CONFIGURATION OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
Hardware: Physical devices of the computer such as keyboard, monitor, printer,
processor and motherboard.
Software: Set of instructions called programs that instructs the computer the
tasks to be performed and how it should be performed.
Data: values or raw facts which are processed by computer to give meaningful
information.
Users: people who write computer programs or interact with the computer.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
The computer device comprises of four main units:
1. Input unit: The input unit accepts data from the user and converts it into a form
understandable by the computer. The input is given by input devices like keyboard,
mouse etc.
2. CPU (Central Processing Unit): CPU controls, coordinates and supervises the
operations of the computer. It processes the input data. CPU consists of:
a. ALU (Arithmetic and Logic Unit): It performs all arithmetic and logical
operations on input data.
b. CU (Control Unit): It checks the sequence of execution of instructions, controls
and coordinates the overall functioning of the units of computer.
c. Registers: These are high speed storage unit within the CPU. They are used to
temporarily store data, instructions, addresses and intermediate results of
processing.
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, 3. Storage Unit: Primary memory (main memory) stores the data, instructions,
intermediate results and output temporarily during processing. Secondary
(external) memory stores the data, programs and the output permanently.
4. Output Unit: Output unit provides the processed data in user understandable form.
For Eg. Monitor, printer, speaker etc.
MOTHER BOARD (SYSTEM BOARD)
It is a large Printed Circuit Board (PCB) having many chips, ports, controllers and
other electronic components mounted on it.
It is the main circuit board inside the computer.
It provides a platform for all the components and peripherals to communicate with
each other.
Characteristics of motherboard
The motherboard is characterized by
1. Form factor: This refers to the motherboard‟s geometry, dimensions, arrangement
and electrical requirements. ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) is the most
common design of motherboard for desktop computers.
2. Chipset: Chipset coordinates data transfer between the various components of the
computer. To maximize the computer‟s upgradeability, we need to choose the
motherboard which has a recent chipset.
3. Processor socket: It is a rectangular connector into which the processor is
mounted vertically. It could also be a square shaped connector with many small
connectors into which the processor is directly inserted.
Types of motherboard
1. XT – eXtended Technology: These are old model motherboard.
It has old model processor socket.
RAM slot DIMM and ISA(Industry Standards Architecture) slots.
12 pin power connector and no ports.
Example: Pentium I , Pentium II processors.
2. AT – Advanced Technology:
They have PGA (Pin Grid Array) processor socket.
SDRAM slots.
20 pin power connector PCI slots and ISA slots.
Example: Pentium-III processor.
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Hardware: Physical devices of the computer such as keyboard, monitor, printer,
processor and motherboard.
Software: Set of instructions called programs that instructs the computer the
tasks to be performed and how it should be performed.
Data: values or raw facts which are processed by computer to give meaningful
information.
Users: people who write computer programs or interact with the computer.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
The computer device comprises of four main units:
1. Input unit: The input unit accepts data from the user and converts it into a form
understandable by the computer. The input is given by input devices like keyboard,
mouse etc.
2. CPU (Central Processing Unit): CPU controls, coordinates and supervises the
operations of the computer. It processes the input data. CPU consists of:
a. ALU (Arithmetic and Logic Unit): It performs all arithmetic and logical
operations on input data.
b. CU (Control Unit): It checks the sequence of execution of instructions, controls
and coordinates the overall functioning of the units of computer.
c. Registers: These are high speed storage unit within the CPU. They are used to
temporarily store data, instructions, addresses and intermediate results of
processing.
1
, 3. Storage Unit: Primary memory (main memory) stores the data, instructions,
intermediate results and output temporarily during processing. Secondary
(external) memory stores the data, programs and the output permanently.
4. Output Unit: Output unit provides the processed data in user understandable form.
For Eg. Monitor, printer, speaker etc.
MOTHER BOARD (SYSTEM BOARD)
It is a large Printed Circuit Board (PCB) having many chips, ports, controllers and
other electronic components mounted on it.
It is the main circuit board inside the computer.
It provides a platform for all the components and peripherals to communicate with
each other.
Characteristics of motherboard
The motherboard is characterized by
1. Form factor: This refers to the motherboard‟s geometry, dimensions, arrangement
and electrical requirements. ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) is the most
common design of motherboard for desktop computers.
2. Chipset: Chipset coordinates data transfer between the various components of the
computer. To maximize the computer‟s upgradeability, we need to choose the
motherboard which has a recent chipset.
3. Processor socket: It is a rectangular connector into which the processor is
mounted vertically. It could also be a square shaped connector with many small
connectors into which the processor is directly inserted.
Types of motherboard
1. XT – eXtended Technology: These are old model motherboard.
It has old model processor socket.
RAM slot DIMM and ISA(Industry Standards Architecture) slots.
12 pin power connector and no ports.
Example: Pentium I , Pentium II processors.
2. AT – Advanced Technology:
They have PGA (Pin Grid Array) processor socket.
SDRAM slots.
20 pin power connector PCI slots and ISA slots.
Example: Pentium-III processor.
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