Mind map
Introduction
The application of computers is widespread in the current generation. Computers form a fundamental part of our daily lives as well as activities. The application of computers ranges from simple mathematical computations in devices like calculators to complex mathematical computations in industries. Virtually everything depends on computers for operation and completion of various tasks and processes in equal measure. The use of computer presents a variety of advantages over other alternative methods of accomplishing tasks (Krishnamoorthy, et al, 2009).
Background Research
A computer is an electronic device used to perform arithmetic operations which are employed in attaining different tasks a desired by user. It accepts input commands, processes the received command and generates an output. A computer system is made up of four basic units; the central processing unit, input unit, storage unit and output unit. These units are further divided into different categories (Patterson & Hennessy, 2013).
Literature review
The existence of computers can be dated back to decades ago.
Generally, a computer is made up of memory, processor and Input/ Output components in addition to one or more module of different types. The basic components of a computer are interconnected in a specific fashion to attain the main purpose of the computer; executing programs..
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Processing unit; this forms the center and brain of the computer. It does all the computational work, processing and coordinating all the other units of the computer. The central processing unit is tasked with performing such operations as arithmetic and logical operation. It request instructions and data from the storage unit and perform arithmetic and logical calculations as per the provided instructions to generate meaningful information. After processing, the central processing unit sends back the processed information and instructions and data back to the storage unit for output (Godse & Godse, 2009).
Intel Processors
Intel is known for the production of numerous types of processors currently used in a number of modern computers. The Intel processors have improved ever since the first inception. This type of processors presents the computer with high processing speed while generating minimal amount of heat. Different generations and types of Intel processors exist in the market;
Intel dual core processor
Intel i5 processors
Intel i7 processors
Intel Pentium Dual core processor
Intel i3 processors
Intel Celeron processors
Intel Pentium dual core processors presents an outstanding desktop performance , multitasking and reduced power enhancements for daily computing. Intel core i3 processor presents 4 way multitasking potential while running at a fixed speed. This type of Intel processor is good for media playbacks and typical tasks. On the other hand, the Intel core i5 delivers quad core technology abilities to the modern computer. It is enhanced with Intel Turbo Boost technology which is responsible for delivering added speed. Intel core i7 is at the top of the processor table with the highest performance and speed attributes as compared to the other types of Intel processors.
AMD processors
Apart from Intel, AMD is a major player in the processor manufacture industry. There are a number of different AMD processors available for computer operation. AMD A4 posses double processor core as well as Radeon graphic chip. This type of processor is structured for lower end systems. On the other hand, AMD A6 processor entails turbo function same to Intel that enables it to adopt to the task it is required to perform. It has integrated graphics and can be compared with the Intel core i3. The other type of AMD processor is AMD A8. It comes with 4 processor cores and graphics which can easily handle light gaming. It can be compared to low Intel core i5. The final type of AMD processor is the AMD A10. This comes with 4 cores and benefits from improved battery life. It can be compared with the Intel i5 and some Intel core i7.
Output Unit
The output unit has three main functions; it accepts the outcome generated by the processing unit in an coded form, it transform the result of the processed unit into a code that the user can understand then displays and outputs the transformed codes to the user inform of picture, video or sound.
LED and Graphic cards
This is an output device that uses the CRT or LCD to display processed information to the user. The monitor work hand in hand with the graphic card to enhance the quality of the information displayed in the screen (Gelenbe & Mitrani, 2010). The processed information is passed through the graphic cards which decodes the binary code into graphic which can be understood by the user. The generated graphics are then displayed through the computer screen or monitor.
There are different types of graphic cards;
Integrated Graphic cards: These are graphic cards which are embedded on the computer’s motherboard. In most cases, integrated graphic cards are known as on-board graphic cards. PCI graphic card are not embedded on the motherboard of the computer but instead use the PCI connection port to connect to the computer.
Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan Z and GTX 980
The two types of graphic cards are some of the well known graphic cards based on their performance. While Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan Z utilizes a core speed of 705 Mhz, GTX 980 uses 1126 Mhz. It also operates at a boost clock of 876 MHz against 1216 for GTX 980 graphic card. The GeForce GTX Titan employs Kepler Gk110-430 architecture while GTX 980 uses the Maxwell GM204-400. Both the graphic cards have good OC potential.
GeForce GTX Titan exhibits a number of properties that enable it to outstand among the other types of graphic cards. It exhibits the following performance specifications; it employs the use of Kepler GPU architecture. This architecture has been structured from the bottom up not just for improved gamming performance but also optimum performance per watt. Also, it is equipped with the SMX multiprocessor which is used for streaming and is more efficient as compared to the previous generation. Apart for the GPU architecture, this type of graphic card comes installed with NVIDIA GPU Boost 2.0. This technology allows users to push the performance of the computer to the top with exact control. Additionally, the graphic card comes with SLI Technology and PhysX technology which are used to link up different GTX titant together.
GeForce GTX Titan has the following specifications; 2688 CUDA cores, a clock base of 837 Mhz, a boost clock of 876 Mhz as well as a texture fill rate of 187.5 billion per second. The memory specifications of this graphic card include a memory clock of 6.0 Gbps, a standard memory configuration of 6144 MB, GDDR5 memory interface with a memory interface width of 384 bit GDDR5 and a memory bandwidth of 288.4GB/sec. The graphic card is capable of supporting 4 multi monitor display, a maximum digital resolution of 4096x2160, a maximum VGA resolution of 2048x1536, with a support for both HDMI and HDCP.
