Fundamental of

computers
Unit-2
• Block Diagram of Computer
• The System Unit
• Processor
• Motherboard
• Memory - Register, RAM, ROM
• Expansion Slots and Adaptor Cards
• Ports Connectors
• Storage Systems
• BIOS
Block Diagram of Computer
The block diagram represents how data and instructions flow between
the CPU, memory, and I/O devices, managed by the Control Unit. In
simple terms, a Block Diagram of a Computer helps us understand how
a computer works, from collecting input data, processing & formatting
the data, and generating the output results in the way user commands.
The computer system consists of three main parts: Input Units, CPU,
and Output Units.
Block Diagram of Computer
(continue)
• Below we have discussed step-by-step working of how data is
received and displayed on the computer.
Step 1: Input devices allow the users to provide data and commands to
the computer. The data inserted manually is collected by input devices
like keyboard, mouse, scanners, and others. These devices generate
electrical signals or data packets representing the input.
Step 2: The data generated by input devices is sent to the computer’s
input interface/Memory Unit which processes and formats the data for
further use by the computer.
Step 3: The processed input data is then sent to the computer’s Central
Processing Unit (CPU) which temporarily stores this data in memory
(RAM) for immediate processing. The CPU executes instructions related
to the input data.
• For example, if you’re typing a document, the Central Processing Unit
(CPU) processes the keystrokes and stores them in memory. The
control unit schedules all the activities for the smooth working of the
computer.
Step 4: After processing, the CPU sends the results or instructions to
the computer’s output interface where the data is formatted for
transmission to the output devices.
Step 5: Then the output unit receives the final processed output.
Output devices such as monitors, printers, speakers, and others receive
the formatted data. Monitors display visual information, printers
produce hard copies, and speakers play audio, based on the data they
receive
Input Devices of a computer
• The input devices in the computer system are Keyboard, mouse,
joystick, scanner, digital camera, barcode reader and Touch Screen.
These are used to communicate with the outside world. Some
commonly Input / Output devices are as follows:
• Keyboard
• It is a standard input device that allows the user to input alphabets, numbers
and other characters. It consists of a set of keys mounted on a board. They are
Numeric Keypad, Navigation Keys and Function Keys
• Mouse
• It is a pointing device. It is used to perform the tasks in a short way. It can be
used to select menu commands, size windows, start programs etc.
• Joystick
• The joystick is a vertical stick which moves the graphic cursor in a direction
the stick is moved. Joystick is used as an input device primarily used with
video games, training simulators and controlling robots
• Scanner
• Scanner is an input device used for direct data entry from the source
document into the computer system. It converts the document image into
digital form so that it can be fed into the computer. Capturing information like
this reduces the possibility of errors typically experienced during large data
• Bar code reader
• A bar code is a set of lines of different thicknesses that represent a number.
Bar Code Readers are used to input data from bar codes. Most products in
shops have bar codes on them. Bar code readers work by shining a beam of
light on the lines that make up the bar code and detecting the amount of light
that is reflected back
• Light Pen
• It is a pen shaped device used to select objects on a display screen. It is just
like the mouse (in its functionality) but uses a light pen to move the pointer
and select any object on the screen by pointing to the object. Users of
Computer Aided Design (CAD) applications commonly use the light pens to
directly draw on screen.
• Touch Screen
• It allows the user to operate selections by simply touching the display screen.
Common examples of touch screen include information kiosks, and bank
ATMs.
Output Devices of a computer
• The output devices in the Computer system are Monitor, Speaker,
Printer
• Monitors
• Monitor commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU) is the main output
device of a computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels, that are
arranged in a rectangular form. T he sharpness of the image depends upon
the no. of the pixels. T here are two kinds of monitors.
• Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT )
• Flat- Panel Display
• Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor
• In the CRT, display is made up of small picture elements called pixels for short.
T he smaller the pixels, the better the image clarity, or resolution. The most
screens are capable of displaying 80 characters of data horizontally and 25
lines vertically.
• Flat-Panel Display Monitor
• The flat-panel display refers to a class of video devices that have reduced
volume, weight and power requirement compare to the CRT. You can hang
them on walls. Current uses for flat panel displays include calculators, video
games, monitors, laptop computer, graphics display.
• Speakers
• The more complicated part of the sound output system is in the sound card.
