HARD DISK

Capacity:
Capacity is how much data a hard drive can store. Capacity is measured in Giga Bytes and
Tera Bytes. 1 GB is made up of 1000 Mega Bytes. 1 TB is made up of 1000 GB. To give you an
example of how much you can fit into 1 GB of hard drive space, take a MP3 audio file. The average
MP3 audio file takes up 5 MB. Divide 1000 by 5 and you get 200. So 1 GB of hard drive space can
store 200 MP3 music files. A 1 TB hard
drive, which is 1000 GB can store
K
200,000 MP3 music files.
Kilobyte
B =
1024
bytes

1
= KB

M
Megaby
B = te

1024
KB

1
= MB

G
Gigabyt
B = e

1024
MB

1
= GB

T
B

Terabyt
= e

P
B

Petabyt
= e

TB
320 GB

1
= TB
Digital
Music
1
= PB(Songs)
up to 80,000

500 GB

1024
GB
Capacity
1024

Digital Photos
(Files)

DVD-Quality Digital Videos

Movies
(Hours)

HD Videos
(Hours)

up to 60,000

up to 80

up to 320

up to 80

up to 125,000

up to 100,000

up to 125

up to 500

up to 125

750 GB

up to 187,000

up to 150,000

up to 180

up to 750

up to 180

1.0 TB

up to 250,000

up to 200,000

up to 250

up to 1,000

up to 250

2.0 TB

up to 500,000

up to 400,000

up to 500

up to 2,000

up to 500

3.0 TB

up to 750,000

up to 600,000

up to 750

up to 3,000

up to 750

4.0 TB

up to 1,000,000

up to 800,000

up to 1,000

up to 4,000

up to 1,000

5.0 TB

up to 1,250,000

up to 1,000,000

up to 1,250

up to 5,000

up to 1,250

6.0 TB

up to 1,500,000

up to 1,200,000

up to 1,500

up to 6,000

up to 1,500

Speed:
The speed of the hard drive is determined by the revolution speed of the disk inside the hard drive
and the amount of memory cache included in the drive.
The rotation speed is measured in RPMs or revolutions per minute. Most hard drive spin from 5400 to
7200 revolutions per minute. Faster hard drives spin at 10000 or 15,000 RPMs. The revolutions
speed is important because the faster the drive rotates, the more quickly data can be written to and
read from, the hard drive.
10,000 and 15000 RPM drives are expensive and the capacities are limited. We recommend buying a
7200RPM drive

The memory cache helps to speed up the accessing of the information on the drive and the more of it
the better. Drives can have 64 MB or more of cache. When purchasing a hard drive, a minimum of 32
MB of cache is recommended.
Solid State Drives
Solid-state Drives or SSDs have no spinning disk to store data on. All information is kept on flash
memory chips and can be written to and read back much quicker than from a disk based drive.
Compared to disk based drives SSDs have lower capacities of between 30GB to 512GB.
PROCESSOR
Instruction : A sequence of bits in a specific format to instruct the computer to perform a
specific operation.
Program : A sequence of instructions to perform a specific task on the computer.
Clock : It is the frequency of the crystal oscillator of the computer. It determines how the
processor is.
Word Length :It is basically a fixed sized group of bits that are handled as a unit by the
instruction set and/or hardware of the processor.
Transistor Count : It is the no. of transistors fabricated in the processor. It is a measure of
complexity of the processor.
Timeline:
Intel 4004 :
First single-chip microprocessor.
Introduced November 15, 1971
Clock rate 740 kHz.
0.07 MIPS
Instruction set contained 46 instructions
Number of Transistors 2,300 at 10 m
Addressable Memory 640 bytes
Bus Width 4 bits (multiplexed address/data due to limited pins)
Originally designed to be used in Busicom calculator
Intel 8008 :
o Introduced April 1, 1972.
o First 8-bit processor.
o Clock rate 800 kHz
o Instruction set contained 48 instructions
o Number of Transistors 3,500 at 10 m
o Addressable Memory 16 KB
o Originally intended for use in Datapoint 2200 microcomputer
Intel 8086 :
o Introduced June 8, 1978.
o Introduction of x86 architecture.

