CPU and Computer Hardware

CPU

A processor (CPU) is the logic circuitry that responds to and processes the basic instructions that
drive a computer. The CPU is seen as the main and most crucial integrated circuitry (IC) chip in a
computer, as it is responsible for interpreting most of computers commands. CPUs will perform
most basic arithmetic, logic and I/O operations, as well as allocate commands for other chips and
components running in a computer.

The term processor is used interchangeably with the term central processing unit (CPU), although
strictly speaking, the CPU is not the only processor in a computer. The GPU (graphics processing
unit) is the most notable example, but the hard drive and other devices within a computer also
perform some processing independently. Nevertheless, the term processor is generally understood
to mean the CPU.

Processors can be found in PCs, smartphones, tablets and other computers. The two main
competitors in the processor market are Intel and AMD.

The basic elements of a processor

The basic elements of a processor include:

 The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which carries out arithmetic and logic operationson
the operands in instructions.
 The floating point unit (FPU), also known as a math coprocessor or numeric coprocessor, a
specialized coprocessorthat manipulates numbers more quickly than the basic
microprocessor circuitry can.

 Registers, which hold instructions and other data. Registers supply operands to the ALU and
store the results of operations.

 L1 and L2cache memory. Their inclusion in the CPU saves time compared to having to get data
from random access memory (RAM).

CPU Operations
The four primary functions of a processor are fetch, decode, execute and write back.

 Fetch- is the operation which receives instructions from program memory from a systems
RAM.

 Decode- is where the instruction is converted to understand which other parts of the CPU are
needed to continue the operation. This is performed by the instruction decoder

 Execute- is where the operation is performed. Each part of the CPU that is needed is activated
to carry out the instructions.

Components and how CPUs work

The main components of a CPU are the ALU, registers and control unit. The basic functions of the
ALU and register are labeled in the above ―basic elements of a processor section.‖ The control unit
is what operates the fetching and execution of instructions.

The processor in a personal computer or embedded in small devices is often called

a microprocessor. That term means that the processor's elements are contained in a single IC
chip. Some computers will operate using a multi-core processor—a chip containing more than one
CPU. A CPU is typically a small device with pins on it facing down in a motherboard. CPUs can also
be attached to a motherboard with a heat sink and a fan to dissipate heat.

Hardware

Computer hardware is the physical components that a computer system requires to function. It
encompasses everything with a circuit board that operates within a PC or laptop; including the
motherboard, graphics card, CPU (Central Processing Unit), ventilation fans, webcam, power
supply, and so on.

Although the design of hardware differs between desktop PCs and laptops due to their differences
in size, the same core components will be found in both. Without hardware, there would be no
way of running the essential software that makes computers so useful. Software is defined as the
virtual programs that run on your computer; that is, operating system, internet browser, word-
processing documents, etc.
Although a computer can function only when both hardware and software are working together,
the speed of a system will largely rely on the hardware used.

 Motherboard:

The motherboard serves as a single platform to connect all of the parts of a computer together. It
connects the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound card, and other ports
and expansion cards directly or via cables. It can be considered as the backbone of a computer.
Popular Manufacturers:
Following are the popular manufacturers of the motherboard.
 Intel
 ASUS
 Gigabyte
 MSI

 Adapters:

An adapter is a physical device that allows one hardware or electronic interface to be adapted
(accommodated without loss of function) to another hardware or electronic interface. In a
computer, an adapter is often built into a card that can be inserted into a slot on the computer's
motherboard.

 Expansion Slots:
An expansion slot is connection or port located inside a computer on the motherboard or riser
board that allows a computer hardware expansion card to be connected. For example, if you
wanted to install a new video card in the computer, you’d purchase a video expansion card and
install that card into the compatible expansion slot.
There are three different types of expansion slots: PCI Express, PCI, and AGP.
  Computer Ports

Serial Port
 Used for external modems and older computer mouse
 Two versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model
 Data travels at 115 kilobits per second
Parallel Port
 Used for scanners and printers
 Also called printer port
 25 pin model
PS/2 Port
 Used for old computer keyboard and mouse
 Also called mouse port
 Most of the old computers provide two PS/2 port, each for the mouse and keyboard
 IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port
Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port
 It can connect all kinds of external USB devices such as external hard disk, printer,
scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.
  It was introduced in 1997.
 Most of the computers provide two USB ports as minimum.
 Data travels at 12 megabits per seconds.
 USB compliant devices can get power from a USB port.
VGA Port
 Connects monitor to a computer's video card.
 It has 15 holes.
 Similar to the serial port connector. However, serial port connector has pins, VGA port has
holes.
Power Connector
 Three-pronged plug.
 Connects to the computer's power cable that plugs into a power bar or wall socket.
Ethernet Port
 Connects to a network and high speed Internet.
 Connects the network cable to a computer.
 This port resides on an Ethernet Card.
 Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds depending upon the network
bandwidth.
Game Port
 Connect a joystick to a PC
 Now replaced by USB

 RAM

Random Access Memory, or RAM, is hardware found in the memory slots of the motherboard. The
role of RAM is to temporarily store on-the-fly information created by programs and to do so in a
way that makes this data immediately accessible. The tasks that require random memory could
be; rendering images for graphic design, edited video or photographs, multi-tasking with multiple
apps open (for example, running a game on one screen and chatting via Discord on the other).

