Core Hardware Lecture 2

1. Lecture 2
Core Hardware and PC Maintenance

2. Outline
• CPU
• Components of CPU
• RAM
• ROM
• VGA Card
• Network Card
• Modem

3. CPU
• Also called processor, central processor and microprocessor
• Brain of computer.
• A CPU handles all instructions it receives
from hardware and software running on the computer.
• The CPU's main function is to take input from
a peripheral (keyboard, mouse, printer, etc) or computer program,
and interpret what it needs.

4. Components of CPU
• In the CPU, there are two primary components.
• ALU (arithmetic logic unit) - performs mathematical,
logical, and decision operations.
• CU (control unit) - directs all the processors
operations.

5. RAM
• Alternatively referred to as main memory, primary
memory, or system memory, RAM (random-access
memory).
• It is a hardware device that allows information to be
stored and retrieved on a computer.
• We can’t run computer without RAM.
• It is a volatile memory that means when we turn off
computer, the data stored in RAM vanishes away.
• RAM is faster than hard drive memory.

6. ROM
• As the name suggests, read-only memory, or ROM,
stores information that can only be read.
• Modifying ROM is either impossible or very difficult.
• ROM is also a type of non-volatile storage, which
means that the information is maintained even if the
component loses power.
• It contains the basic instructions for what needs to
happen when a computer is powered on. This is
typically referred to as the firmware of a computer.
• Firmware is also referred to as BIOS, or basic
input/output system.

7. VGA Card
• Short for Video Graphics Adapter or Video Graphics
Array
• VGA is used to provide display

8. Network Card
• Short for network interface card, the NIC is also
referred to as an Ethernet card and network
adapter.
• A NIC is a computer expansion card for connecting
to a network (e.g., home network or Internet) using
an Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector.

9. Modem
• A modem is a hardware device that connects
a computer or router to a broadband network.
• Short for modulator/demodulator, a modem is
a hardware device that allows a computer to send
and receive information over telephone lines.
• When sending a signal, the device converts
("modulates") digital data to an analog audio
signal, and transmits it over a telephone line.
Similarly, when an analog signal is received, the
modem converts it back ("demodulates" it) to a
digital signal.
• Analogue -> digital = demodulation
• Digital -> analogue = modulation