Whats inside a PC system
What’s inside a PC system?
unit is built into a single microprocessor chip (with one or more
cores) which executes program instructions and supervises the
computer’s overall operation. One area where microprocessors differ
is in the amount of data – the number of bits – that they can work
with at a time. There are 16, 32, and 64-bit processors. A 64-bit
processor is able to address 4 billion times more information than a
32-bit system.
The programs and data which pass through the central processor must
be loaded onto the main memory (also called the internal memory)
in order to be processed. Thus, when the user runs an application, the
microprocessor looks for it on secondary storage devices (disks) and
transfers a copy of the instructions into the RAM area. RAM
(random access memory) is temporary, i.e. its information is lost
when the computer is turned off. However, ROM (read only
memory) is permanent and contains instructions needed by the
processor to load the operating system.
Most of today’s computers have internal expansion slots that allow
users to install adaptors or expansion boards. Popular adaptors
include high-resolution graphics boards, memory expansion boards,
and internal modems.
The power and performance of a computer is partly determined by
the speed of its microprocessor. A clock provides pulses at fixed
intervals to measure and synchronize circuits and units. The clock
speed is measured in MHz (megahertz) or GHz (gigahertz) and refers
to the frequency at which pulses are emitted. For example, a CPU
running at 3,200 MHz (3,200 million cycles per second) will enable
the computer to handle complex applications.
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