o
o
o
o
o

Clock rate 4.77 - 10 MHz

16-bit data bus, 20-bit address bus
Number of Transistors 29,000 at 3 m
Addressable Memory 1 MB.
Used in portable computing, and in the IBM PS/2 computers

Intel 8088 :
o Introduced June 1, 1979.
o Backward compatible 8086.
o Internal architecture 16-bit.
o External architecture 8-bit.
o Address bus 20-bit.
o Highly successful due to pivotal sale of IBM-PC.
Intel 80386 :
o Introduced October 17, 1985.
o Clock rates : 16 33 MHz.
o 32-bit data & address bus
o Addressable Memory 4GB
o Virtual Memory 64 TB
o No. of transistors : 275,000 at1 m
o Backward compatible with x86 (16-bit)
o Used in Desktop Computing
Intel Pentium :
o Introduced March 22,1993.
o Clock rates : 60 - 66 MHz.
o 64-bit data bus
o 32-bit address bus
o Addressable Memory 4GB
o Virtual Memory 64 TB
o No. of transistors : 3.1 million at 0.8 m
o Superscalar Architecture
o 273 pin PGA package
o 16 KB L1 cache
Pentium MMX:
o Introduced January 8, 1997.
o Clock rates : 66 MHz.
o 32 KB L1 cache
o 296/321 pin PGA.
o No. of transistors : 4.5 million at 0.35 m
o Intel MMX (SIMD Instruction set) support
Pentium Pro (1995):
Pentium II (1997):
Pentium III (1999):
o Introduction of L2 cache (512 KB).

o Clock rates : upto 600 MHz.

o Introduction of Internet Streaming SIMD Instruction
o No. of transistors : 9.5 million at 0.25 m
Pentium IV (2000 - 2008):
o Clock rate : upto 3.8 GHz
o L2 cache increased upto 512 KB
o Introduction of SSE2 SIMD Extension
o No. of transistors : 42 million at 0.18 m
o In 2004, the 32-bit x86 architecture was extended to 64-bit x86-64 set
o Used greatly in the desktop & laptop computers.
Two Line of Processors:
The Core 2 series:
Core 2 Duo
Core 2 Quad
Core 2 Extreme
The Core i Series:
Core i3
Core i5
Core i7
Core i7 Extreme
Features:
o Pure 64-bit architecture
o Introduction of SSSE3 SIMD Instructions
o Multiple cores on single die.
o Large L2 cache (2 12 MB)
o Use of LGA packaging
o Fabrication process in nm (65/45/32 nm)
o Introduction of L3 cache (core i series)
o Technologies such as hyper-threading, turbo-boost,etc.
Hyper-Threading:
o It is a technology used to improve parallelization of computations performed on PC
microprocessors. For each processor core that is physically present, the operating system
addresses two virtual processors. In short, one core handles 2 threads at once.
Turbo-Boost:
o It is a technology in latest Intel processors to dynamically increase the performance of the
processor at the need of the user. Otherwise it saves energy/power by operating at a lower
frequency.
o
o
o
o
o

The clock rates have increased upto 3.8 GHz.

The Fabrication Process has reduced upto 32nm, thus saving power and space.
L3 caches have been introduced, as large as 12 MB.
The no. of cores on a single die has reached upto 6.
Even the memory controllers have been integrated into the processor die itself.

Design

The design of the CPU, the process used to make it and the operating frequency, determine
the performance of a CPU.
The design of a CPU is made up of a countless the number of features. The number of
transistors used, measured in hundreds of millions, the number of CPU cores, the amount of cache
built onto the chip and many, many more. We'll go over CPU cores and cache in a moment. Generally
the latest CPU design will be the most advanced, but both Intel and AMD occasionally introduce a
CPU design that is meant to fill a gap in performance and price, left open by existing designs.

