UNIT I

CHAPTER 2

Computer System:

Comparison of Computer Organization & Architecture, Computer Components and Functions,

Interconnection Structures. Bus Interconnections, Input / Output: I/O Module, Programmed I/O,
Interrupt Driven I/O, Direct Memory Access

1. Comparison of Computer Organization and Architecture

Computer Architecture:
It is a functional description of requirements and design implementation for the
various parts of computer. It deals with functional behaviour of computer system. It
comes before the computer organization while designing a computer.
Architecture describes what the computer does.
Computer Organization:
Computer Organization comes after the decide of Computer Architecture first.
Computer Organization is how operational attribute are linked together and
contribute to realize the architectural specification. Computer Organization deals
with structural relationship.
Organization describes how it does it.
 Computer Architecture Computer Orgaization
1
. Architecture describes what the computer does. Organization describes how it does it.
2 Computer Architecture deals with functionalComputer Organization deals with
. behaviour of computer system. structural relationship.
3 In above figure, its clear that it deals with high- In above figure, its also clear that it deals
. level design issue. with low-level design issue.
4 Where, Organization indicates its
. Architecture indicates its hardware. performance.
5 For designing a computer, its architecture is fixed For designing a computer, organization is
. first. decided after its architecture.
6 Computer Architecture is also called asComputer Organization is frequently
. instruction set architecture. called as micro architecture.
Computer Architecture comprises logicalComputer Organization consists of
7 functions such as instruction sets, registers, data physical units like circuit designs,
. types and addressing modes. peripherals and adders.
8 Architecture coordinates between the hardwareComputer Organization handles the
. and software of the system. segments of the network in a system.

2. Computer components and Functions:

Here is a complete list of all the common computer hardware components and common
peripherals used with them.
1. The computer case
 This is the part that holds all of the internal components to make up the computer
itself.
It is usually designed in such a manner to make fitting a motherboard, wiring, and
drives as easy as possible.
2. Motherboard

The motherboard is the main board that is screwed directly inside the computer case.
All other cards and everything else plugs directly into the motherboard, hence its
name.
The CPU, RAM, drives, power supply, and more all get connected to it.
Its function is to integrate all the components so they can communicate and operate
together.
3. CPU: Central Processing Unit
The CPU is basically like the brain of a computer. It processes all the information on
a computational level. It takes information from the RAM and processes it to perform
the tasks required from the computer. It is usually seated in a socket that utilizes a
lever or a latch with a hinged plate with a cut out in the center to secure it onto the
motherboard.
4. RAM: Random Access Memory

RAM is a data storage device that can provide fast read and write access. RAM is also
volatile, which means that it loses all the stored data when power is lost.
The RAM keeps data ready for the CPU to process. The speed of the RAM is a big
contributor to the overall speed of a computer. It plugs directly into a long slot that
has contacts on either side of the slot. It, too, has a clock speed, just like a processor.
RAM used on the motherboard often uses DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM
(Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) type memory.
5. Graphics Card
A graphics card processes the data from the motherboard and sends the appropriate
information to the monitor for it to be displayed. It can do so using an HDMI,
DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connector. It takes the burden of all the video processing
from the main CPU. A graphics card plugs into a PCI Express (Peripheral Component
Interconnect Express) slot on the motherboard. It is a serial expansion bus slot capable
of a high amount of bandwidth in two directions. A graphics card has a GPU
(Graphics Processing Unit) which is the main component that requires cooling. A
GPU is slower than a CPU, but it is designed to deal with mathematical operations
required for video rendering.
6. Sound Card

Sound cards plug into a computer in multiple ways. It can be through USB, PCI slot,
or PCI Express x 1 slot. A sound processing chip on the card does all of the audio
processing and is usually not a very powerful processor. A sound card can offer a
wide range of connectivity with various audio equipment. A few examples could be
optical audio, 1/4 inch jack, or RCA connectors.
7. Hard Drive

It’s usually a mechanical drive that stores all the data. Apart from storing data, it can
also be used as a boot drive to run the operating system from it. An operating system
is
8. PSU: Power Supply Unit

A power supply mounts inside the computer case. This converts the AC mains supply
from the wall socket and supplies the correct DC voltages to all the components inside
the computer.
A computer power supply supplies the following voltages:
 +3.3v: This voltage is supplied to the motherboard.
 +5V: This voltage is supplied to the motherboard and other internal components.
 +12V: This voltage is supplied to the motherboard and other internal components.
  -12V: This voltage is supplied to the motherboard.
10. Monitor

A monitor is what you use to visualize the graphics data sent from the computer’s graphics
card. The most commonly used is a LED-backlit LCD monitor.
11. Keyboard
A keyboard is one of the ways to communicate with a computer. Typing a key from the
keyboard sends a small portion of data to tell the computer which key was pressed. The
computer can use this information in many ways. An example could be a command or a
character that can be used in a document.

12. Mouse
A mouse allows the user to move a pointer displayed on the monitor and experience a
more intuitive interaction with the computer. The three main buttons allow the user to
select, grab, scroll and access extra menus and options. A computer mouse can be
wired or wireless.
Common external peripherals
Here are some common peripherals that get connected to a computer and extends its
usefulness.
Printer
 A printer can take an image sent by a computer and deliver it onto a sheet of paper.
It does this by using the data from the computer, and by either using toner or ink, it
deposits one of these in a controlled and accurate manner to form the image.
Scanner

A scanner can take anything on paper and scan it to produce a replicated digital
image. This is also very handy for saving physical photos that you want to preserve.
Once the photo is stored digitally, it won’t decay as a physical photo does over time.
Computer Speakers

Computer speakers can connect up to the sound card at the rear of the computer

3. Interconnection Structure

4.