The sound card translates digital sound into the electronic current that is sent
to the speakers.
• Printer
• Other important output device is the printer. Generally printers fall into two
categories. They are Impact and Non-impact. An impact printer creates an
image by pressing an inked ribbon against the paper, using pins and or
hammers to shape the image. An example of an impact printer is a typewriter.
Non-impact printers are used to print images. Laser printers work like
photocopies.
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
• In the computer system, ALU is a main component of the central processing
unit, which stands for arithmetic logic unit and performs arithmetic and logic
operations.
• It is also known as an integer unit (IU) that is an integrated circuit within a
CPU , which is the last component to perform calculations in the processor.
• It has the ability to perform all processes related to arithmetic and logic
operations such as addition, subtraction, and shifting operations, including
Boolean comparisons (XOR, OR, AND, and NOT operations).
• Also, binary numbers can accomplish mathematical and bitwise operations.
The arithmetic logic unit is split into AU (arithmetic unit) and LU (logic unit).
• The operands and code used by the ALU tell it which operations have to
perform according to input data. When the ALU completes the processing of
input, the information is sent to the computer's memory.
The System Unit
• A system unit is the main box-like structure of a computer with all the
essential components needed for the computer to work. Inside the
system unit, you'll find the brain of the computer called the CPU (or
central processing unit), the main circuit board (known as the
motherboard), and RAM (random access memory).
• It's like the “body” of the computer that houses all the important
parts that allow it to function and perform tasks. The term is generally
used to differentiate between the computer and its accessories (e.g.,
keyboard, mouse, or monitor).
What does a system unit do?
• Protection. The system unit shields internal components from
damage, dust, and debris, making sure the computer can run reliably.
• Organization. The system unit is designed with compartments to
neatly arrange the CPU, motherboard, memory, and storage.
• Communication. Components within the unit exchange data using the
motherboard's circuitry and connectors.
• Power distribution. The system unit also houses the power supply
(PSU) and converts outlet power for the computer’s components
(e.g., CPU).
• Cooling. Many units have fans and heat sinks to dissipate the heat
generated by the components. The system unit prevents the
computer from overheating.
• Expansion. The system unit's slots allow users to add extra hardware
components (like graphics, sound, or network cards) to customize
their machine.
• Interface. The unit offers ports to connect peripherals like monitors,
keyboards, and USB devices.
Processor
• The processor also known as CPU is a piece of hardware.
• It is often referred to as the “Brain of a PC” because all the
computations and processing are carried out directly or indirectly by
the processor containing millions of transistors.
• It is a single chip that is capable of processing data. In fact, the
performance, capability, and pricing of a computer system are largely
determined by the processor to present in it.
The primary functions of a processor
• Fetch
Every instruction has its own address and is stored in the main
memory. The CPU fetches the address of the instruction which is to be
executed from the program counter in the memory and performs the
instruction.
• Decode
The instruction that is to be executed is converted into binary code so
that the computer can easily understand it and perform the required
function. The process of conversion is known as decoding.
The primary functions of a processor
(continue)
• Execute
The process of performing the required task specified in the
instruction is known as execution The execution of the instruction
takes place in the CPU.
• Write back
After performing the instruction the CPU store the result in the
memory that process is known as a store or Write back.
Processor (continue)
The processor plays a significant role in the
following important aspects of a computer system.
• Performance
The processor is probably the most single determinant of system
performance in the PC. While other components such as memory,
hard disks, display adapters, etc. play key roles in determining
performance, the processor’s capabilities have the greatest impact on
the performance of a system. The core and clock speed of a processor
determines the speed of a PC. They tell us how much information can
be processed in how much time. In fact, the other devices present in
the system play their roles to allow the processor to reach its full
potential.
• Software support
Newer, the faster processor enables the use of the latest software,
which provides support for running heavy software on our PC and
saves our time by working efficiently and with faster processing.
• Reliability and Stability
The quality of the processor is one factor that determines how
reliably the system will run .while most processors are dependable
some processors or not. This also depends to some extent on the age
of the processor, energy consumption of the processor, motherboard,
power supply voltages, cooling, etc.
• Energy consumption and cooling
Originally processors consumed relatively little power compared to
other system devices. But some processors consume a great deal of
power. Power consumption has an impact on everything from cooling
device selection to overall system reliability.