Multi Core
CPUs with more than 1 core have become standard. It means there are the equivalents of 2 or
more cpus in 1 cpu package. This can greatly increase the performance with programs made to take
advantage of more than 1 cpu. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 core CPUs are available.
Cache
Cache is a small amount of memory on the CPU itself that is very fast and is used to hold
small amounts of data the CPU needs often. There can be 1 to 3 levels of cache on a CPU. They
are shown as level 1, level 2 and level 3. The more levels of cache and the larger each cache is, the
faster the CPU can perform. Cache sizes range from 128 KB to 16MB.
Process
The process used to create a CPU is shown in nano meters or nm. By shrinking the process,
CPU makers can put more transistor into the same size space, making higher performing CPUs. The
lower the nm, the less power the CPU consumes and the less heat it produces per transistor. Both
Intel and AMD have 32nm CPUs on the market. 22nm CPUs will come out in 2012.
Operating Frequency
The operating frequency is another way to measure the performance of a CPU.
In the past CPU performance was almost exclusively measured in operating frequency or clock
cycles per second. This is displayed in GHz. The higher the clock cycles per second, or GHz, the
faster the processor was.
Efficiency Per Clock Cycle
CPU performance is now more accurately measured in efficiency per clock cycle. 2 different CPU
types from Intel or AMD, running at the same clock speed, can perform very differently because of
their design and the process used to make them. This is why you often see two CPUs, running at the
same GHz, with drastically different prices and actual performance.
CPU Code Names
A quick way to identify the design and process of a CPU is to look for the CPU's code name.

For example a Core i5 3450S Ivy Bridge running at 2.8GHz will perform better than a Core 2 Quad
Q9550 Yorkfield running at 2.8GHz.
The Core i5, code name Ivy Bridge has an improved design with a faster connection to the rest of the
system and more cache compared to the Core 2 Quad, code name Yorkfield.
i5: Quickpath 5GT's. 4 x 256KB L2, 6MB L3
C2Q: Front Side Bus 1333MHz. 128KB L1, 6MB L2
CPU's with the same code name were made with the same design and process, so the GHz per
second is what separates their performance.
VIDEO CARD
Overview
The video card is responsible for creating all that you see on your computer monitor. Up until about 8
years ago, video cards were advancing in the acceleration and quality of 2 dimensional images. Since
that time, video cards have reached a point where they are all equal in their ability to show 2D images
and no further acceleration is possible.
Video card development now focuses on 3 dimensional acceleration and 3D image quality, 3D games
and 3D modeling software, for instance.
Direct X is the system that 3D acceleration is based on. The latest version, Direct X11 which comes
with Windows 7 and Windows 8 and be installed on Windows Vista, provides the best image quality
and fastest 3D graphics available. For the best 3D performance, look for Direct X 11 support in your
video card.
The amount of memory a video card has plays a big role in the speed and quality of 3D graphics. The
higher the resolution you run your games at and the higher the quality settings you enable in your
games, the more memory the video card will need to keep the games running fast. Look for a card
with at least 1GB of memory.
Interface
The video card will attach through a PCI Express 2.0 16x or 3.0 16x slot on the motherboard . Make
sure the video card you buy supports PCI Express 2.0 16x or 3.0 16x. PCI Express 3.0 doubles the
available bandwidth for sending data between the motherboard and the card compared to the older
2.0 spec and both the 2.0 and 3.0 specs are forward and backward compatible with each other. Keep
in mind that even this years highest performing video cards don't use more bandwidth that the 2.0
spec provides. 3.0 will better support future video cards, but is not a necessity today.

MOTHERBOARD
Overview

In lesson 8 we'll cover motherboard part for both Intel and AMD , their advantages and
disadvantages, a diagram of computer motherboard, what features and specs to look for when
shopping, and how much you can expect to pay.
The motherboard is where all of the computer components connect.
Internal Connections

Your SATA III hard drive or SSD connects through the number 1 SATA III controller here or if you have
an older SATA II hard drive or SSD it can connect to one of the SATA II controllers here.
Your CD, DVD or Blu-ray drives connect through one of the open SATA II controllers.
If you have an old IDE type drive it can connect to the IDE controller.
Theres a place for the memory sticks.
The video card connects to this slot, called a PCI Express 3.0 16x slot
This motherboard also has a second PCI Express 3.0 16x slot which well talk about in a moment.
An add-on sound card, modem and Ethernet adapter can fit in the PCI or PCI Express 1x slots
In the future all expansion cards will be made for PCI Express but regular PCI slots will be available
on most new motherboards through 2014.
And finally there is the processor socket for connecting your Intel or AMD processor.
Intel and AMD motherboards