How much RAM you require depends on the programs that you’ll be running. Medium intensity
gaming generally uses 8GB of memory when performed alongside other programs, but
video/graphic design can use upwards of 16GB of RAM.
  Hard disk drive

The hard drive is a storage device responsible for storing permanent and temporary data. This
data comes in many different forms, but is essentially anything saved or installed to a computer:
for example, computer programs, family photos, operating system, word-processing documents,
and so on.

There are two different types of storage devices: the traditional hard disk drive (HDD) and the
newer solid state drives (SSD). Hard disk drives work by writing binary data onto spinning
magnetic disks called platters that rotate at high speeds, while a solid-state drive stores data by
using static flash memory chips.

 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

Especially important for 3D rendering, the GPU does exactly what its name suggests and
processes huge batches of graphic data. You will find that your computer’s graphics card has at
least one GPU. As opposed to the basic on-board graphic capabilities that PC motherboards
supply, dedicated graphics cards interface with the motherboard via an expansion slot to work
almost exclusively on graphic rendering. This also means you can upgrade your graphics card if
you want to get a bit more performance from your PC.
Not only this, but modern GPUs fulfil a broad computational workload beyond just rendering,
making them an extension to the central processing unit.

 Cooling fan
A computer fan is any fan inside, or attached to, a computer case used for
active cooling. Fans are used to draw cooler air into the case from the outside, expel warm air
from inside and move air across a heat sink to cool a particular component.

 Power Supply

A power supply unit, commonly abbreviated as PSU, does more than just supply your computer
with power. It is the point where power enters your system from an external power source and is
then allocated by the motherboard to individual component hardware. Not all power supplies are
made equally however, and without the right wattage PSU your system will fail to work.

A modern computer will generally need a PSU that’s rated between 500W – 850W to effectively
power all hardware, although the size of the PSU will depend entirely on the power consumption
of the system. Computers that are used for highly intensive tasks such as graphic design or
gaming will require more powerful components and thus will need a bigger PSU to cater to this
additional need.

Without the right amount of power, components won’t be able to run effectively and the computer
might experience crashes or simply fail to boot at all. It’s recommended to have a power supply
that more than covers your system usage. Not only do you guard yourself against system failure,
you also future-proof yourself against needing a new PSU when you upgrade to more powerful PC
components.

Advantages of computer hardware

 It will help to establish an effective mode of communication that can help the organizations
to improve their business standards.
 It will help to make the task automated and help to store the huge chunks of data that can
be beneficial for the organization or individual.
 The user can use the hardware to give the instruction to command and can obtain the
output as per the given i9nstruction.
 The processing speed of a hardware device is fast which will help to execute more
operations at one time.
 The hardware devices are multiprocessing which means the user can use more than one
hardware device at the same time.
 The hardware can be installed very easily in a computer system and also can be upgraded
as per the user requirements.

Relationship between Hardware and Software

 Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work
together to make a computer produce a useful output.
 Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.
 Hardware without a set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.
 To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded into the
hardware.
 Hardware is a one-time expense.
 Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.
 Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.
 A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
 If the hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then the software is its 'soul'. Both are
complementary to each other.
Difference Between Hardware and Software:

Hardware Software

Hardware is a physical parts computer Software is a set of instruction that tells a

that cause processing of data. computer exactly what to do.

It is manufactured. It is developed and engineered.

Hardware can not perform any task software can not be executed without
without software. hardware.

As Hardware are physical electronic We can see and also use the software but
devices, we can see and touch hardware. can’t actually touch them.

It has four main categories: input device, It is mainly divided into System software,
output devices, storage, and internal Programming software and Application
components. software.

Hardware is not affected by computer

viruses. Software is affected by computer viruses.

It can not be transferred from one place to

another electrically through network. But, it can be transferred.

If hardware is damaged, it is replaced If software is damaged, its backup copy

with new one. can be reinstalled.

Ex: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Printer, Ex: Ms Word, Excel, Power Point,
CPU, Hard disk, RAM, ROM etc. Photoshop, MySQL etc.