Evaluate the

specifications of a
computer
Part #1
2.11 MODULE 2: Computer Fundamentals and Careers in ICT
Computer hardware

Computer hardware is the collection of physical parts of a

computer system. This includes the computer case, monitor,
keyboard, and mouse. It also includes all the parts inside the
computer case, such as the hard disk drive, motherboard,
video card, and many others. Computer hardware is what
you can physically touch.

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Evaluating the specifications of a
computer
Knowing a computer's specs is essential during the purchase
process to ensure you buy the right device or the correct
hardware and software when it comes time to make
upgrades.

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Central Processing
Unit/Processor/Microprocessor
Central Processing
Unit/Processor/Microprocessor
The central processor of a computer is also known as
the CPU, or "central processing unit." This processor handles
all the basic system instructions, such as
processing mouse and keyboard input and
running applications. Most desktop computers contain a CPU
developed by either Intel or AMD.
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Central Processing
Unit/Processor/Microprocessor
Types of CPU Features
Each processor has a clock speed which is measured in
gigahertz (GHz). Also, a processor has a front side bus which
connects it with the system's random access memory (RAM.)
CPUs also typically have two or three levels of cache. Cache
is a type of fast memory which serves as a buffer between
RAM and the processor. The processor's socket type
determines the motherboard type where it can be installed.
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Central Processing
Unit/Processor/Microprocessor
Function of a CPU
A microprocessor is a silicon chip containing millions of
microscopic transistors. This chip functions as the computer's
brain. It processes the instructions or operations contained
within executable computer programs. Instead of taking
instructions directly off of the hard drive, the processor takes
its instructions from memory. This greatly increases the
computer's speed.

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 Considerations for Choosing a CPU
Processor Speed
When it comes to processors, size matters. Whether you're buying a new
computer or upgrading your old one, you must get the fastest processor
you can afford. This is because the processor will become obsolete very
quickly. Choosing a 3.6 GHz processor over a 2 GHz today can buy you
several years of cheap computing time.
Also check the speed of the front side bus (FSB) when purchasing your
new computer or CPU. A front side bus of 800 MHz or greater is
essential for fast processing speeds. The processor's cache is also
important. Make sure it has at least 1 MB of last level cache if your
computing needs are average. If you're an extreme gamer or if you run
intensive graphics programs, get the processor with the largest cache
that fits your budget.
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s
Considerations for Choosing a CPU

Processor Type
Getting a processor with a dual, triple or quad core can
make a significant difference in the processing power of your
computer. It's like having two, three or four separate
processors installed on your computer at one time. These
processors work together to make your computer multitask
faster and with greater efficiency.

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Random Access Memory
Random Access Memory

Random Access Memory, or RAM (pronounced as ramm), is

the physical hardware inside a computer that temporarily
stores data, serving as the computer's "working" memory.

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Random Access Memory
Short-term memory
RAM is essentially your device’s short-term memory. It temporarily stores
(remembers) everything that runs on your PC, like all the services in Windows,
your web browser, your image editing tool, or the game you’re playing. You
don’t want the CPU digging through your slower storage, like a hard drive or even
a solid-state drive (SSD), every time you request a new browser tab or load a new
enemy to shoot. As fast as storage is compared to drives of years gone by,
they’re still far slower than RAM.
Data that resides in the short-term memory, or RAM, can be read from anywhere
at almost the same speed. Because it has a hard-wired connection to your
system, there’s no real latency in cabling or connection.
Like short-term memory, though, RAM doesn’t remember everything forever. It’s
a “volatile” technology, meaning that once it loses power, it forgets everything.
That makes it perfect for handling the multitude of high-speed tasks that your
system throws at it on a daily basis. But it’s also why we need storage systems
like hard drives and SSDs, which actually hold our information when you turn the
system off.
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Random Access Memory

How much RAM do you need?

The amount of RAM needed all depends on what the user is
doing. When video editing, for example, it's recommended
that a system have at least 16 GB RAM, though more is
desirable. For photo editing using Photoshop, Adobe
recommends a system have at least 3GB of RAM to
run Photoshop CC on a Mac. However, if the user is working
with other applications at the same time, even 8GB of RAM
can slow things down.
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Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
 A hard drive fits inside a computer case and is firmly attached with the
use of braces and screws to prevent it from being jarred as it spins.
Typically it spins at 5,400 to 15,000 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute). The
disk moves at an accelerated rate, allowing data to be accessed
immediately.
Most hard drives operate on high speed interfaces using serial ATA
(SATA) or serial attached technology. When the platters rotate, an arm
with a read/write head extends across the platters. The arm writes new
data to the platters and reads new data from them. Most hard drives use
enhanced integrated drive electronics (EIDE) including cables and
connectors to the motherboard. All data is stored magnetically, allowing
information to be saved when power is shut off.
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What are the sizes/capacities of hard
drives?
The hard drive is often capable of storing more data than
any other drive, but its size can vary depending on the type
of drive and its age. Older hard drives had a storage size of
several hundred MB (megabytes) to several GB (gigabytes).
Newer hard drives have a storage size of several hundred
gigabytes to several TB (terabytes). Each year, new and
improved technology allows for increasing hard drive storage
sizes.

