GENERAL COMPUTER
KNOWLEDGE
Lecture 1
Mr.Ehab Shayya COE 201- Computer Proficiency
2
Outline
▪ Computer Evolution
▪ Looking Inside the Computer
▪ Hardware Vs. Software
▪ Operating System
▪ Binary Representation
▪ Machine Cycle
▪ Computer Parts
▪ CPU
▪ Memory
▪ Main Memory
▪ Cache Memory
▪ Secondary Storage
▪ I/O Devices
▪ GPU
▪ Printers
3 Computer Evolution
First Generation – Vacuum Tube Based
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Mark 1
▪ First electro mechanical computer
▪ Created in 1941by Dr. Howard
Aikern in Conjunction with IBM
▪ Space: 17 meters long and 2.5
meters height
▪ Connected with 800km of wires
First Generation – Vacuum Tube Based
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ENIAC
▪ Electronic Numerical Integrator And
Computer
▪ Completed in 1946 at the University
of Pennsylvania
▪ Weight: 30 tons, space: 140 square
meters
▪ 1000 times faster than Mark 1
Second Generation – Transistors Based
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TRADIC
▪ TRansistorized Airborne DIgital Computer
▪ Released in 1954 in Bells Lab for US Air
force by James R. Harris
▪ Size : 300 times smaller than ENIAC
▪ Less than 100 power watt
Third Generation– Integrated Circuit
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IBM 360
▪ Introduced in 1964 by MITS
▪ First family of computers designed to
cover both commercial and scientific
applications
▪ First upgradable computer
▪ Cost around $2M
Fourth Generation – Microprocessors
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ALTAIR 8800
▪ Introduced in 1971 by MITS
▪ Considered by many the first easily
obtainable and affordable computer
▪ Programs written in machine language
using switches for input and LED lights for
output
Fourth Generation – Microprocessors
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Apple II
▪ Released in June 1977
▪ One of the first computer with a
color display
▪ A 4 Kbytes, complete Apple II
system cost around 1,300.00 US $
Fourth Generation – Microprocessors
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IBM Personal Computer (PC)
▪ Released in September
1981
▪ Popularized the idea of the
personal computer
Fifth Generation – Artificial Intelligance
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The present and the future
▪ Ultra Large scale integration
▪ Understand Human
Language
▪ Consumes less power
▪ Remarkable improvement in
speed
12 Hardware Vs. Software
Hardware
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▪ The part of the computer that you can see and
touch.
▪ Example: CD-ROM, monitor, printer, keyboard
▪ Devices that are required to store and execute
(or run) the software.
▪ Serve as the delivery system for software
solutions.
Software
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▪ Also known as program or application.
▪ Collection of instructions that enables a user to
interact with the computer.
▪ Enables a computer to perform a specific task
▪ Example: Microsoft Word, Excel, OS, Firefox
▪ To deliver a set of instructions, software is
installed on hardware.
15 Operating System
Operating System
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▪ An operating system (OS) is system software that manages
computer hardware and software
▪ First program that starts when PC is ON.
▪ Translator between user and hardware.
▪ User issues commands in Human Language.
▪ OS translates commands to Machine Language.
▪ Provides user with easy-to-use interface.
▪ Provides user with File Management Capabilities.
▪ OS examples
▪ Windows 8.1 , Windows 10
▪ MAC OS
▪ Ubuntu Linux
17 Machine Language
Binary Representation
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▪ Binary Form relies on 2 digits
▪ 0 : Zero.
▪ 1 : One.
▪ In order to represent “M” characters we need n bits where
M = 2n.
▪ Computers understand Machine Language (Strings of 0 and 1)
▪ All characters and numbers get translated into “1”s and “0”s
Binary decimal
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▪ Binary to decimal
1 0 0 1 1 0 1 (binary)
= 1x26+0x25 +0x24+1x23 + 1x22+ 0x21 +1x20
= 77 (decimal)
▪ Decimal to binary
19 (decimal)
19 = 2 x 9 + 1
9 = 2x4 + 1
4 = 2x2 + 0 19 (decimal) = 10011 (binary)
2 = 2x1 + 0
1 = 2x0 + 1
20 Machine Cycle
CPU Machine Cycle
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22 Looking Inside a Computer
Desktop case parts
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Laptop parts
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CPU
Central Processor Unit
CPU
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Central Processing Unit
▪ Electronic circuits that processes data.
▪ Composed of:
▪ Control Unit
▪ Arithmetic/Logic Unit
The Control Unit
▪ Interprets the instructions
▪ Coordinates between software and hardware
▪ Tracks the flow of data
The Arithmetic/Logic Unit
▪ Performs the logical and arithmetic operations as per the CU Instructions
▪ Responsible for answering questions and providing the output result
Evolution of CPUs
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Intel CPU Generations:
▪ 8086 ▪ Pentium IV
▪ Centrino
▪ 80x86
▪ Dual Core
▪ Pentium
▪ Core 2 Duo
▪ Pentium MMX ▪ Core 2 Quad
▪ Pentium II ▪ Core i3, i5, i7,
▪ Pentium III ▪ AMD Threadripper
▪ Celeron 3970X
Evolution of CPUs
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▪ Clock Speed
▪ Determines the amount of time required to execute a set of instructions.
▪ The speed at which a microprocessor executes instructions.
▪ The faster the clock, the more instructions the CPU can execute per second.
▪ Hz(Hertz)
▪ 1 Hz = one cycle per second.
▪ KHz(Kilo Hertz)
▪ 1 KHz= one thousand cycles per second.
