Computer Architecture

Computers are built of various components (called Hardware). These include: the CPU, memory, busses, clocks, peripherals (printers, keyboards, etc), etc. All of these components must communicate with each other and provide a necessary service to the user.

Computer Architecture

A computer is a complex device containing many sub-systems. Each sub-system is a piece of computer hardware (or part of a piece of computer hardware.) How these pieces interact is called the "Computer Architecture". The hard of a computer includes:

• CPU - the ?brain? of the computer

• Motherboard - The spine of the computer

• Power Supply - the ?stomach? of the computer

• BUS - "trucks" data around the computer

• Clock - tells the CPU to start the next instruction

• Network Card - the ?cell phone? of the computer

• Monitor - the ?face? of the computer

• Fans - computers can cook food, they are so hot. We must cool them down.

• Memory:

  Layers:

  1. Registers (1 clock cycle)
  2. Primary Cache: ~1 nano-second cache primary
  3. Secondary Cache: 10 nano-seconds
  4. fast RAM: 70 nanoseconds or less
  5. fast disk: 10 milliseconds (10,000,000 nanoseconds)
  6. CD/DVD: 160 milliseconds (160,000,000 nanoseconds)

  Memory Acronyms you should know:

  1. ROM - Read Only Memory

     ROM is memory that is "hard coded" from the manufacturer and never changes, such as the instruction to "boot" up your computer.

  2. RAM - Random Access Memory

     Ram is the core memory you buy for any machine. It is often sold (today) in .5, 1, and 2 GIG boards.

• IO Devices

  • Graphics Card / Monitor
  • Keyboard
  • Disk Drive
  • Tape Backup
  • CD ROM

Thought question: What is the most important Component of a Computer?

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