© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1

2 Technology in Action Chapter 6 Understanding and Assessing Hardware: Evaluating Your System

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 3 Chapter Topics To buy or upgrade?To buy or upgrade? Evaluating your system:Evaluating your system: –CPU –RAM –Storage devices –Video output –Sound systems –Computer ports System reliabilitySystem reliability

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 4 To Buy or To Upgrade? Things to consider:Things to consider: –Moore’s Law –Cost of upgrading vs. buying –Time installing software and files –Needs and wants

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 5 Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your System Assess the computer’s subsystemsAssess the computer’s subsystems The subsystems includeThe subsystems include –CPU –RAM –Storage devices –Video –Audio –Ports

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 6 Desktop or Notebook DesktopDesktop –Hard to move around –Less expensive –Harder to steal –Easier to upgrade –Difficult to ship (repairs) NotebookNotebook –Portable –More expensive –Easily stolen –Difficult to upgrade –Prone to damage

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 7 Evaluating the CPU How does the CPU work?How does the CPU work? –Control unit –Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) –Machine cycle: FetchFetch DecodeDecode ExecuteExecute StoreStore –Speed: MHzMHz GHzGHz

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 8 Evaluating Other CPU Features Front side bus and cache memoryFront side bus and cache memory Some CPUs are optimized to process multimedia instructionsSome CPUs are optimized to process multimedia instructions Intel CPUs called core duo processorsIntel CPUs called core duo processors –Use less power than dual processors –Increase multitasking performance

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 9 Upgrading the CPU ExpensiveExpensive Easy to installEasy to install Motherboard compatibilityMotherboard compatibility

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 10 Evaluating RAM Random access memory (RAM):Random access memory (RAM): –Temporary storage (memory) –Volatile Memory modules fit on motherboardMemory modules fit on motherboard –Most are –Most are called dual inline memory modules (DIMMs) Types of RAM:Types of RAM: –DDR –DDR2 –SRAM –DRAM –SDRAM

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 11 How Much Ram Do You Need? Physical memory vs. kernel memoryPhysical memory vs. kernel memory Need RAM for system software, productivity software, entertainment, graphics programsNeed RAM for system software, productivity software, entertainment, graphics programs

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 12 Virtual Memory Memory bound systemMemory bound system Virtual memoryVirtual memory Page filePage file Drawback = speedDrawback = speed Increasing RAM can avoid this problemIncreasing RAM can avoid this problem

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 13 Adding RAM Increases system performanceIncreases system performance Things to consider:Things to consider: –Type of RAM module –Amount of RAM: Maximum limitMaximum limit Number of slotsNumber of slots Operating systemOperating system Applications running at the same timeApplications running at the same time

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 14 Evaluating Storage Types of storage devices:Types of storage devices: –Hard drive –Floppy drive –Zip disk drive –CD/DVD –Flash memory Nonvolatile storageNonvolatile storage

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 15 The Hard Disk Drive Storage capacity up to 1.5 Terabytes (TB)Storage capacity up to 1.5 Terabytes (TB) Access time is measured in millisecondsAccess time is measured in milliseconds Data transfer rate is measured in megabits or megabytes per secondData transfer rate is measured in megabits or megabytes per second Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm)Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm)

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 16 How a Hard Disk Works Composed of coated platters stacked on a spindleComposed of coated platters stacked on a spindle Data saved to the disk: pattern of magnetized spots – Spots = 1 – Spaces = 0Data saved to the disk: pattern of magnetized spots – Spots = 1 – Spaces = 0 Between platters are read/write headsBetween platters are read/write heads Spots are translated into dataSpots are translated into data Platters Read/write head Access arms

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 17 Portable Storage Provides the ability to move data from one computer to anotherProvides the ability to move data from one computer to another Portable storage devices:Portable storage devices: –Floppy disk –CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW –Flash drive –Flash memory card –Portable hard drive

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 18 CDs and DVDs Optical media: SOptical media: Store data as tiny pits burned into a disk by a laser –CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW –DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW –Blu-ray disk LaserLaser –Pits scatter laser light equaling a 1 –Nonpitted area reflects laser light equaling a 0

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 19 Upgrading Storage Hard drive options:Hard drive options: –Replace current drive with a larger capacity drive –Install an additional hard drive Other options:Other options: –Replace CD ROM with CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW –Flash card reader –Flash memory drive