▪ MHz(Mega Hertz)
▪ 1 MHz= one million cycles per second.
▪ GHz(Giga Hertz):
▪ 1 GHz = one billion cycle per second.
Evolution of CPUs
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Memory
The Computer Storage Space
Storage Capacities
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▪ Main unit of storage is Binary Digit or Bit.
▪ 1 Byte = 8 Bits.
▪ 1 KB = 1 Kilo Byte = 2^10 Bytes = 1024 Bytes
▪ 1 MB = 1 Mega Byte = 2^20 Bytes = 1024 KB
▪ 1 GB = 1 Giga Byte = 2^30 Bytes = 1024 MB
▪ 1 TB = 1 Tera Byte = 2^40 Bytes = 1024 GB
Types of Memory
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▪ Two Types of Memory
▪ Primary Storage Devices
▪ CPU registers
▪ Memory cache
Capacity
▪ Main Memory Access Time
▪ Secondary Storage Devices
▪ Hard Disks
▪ SSDs Access
▪ CDs Time Capacity
▪ DVDs
Types of Memory
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Types of Memory
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RAM
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Random Access Memory
▪ Computer’s temporary/main memory
▪ Exists as chips on the motherboard near the CPU
▪ Stores data or programs while they are being used
▪ When the program or file is closed, the data is removed
from RAM → Requires power!
▪ The amount of RAM you have on your computer is
crucial in determining how many programs can be
opened (running) and how much data is available for
each program
Cache Memory
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▪ A cache is a smaller, faster memory, closer to a processor
core, which stores copies of the data from frequently used
▪ Cache Levels
▪ Level 1 (L1) cache is extremely fast but relatively small, and is
usually embedded in the processor chip (CPU).
▪ Typical size: 64 KB
▪ Level 2 (L2) cache is often more capacious than L1; it may be
located on the CPU or on a separate chip
▪ Typical size: 1 to 2 MB
▪ Level 3 (L3) cache can be significantly slower than L1 or L2, but is
usually double the speed of RAM.
Secondary Storage Devices
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Secondary Storage Devices
▪ Store Files, Applications and OS
▪ Store instructions and data when they are not being used in Main Memory
Common types
▪ Hard Disks Drive HDD
▪ One or more rigid metal platters coated with a metal oxide material that allows
data to be recorded magnetically on the surface of the platters.
▪ Solid Sisk Drive SSD (NAND-Based Flash Memory)
▪ DVDs & CDs
Hard Disk Drive Structure
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▪ Hold amount of data
▪ Reasonably durable
▪ Relatively cheap
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HDD Structure
Solid State Drive Structure
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▪ Super low latency
▪ Very fast read and write speeds
▪ Physically more robust
▪ Shock resistant
▪ Zero Moving parts
▪ Immune to data fragmentation
SSD vs. HDD
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SDD HDD
Less heat More heat generation
Heat and Noise
Less noise More noise
Lower Latency Higher latency
Speed
Faster read/writes Long read/writes time
Architecture No moving parts Moving parts
Defragmentation No needed Essential
Weigh Less weigh Heavy weight
Lifespan Short Long
Resistance Shock resistant Fragile
Price Expensive Cheaper
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Input/ Output Devices
I/O: Input Devices
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▪ Hardware device that sends information to the computer
▪ keyboard, mouse,
▪ digital camera, scanner
▪ Microphone etc
I/O: Output Devices
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▪ Hardware device that provides feedback to the user.
▪ Screens/display devices
▪ Printers
▪ Speakers
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GPU
Graphic Processing Unit
Graphical Processing Unit GPU
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▪ A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic
circuit designed to accelerate the creation of images for
output to a display device
▪ GPUs are used in mobile phones, personal computers,
workstations, and game consoles
▪ NVIDIA and AMD are leading GPU designers
Graphical Processing Unit GPU
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▪ Two types of GPUs
▪ Integrated GPU: The GPU is integrated in the CPU chip
▪ Cheaper
▪ Less power consumption
▪ Utilizes the system RAM
▪ Example: Intel HD Graphics in laptops
▪ Dedicated GPU: The GPU utilizes a dedicated RAM memory
▪ Uses a dedicated RAM memory separate than the system RAM
▪ More Powerful performance
▪ Higher power consumption ( Heat Up)
▪ More expensive
▪ Example: GEFORCE GTX 770 ( 2 GB dedicated RAM)
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Printers
Graphic Processing Unit
Inkjet
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▪ Good print Quality
▪ Use Ink cartridges
▪ Print several pages per minute.
▪ Sprays liquid ink onto the page
▪ Separate ink cartridges: black, cyan, magenta, yellow
▪ Initial cost of the printer can be very low
▪ Ink is expensive
Laser Printers
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▪ Uses powdered toner
▪ Can be color or black-and-white
▪ Large amount of printing is required, for schools or
Businesses
▪ Several trays of varying paper sizes
▪ Initial cost is higher than inkjet
▪ Cost per page of toner is low
Other Printers
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▪ Thermal
▪ Direct thermal
▪ Thermal wax transfer
▪ Thermal dye transfer
▪ Plotters
▪ Print large posters
▪ Print architectural plans,
Inkjet vs. Laser
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Inkjet Laser
Initial Cost Inexpensive Expensive
Per-page Cost Expensive Inexpensive
Resolution Good Good
Speed Medium Fast
Paper handling Single low capacity tray Multiple high
capacity trays
Uses Photo printing Businesses printing
Home use High volume printing
