BASICS OF COMPUTER
ORGANIZATION
By Ms. KRITIKA SINGH
(Assistant Professor Forensics Science)
Definition: Computer
organization refers to the
operational structure of
computer components and how
Introduct they interact to perform
processing and storage.
ion
Why it’s
Important:
Efficient organization leads to optimized system
performance.
Understanding helps with system upgrades, troubleshooting,
and software optimization.
Components of a
Computer
• Main Components:
• Input Devices: Provide data to the
system (e.g., Keyboard, Mouse).
• Output Devices: Display or output the
processed data (e.g., Monitor, Printer).
• Central Processing Unit (CPU):
Executes instructions.
• Memory: Stores data temporarily or
permanently (e.g., RAM, ROM).
• Storage Devices: Long-term data
storage (e.g., Hard drives, SSDs).
Function: These devices allow users to provide
data and commands to the computer system.
• Examples:
• Keyboard: Inputs text and commands via
keys.
Input • Mouse: Allows for point-and-click
interaction with the graphical user
Devices: interface (GUI).
• Scanner: Converts physical documents
into digital formats.
• Microphone: Captures audio input.
• Touchscreen: Both an input and output
device.
Output Devices:
Definition: Devices that display, print, or otherwise output data processed by the
computer.
• Examples:
• Monitor: Displays visual output (UI, graphics, text).
• Printer: Produces hard copies of digital documents.
• Speakers: Outputs sound signals from digital sources.
• Projector: Displays large-scale visual output for presentations.
Central Processing Unit (CPU):
Definition: The CPU processes instructions from
programs and performs calculations, logical
comparisons, and manages data flow.
Main Components:
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes Control Unit (CU): Directs the operation Registers: Small, fast storage locations
all arithmetic and logical operations. of the processor, controls input/output in the CPU.
• Example: Addition, Subtraction, AND/OR operations. operations. • Store data, instructions, addresses temporarily
• Fetches instructions from memory, decodes them, during execution.
and manages execution.
Memory:
Definition: The arrangement of Pyramid Structure: Importance: Different levels
memory in a system based on balance speed and cost; higher
speed, capacity, and cost. levels provide fast access to
Registers: Fastest, smallest, in CPU. frequently used data.
Cache Memory: Close to CPU, faster than
main memory, but limited capacity.
Main Memory (RAM): Primary working
memory for active processes.
Secondary Storage (HDD/SSD): Slower,
high capacity.
Tertiary Storage (Optical Disks, USB
drives): Removable and slower.
Storage Devices:
• Function: These devices provide long-term storage for
data and programs.
• Types:
• Hard Drives (HDDs): Traditional storage devices with
spinning disks that store data magnetically.
• Solid State Drives (SSDs): Faster storage devices with no
moving parts, using flash memory to store data.
• Optical Discs (CDs/DVDs): Discs that store data using
optical technology.
Memory Types Overview
• Primary Memory: Directly accessible by CPU.
• RAM: Volatile memory used for currently running programs
and data.
• ROM: Non-volatile memory used for system firmware (e.g.,
BIOS).
• Secondary Memory: Used for long-term storage of
data (e.g., HDD, SSD).
• Tertiary Storage: Off-line storage used for backups or
data transfer (e.g., USB drives, DVDs).
• Visual: Diagram distinguishing between primary,
secondary, and tertiary memory.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Definition: Temporary, volatile memory that stores programs
and data that are actively used.
• Types:
• Static RAM (SRAM): Does not need to be refreshed frequently,
faster, used in cache memory.
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM): Needs to be refreshed regularly, slower
than SRAM, but cheaper, used as main system memory.
• Characteristics:
• Volatile: Data is lost when power is turned off.
• Faster read/write speeds than secondary storage.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
• Definition: Permanent, non-volatile memory that stores
the computer’s firmware (BIOS, bootloader).
• Types:
• PROM: Can be written once.
• EPROM: Can be erased using UV light and rewritten.
• EEPROM: Can be erased and rewritten using electrical
signals, commonly used in BIOS.
• Characteristics:
• Non-volatile: Retains data without power.
• Generally slower and smaller than RAM.
Cache Memory
• Definition: High-speed memory that stores copies of
frequently used data from main memory.
• Purpose: Reduces access time for frequently accessed
data, improving CPU performance.
• Types:
• L1 Cache: Smallest, fastest, located inside the CPU.
• L2 Cache: Larger, slower than L1, may be inside or outside
the CPU.
• L3 Cache: Shared among multiple cores in multi-core
processors.
External Storage Devices
• Hard Disk Drives (HDDs):
• Mechanical drives that store data on magnetic disks.
• Slower than SSDs but offer higher capacity at lower cost.
• Solid State Drives (SSDs):
• No moving parts, use flash memory, much faster than HDDs.
• More expensive per gigabyte but with faster read/write times.
• Other Devices:
• USB Drives: Portable, plug-and-play storage.
• Optical Discs (CD/DVD): Used for media storage and
distribution.
• Cloud Storage: Data stored remotely on servers accessed
via the internet.
Memory Access and
Performance
• Factors Affecting Performance:
• Access Time: Time taken to read/write data from memory.
• Memory Bandwidth: The amount of data transferred per
second.
• Latency: Delay before the transfer of data begins.
Conclusion
• Components of a computer: Input/output devices, CPU,
memory.
• Memory hierarchy: Faster, smaller memory closer to the
CPU.
• Different types of memory (RAM, ROM) and storage
devices (HDD, SSD).
