People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Mohamed Khider University of Biskra

Faculty of Sciences Exact and Life Sciences

Department of Computer Science

1st Year License

Module: Electronics, System Components

Chapter 2
CENTRAL UNIT COMPONENTS

Teacher:
Dr.Boussabeur Mohamed Tayeb

2024\2025
I)MAIN COMPONENTS OF THE CENTRAL UNIT
 When we talk about a computer component, we're talking
about the hardware inside the computer, as opposed to
external peripherals.

1) The processor

It is the main component of the computer, often referred to

as the "brain of the computer". It is responsible for processing
information and executing instructions to deliver the expected
results.
Main features of a microprocessor:

 Frequency:it is the number of operations the processor

can perform in one second. The frequency of a processor
is calculated in’’ GigaHertz’’. For example, if a processor
has a frequency of 1 GHz, it can perform 1 billion
operations per second. The higher a processor's
frequency, the faster it will perform its operations.
 Cache memory: it enables to store data it often needs,
rather than having to search for it in RAM, for example.)
 The number of hearts: the number of cores indicates the
number of simultaneous instructions the processor can
process (one core = one instruction). A multi-core
processor is made up of two or more independent cores,
each capable of processing instructions individually. The
advantage of having several cores is that you can perform
several tasks at the same time.
What are the two main processor producers today?

 Intel was founded in 1968 and is currently the world's

leading processor producer.
 AMD was founded in 1969 in California, it is the world's
second largest processor producer.

Basic computer architecture

Von Neumann architecture:

The architecture invented by John Von Neumann in

(1903-1957).He puts the principles of computer operation.

Von Neumann's machine consisted of five parts:

(Arithmetic and logic unit, control unit, memory, input-output
devices, buses):
  Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU): its role is to be
responsible for all arithmetic and logical operations such
as addition, subtraction and comparison.
 Control unit (CU): it ensures that all components work
together to execute information.
 Memory: containing both data and programs.
 Input-output devices: which enable communication
with the outside world.

The various components of the system are linked by

communication channels known as buses.

Von Neumann architecture

 2) Memories
Memory is an electronic device used to store
information temporarily or permanently.

Types of memories :

2.1) Main memory RAM (Random Access Memory):it is

simply indispensable to your computer, it enables the
processor to temporarily store the data it needs to run a
program.This memory is characterized by extremely high
speed in executing operations, but unfortunately it cannot
retain information when the computer turned off or in the
case of a current cut.
 Kinds of Random Access Memory (RAM)
 Dynamic random access memory (DRAM):it only
keeps written information for a few milliseconds.
 Static random access memory (SRAM) : Static
SRAM memory is very fast and does not need to be
refreshed.
SRAM DRAM
Access time is low Access times is long
Expensive Cheap
Reduced storage capacity Superior storage capacity

2.2) Read-only memory (ROM): it is a read-only memory, so

it cannot be written to. It is therefore designed to be read
several times and not modified .It is not deleted when the
power supply is cut off, and whose contents are defined at the
time of production.
2.3) Secondary memories or storage media: Auxiliary
memories are large-capacity memories that store information
for long periods of time.

 These include diskettes, hard disks, CD-ROMs and

memory cards.

Picture Support name Capacity

Diskette 1.44 MO

CD-ROM 700 MO

DVD(Digital Vidio Disc) 4.7GB (Single layer)

8.5GB (Double layer)

Disque Dur HDD (Hard Disc

Drive)
900 GO

SSD (Solid-State Drive) 120 to 30.72 TO

 3) Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
The graphics card (GPU - Graphical Processing Unit)
operates in a similar way to the CPU, except that it
mainly handles data processing and graphics-related
instructions.

There are two types of graphic cards:

 Integrated graphics cards
 Dedicated graphics cards

3.1) Integrated graphics cards:

Integrated graphics refers to the scenario in which you
find both a CPU and a GPU included on the same chip. So, for
example, if you choose a processor that has an integrated
graphics core on it, that processor will be able to handle both
CPU and GPU processes.
 3.2) Dedicated graphics cards:
A dedicated graphics card is a graphics processor
entirely separate from the central processor and has its own
dedicated memory. Dedicated graphics cards offer better
performance, but use more power and cost more money.

4) Power supply units (PSU) :

The power supply unit (PSU) provides electrical
power to all CPU components.
Today, it's more important than ever: with the
increasing frequency of processors and graphics cards,
the demand for power grows with each passing year.
Il) SECONDARY COMPONENTS OF THE CPU
1) Sound card:
In control of all digital sound processing,
managing sound input (microphone) and sound output
(loudspeakers).

2) Network card:
The network interface card (NIC) is the interface
between the computer and the network cable. The
function of a network card is to prepare, send and
control data over the network.
3) CD / DVD player and recorder:
It's a drive that reads data from a CD or DVD. In
its function as a writer, it not only reads data, but also
stores it on a CD/DVD.
THE MOTHER BOARD
It's an electronic board that contains all the computer
components, and communicates between them via buses and
ports.

 The majority of motherboards are in ATX (Advanced

Technology Extended) format, a format designed to
improve ergonomics.

MOTHERBOARD COMPONENTS
The motherboard contains a number of components
integrated on its printed circuit board:

- Electrical connectors - Motherboard socket

- Memory connectors - BIOS

- Storage connectors - Chipset

- Expansion connectors
 1)The BIOS (Basic Input Output System): is the basic
interface program between the operating system and the
motherboard.

 2)The chipset: it is an electronic circuit responsible for

coordinating data exchanges (communications) between
the various computer components (processor, memory,
graphics card, hard disk, etc.).
The two components of the chipset

 North Bridge: interfaces the microprocessor with fast

peripherals (memory and graphics card) requiring high
bandwidth.
 South Bridge: interfaces the microprocessor with slower
peripherals (hard disk, CDROM, memory card reader,
network, etc....).

The different connectors used on the motherboard:

 The socket: this square socket, with its small holes, is
used to connect the processor to the motherboard.
 Storage connectors: they devise two parts

1)The IDE connector (Integrated Drive Electronics)

These connectors can be used to connect two types of
peripherals hard disks and DVD drives/recorders.
 2) The Serial SATA (Serial Advanced Technology
Attachment): it is a standard bus for connecting high-speed
storage devices to PCs

 Expansion connectors:they devise three parts

1)Slot: they are receptacles for expansion cards

example RAM.

2)PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect) connector:

this connector type for most expansion cards. examples: sound
card,Network card….

3)AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) connectors : this is

a fast port reserved for the graphics card.
  Electrical connectors: these connectors carry power
from the PSU to the motherboard.

1)The CMOS Battery (Complementary Metal Oxide

Semiconductor):it is used to store hardware configuration
parameters. It also keeps a record of the date and time the
computer is turned off.
 Input-output connectors: they are hardware components
of the computer, enabling the system to communicate
with external elements.

PS/2 Port:mouse,keyboard
Parallél Port:printer
Serial Port :modem
VGA Port: screen
USB Port
Sound
Networks : internet