Computer Hardware & Networking& Server

Configurations
(H7E3 04)
UNIT 01
Introduction to Computer Hardware, PC Components and
Functionalities

Lecturer: Thilina Rajakaruna

BEng(SEng), SCQF Level 7(EQF 5)(SEng), SCQF Level 8(EQF 5)(SEng), PgDip(Edu)
Classification of Computers
• Computers can be classified into three major
classes based on the mode of data
representation used.

1. Analog Computers

2. Digital Computers

3. Hybrid Computers
01. Analog Computers
• An analog computer is a form of computer that
uses continuous physical phenomena such as
electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to
model the problem being solved.

• It operates by measuring rather than counting.

• It uses continuous signals as input.

• Examples: Thermometer, Speedometer etc.

Digital Computers
• A computer that performs calculations and logical
operations with quantities represented as digits,
usually in the binary number system

• These are the systems that are computationally

complete and capable of solving all of the
problems that can be solved algorithmically.

• Examples: Desktop, laptop etc.

Hybrid Computers (Analog + Digital)
• A combination of computers those are capable of
inputting and outputting in both digital and analog
signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a
cost effective method of performing complex
simulations.

• It uses both types of signals – analog as well as

digital – as input.
• Mostly used with process control equipment’s in
continuous production plants e.g., oil refineries,
Areas of application are nuclear power plants,
mines, intensive care units of hospitals (ICUs),
chemical process plants etc.

Hospitals (ECG Machine)

Oil Refineries

Nuclear Power Plants

Classification of Digital Computers On
the basis of Size

The digital computers that are available now

a days vary in their sizes and types. The
computers are broadly classified into four
categories based on their size and type
1. Micro Computers

2. Mini Computers

3. Mainframe Computers

4. Super Computer
1. Micro Computers

• Microcomputers are small, low-cost and

single-user digital computer.

• They consist of CPU, input unit, output unit,

storage unit and the software.
• IBM PC based on Pentium microprocessor and
Apple Macintosh are some examples of
microcomputers.

• Microcomputers include desktop computers,

notebook computers or laptop, tablet
computer, handheld computer, smart phones
and netbook
Desktop Computer or Personal Computer
• It is the most common type of microcomputer.

• It consists of three units—keyboard, monitor, and

a system unit containing the CPU, memory, hard
disk drive, etc.
• It is not very expensive and is suited to the needs of
a single user at home, small business units, and
organizations.

• Apple, Microsoft, HP, Dell and Lenovo are some of

the PC manufacturers.
Notebook Computers or Laptop
• They are portable and have all the features
of a desktop computer.

• The advantage of the laptop is that it is

small in size, can be carried anywhere.
• Laptops can be placed on the lap while
working.

• Laptops are costlier than the desktop

machines.
Netbook/ Mini LAP
• These are smaller notebooks
optimized for low weight and low
cost, and are designed for
accessing web-based applications.

• Netbooks deliver the performance

needed to enjoy popular activities
like streaming videos or music,
emailing, Web surfing or instant
messaging.
Tablet
• Tablet Computer has features of the
notebook computer but it can accept
input from a stylus or a pen instead of the
keyboard or mouse.

• It is a portable computer.

• Tablet computer are the new kind of PCs.

Handheld Computer or
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

• It is a small computer that can be held on the top

of the palm.

• It is small in size.

• PDA uses a pen or a stylus for input, Instead of the

keyboard.
• They have a limited memory and are less powerful.

• PDAs can be connected to the Internet via a

wireless connection.

• Example Casio and Apple are some of the

manufacturers of PDA.
Smart Phones
• These are cellular phones that function
both as a phone and as a small PC.

• They may use a stylus or a pen, or may

have a small keyboard.

• They can be connected to the

Internet wirelessly.
• They are used to access the
electronic-mail, download
music, play games, etc.

• Blackberry, Apple, HTC, Nokia

and LG are some of the
manufacturers of smart phones.
Wearable computer
• The size of this computer is very small so that it
can be worn on the body.

• It has smaller processing power.

• It is used in the field of medicine.

• For example,

➢ To accurately calculate the heartbeat.

➢ Insulin meter to find the levels of insulin in

the blood.
2. Mini Computers
• Minicomputers are digital computers, generally
used in multi-user systems.

• Minicomputers are mainly used as small or

midrange servers operating business and
scientific applications.
• They have high processing speed
and high storage capacity than the
microcomputers.

• Minicomputers can support 4–200

users simultaneously.

• The users can access the

minicomputer through their PCs or
terminal.
• Example
Digital Alpha
Sun Ultra
HP 3000 series
3. Mainframe Computers
• Mainframe computers are multi-user, multi-
programming and high performance computers.

• They operate at a very high speed, have very

large storage capacity and can handle the
workload of many users.
• Mainframe computers are large and powerful
systems generally used in centralized databases.

• Computers with large storage capacities and very

high speed of processing (compared to mini- or
microcomputers) are known as mainframe
computers.

• They support a large number of terminals for

simultaneous use by a number of users like ATM
transactions.
• They are also used as central host computers in
distributed data processing system.

• Mainframe computers are used in organizations like

banks or companies, where many people require
frequent access to the same data. IBM System z10 servers
IBM zSeries

• Examples: - IBM System z9

IBM zSeries
IBM System z9
IBM System z10 servers
4. Super Computers
• Supercomputers are the fastest and the most
expensive machines.

• They have high processing speed compared to

other computers.

