1. Introduction to Computers Section 4B

2. home Central Processing Unit The computer’s primary processing hardware, which interprets and executes program instructions and manages the functions of input, output, and storage devices

3. home Architecture A processor’s performance is dictated by its internal design, or architecture

4. home Microcomputer Processors Intel Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processors Motorola processors RISC Parallel processing

5. home Extending the Processor’s Power to Other Devices Serial and parallel ports Specialized expansion ports

6. home Examples of Specialized Expansion Ports SCSI USB IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)

7. home Expansion Slots and Boards Allow users to adapt, or configure, the PC to their own needs

8. home PC Card Another type of expansion card, the size of a credit card

9. home Plug and Play The Plug and Play standard makes it easier to install hardware via an existing port or expansion slot

10. Section 4B CPUs Used in Personal Computers

11. home Review Questions What does architecture refer to? Name the five microcomputer processors. Name the ports that let you extend the processor’s power to other devices. What are expansion slots and boards used for?