• Motherboard Support
The processor is the system is a major determining factor in the
selection of chipset and the type of motherboard. The motherboard
in turns dictates many facets of the system’s capabilities and
performance.
Motherboard
• A computer is an electronic device that processes the data with
respect to the user’s requirements using IO devices. The data
processing takes place in a processor, an important component. The
processor is situated in a hardware circuit board called the
motherboard or printed circuit board (PCB).
• The first-ever motherboard was used by the IBM in early 1980s. It was
eventually called a planar. It is the main component through which
the communication takes place between the other components and
connects all the peripherals, therefore referred to as the
motherboard.
Features of Motherboard
• A motherboard comes with following features:
• Motherboard varies greatly in supporting various types of
components.
• Motherboard supports a single type of CPU and few types of
memories.
• Video cards, Hard drives, Sound cards have to be compatible with the
motherboard to function properly.
• Motherboard, Cases, and Power supplies must be compatible to work
properly together.
Types of Motherboard
1. Advanced Technology (AT) motherboard
• These motherboards have sockets and connectors with six prongs apiece for the
power connections. Users frequently have difficulties when attempting to connect
and use these power connections because it might be challenging to recognize
them. Such motherboards were very popular in the 1980s, and production of
them lasted well into the 2000s.
2. Standard ATX motherboard
• This motherboard comes in 305*244mm (length*breadth) dimensions, these
dimensions can vary with different manufacturer. This motherboard offers more
expansion slots, up to four slots for RAM, Two or sometimes more than two PCIe
slots for dual graphics cards and more USB and other ports for connectivity, also
its size gives space in between components for airflow to keep heat in control.
3. Micro ATX motherboard
• This motherboards come in 244*244 mm (length*breadth)
dimensions (these dimensions can vary with different manufacturer.).
This Motherboard has less ports and slots as compared to Standard
ATX board. This type of motherboard is more suitable for those who
don’t want to much connectivity and later upgrades like adding more
ram and additional GPU or Graphics card and adding PCI cards.
4. Mini ITX motherboard
• It is significant to note that the information technology extended (ITX)
motherboard does not exist in a standard size. The motherboard has
been reduced in size and made smaller than in previous generations
in its place. It was created in the 2000s, and it is 17 by 17 centimetres
in size.
5. Pico BTX motherboard
• These boards are referred to as Pico due to their small size when
compared to a regular motherboard. Despite the fact that the top half
of the BTX is shared, two expansion slots are supported. It is made to
satisfy the demands of digital applications, and its distinguishing
features include the half-height or riser cards.
Different type of Motherboard
Advantages of Motherboard
• A motherboard is the main component without it a computer cannot
function.
• Any peripheral can be connected and data transfer is faster.
Memory - Register, RAM, ROM
Register
• Registers are the smallest data holding elements that are built into
the processor itself. These are the memory locations that are directly
accessible by the processor. It may hold an instruction, a storage
address, or any kind of data such as a bit sequence or individual
characters. For example, an instruction may specify that the contents
of two defined registers be multiplied together and then placed in a
specific register. Example: Accumulator register, Program counter,
Instruction register, Address register, etc.
Memory
• Memory is a hardware device used to store computer programs,
instructions and data.
• The memory that is internal to the processor is a primary memory
(RAM), and the memory that is external to the processor is a
secondary memory (Hard Drive).
• RAM (Random Access Memory) is an example of volatile memory.
Non-volatile memory is the memory that keeps its contents even if
power gets lost.
• EPROM is an example of non-volatile memory. Example : RAM,
EPROM etc.
Difference between Register
and Memory :
Register Memory
Registers hold the operands or instruction that CPU is Memory holds the instructions and the data that the
currently processing. currently executing program in CPU requires
Register holds the small amount of data around 32- Memory of the computer can range from some GB to
bits to 64-bits. TB.
CPU can operate on register contents at the rate of CPU accesses memory at the slower rate than register.
more than one operation in one clock cycle.
Types are Accumulator register, Program counter, Type of memory are RAM, etc.
Instruction register, Address register, etc.
Registers can be control i.e. you can store and retrieve Memory is almost not controllable.
information from them.
Registers are faster than memory. RAM is much slower than registers.