Basic Computer Structure and

Knowledge

Lecturer: Engr. Marife K. Villareal, MEng

Basic Computer Structure

1. Logical Structure of a computer includes:

• BIOS (The Basic Input Output System)
• CPU (The Processor)
• Memory / RAM (Temporary Storage)
• Hard Disk (Permanent Storage)
• Input / Output Device
• Communication Channel (Eg. USB)
• Bus (High Speed Internal Communication)
• Other Add-on Device…
BASIC BLOCK DIAGRAM
BIOS

• Basic Input Output System

• Store all the parameter before the OS Load
(Example are Hard Disk Size, Memory
Speed, Turn on or turn off the build in device
such as Sound Card, USB, printer etc)
• Usually stored in Flash Memory
One of the BIOS Screen Dump
 Identify the Component - CPU

• Central Processing Unit

• It is the core of a computer.
• Responsible for all the calculation and part of the video.
• We send instructions (programs) to the processor to get
the computer to do something
• Usually in the Speed of GHz
• 1G around 1,000 MHz
• 1M = 1Million Instruction / second
• Some Expensive CPU have more build in memory
(Cache Memory)
 Parts of the Processor

● Control Unit
● Manages the fetching and executing of
programs held in RAM
● Makes sure programs are processed in
the correct order
● Arithmetic Logic Unit
● Performs + - X / calculations
● Makes AND, OR, NOT and IF decisions
● Handles FOR, loop untils
● Registers
● Storage locations on the processor chip
to temporarily store instructions
 Register
1. Registers
A register is a storage location located inside Register
the processor. A modern processor has many
registers. Register

Register
Registers are used to hold :

● data which is being processed

● instructions which are being executed

● addresses which are about to be accessed.

CS Topic 2 - Computer 8
Structure v2
How to Choose a CPU ?

• Mainly AMD / Intel Dominate the Market.

• In the current market you have several categories of
microprocessors to choose for your desktop
computers: Xeon, Pentium IV, Celeron, Dual Core,
Quad Core, Athlon, and AMDX64 etc.
• Price vs. Performance: There is typically no good
correlation between these two factors, especially at
the top speeds. Average users should not purchase
the top-speed on the market. The price difference is
not worthy of the performance difference.
• Based on your budget, find a suitable CPU.
Main Memory

● The Main Memory is required to store parts of

programs whilst in use by the processor

● Random Access Memory ● Read Only Memory

● Where programs are stored
● The contents of ROM are
temporarily while the
stored permanently and
computer is on cannot be edited
Volatile Memory = The ● Programs are written to
● contents of RAM is lost when ROM during manufacture
the computer
(Need electricity toiskeep
switched
the data)off
● Bootstrap Loader is stored
in ROM and loads up the
Memory Size is around remainder of the OS
256M / 512M / 1G / 2G per
memory module
Hard Disk (ATA / SATA / SCSI)

• Used to stored data permanently.

• Different Type of Hard Disk Size
(3.5”, 2.5”, 1.8”, Micro Drive)
• Different Interface : ATA / SATA /
SCSI
(Speed : ATA < SATA < SCSI)
• Different Speed (Mechanical)
(4,200rpm / 5,400rpm /
7,200rpm / 10,000 rpm )
Hard Disk (ATA / SATA / SCSI) – Cond.

• Different Build in Memory Size

(2M / 8M / 16M etc)
• Different Capacity
(80G to 500G or even 1T)
• Small Size Hard Disk are more popular as
they are portable size.
Backing Storage
● A Backing Storage device ● Sequential Access = This
is a piece of hardware is Backing Storage where
that is used to store data you access data in a
permanently when the particular order
computer is switched off ● Direct Access = This
● Magnetic Backing Storage allows
● Hard Disk you to access data in any
● Magnetic Tape
USB Memory Stick
order
●

● Optical
● CDROM/R/RW
● DVDROM/R/RW
Main Board / Mother Board (MB)

• Provide a platform to
connecting all the
devices.
(Keyboard / Mouse /
Power / CPU /
Memory / Hard Disk /
Floppy Disk / Display
Card etc)
• Many Main Board has
already build in Sound
Card / Network Card
or even display card.
I/O Device & Interface

• ATA / SATA /SCSI (For Hard Disk)

• Parallel Port or LPT Port (For Printer)
• COM Port (For Modem)
• RJ45 Socket (For Network)
• PS/2 (For Keyboard / Mouse)
• D-Sub / DVI (For Monitor)
• USB (All compatible device)
Power Supply

• Power Supply Convert the

A.C. Voltage to Lower D.C.
Voltage which is suitable
for Computer.
• Power Supply can be
classified by their loading
(Watt).
• Different type of socket for
different device.
Case

• Case is used to
place the main
board and the
power supply.
• Most case have
external USB
connection.
The parts which go together to make up the computer system
need to be able to communicate with one another.
There are three sets of electrical lines which connect all the
parts. These sets of lines are called buses.

CS Topic 2 - Computer 18
Structure v2
The three buses which carry signals around the computer
system each have their own particular function.

1. Address Bus
This is used by the Processor to indicate which location has
to be accessed.
It is a one-way bus from the processor as the processor
dictates all movement of signals.

The number of lines on the address bus determines the

maximum amount of memory locations which can be accessed.

CS Topic 2 - Computer 19
Structure v2
2. Data bus
This is the bus which is used to transfer the actual
data to and from the locations.
It is a two-way bus as data may be going to the processor
(Read) or coming from the processor(Write).

CS Topic 2 - Computer 20
Structure v2
3.Control bus
With both the data and the address buses, each of the lines
operate together, in parallel, at the same time, as a unit.

e.g. It would not make sense to look at one of the lines on

the address bus.
You have to look at them all to see the full address.
The Control bus is a collective name for a number of discrete
lines each of which has a different function and operates at
different times.
They are best viewed as a number of individual lines.

CS Topic 2 - Computer 21
Structure v2
End