Understanding Computer Systems Basics
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ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Computer Systems Basics
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsThursday, September 25, 2008
Material environment
of a computer system
I. Reminder exercise:
[Link] une définition convenable aux mots suivants :
Computer Science
2. Computer
3. Computer system
2. Classify the devices below according to their type:
Sourie –Clavier -Moniteur (écran) –imprimante –Casque – Webcam-
Scanneur – CléUSB – Joystick(mannette de jeu) – hauts parleurs – Carte
memory - video projector - modem
3. Draw the functional diagram of a computer.
Correction:
1. Definitions:
. Computer science is the set of sciences and techniques that
are interested in automatic information processing
. The computer is a machine capable of processing.
automatic information
. The hardware cannot function without software.
and vice versa. All the material resources and
Software is called computer system.
Computer system = hardware + software
2.
Devices Devices of Peripheral of
starter exit storage
Sourie - Keyboard - Monitor - Printer Headset - USB Key -
Webcam – Scanneur –Haut-parleurs –Vidéo Carte mémoire –
Joystick modem projector
[Link] functional diagram of a computer:
Devices The central unit Devices
starter (????) exit
Devices
of storage
Important questions:
. What is inside the central unit?
. What are the technical specifications I should check?
to buy a computer that meets my needs?
I. Hardware configuration of a computer:
Example: 11 lines
Configuration No. 1: Configuration No. 2 :
Microprocessor Type: Intel Pentium 4 Microprocessor Type: Intel Core 2 Duo
Fréquence : 2,5 GHz Fréquence : 2 GHz
Cache memory: Cache memory: 2MB
512KB
RAM 256 MB of RAM RAM 1GB of RAM
Graphics card 64 MB Graphics card 256 MB
Hard disk 40 Go Hard disk 80 GB
Screen 17" CRT (flat screen) Screen 17" LCD (flat screen)
Multimedia keyboard + optical mouse Multimedia keyboard + optical mouse
Definition:The hardware configuration of a computer is the set
of its technical characteristics.
1) The microprocessor: it is the brain of the computer. it is
characterized by:
Type: Intel, AMD, Motorola...
Sa fréquence : 1Ghz ; 1,7Ghz ; 2,8Ghz… ( GHz =
Gégahirtz
Its cache memory: it is a small very fast memory.
(but very expensive) allowing to reduce waiting times
information. Examples: 128KB, 512KB, 1MB...
2) Random Access Memory or RAM: It is a volatile memory, under
barrette shape, allowing for temporary memory of the
running programs.
3) The hard drive: it is a mass memory (non-volatile) and of
large capacity (20GB, 80GB, 160GB…) allowing to store
long-term information.
4) Video memory: is a small memory used by the card
graph to manage the display of information. The larger its size,
the larger the image on the screen, the better it is.
5) The motherboard: is the main board of the computer. All the
internal and external components are connected to it.
Important note:
Increased frequency, the size of the cache memory, and the size of the
higher memory means your computer is faster
more powerful.
II. Other components of the central unit:
The case
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
The power supply box
The expansion cards: allow to extend the characteristics.
from the motherboard. Examples: graphics card, sound card,
network card, satellite card, TV card...
III. Explore the characteristics of my computer:
Among others, we find the following methods:
Method 1:
I right-click on the 'computer' icon.
2. I click on 'Properties'.
3. Then on the tab "General".
Method 2:
In the 'start menu'.
I click on 'Run'
I type: "dxdiag"
4. Finally, I click on 'ok'.
Method 3:
We can also use software like: AIDA, or EVERESTE…
IV. The units of measurement of information:
Figure 3
. The bit: Represents the smallest unit of information managed by a
computer or a digital machine. This unit can only take two
values 0 or 1. Its symbol is b (lowercase) or bit (lowercase). The bit is
called in English: 'binary digit' which means in French 'chiffre binaire'.
. The octet (in English: byte) is a unit of measurement in computing.
measuring the amount of data that can be stored by a memory. A
An octet is itself made up of 8 adjacent bits, or 8 binary digits 0 and 1.
Example: 00010011 19
The computer units
Symbole Signification Valeur
b or bit bit 0 or 1
Octet octet 1 character = 8 bits
Ko Kilobyte 1Ko = 210octet = 1024 octets
Me Megabyte 1Mo = 220octet = 1024 KB
Go Gigabyte 1Go = 230octet = 1024 MB
To Terabyte 1To = 240octet = 1024 Go
V. Exercises:
Figure 4
Exercise 1: I create the most efficient configuration from the
following elements:
1) Processor:
[Link]équence : 1,5Ghz, 3,2Ghz, 800Mhz.
b.Mémoire cache : 128Ko, 1Mo, 512Ko.
2) RAM : 256MB, 1GB, 2GB
3)Mémoire graphique : 128Mo, 256Mo, 32Mo
4) Hard disk: 80GB, 160GB (7200rpm), 160GB (1500rpm).
5) Optical drives: CD-ROM burner, DVD burner,
DVD player.
6)Ecran : 19 pouces, 17 pouces LCD
Figure 5
Exercise 2:
. I choose the memory that can store the most information in each of the
following cases?
20 Go b) 160 GB 80GB
128KB b) 128GB c) 128 MB
512MB 64MB 1Go
. I fill the void with what is appropriate.
1.20 Go = 1228.80 Mo
2.128Mo = 2,128,000 bytes
Exercise 3
. Find the features of the computer below:
Response:
The type of microprocessor: Intel Pentium M.
The processor frequency: 1.86 GHz.
The size of the RAM: 512 MB.
Conclusion:
The performance of a
computer depends on its
hardware configuration.
