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Processing Hardware This icon indicates the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable. For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation. 1 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Processing is when the data that has been input is turned into information. 2 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Processing Processing may involve calculations on data, for example exam results for a year group are calculated and sorted into order. It may change the appearance of the data, perhaps by plotting a graph. This processing is carried by microprocessors. 3 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Central processing unit Microprocessors are found in many types of electronic equipment including washing machines, microwaves, cameras and video recorders. In a computer the microprocessor is also known as the CPU or central processing unit. It is often referred to as the ‘brain’ of the computer. It is a complete computation engine built on a single chip. A chip is also called an IC or Integrated Circuit. It is a very thin layer of silicon that has the transistors etched on it that make up the CPU. 4 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 The central processing unit can do five basic things: make calculations using its ALU (Arithmetic/Logic Unit) move data from one memory location to another make decisions and jump to a new set of instructions based on those decisions carry out program instructions using the control unit store data and programs the computer is using at that moment using the immediate access memory. 5 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 CPU ALU Input device Control unit Output device Immediate access memory 6 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Processor speed The number of instructions carried out in a certain time depends on the microprocessor’s clock speed. This is measured in megahertz (MHz). The graph below gives you an idea of how processor speed has increased over the years. 7 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Graphics card A graphics card takes digital data from the computer and turns it into something we can see. It changes digital data to analogue output for CRT monitors, but doesn’t need to for LCD monitors, as these are digital. It creates signals that control the colour of each pixel on the screen – quite a job when you think that each dot might have a choice of 16.8 million colours which can change 72 times each second! 8 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Sound card A sound card works in a similar way to the graphics card, turning digital computer data into analogue audio signals. These can be played back through speakers and headphones to be heard as sounds. It can also do this the other way round – taking analogue sound from a microphone and turning it into digital computer data. 9 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Motherboard The motherboard is a circuit board that provides a place for most of the other devices on the computer to plug into. Everything inside the computer is in some way connected to the motherboard. The CPU, graphics card and sound card all slot into the motherboard. Other devices, including hard drives, are also connected to the motherboard. 10 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Motherboard 11 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 12 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004 Summary Processing is when the data that has been input is turned into information. The CPU or central processing unit is often referred to as the ‘brain’ of the computer. Processor speed is measured in megahertz (MHz). A graphics card takes digital data from the computer and turns it into something we can see. The sound card turns digital computer data into audio signals that are analogue. The motherboard is a circuit board that provides a place for most of the other devices on the computer to plug into. 13 of 13 © Boardworks Ltd 2004