Computer elements

BY ANGEL CASO 3ºA

 1.MICROPROCESSOR
It´s an integrated circuit made up of millions of tiny transistors working
together to process the instructions and data received from the
memory
•The clock rate sets the pace at which processes are completed. It
continously generates electrical impulses
•Today´s microprocessors can process 64 bits at a time
•A microprocessor´s power also depends on its cache memory and the
speed at which it comunicates with the RAM
2.Memory and units of storage
• RAM
1.The computer´s main memory is its RAM
2.When we run an app, its instrucstion and data are
copied to this memory so that the microprocessor can
use them
3.This is beacuse accessing the hard disk is very slow
4.Since RAM doesn´t retain information when the
computer is switched off, we must save our work
before closing the app. Otherwise we will loose our
work
2.Memory and units of storage
• Cache memory
1.RAM cannot work at the same speed as the
microprocessor, so a much faster memory
is isntalled between the RAM and the
microprocessor: the cache memory
2.The cache memory stores the data that the
microprocessor uses most often
2.Memory and units of storage
• ROM BIOS
1.When you turn on your computer, it automatically
checks the system. This initial check is carried out
using instructionsstored in a spoecial read-only
memory: nthe ROM BIOS
2.If everything is correct, the BIOS starts the
operating system in the main memory, so that this
system can take control of the computer
2.Memory and units of storage
 3.Motherboard and connecting devices
• Inside the computer you´ll find a large board which we call
motherboard. All the other components of the computer are
connected to it.
• The communications between the different components of the
motherboard takes place through sets of copper wires called
buses
• The motherboard includes the following components:
1. Slots that can be used to expand or add new components
2. The IDE or ATA and SATA connectors connect the har disk, Cd
drive and DVD drive to the motherboard
3. The chipset is a number of integrated circuits designed to perform
related functions; they control the flow of bits to and from the
motherboard
4. Various input/ output ports
Connecting external devices

We can phisically connect devices to the computer in different ways:

•Usin´ an expansión slot on the motherboard, to connect a sound card or a graphics card
•By special connectors on the motherboard, for such devices as the hard disk, DVD drives and so
on
•Usin´ the external ports on the side or back of the computer, for example the USB port
 Connecting external devices
• We also need to install a driver that aloows the device to
communicate with the operating system.
The operating system automatically installs drivers for most devices.
We can also install new devices by usin´ the software provided by the
device manufacturer. To do this , we need to use one of the following
tools:
1. Asistente para agregar hardware in Windows. Use this to add new
hardware
2. Informe sobre nuevos dispositivos, a report on new devices in Linux
• Operating systrems also have device managers that allow you view
and change device properties, update drivers or uninstall software:
1. Administrador de dispositivos in Windows
2. Gestor de dispositivos in Linux