Basic Computer Structure and Knowledge

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Basic Computer Structure
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Logical Structure of a computer includes:

• BIOS (The Basic Input Output System)
• CPU (The Processor)
• Memory / RAM (Temporary Storage)
• Hard Disk (Permanent Storage)
• Input / Output Device
• Communication Channel (Eg. USB)
• Bus (High Speed Internal Communication)
• Other Add-on Device… 

 
Example of a Computer Structure:

BIOS:

• Basic Input Output System
• Store all the parameter before the OS Load(Example are Hard Disk Size, MemorySpeed, Turn on or turn off the build in device such as Sound Card, USB, printer etc)
• Usually stored in Flash Memory

One of the BIOS Screen Dump:

Identify the Component - CPU:

• Central Processing Unit
• It is the core of a computer.
• Responsible for all the calculation and part of the video.
• Usually in the Speed of GHz
• 1G around 1,000 MHz
• 1M = 1Million Instruction / second
• Some Expensive CPU have more build in memory (Cache Memory)

How to Choose a CPU ?

• Mainly AMD / Intel Dominate the Market.
• In the current market you have several categories of microprocessors to choose for your desktop computers: Xeon, Pentium IV, Celeron, Dual Core, Quad Core, Athlon, and AMDX64 etc.
• Price vs. Performance: There is typically no good correlation between these two factors, especially at the top speeds. Average users should not purchase the top-speed on the market. The price difference is not worthy of the performance difference.
• Based on your budget, find a suitable CPU.

Memory / RAM :

RAM – Random Access Memory:

• Act as a temporary Storage.
• EDO > SDRAM > DDR > DDR2
• All data stored in memory are volatile. (Need electricity to keep the data)
• Memory Size is around 256M / 512M / 1G / 2G per memory module
• Basic Configuration is around 512M RAM

Hard Disk (ATA / SATA / SCSI) :

• Used to stored data permanently.
• Different Type of Hard Disk Size (3.5”, 2.5”, 1.8”, Micro Drive)
• Different Interface : ATA / SATA / SCSI (Speed : ATA < SATA < SCSI)
• Different Speed (Mechanical) (4,200rpm / 5,400rpm / 7,200rpm / 10,000 rpm )
• Different Build in Memory Size (2M / 8M / 16M etc)
• Different Capacity (80G to 500G or even 1T)
• Small Size Hard Disk are more popular as they are portable size.

Main Board / Mother Board (MB):

• Provide a platform to connecting all the devices. (Keyboard / Mouse / Power / CPU / Memory / Hard Disk Floppy Disk / Display Card etc)
• Many Main Board has already build in Sound Card / Network Card or even display card.

I/O Device & Interface:

• ATA / SATA /SCSI (For Hard Disk)
• Parallel Port or LPT Port (For Printer)
• COM Port (For Modem)
• RJ45 Socket (For Network)
• PS/2 (For Keyboard / Mouse)
• D-Sub / DVI (For Monitor)
• USB (All compatible device)

Power Supply:

• Power Supply Convert the A.C. Voltage to Lower D.C.Voltage which is suitable for Computer.
• Power Supply can be classified by their loading (Watt).
• Different type of socket for different device.

Case: 

• Case is used to place the main board and the power supply.
• Most case have external USB connection.

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