University of Sana’a Computer Basics

Facility of Engineering MT 104

Mechatronics Department

Lab2:
hardware-2
Eng Mohammed Daba
Hardware-2
• Hardware Basics
• Choosing the Parts
• Assemble a Computer

Objective: Assemble a computer from scratch

Random-access memory (RAM)
 Random-access memory (RAM) is the temporary storage for data and
programs that are being accessed by the CPU.
 RAM is volatile memory, which means that the contents are erased
when the computer is powered off.
 The more RAM in a computer, the more capacity the computer has to
hold and process large programs and files, as well as enhance system
performance
Random-access memory (RAM)
The different types of RAM are
 Dynamic RAM (DRAM) is a memory chip that is used as main memory.
DRAM must be constantly refreshed with pulses of electricity to
maintain the data stored in the chip.
 Static RAM (SRAM) is a memory chip that
is used as cache memory. SRAM is much
faster than DRAM and does not have to
be refreshed as often.
 Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) is DRAM that
operates in synchronization with the
memory bus. The memory bus
is the data path between the CPU and
the main memory.
Random-access memory (RAM)
The different types of RAM are
 Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM is memory that transfers data twice as
fast as SDRAM. DDR SDRAM increases performance by transferring data
twice per cycle.
 Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) SDRAM is faster than
DDR-SDRAM memory. DDR2 SDRAM improves
performance over DDR SDRAM by decreasing
noise and crosstalk between the signal wires.
 Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) SDRAM
 Double Data Rate 4 (DDR4) SDRAM
Random-access memory (RAM)
Memory Modules
 Early computers had RAM installed on the
motherboard as individual chips. These individual
memory chips, called dual inline package (DIP)
chips, were difficult to install and often became
loose on the motherboard.
 Single In-line Pin Package (SIPP)
 Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM)
 Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)
Random-access memory (RAM)
Common types of DIMMs include the following:
 Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM)
 Small outline dual in-line memory module (SO-DIMM)
 MicroDIMM

