The parts of a computer and how it works.

By. Nathan Watt

MemoryTerm/Byte Abbreviation Value

Bit none 0 or 1

Byte B 8 bits  -example: 00100101

Kilo K, KB 1,024 bytes

Mega M, MB, Meg1,048,576 bytes (Million)

Giga G, GB, Giga1,073,741,824 bytes (Billion)

Tera T, TB, Tera1,099,511,628,000 bytes (Trillion)

• 8 bits = 1 byte • 1000 bytes = 1 kilobyte • 1000 kilobytes = 1

megabyte • 1000 megabytes = 1

gigabyte • 1000 gigabytes = 1

terabyte

RAM

• Ram means Random access memory and it makes your computer faster.

• This memory is vital to the computer because it controls the moment by moment processes of the computer. The first thing that goes into RAM is the OS (operating system) which is most cases is Windows 95. Next for the RAM might be a game, or the Internet browser, or some type of software that you want to use.

Rom

• Rom means read only memory. It is permanent and is long term memory.

• read-only memory is permanent, long-term, non-volatile memory. Non-volatile means is doesn't disappear when the computer is shut off. It also can not be erased or changed in anyway.

Early Computers

• personal computer only needed about 64K of RAM. Today that number is drastically higher. With photos, sounds, and even movies going into RAM, the amount need is now in the millions.

Multitasking

• Multitasking makes it so you can do more than one thing at one time.

• Multitasking has put more demand on RAM in the past few years. Multitasking is the ability to run more than one program at the same time. For instance, many people like to run Netscape Communicator along with their word processing software. This means you need lots of RAM to hold both programs.

Cache

• Cache is a type of virtual memory.

• Other types of temporary memory are cache, pronounced cash, and virtual memory. Both of these types of memory supplement the computer's primary RAM and perform the same function as RAM.

Hard Disk

• A stack of round metal platters called disks encased in a metal air tight shell. They commonly range in sizes from 60 to 500 gigabytes (1000MB=1GB). The hard drive's function is to store all the files, and software the computer will ever use.

Thumb Drive or Memory Stick

• A device that in 1998 IBM introduced and has caught on very quickly as a great portable storage device. It quickly replaced the floppy disk.

DVD-ROM (digital video disk, read-only memory)

• DVD's are similar to CD in that they are written and read by laser. Hard drives use magnetic currents store data. However CD's and DVD's use light (laser) to write and read data on a disk. These long and short pits are then stored or etched on the surface of the disk.

CD-ROM (Compact disk, read-only memory)

• CD's function much like hard drive in that they store large amounts of memory. What separates them is their mobility and optical storage technology. Their storage capacity is also very limited compared to hard drives.

Microprocessor

ProcessorNo. of Transistors

Bus Width

80286 134,000 16 bit

80386 275,000 32 bit

80486 1,600,000 32 bit

Pentium 3,300,00064 bit external/ 

32 bit internal

Pentium Pro 5,500,000 64 bit

Pentium w/ MMX 4,500,00064 bit external/ 

32 bit internal

Pentium II 7,500,000 64 bit

The processor has come a long way and now some of the latest processors are: Celeron · Pentium Dual-Core · Core 2 · Core i5 · Core i7 · Xeon · Itanium and who know what will come out next?

Processing

• The processor is the one part of the computer that is most important to the computer. The microprocessor controls how data is sorted and directs the flow of data.

Input

• One of the best features of a computer is the ability to give the computer commands and feed it information. Without an input device this would not be possible. Input devices can be built into the computer, like the keyboard in a laptop, or it can be connected to the computer by a cable.

Output

• The computer output devices are used to serve the user. The most common output device is the monitor, or screen. However most computer come with speakers and a printer which are excellent output devices.

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The End