Hardware in Detail

Hardware in Detail

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http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing/ocr/211_hardware_software/types_hw/miniweb/index.htm

Learning Objectives

To describe the hardware components used in a digital computer (desktop)

To understand that t computers are made up of millions of electronic components, changing state hundreds of millions of times a second. T

That these components are reliably processing data at phenomenal speeds.

Task 1 Hardware Components

We going to explore how the digital computer works and the first step is to identify the hardware components that make up a digital computer.

As a class we will watch watch these videos which identify the parts of a computer and describe their functions:

 http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/7 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRmPTbGBqVI

Activity

Find a diagram of a desktop computer which has been labelled and add to your notes

Task 2 Architecture

The ways in which these hardware components relate to each other in a computer is called the computer architecture. The choice of hardware components affects the computer’s speed and power, as well as how much the computer costs and how it can be used.

The CPU is connected to the other components by wiring known as buses. There are three types of buses:

Data bus	Transfers binary data from place to place
Control bus	Sends and receives signals that control the CPU and other components
Address bus	Which carries the binary address of memory locations

The data, address and control buses send electronic signals between the CPU and memory, and also to other devices such as the hard disk drive:

A  bus is either a cable or tracks in a printed circuit board. Get pupils to complete a diagram representing how the hardware components are connected using buses, and to summarise what the different buses do.

Activity 1

This diagram represents the way in which buses connect the main hardware components in a digital computer. Copy and complete the diagram using these labels:

·           CPU

·           Memory

·           Input/output devices

·           Data, control and address bus

 

  

Activity 2

From the function given, identify and insert the name of the correct bus.

Function	Type of bus
Sends and receives signals that control the CPU and other parts of the computer system
Carries the address of memory locations used to store data and program instructions
Transfers the binary data around the computer

Activity 3

Label the following on the picture of the Raspberry Pi:

·           SD card (memory)

·           CPU processor and RAM memory

·           Ethernet network connection

·           2 USB connectors (mouse and keyboard)

·           HDMI connector for monitor

·           Audio

·           Power supply