CAS latency
 Column Access Strobe (CAS) latency, or CL, is the delay time between the
READ command and the moment data is available. In asynchronous DRAM,
the interval is specified in nanoseconds (absolute time). In synchronous DRAM,
the interval is specified in clock cycles.
Random-access memory (RAM)
How to Pick the Right RAM for Your PC:
 Which Type and speed? You need to check your motherboard/CPU to
see which generation of RAM it supports: DDR3 and DDR4 are the two
existing standards right now, and RAM is not backwards compatible.
The number of slots for RAM on the motherboard and their individual
maximum capacity determines how much RAM you can have in total.
 How Much memory? For basic modern computing, I suggest at least
8GB, which you can generally get in a 4GBx2 stick setup for under $100.
Gamers, media creators, and virtual machine users will want more—the
next efficient step up is to 16GB. If you’re building a massive system that
will do multitasking all day long and handle gigantic games at 4K visual
quality, you want every last bit of RAM you can possibly cram into your
case (which is usually 32GB or 64GB on today’s high-end
motherboards.)
Storage Drives
 A storage drive reads or writes information to magnetic or
optical storage media. It can be used to store data
permanently or to retrieve information from a media disk.
 Some common types of storage drives:
■ Floppy drive
■ Local drive
■ Optical drive
■ Flash drive
■ Network drive
Storage Drives – Local Drive
 A Local drive is a storage device that is installed inside the computer.
The local drive is used as permanent storage for data.
 Types of Local drive are hard drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD), the
part of the computer that holds the operating system and all your
digital files. SSDs are much faster than hard drives, and are highly
recommended these days, though HDDs are generally larger and
cheaper.
Storage Drives – Local Drive
 The storage capacity of a hard drive is measured in gigabytes (GB), or
terabytes (TB).
 The speed of a hard drive is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm),
the most popular drives for desktops and laptops are between 5400
and 7200 RPM, 5400 RPM drives offer an average of 100 MB/s read and
writes speeds while 7200 RPM drives deliver an average of 120 MB/s
read and writes speeds.
 Disk buffer (often called disk cache or cache buffer) is the embedded
memory in a drive acting as a buffer between the rest of the computer
and the physical hard disk platter that is used for storage. Modern HDD
come with 8 to 256 MB of such memory, and SSD come with up to 4 GB
of cache memory.
 Form factor
 Interface
Storage Drives – Local Drive
How to Pick the Right Local Drive for Your PC:
 HDD or SSD: I’d recommend a smaller SSD just for your operating
system and programs, and using a secondary and cheaper hard drive
for all your large personal files.
 Interfaces and form factor: compatible with the motherboard and the
case, choose the SATA interface and the default form factor for the
normal requirement and choose the other interfaces for advance
requirement in gaming or servers, etc.
Storage Drives – Optical Drive
 An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to read
data on the optical media.
 Main types of optical drives/media include:
- Compact disc (CD) drives/media
- Digital versatile disc (DVD) drives/media
- Blu-ray (BD) drives/media
 Speed
Types of Drive Interfaces
 Drives are manufactured with different interfaces that are used to connect
the drive to the motherboard.
 Common drive interfaces are:
■ Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), also called Advanced Technology Attachment
(ATA), is an early drive controller interface that connects computers and hard-
diskdrives. An IDE interface uses a 40-pin connector.
■ Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE), also called ATA-2, is an updated
version of the IDE drive controller interface. EIDE supports hard drives larger than 512
MB, enables Direct Memory Access (DMA) for speed, and uses the AT Attachment
Packet Interface (ATAPI) to accommodate optical drives and tape drives on the EIDE
bus. An EIDE interface uses a 40-pin connector.
■ Parallel ATA (PATA) refers to the parallel version of the ATA drive controller interface.
■ Serial ATA (SATA) refers to the serial version of the ATA drive controller interface. A
SATA interface uses a seven-pin connector.
■ Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is a drive controller interface that can
connect up to 15 drives. SCSI can connect both internal and external drives. A SCSI
interface uses a 50-pin, 68-pin, or 80-pin connector.
Cooling Systems
 Electronic components generate heat. Heat is caused by the flow of current within the
components. Computer components perform better when kept cool.
 Increasing the air flow in the computer case allows more heat to be removed.
 A case fan is installed in the computer case to make the cooling process more efficient.
 A heat sink draws heat away from the core of the CPU. A fan on top of the heat sink
moves the heat away from the CPU.
 Other components are also susceptible to heat damage and
sometimes are equipped with fans.
 Water-cooling system.
 Adapter Cards
 Adapter cards increase a computer’s functionality and customize the
computer’s capability by adding controllers for specific devices.
 Some adapter cards:
- NIC connects a computer to a network using a network
cable.
- Wireless NIC connects a computer to a network using
radio frequencies.
- Sound Card provides audio capability.
- Video Card provides graphic capability.
- Modem adapter connects a computer to the Internet
using a phone line.
Graphics Adapter
 A video card is an expansion card which generates a feed of output
images to a display device (such as a computer monitor).
 A video card is categorized as discrete or dedicated graphics cards.
 At the core of both is the graphics processing unit (GPU), which is the
main part that does the actual computations, but should not be
confused with the video card as a whole, although "GPU" is often
used to refer to video cards.
 Major manufacturers are Nvidia and AMD
 Self-study
Input Devices
 An input device is used to enter data or instructions into a
computer. Here are some examples of input devices:
■ Mouse
■ keyboard
■ Digital camera and digital video camera
■ Touch screen
■ Scanner

 The mouse and keyboard are the two most commonly

used input devices.
Output Devices
 An output device is used to present information to the user
from a computer. Here are some examples of output
devices:
■ Monitors
■ projectors
■ Printers, scanners, and fax machines
■ Speakers and headphones
 Monitors and Speakers are primary output devices for a
computer.
Required for the next lab

 Research about Graphics Cards and the main factors and

characteristics to be considered in chosen the right graphics cards
- 3 pages maximum.
- copy-paste assignment.
Files with the Lab

 Further Info:
- DDR SDRAM - Wikipedia.pdf
- Difference Between DDR1 DDR2 DDR3 DDR4 Detail Information.pdf
- SOLIDWORKS _ Hardware & System Requirements _ SOLIDWORKS.pdf
- Grand Theft Auto V PC System Requirements - Rockstar Games
Customer Support.pdf
- List of disk drive form factors - Wikipedia.pdf
- Understanding SSD form factors _ ATP Electronics.pdf
- SATA Vs PCI-E Vs M.2 2242 Vs M.2 2280_ The Best SSD Interface_.pdf
- Optical disc drive - Wikipedia.pdf
Next lab

 Quiz to test your understanding for this lab

Next lab Subjects:

 Hardware-3
References

 Google IT Support Professional Certificate Courses in Coursera

https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/google-it-support

 IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide

 https://pcpartpicker.com

 https://en.wikipedia.org

 https://www.howtogeek.com
Any Questions ?!
By: Mohammed Daba
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