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Solid State Drive (SSD)
Solid State Drive(SSD)

Most electronics that we have today are built around semiconductors and chips.
In terms of a solid state drive, it refers to the fact that the primary storage
medium is through semiconductors rather than a magnetic media such as a hard
drive.
Now, you might say that this type of storage already exists in the form of flash
memory drives that plug into the USB port. This is partially true as solid state
drives and USB flash drives both use the same type of non-volatile memory chips
that retain their information even when they have no power. The difference is
in the form factor and capacity of the drives. While a flash drive is designed to
be external to the computer system, an SSD is designed to reside inside the
computer in place of a more traditional hard drive.

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What are the sizes of solid drives?

A few years ago, SSDs were so expensive that they offered meagre capacities as
small as 60 GB to keep the costs down. The drives do not even come in these
limited capacities these days, and even 128 GB SSD’s are really leftovers—most
not being newly made by the manufacturers currently.
The entry size for SSDs currently are 250 GB drives, which range in actual size
from 240 GB to 275 GB depending on the manufacturer. With the retail price of
about $85 to $110, it hardly makes sense to go any smaller, as to get half the size
will only save about $30. Also, by having your OS, Windows, and room for your
programs all on the SSD, all the apps will load faster, and the system will feel a
lot more responsive.

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Backing Store
Backing Store

Optical Drive
An Optical Drive refers to a computer system that allows users to use
DVDs, CDs and Blu-ray optical drives. The Drive contains some lenses
that project electromagnetic waves that are responsible for reading and
writing data on optical discs. Optical drives are integral parts of
electronics devices such as VCD players, CD players, Blu-ray players, DVD
players, and certain video games consoles such as Microsoft Xbox one,
Sony PlayStation 2, 3&4 and Nintendo Wii U.

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Backing Store
SD Card readers
As a new type of storage device based on semiconductor flash memory, SD (Secure
Digital) memory card is produced to increase the capacity of digital devices. And it is
favored and used by a lot of people due to its excellent characteristics of small size, fast
data transfer and hot swap.
At present, SD card is the most common memory card on the market. It is now widely
used in digital camera, DV, MP4, MP3, PDA and smart phone.
Well, SD card reader is a kind of device used specially for reading SD card. It's an external
device with corresponding SD card slot and USB interface. Besides, it supports reading &
writing data and allows the access to SD card files.
Actually, a card reader is specially designed to share information on SD card
conveniently.

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Screen/Monitor/Visual Display Unit
(VDU)
Screen

Screen Size
Monitors come in different sizes.
The size of the monitor screen is measured diagonally.
Typical screen sizes are about 14 to 19 inches
Screen

Monitor Resolution
A monitor displays data as pixels (picture elements).
A pixel is one of the individual dots that make up a
graphical image.
The resolution is the number of pixels that are on the screen at the same
time.
The more pixels there are on the screen ,the higher the resolution.
Some common Screen Resolution Statistics
Display
Screen resolution Usage Screen size / type
ratio
14'' Notebook / 15.6''
1366x768 16:9 19.1%
Laptop / 18.5'' monitor
21.5'' monitor / 23''
1920x1080 16:9 9.4%
monitor / 1080p TV
1280x800 8:5 8.5% 14'' Notebook
320x568 9:16 6.4% 4'' iPhone 5
1440x900 8:5 5.7% 19'' monitor
1280x1024 5:4 5.5% 19'' monitor
320x480 2:3 5.2% 3.5'' iPhone
1600x900 16:9 4.6% 20'' monitor
768x1024 3:4 4.5% 9.7'' iPad
1024x768 4:3 3.9% 15'' monitor
1680x1050 8:5 2.8% 22'' monitor
360x640 9:16 2.3%  
1920x1200 8:5 1.7% 24'' monitor
720x1280 https://www.rapidtables.com/web/dev/screen-resolutio
9:16 1.6% 4.8'' Galaxy S
480x800 n-statistics.html
3:5 1.1%  
1360x768 16:9 0.9%  
1280x720 16:9 0.9% 720p TV
THE END