Computer Hardware Main Components described and their functions explained

MOTHERBOARD

The motherboard is a set of computer hardware components arranged so that they are physically connected and can easily communicate between each other. The motherboard makes it easy to attach all major hardware components of a computer. In what follows we will discuss these components.


CPU(Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the most important piece of hardware in any computer. It manages all of the computer operations, calculations and tasks and manages, command and direct all the other components of a computer system.

Different CPU run at different speeds where the speed here is measured in terms of number of basic operations (cycles) per unit of time (usually the second). It is usually expressed in gigahertz. (1 gigahertz = 109 cycles / second)

Usually a computer with a higher CPU speed runs faster, however it is important to understand that there are other computer hardware items that greatly affect the speed of a computer.

The CPU has two major parts: The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) which carry all arithmetic and logic operations and the Control Unit which manages and control all instructions.

RAM(Random Access Memory)

The RAM makes space available for your computer to read and write data to be accessed by the CPU. The computer reads data from a RAM faster than reading it from the hard drive and therefore adding more RAM to your computer makes it run a lot faster. RAM does not retain data when the computer is switched off hence the name of volatile memory.
ROM(Read Only Memory)

ROM contains data that cannot be modified and hence retain it even when the computer is switched off.
MODEM(Modulator-Demodulator)

A modem is an electronic device that enables a computer to communicate with other computers over a network. A modem, for example, allows you to connect to the internet using cables and telephone lines. Information in a computer is in digital form whereas information sent over telephone lines is analog. The modem converts digital information into analog and vice versa.
Sound Card

A sound card enables the computer to produce sounds to be broadcast through speakers and also to process sounds received through a microphone.
Graphics Card

Graphics cards enable the computer to transform data into pictures to be displayed on the monitor. Many graphics cards now have their own RAM and "coprocessor" which make them faster at processing data and displaying it.
Input Devices

Output devices are used to enter data into the computer and also instruct it on what to do. The keyboard, mouse, touchpad, joystick, microphone and scanner are all examples of input devices.
Output Devices

The monitor, printer, speakers are all exmaples of output devices. Their function is to transform all output information into text, animated and static images and sound.

Intel’s Next Generation Processor—Poulson

Intel released the updated architecture features of its upcoming Itanium processor with the codename as “Poulson”. The new architecture features include Instruction Replay, improved Hyper-Threading and new instructions and so on, aiming to use the next-generation 12-wide release architecture.

The Instruction Replay technology is one of the new features, which could make the wrong instruction re-execute, and then automatically cover the serious mistakes and further help to prevent the system collapse and data damage. Additionally, this Instruction Replay technology is an important remote access services update and the first Intel chip to have the capability.

 “utilizes a new pipeline architecture to expand error detection in order to capture transient errors in execution. Upon error detection, instructions can then be re-executed from the instruction buffer queue to automatically recover from severe errors to improve resiliency.”

Besides these, for almost all main architectures in the Itanium electronic component core design, “Poulson” adds extensive RAS (reliability, availability and serviceability) protections, including LLC (last level cache), MLI (mid-level instruction cache), MLD (mid-level data cache), IEU (integer execution unit) and FPU (floating-point unit), etc.

This technology enables the second feature, improved Hyper-Threading which brings better performance and support for Dual Domain Multithreading. This allows for front and backend pipeline execution, therefore improving Poulson's parallelism.

Moreover, Intel is adding instructions in four areas as well. There are new integer operations, expanded data access hints, expanded software prefetch and thread control. It is worthwhile for Xeon customers to keep an eye on Itanium updates and features because they are likely to appear in future Xeon CPUs.

The new Itanium instructions of Intel simplify unified task and branch operations to help the future Itanium to promote into the next level.

Key points of “Poulson”:

Eight high capacity core

54MB memory chips (50MB of an SRAM)

Adopting 32 nm made 3.1 billion transistors

The higher, the bus speed (QPI and SMI) will increase 33% system bandwidth

The next generation of architecture improves the new data and instructions channel, floating point channel and instruction cache.

Improve the power management function, reduce the socket power consumption.

Compatible with the present Intel Itanium 9300 processor series.

Intel announced that “Poulson” Itanium processor is the most advanced Intel processor so far which is about to launch in 2012. The next-generation Itanium processor followed “Poulson” is code-named as “Kittson” which is being developed and would be released in 2014.