• The speed of a supercomputer is generally

measured in FLOPS (Floating point Operations per
Second).
• Some of the faster supercomputers can perform
trillions of calculations per second.

• Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-

intensive tasks, such as, weather forecasting,
climate research (global warming), molecular
research, biological research, nuclear research
and aircraft design. They are also used in major
universities, military agencies and scientific
research laboratories.
• Some examples of supercomputers are

IBM Roadrunner,
IBM Blue gene
Intel ASCI red.
Cray JAGUAR
Basic Personal Computer System
• A computer system consists of hardware and
software components.

• Hardware is the physical equipment such as the

case, storage drives, keyboards, monitors, cables,
speakers, and printers.
• Software is the operating system and programs.

• The operating system instructs the computer how to

operate.

• Programs or applications perform different functions.

External Components
Computer case

• Provides protection and support for internal

components.

• Should be durable, easy to service, and have

enough room for expansion.

• The size and layout of a case is called a form factor.

NOTE: Select a case that matches the physical
dimensions of the power supply and
motherboard.
Power supply

• Converts AC power from the wall socket into DC.

• Must provide enough power for the installed

components and future additions.
Internal Components
Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of:

• Motherboards • Adapter cards

• CPUs • Storage drives

• Cooling systems • Internal cables

• ROM and RAM

Motherboards
• The motherboard is the main printed circuit
board.

• Contains the buses, or electrical pathways found

in a computer.

• Buses allow data to travel among the various

components.
 • Accommodates CPU, RAM, expansion slots, heat
sink/fan assembly, BIOS chip, chip set, sockets,
internal and external connectors, various ports,
and the embedded wires that interconnect the
motherboard components.

Pentium I Motherboard
Pentium III Motherboard Pentium IV Motherboard
Pentium II Motherboard
Motherboard Form Factors
• The form factor of motherboards pertains to the
size and shape of the board.

• It also describes the physical layout of the

different components and devices on the
motherboard.

• Various form factors exist for motherboards.

Form Factors
AT Advanced Technology
ATX Advanced Technology Extended
Mini-ATX Smaller Footprint of Advanced Technology Extended
Micro-ATX Smaller Footprint of Advanced Technology Extended
LPX Low-Profile Extended
NLX New Low-Profile Extended
BTX Balanced Technology Extended
Mini-ITX Smaller than the Micro-ATX format
Nano-ITX Smaller footprint of the Mini-ITX
Pico-ITX Half the size of the Nano-ITX
Mobile-ITX Smallest ITX motherboard
Advanced Technology Advanced Technology Extended

Micro-ATX
Mini-ATX
LPX
Pico-ITX

Nano-ITX

Mini-ITX

BTX Mobile-ITX
The Main Circuit Board has Major
Components
(CHIP SET)
Northbridge
• The high-speed part of a common chipset
architecture in a computer. The Northbridge is
the controller that interconnects the CPU to
memory via the frontside bus (FSB). It also
connects peripherals via high-speed channels
such as PCI Express. The Northbridge may include
a display controller, obviating the need for a
separate graphics card.
Southbridge
• The southbridge is an IC on
the motherboard responsible for the hard drive
controller, I/O controller and integrated
hardware.

• Integrated hardware can include the sound

card and video card if on the
motherboard, USB, PCI, ISA, IDE, BIOS, and
Ethernet.
• Although the southbridge handles most of the I/O
devices, less prominent input/output devices, such
as a serial port, keyboard, and non-USB mouse are
handled by the super input/output (SIO).
Super IO (SIO)
Short for super input/output or Super I/O, SIO is an
integrated circuit on a computer motherboard that
handles the slower and less prominent input/output
devices shown below.

When the Super input/output was first introduced in

the late 1980's it was found on an expansion card,
later this chip was embedded into the
motherboard and communicated over the ISA bus.
• As ISA began to no longer be used with
computers SIO communicated over the PCI bus.

• Today, super I/O communicates through the

Southbridge and is still used with computers to
support older legacy devices.
Identifying the Super I/O on your motherboard is
often easy if you look for an integrated circuit
that is labeled with a company's name that
manufacturers Super I/O chips. Some common
Super I/O manufacturers are Fintek, ITE, National
Semiconductor, Nuvoton, SMC, VIA, and
Winbond.
Naming
Motherboard
Parts.
 6 8 11 12 13
3 14
9 10

1 15
7

2
5
4

1). Chassi Fan Connector 6). PCI Express Connector 11). VGA Port
2). Front Panel USB Connector 7). Front Panel Audio Connector 12). Processor Socket
3). SATA Cable Connector 8). Back Panel Audio Connector 13). Serial Port
4). CMOS Battery 9). RJ 45 and USB Connector 14). PS2 Keyboard and Mouse Connector
5). Super IO Chip 10). Back Panel USB Connector 15). 12V 4 Pin Connector
 16). IDE Cable Connector

17). Front Panel Cable

Connector

18). South Bridge Chip

19). PCI Slot

20). North Bridge Chip

21). BIOS Chip

22). RAM Card Connector Slot

23). CPU Fan Connector

18
17
20 22 23 24 24). 24 Pin Power Connector
16 21
19

PCI Express Connector

Note:
Some newer chipsets are combining
the Southbridge and Super I/O chips into
a single chip and referring to this chip as
the Super Southbridge chip. Some
manufacturers such as NVIDIA and SiS have
even combined the Northbridge, Southbridge,
and Super I/O into a single chip.
Note:
New motherboards are replacing the
northbridge and the southbridge with PCH
(Platform Controller Hub)
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