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Foundations of Computing From Hardware Essentials To Web Design

The document provides an overview of computer hardware, focusing on the CPU, memory hierarchy, motherboard, peripherals, I/O communication, interface cards, buses, firmware, and the boot process. It explains the roles of various components like the ALU, cache, RAM, HDDs, and SSDs, and outlines the differences between them. Additionally, it describes the boot process and the distinctions between BIOS and UEFI.

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6 views6 pages

Foundations of Computing From Hardware Essentials To Web Design

The document provides an overview of computer hardware, focusing on the CPU, memory hierarchy, motherboard, peripherals, I/O communication, interface cards, buses, firmware, and the boot process. It explains the roles of various components like the ALU, cache, RAM, HDDs, and SSDs, and outlines the differences between them. Additionally, it describes the boot process and the distinctions between BIOS and UEFI.

Uploaded by

impex5540
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module No.

1
Computer Hardware – CPU, Memory - Memory hierarchy: registers, cache, RAM, virtual
memory, Motherboard - Computer Peripherals - I/O devices, Storage devices- HDDs, SSDs,
optical drives, I/O communication and device management, Interface cards – Buses – Firmware
- Boot process

Short notes – for more explanation refer youtube videos


Introduction to the subject :- https://youtu.be/Ae63V43DLv8
Part 1:-https://youtu.be/AO4J2A7gP-4
Part 2:-https://youtu.be/4ktidBjCr8o
Part 3:- https://youtu.be/AE3bS4308mU

1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the primary component that performs most of the processing inside a computer. It
executes instructions from programs, performing calculations and tasks.

●​ Components of CPU:
○​ ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): Handles mathematical operations and logic
operations.
○​ Control Unit (CU): Directs the operation of the processor by interpreting
instructions.
○​ Registers: Small, fast storage locations within the CPU used for temporary data
storage during instruction execution.

2. Memory Hierarchy

Memory hierarchy refers to the structure of different types of memory in a computer, ordered by
speed and size. The goal is to provide quick access to frequently used data.
●​ Registers: The fastest memory, located inside the CPU. It stores immediate values
required by instructions.
●​ Cache: A small, high-speed memory between the CPU and RAM, used to store
frequently accessed data and instructions.
○​ L1 Cache: Closest to the CPU, fastest but smallest.
○​ L2 Cache: Larger than L1 but slower.
○​ L3 Cache: Larger and slower than L2, typically shared across multiple cores.
●​ RAM (Random Access Memory): Volatile memory used to store data and instructions
that are actively used by the CPU. It is faster than secondary storage but slower than
cache.
●​ Virtual Memory: A technique that allows the computer to compensate for physical
memory shortages, using space on the hard drive as temporary storage.

Difference Between RAM and Virtual Memory:

●​ RAM: Temporary, fast memory directly accessible by the CPU.


●​ Virtual Memory: Allows the CPU to use the hard drive as additional memory, but slower.

3. Motherboard
The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all the components of the computer,
such as the CPU, RAM, storage devices, and peripheral devices. It contains the chipset which
helps manage data flow between the CPU, RAM, and I/O devices.

4. Computer Peripherals

Peripherals are external devices connected to the computer for input, output, or storage.

●​ I/O Devices:
○​ Input Devices: Keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner.
○​ Output Devices: Monitor, printer, speakers.
●​ Storage Devices:
○​ HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Magnetic storage device with moving parts. Slower than
SSD but offers larger storage capacity at a lower cost.
○​ SSD (Solid State Drive): Faster than HDD, using flash memory with no moving
parts, but more expensive.
○​ Optical Drives: Use lasers to read/write data on optical discs like CDs, DVDs, or
Blu-ray.

Difference Between HDD and SSD:

●​ HDD: Slower, mechanical, cost-effective with larger storage.


●​ SSD: Faster, solid-state, more durable, but more expensive.

5. I/O Communication and Device Management

I/O communication involves the transfer of data between the CPU and peripheral devices.
Communication is managed through drivers that control hardware interactions.

●​ I/O Ports: Physical connectors like USB, HDMI, and Ethernet used to connect external
devices.
●​ Device Drivers: Software that enables the operating system to interact with hardware
peripherals.

6. Interface Cards

Interface Cards (or expansion cards) are hardware components that add additional capabilities
to the computer.

●​ Graphics Card (GPU): Handles rendering of images, videos, and animations.


●​ Network Interface Card (NIC): Provides network connectivity (Ethernet, Wi-Fi).
●​ Sound Card: Enables audio input/output.

7. Buses

A bus is a communication system that transfers data between components within a computer.

●​ Data Bus: Carries the data between the CPU, memory, and peripherals.
●​ Address Bus: Carries the memory addresses where data is to be read or written.
●​ Control Bus: Carries control signals that manage the operations of the CPU.

8. Firmware

Firmware is permanent software programmed into the computer’s hardware. It is responsible


for low-level control and initialization of hardware devices.
●​ Example: BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware
Interface), which initializes hardware during the boot process before the operating
system loads.

9. Boot Process

The boot process refers to the sequence of operations that occurs when a computer is
powered on or restarted.

1.​ Power-On: Power is supplied to the system.


2.​ POST (Power-On Self Test): The BIOS/UEFI runs diagnostics to check the hardware.
3.​ BIOS/UEFI: Loads the bootloader from the storage device (HDD, SSD).
4.​ Operating System Loads: The OS is loaded into RAM, and control is passed to the OS.

Difference Between BIOS and UEFI:

●​ BIOS: Older, uses MBR (Master Boot Record) partitioning, slower boot process.
●​ UEFI: Modern, faster boot, supports larger drives (over 2TB) and GPT (GUID Partition
Table).

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