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 20 Evaluating Video Two components:Two components: –Video card (adapter) –Monitor

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 21 Video Cards Process binary data into imagesProcess binary data into images Contain memory known as video memoryContain memory known as video memory Control the number of colors a monitor can display (bit depth)Control the number of colors a monitor can display (bit depth) –Standard VGA –True color (SVGA)

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 22 Monitors Things to consider:Things to consider: –Types: CRT or LCD –Size: 15, 17, 19, 21, 30 inch15, 17, 19, 21, 30 inch –Resolution: Increasing resolution allows more to be displayedIncreasing resolution allows more to be displayed –Dot pitch:.31mm or less.31mm or less –Refresh rate: 75 Hz or higher75 Hz or higher

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 23 LCD Monitors Aspect ratioAspect ratio Contrast ratioContrast ratio BrightnessBrightness Pixel response ratePixel response rate Digital (DVI)Digital (DVI)

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 24 Evaluating Audio Speakers:Speakers: –Amplified –Not amplified –Subwoofer

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 25 Evaluating Audio Sound card:Sound card: –Attach to motherboard –Process digital data into sounds –3D sound cards –Surround sound Dolby Digital EXDolby Digital EX Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus Dolby TrueHDDolby TrueHD

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 26 Evaluating Ports Ports are used to connect peripheral devices to the computerPorts are used to connect peripheral devices to the computer Things to consider:Things to consider: –Devices you want to use –Ports needed for the devices

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 27 Types of Ports Universal serial busUniversal serial bus –Transfer speed up to 480 Mbps; hot swapping USB Port USB Connector

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 28 Types of Ports FireWireFireWire –Transfer rate of 400 Mbps; Digital cameras –Newer FireWire 800 is fastest FireWire Port FireWire Connector

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 29 Types of Ports EthernetEthernet –Fast Ethernet: Transfer rate of 100 Mbps –Connects computers to networks Ethernet Port Ethernet jack

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 30 Types of Ports Serial portSerial port –Transfers data one bit at a time –Max speed: 56Kbps

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 31 Types of Ports ParallelParallel – Transfers eight bits of data simultaneously –Max speed: 12 Mbps

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 32 Types of Ports IrDAIrDA –Transfer rate of 4 Mbps –Uses infrared light waves IrDA

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 33 Types of Ports BluetoothBluetooth –Transfer rate of 1 Mbps to 3 Mbps –Radio waves send data over short distances

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 34 Types of Ports MIDI PortMIDI Port –Musical Instrument Digital Interface –31.5 Kbps transfer rate

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 35 Adding Ports Expansion cards:Expansion cards: –New port standards Expansion hubs:Expansion hubs: –Enable several devices to be connected to a port

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 36 Evaluating System Reliability Performance:Performance: –Is slow –Freezes –Crashes Upkeep and maintenance:Upkeep and maintenance: –System tools –Control panel –Update software and hardware drivers

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 37 Upkeep and Maintenance System tools:System tools: –Disk defragmenter –Disk cleanup –Add/remove programs

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 38 Update Software and Hardware Drivers Software:Software: –Automatic updates –Patches Hardware:Hardware: –Download updated drivers

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 39 The Last Resort If problems persist:If problems persist: –Reinstall the operating system –Upgrade the operating system to the latest version

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 40 The Final Decision How closely does your system come to meeting your needs?How closely does your system come to meeting your needs? How much would it cost to upgrade your system?How much would it cost to upgrade your system? How much would it cost to purchase a new system?How much would it cost to purchase a new system?

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 41 Chapter 6 Summary Questions How can I determine whether I should upgrade my existing computer or buy a new one?How can I determine whether I should upgrade my existing computer or buy a new one?

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 42 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What does the CPU do, and how can I evaluate its performance?What does the CPU do, and how can I evaluate its performance?

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 43 Chapter 6 Summary Questions How does memory work and how can I evaluate how much memory I need?How does memory work in my computer, and how can I evaluate how much memory I need?

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 44 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What are the computer’s main storage devices, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?What are the computer’s main storage devices, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 45 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What components affect the output of video, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?What components affect the output of video, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 46 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What components affect my computer’s sound quality, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 47 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What are the ports available on desktop computers, and how can I determine what ports I need?

© 2009 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 48 Chapter 6 Summary Questions How can I ensure the reliability of my system?How can I ensure the reliability of my system?