Computer Systems Nat 4/5 Computing Science Lesson 7: Types of Computer and Performance

Lesson Aims By the end of this lesson:  Pupils at Nat 4 level will be able to: Describe and use clock speed as an indicator of performance Pupils aiming for Nat 5 will be able to Describe the uses of embedded, smartphone, laptop, desktop and supercomputers. Compare features of embedded, smartphone, laptop, desktop and mainframe computers: Discuss the type and speed of processors

Clock Speed  Clock speed is the simplest measure of performance  This is the amount of operations that the computer can perform in one second  Modern home CPU’s operate in the GHz range  This means at least 2,400,000,000 instructions per second Nat 4/5

Speed isn't everything  Some processors have 2, four or six cores  2,3,4,6, 8 or 16 cores are the usual options  This means that there are 2, 4 or 6 smaller processors built into a single processor.  Each core can work on a single instruction  The faster the processor the more heat they generate. Nat 5 So which is better? Dual core at 3.5Ghz or Quad core at 2.4Ghz? So which is better? Dual core at 3.5Ghz or Quad core at 2.4Ghz?

Sometimes power is key  Other processors might need a very low power usage  For example when using in netbooks, mobile phones or other portable devices. Nat 5

Apples and Oranges  When comparing performance it helps if the processors are of similar type etc.  For example you cannot compare the clock speed of a Dual Core processor to that of a Quad core processor.  The fastest supercomputer only has a clock speed of 1.6 Ghz (but it does have1,572,864 cores!)  1.6 Pb of RAM might help too! Nat 5

Types of Computer  As technology improves the types of computer produced change.  Social factors also change types of popular computers  For example laptop sales in the last few years have surpassed desktops.  There is an increase in smart phones  And almost every piece of equipment will have a computer ‘ embedded ’ inside it Nat 4/5

Different Types of Computer  For each type of system you need to identify:  The features of the computer system, a purpose for each system, advantages and disadvantages for each system. Nat 4/5 Desktop Laptop SmartphoneTablet Supercomputer

Smartphone  A mobile phone that can be used to access the internet and can run many apps (useful programs)

Tablet

Laptop  Laptops are used to carry out the same tasks as a desktop  Similar specification as desktops but you will pay more for a laptop with the same processor, hard disk and memory

Desktop  Used at home, work or school  Used with a variety of applications:-  Spreadsheet, word processing, database  Games   Internet

Supercomputer  Carries out calculations very, very quickly  Used in computationally intensive tasks e.g.  quantum mechanics quantum mechanics  weather forecasting weather forecasting  climate research climate research  oil and gas exploration oil and gas exploration  molecular modeling and physical simulations (such as simulations of the early moments of the universe, airplane and spacecraft aerodynamics, the detonation of nuclear weapons, and nuclear fusion) molecular modelingnuclear weaponsnuclear fusion  Used in cryptographycryptography

Task  Ideas – portable, handheld, touchscreen, monitor, earphones, microphone, mouse, touchpad, speakers, keyboard, etc TypeFeatures & uses CostPhotoInput Devices Output Devices Smartphone Tablet Laptop Desktop Supercomputer

Summary  You need to be familiar with the following types of computers  Smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and supercomputer  And compare them in terms of:  Type and speed of processor  Size of main memory  Backing storage  Input and output devices Nat 4/5

Lesson 7 - Task Type of computerType and speed of processor Main memoryBacking storage Smartphone Tablet Laptop Desktop Supercomputer