Who is responsible for interpreting and executing commands and this also called the brain of the computer?

The main elements of a computer they include the screen, the hard disk, the memory, the keyboard and the mouse, among others. These elements make the computer work.

The CPU or hard disk is the brain of the computer, it processes the input information and produces the output information.

The screen is where you can observe what is being done. The mouse is used to navigate and choose part of the information, and the keyboard is used to write on the computer.

A computer is composed of different elements. All are very important for the computer; if one is missing, the computer can not work.

The different parts of the computer are called hardware . Each part of the computer is an element of hardware , no matter how small it is.

Hardware It is basically everything that can be touched. He software are the programs that make the computer work and it is what you see on the monitor.

The 8 main elements of a computer

1- CPU

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the element of the computer responsible for interpreting and executing many of the commands of the other elements of hardware of the computer and software . That is why it is known as the brain of the computer.

Interprets the user's inputs, sends them to the computer as electronic signals and translates these signals into a result that the user can read.

For example, typing on a keyboard sends a signal to the processor. This reinterprets the signal as an electrical impulse and sends it to the word processor program and the monitor, indicating that the latter must display the corresponding characters.

A modern CPU is a small, square structure with many short, round, metallic connectors.

The CPU connects directly to the motherboard. After running, even for a short time, the CPUs get quite hot. For that reason a fan is placed directly above it.

The CPU can have different names: processor, computer processor, microprocessor and central processor.

The most famous CPU manufacturers are Intel and AMD, but Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm also make them.

Some devices have a single-core processor, while others have two and are dual.

If there are two processor units working at the same time, the CPU will have better performance.

2- Motherboard or motherboard

It is a circuit board that serves as the basis of the computer. It is located next to or at the bottom of the computer chassis.

It allows there to be a way for electricity and communication to travel between the CPU, the power source, the RAM and the other elements of hardware .

The first motherboard was used in the IBM personal computer in 1981. This computer and its motherboard set the standard for the hardware of computers in the future.

It's called a motherboard because there are 'children' of circuits around it, which connect on this larger motherboard.

3- RAM memory

It provides the computer with memory to store instructions and information temporarily, so that the processor can access them.

RAM maintains short-term memory; that is, the duration of a work session. When the computer shuts down, all RAM information is lost.

Most computers developed after 2002 have dual-data RAM (DDR2).

This type of RAM transfers information more quickly without reducing the overall performance of the computer.

4- Monitor

It is the element that shows the graphic and video information generated by the computer through the video card.

They are external equipment to the cover of the computer and are connected with a cable to a port on the video card or on the motherboard. It is an essential part of the computer system.

Monitors are similar to televisions, but usually show information with a higher resolution. They can be of different sizes.

They usually exist in two types: LCD or CRT. CRT monitors look like old TVs and are quite large.

LCDs are thinner, use less energy and have better graphics quality. Because they are of better quality, LCDs are more common.

A monitor, regardless of what type, usually connects to an HDMI, DVI or VGA port. Other connectors may include USB, DisplayPort and Thunderbolt.

5- Keyboard

It is a device similar to a typewriter but with additional letters. The keyboard allows the user to enter letters, numbers and other symbols on a computer.

These characters can serve as commands or can be used to write text. Almost all keyboards use the QWERTY model to display the keys.

6- Mouse

It is the element used to manipulate objects on the screen. Mice can be laser, ball, wired or wireless.

A movement detected by the mouse sends instructions to the computer to move the cursor on the screen and thus interact with files, windows and other elements of the software .

The standard mouse has two buttons (right click and left click) and a wheel in the middle to move the screen quickly from top to bottom.

7- Video card

It is a card that allows the computer to send graphic information to the monitor. They are rectangular and have many contacts in the background; they are installed on the motherboard.

Most video cards have a PCIe format, but there are also some in PCI and AGP format. The latter are older and do not communicate with the CPU as fast as the PCLe.

While there are many companies that manufacture video cards, almost all include a graphics processor unit (GPU) from NVIDIA or AMD.

8- Storage medium

The storage means allow to store the information more time, because the RAM can only save it for a short time.

The hard disk has different elements that store the information magnetically. When the user is going to access a file, the operating system searches for the location of the information on the hard disk.

In this process it sends a signal to the hydraulic arm, which contains a needle that reads the magnetic charges that represent the information.

References

1. What is a video card (2017). Retrieved from lifewire.com
2. Elements of a computer (2013). Retrieved from slideshare.net
3. What is a mouse? (2017). Retrieved from lifewire.com
4. Recovered from computerhope.com
5. What is a monitor (2017). Retrieved from lifewire.com
6. Basic elements of a computer system. Recovered from techwala.com
7. What is a motherboard? (2017). Recovered from computerhope.com
8. What is a CPU (2017). Retrieved from lifewire.com

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Watch the video below

Answer the following questions

1. What does CPU mean?
2. What is another name for the CPU?
3. What are the three components of the CPU?
4. List three examples of Storage devices.
5. What are the three main activities of the computer system?
6. What are some important parts of the CPU cabinet?

The CPU is the computer hardware component that’s responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer’s other hardware and software. It is used to manipulate data-is responsible for carrying out arithmetic and logic functions. It is seen as the brain of the computer.

Some devices that use a CPU include desktop, laptop, and tablet computers and smartphones.

CPU’s come in a variety of speeds which are known as ‘clock rates’. Clock rates are measured in ‘Hertz’. Generally, the faster the clock rate, the faster the performance of the computer.

Intel and AMD are the two most popular CPU manufacturers for desktops, laptops, and servers, while Apple, NVIDIA and Qualcomm are big smartphone and tablet CPU makers.

Components of a CPU

The TWO MAIN components of a CPU include the following:

• The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.
• The control unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary. the control unit directs and coordinates the activities of the CPU. The CU controls the Machine cycle.

The computer can only do one thing at a time. Each action must be broken down into the most basic steps. One round of steps from getting an instruction back to getting the next instruction is called the Machine Cycle.

Four steps of Machine cycle

1. Fetch – Retrieve an instruction from the memory.
2. Decode – Translate the retrieved instruction into a series of computer commands.
3. Execute – Execute the computer commands.
4. Store – Send and write the results back in memory.

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Memory is made up of bistable devices. Bistable means the components that make up memory can be set to one of two states either on or off. These two states are represented using binary digits- 0 for off and 1 for on. As such, the smallest unit of storage of memory is called a binary digit (bit). The amount of data and instructions that can be stored in primary storage or secondary storage media is measured in bytes.

Byte – A byte is made up of a combination of 8 bits and has the capacity to represent one character i.e. a letter, a number, a symbol, a punctuation mark or a blank space.

Nibble – A nibble is made up of a combination of 4 bits.

Word – A word is the amount of bits the computer can process in one operation.

Word size – A word size or word length is the number of bits in a word. For example 32 bits and 64 bits

Home work

• What is the difference between primary and secondary storage?
• Describe the different storage media and their uses

Reference

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-cpu-2618150

http://www.ictlounge.com/html/computercomponents.htm

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-the-components-of-a-cpu.htm

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/machcycl.htm

http://www.jegsworks.com/lessons/computerbasics/lesson4/lesson4-3.htm#system

-http://www.jegsworks.com/lessons/computerbasics/lesson4/machinecycle.gif

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=NTkyNzU3