Remember in the processor lesson we said that you need to buy a motherboard specifically for either
an AMD or Intel processor. The socket is why. Intel and AMD processors fit into different socks. While
all of the other connections for components are the same, the processor socket is specific to either a
Intel or AMD processor and both CPU makers have more than one type of socket.
Intel currently has 3 different CPU socket types. Socket 1155, also called socket H2, Socket 1150,
also called socket H3 and Socket 2011 also called socket R.
Socket 1155 is the oldest of the three. Socket 1155 supports DDR3 memory in Dual Channel mode.
The processors for socket 1155 range from the low-end to the middle high end of performance. Intel
will soon stop making new CPU models for socket 1155. If upgrading the CPU in the future is a must
for you, you need to consider one of the other socket types.
Socket 1150 is a low to middle-high end platform and supports DDR3 in Dual Channel mode. Intel will
probably make new models of CPUs for Socket 1150 for a few more years.

Socket 2011 is Intels latest high end platform and supports DDR3 in Quad Channel mode. Intel
should make new CPU models for Socket 2011 for a few more years.
AMD has 3 different CPU socket types. Socket FM1, FM2 and Socket AM3+.
All 3 support DDR3 memory in Dual channel mode.
Socket FM1 and FM2 are AMDs low to mid range performance platform. Socket FM1 is the newer of
the two.
Socket AM3+ is AMDs low to high end performance platform. AMD should make new CPU models for
Socket AM3+ for at least a few years.
All 3 support DDR3 memory in Dual channel mode.
Its important not only to match the motherboard, memory and processor type, but to also make sure
the speeds of the processor and memory can be handled by the motherboard. The CPU speed and
the memory speed must match the motherboards capabilities.

So when you buy the motherboard, processor and memory, be sure they are compatible with each
other.
External Connections

On the side of the motherboard, which faces the outside of the computer case, we have our external
inputs and outputs.

There is a PS/2 connection for an older keyboard or mice.

USB ports for connecting newer mice and keyboards, digital cameras, printers and scanners.

USB 3.0 ports are becoming standard on new motherboards. USB 3.0 can be up to 10 times faster
than USB 2.0. To get the speed of USB 3.0 both the controller on the motherboard and the device
you plug into it must support USB 3.0. A new USB 3.0 cable is required as well. USB 3.0 controllers
are backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices and cables. With a USB 2.0 device plugged into a
USB 3.0 controller you will get USB 2.0 speeds.

An external SATA port for connecting an external hard drive or CD/DVD drive. This motherboard has
two.
On-board sound card to connect your speakers with digital outputs.
An Ethernet port for connecting to a home network or high speed cable or DSL modem. This
motherboard has two.

Motherboards can also have a video adapter built in.

Though if you are planning on playing games it is best to have an add-on card. There will always be
better features and faster performance with add-on video cards.
Video Card Slots

In the video card lesson we mentioned SLI and Crossfire which combine the power 2, 3 or 4 video
cards, with the option of up to 3 video cards in SLI mode or up to 4 video cards in Crossfire mode to
give you better graphics performance.

If you want to try SLI or Crossfire, youll need a motherboard with this second, third or fourth PCI
Express 3.0 16x slot.

An SLI or Crossfire capable motherboard will also come with a SLI or Crossfire bridge that will
connect the 2, 3 or 4 cards together cards together. Most motherboards support either SLI or
Crossfire, not both. Though there are newer motherboards that support either SLI or Crossfire.
Overclocking

If you're planning to overclock your computers RAM or CPU you might also need to overclock the
motherboard. The motherboards overclocking options are all important to your success in
overclocking. Not all motherboards give the option to overclock so look for a motherboard that will let
you change the speed and timing settings.

ManufacturerS
Abit
Asrock

Foxconn
Gigabyte

Asus

Intel

Biostar

MSI

EVGA

XFX

DFI