Unit 2 Computer System
,P1. Explain the function of computer hardware components
There are many different hardware components which make up a computer and most of these are
important parts as without these parts the computer cannot function properly.
Processor
The processor commonly known as the CPU or central processing unit and is considered the brain of the
computer which carries out instructions of a computer program by performing
basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output operations which are specified
by the instructions. The processor is located on the motherboard and it controls the
computer. most. To avoid overheating when executing multiple instructions there
is fan which is on top of the heatsink. Many processors are now multi core and
therefore the performance in total is increased. There are various benefits for this
such as lower power consumption and improved performance. The speed of the
processor is measured in gigahertz (GHz) and most of the computers now have a
CPU of either intel or AMD with newer technology and many cores.
CPU – fetch-decode execute cycle
The important operation of most of the CPUs, regardless of the physical form they take is the executing a
sequence of stored instructions called a program. This is done by using the fetch-decode and execute
cycle.
Fetch
Fetch involves the retrieving of instructions from a program memory, the location in program memory is
determined by a program counter, CPUs track in the current program is kept by the program counter.
Often the instructions to be fetched must be retrieved from relatively slow memory which causes the CPU
to stall while waiting for the instructions to be returned.
Decode
The instruction that the CPU fetches from memory is used to determine what the CPU has to do. In the
decode step, the instruction is broken up into parts that have significance to other portions of the CPU.
The way in which the numerical instruction value is interpreted is defined by the CPU's instruction set
architecture (ISA).
Often, one group of numbers in the instruction, called the opcode, indicates which operation to perform.
The remaining parts of the number usually provide information required for that instruction, such as
operands for an addition operation.
Execute
During this step, various portions of the CPU are connected so they can perform the desired operation. If,
for instance, an addition operation was requested, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) will be connected to a set
of inputs and a set of outputs. The inputs provide the numbers to be added, and the outputs will contain the
final sum.
, Motherboard
The motherboard is a circuit board which connects all the components in a computer together and is the
most important component of the computer, it is usually considered
the heard of the computer. CPU, RAM, hard drive, SSD, power supply
and much more are connected to the motherboard. The motherboard
can direct the flow of power through each of the components and
allows the components to communicate with each other. Each
component has a specific slot on the motherboard which connects
those components to the computer system. Although not all
motherboards are the same some have different slots, layouts so
therefore when a user is building a computer this must made sure that
the motherboard support all the components.
BIOS
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System is a piece of firmware which controls the input and the output
operations and how the computer boots up. BIOS is also responsible for making sure that all the hardware
components in the computer are working properly so it ensures that the computer can boot up and run
properly this is called the Power On Self-Test (POST). This is essential as the user wouldn’t be able to
interact with the PC if the keyboard is not functioning. The BIOS acts in 4 main steps:
First it tests the computer for any possible errors
Second the bootstrap loader locates the code for the OS.
Thirdly the BIOS drivers give the computer basic operational
controls over the hardware.
Lastly, after the computer successfully loads up, the BIOS set-
up configuration program allows you to alter hardware and
system setting.
Fan and Heat Sink or Cooling
In every computer there is a cooling system which stops the components from
overheating when they are being used. CPU, RAM and graphic cards have increased in
power since the first computers were built and therefore produce a lot of heat, if there
is so much heat this can cause other components in the PC to malfunction causing them
to not work.
PSU
Also known as Power Supplying Unit, it is a hardware component which supplies power to the PC, it
changes the AC current from the mains to DC current which the PC needs. this component is important
because if there is a spike in power it could damage the PC. Power supply can easily overheat so it has its
own fan to cool it. The power supply unit contains resistors which ensures that the current and voltage is
controlled and so any fuses in the computer are not blown.
,P1. Explain the function of computer hardware components
There are many different hardware components which make up a computer and most of these are
important parts as without these parts the computer cannot function properly.
Processor
The processor commonly known as the CPU or central processing unit and is considered the brain of the
computer which carries out instructions of a computer program by performing
basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output operations which are specified
by the instructions. The processor is located on the motherboard and it controls the
computer. most. To avoid overheating when executing multiple instructions there
is fan which is on top of the heatsink. Many processors are now multi core and
therefore the performance in total is increased. There are various benefits for this
such as lower power consumption and improved performance. The speed of the
processor is measured in gigahertz (GHz) and most of the computers now have a
CPU of either intel or AMD with newer technology and many cores.
CPU – fetch-decode execute cycle
The important operation of most of the CPUs, regardless of the physical form they take is the executing a
sequence of stored instructions called a program. This is done by using the fetch-decode and execute
cycle.
Fetch
Fetch involves the retrieving of instructions from a program memory, the location in program memory is
determined by a program counter, CPUs track in the current program is kept by the program counter.
Often the instructions to be fetched must be retrieved from relatively slow memory which causes the CPU
to stall while waiting for the instructions to be returned.
Decode
The instruction that the CPU fetches from memory is used to determine what the CPU has to do. In the
decode step, the instruction is broken up into parts that have significance to other portions of the CPU.
The way in which the numerical instruction value is interpreted is defined by the CPU's instruction set
architecture (ISA).
Often, one group of numbers in the instruction, called the opcode, indicates which operation to perform.
The remaining parts of the number usually provide information required for that instruction, such as
operands for an addition operation.
Execute
During this step, various portions of the CPU are connected so they can perform the desired operation. If,
for instance, an addition operation was requested, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) will be connected to a set
of inputs and a set of outputs. The inputs provide the numbers to be added, and the outputs will contain the
final sum.
, Motherboard
The motherboard is a circuit board which connects all the components in a computer together and is the
most important component of the computer, it is usually considered
the heard of the computer. CPU, RAM, hard drive, SSD, power supply
and much more are connected to the motherboard. The motherboard
can direct the flow of power through each of the components and
allows the components to communicate with each other. Each
component has a specific slot on the motherboard which connects
those components to the computer system. Although not all
motherboards are the same some have different slots, layouts so
therefore when a user is building a computer this must made sure that
the motherboard support all the components.
BIOS
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System is a piece of firmware which controls the input and the output
operations and how the computer boots up. BIOS is also responsible for making sure that all the hardware
components in the computer are working properly so it ensures that the computer can boot up and run
properly this is called the Power On Self-Test (POST). This is essential as the user wouldn’t be able to
interact with the PC if the keyboard is not functioning. The BIOS acts in 4 main steps:
First it tests the computer for any possible errors
Second the bootstrap loader locates the code for the OS.
Thirdly the BIOS drivers give the computer basic operational
controls over the hardware.
Lastly, after the computer successfully loads up, the BIOS set-
up configuration program allows you to alter hardware and
system setting.
Fan and Heat Sink or Cooling
In every computer there is a cooling system which stops the components from
overheating when they are being used. CPU, RAM and graphic cards have increased in
power since the first computers were built and therefore produce a lot of heat, if there
is so much heat this can cause other components in the PC to malfunction causing them
to not work.
PSU
Also known as Power Supplying Unit, it is a hardware component which supplies power to the PC, it
changes the AC current from the mains to DC current which the PC needs. this component is important
because if there is a spike in power it could damage the PC. Power supply can easily overheat so it has its
own fan to cool it. The power supply unit contains resistors which ensures that the current and voltage is
controlled and so any fuses in the computer are not blown.