VGA
VGA is also known as HD15. It is a manual connection hardware used to link laptops and computers to external display such as projectors. VGA cables are also used by desktop computers to connect the main unit to the monitor for display functions. VGA is considered old and analogue and soon will be replaced by the fast growing digital HDMI cables. VGA cables are categorized into different groups; RGBHV cables, VGA adapters, select VGA, VGA converters, VGA devices and VGA extension cables. Select VGA cables are structured for source to project connectivity in home, commercial ad well as desktop applications. On the other hand, VGA adapters present the connection port for M1, display port, BNC and MAC devices to VGA display.
VGA hardware comes with different standard graphic modes which determine both color and resolution of display. Some of the standard resolution modes for different types of VGA include the following 640X480 which comes in 16 monochrome, 640x350 also with 16 color as well as EGA compatibility mode, 320x200 with 16 or 4 colors and 320x200 in 256 colors. The higher the standard graphic modes the more clarity the display is for different VGA hardware.
Display modes and Higher-resolution
Most VGA hardware are capable of producing higher resolution display through the use of different combinations: 256 to 400 pixels which comes in 256 monochromes not excluding 360, 320 and 384; 512 to 800 resolution with 16 colors not excluding 640, 720, 736 and a range of 350 to 410 lines at a refresh rate of 70 Hz.
Other output devices include speaker, sound cards and printers. The processed information is decoded by the sound card to generate sound that can be understood by the user through the speaker. On the other hand, the printer is used to print out words and numbers as well as illustrations.
RAM
The primary memory is further categorized into RAM and ROM. Random Access Memory (RAM) is the responsible for temporary storage of operating systems, data in current use and application programs. The temporary storage is vital for the access by the processor during processing. RAM is a volatile type of memory given that it highly relies on power. It can only hold its content as long as the computer is on (Null & Lobur, 2014).
There are different types of RAM;
SDRAM: this is also known as synchronous DRAM. It runs at a speed of 66 Mhz for data transfers. The current computers require more advanced type of RAM to be able to operate efficiently.
DDR; this type of RAM is also known as Double Data Rate SDRAM. It transfers data at double the speed the previous type of RAM does. It uses both the down and up tick of the clock cycle to transfer data. This type of RAM operates at a speed of 333 MHz.
Rambus DRAM; this type of RAM is also known as RDRAM. It comes in three types PC600, PC700 and PC800. The major difference between the different types of RAM is the memory capacity and the speed of data transfer.
Auxiliary storage other than the RAM is known as the secondary memory and includes the following;
HHD Hard disk
Hard disk is considered the main secondary memory given that it stores computer data, processed information, the installed applications and the operating system. Hard disks are made up of magnetic disks arranged in a parallel manner and sealed in a metal container. It forms a permanent portion of the computer which is responsible for the storage of both computer programs and data. The size of hard disk ranges from 1 GT to 2 Terabytes. Unlike the ROM, hard disk can be read and written at the same time. The contents of the hard disk can be erased and re-written with new contents (De Vos, 2010). Most memory devices use magnetic devices for the storage of data. Currently, new kind of hard disk are developed using the concept of the RAM. These hard disks have more advantages over the magnetic hard disk in respect to the maximum available storage capacity, power consumption, durability and bulkiness.
Research questions
What is the importance of the different parts of a computer?
Why is it imperative to understand the operation of components of a computer?
What are some of the characteristics of the computer components?
Data Collection
This research proposal utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Qualitative method of data collection is used to get more information pertaining to the different components of a computer. Additionally, qualitative research method helps in outlining the operation and characteristics of the different constituents of a computer. On the other hand, quantitative method of data collection is also imperative for the collection of numerical data for analysis.
References
De Vos, A. (2010). Reversible computer hardware. Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, 253(6), 17-22.
Dix, A. (2009). Human-computer interaction (pp. 1327-1331). Springer US.
Gelenbe, E., & Mitrani, I. (2010). Analysis and synthesis of computer systems (Vol. 4). World Scientific.
Godse, A. P., & Godse, D. A. (2009). Computer Organization. Technical Publications.
Hennessy, J. L., & Patterson, D. A. (2011). Computer architecture: a quantitative approach. Elsevier.
Krishnamoorthy, A. V., Ho, R., Zheng, X., Schwetman, H., Lexau, J., Koka, P., & Cunningham, J. E. (2009). Computer systems based on silicon photonic interconnects. Proceedings of the IEEE, 97(7), 1337-1361.
Mueller, S. M., & Paul, W. J. (2013). Computer architecture: complexity and correctness. Springer Science & Business Media.
Null, L., & Lobur, J. (2014). The essentials of computer organization and architecture. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Patterson, D. A., & Hennessy, J. L. (2013). Computer organization and design: the hardware/software interface. Newnes.
Pieprzyk, J., Hardjono, T., & Seberry, J. (2013). Fundamentals of computer security. Springer Science & Business Media.
