecting to the motherboard.
o Bubble Memory – uses electromagnetic bubbles that move circular motion past the equivalent
of a read/write head. The presence of a bubble is considered a binary 1 its absence a binary
0.
o Advanced Storage Technology – refers to a new ways scientists keep finding a store more in
a smaller space.

4. Output Hardware–to provide a means for the user to view information produced by the computer
system. It consists of devices that translate information processed by the computer into form that
humans can understand (see Lecture 6).

5. Communication Hardware– to facilitate the connection between computers connected with a network
of computers over phone lines and other channels (see Lecture 7).

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