Computer Hardware

What is Hardware? Hardware is any part of a computer you can touch There are 2 categories: Inside the computer Peripherals connected to the computer

Functions of Hardware

Inside a Computer

What Goes Into a Computer? Computers store information as bits (binary digit) A byte represents 8 bits 1 kilobyte(KB) is 1000 bytes 1 megabyte(MB) is bytes 1 gigabyte(GB) is bytes i.e MB = 1 GB A 4GB USB key holds bytes

Binary Transfer

Input Devices Allow User Interaction with the Computer System Convert Signals to Binary Form Send Data to the CPU for Processing Support Various Interfaces Parallel Serial USB Firewire

Examples of Input Devices

Examples of Output Devices

Storage A storage device is any device into which data can be entered and held, and from which data can be retrieved at a later time Some storage devices are part of the computer itself Other storage devices are peripherals There are two main categories of storage device: Permanent storage Temporary storage

Examples of Permanent Storage Devices

Temporary Storage Used by the CPU to Process Data and Instructions Provided by: RAM (random access memory) Cache Memory Internal cache (part of the CPU) External cache (part of the motherboard)

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) The CPU is the “Brain” of the computer The CPU is responsible for most information processing Most CPU’s produce a lot of heat, and are cooled by fans, heat-sinks, and sometimes liquid.

File Management The term computer file management refers to the manipulation of documents and data in files on a computer. Specifically, one may create a new file or edit an existing file and save it; open or load a pre-existing file into memory; or close a file without saving it. Additionally, one may group related files in directories or folders.