Course 02
Basic Concepts
assist. eng. Jánó Rajmond, PhD
rajmond.jano@ael.utcluj.ro
Informatics?
• A broad academic field encompassing computer
science, human-computer interaction, information
science, information technology and algorithms.
• Studies the structure, algorithms, behavior, and
interactions of natural and artificial systems which
store, process, access, and communicate information.
Definitions
Data
• values of qualitative or quantitative
variables, belonging to a set of items
Information
• a sequence of symbols that can be
interpreted as a message
• can be recorded as signs, or transmitted as
signals
Definitions
Information system
• an ensemble of elements involved in the
process of collecting, transmitting and
processing information
Computer
• an informational system that can be
programmed to carry out a set of
arithmetic or logical operations
Hardware and Software
Hardware and Software
Hardware Configuration
1 – monitor
2 – motherboard
3 – central processing unit
(CPU)
4 – memory (RAM)
5 – graphical processing unit
(GPU)
6 – power source
7 – optical unit (CD, DVD,
Blu-ray)
8 – hard disk (HDD)
9 – keyboard
10 – mouse
BIOS
• defines the firmware interface
• initializes and tests system hardware
components
• loads the bootloader or OS from a memory
device
Motherboard
• main printed circuit board (PCB)
• holds and interconnects crucial components:
memory, HDD, CPU, GPU
Motherboard
• divided in two main
parts:
– Southbridge
– Northbridge
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z87X-OC Force – 2.200 RON
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Main characteristics:
• clock speed (Hz)
• no. of cores
• no of. threads per
core
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
fan
heat sink
CPU
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Intel® CoreTM i7-4770K, Haswell– 1.500 RON
Memory (RAM)
Volatile data storage.
Main characteristics:
• clock speed (Hz)
• type (SRAM, DRAM, DDRAM)
• size installed
Memory (RAM)
Kingston 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM XMP – 850 RON
Hard Disk (storage unit)
Non-volatile data storage.
Main characteristics:
• type (HDD, SSD)
• size (3.5 inch, 2.5 inch)
• size (GB, TB)
• speed (in RPM)
HDD
SSD
Hard Disk (storage unit)
HDD Western Digital 4 TB – 1.200 RON
SSD Samsung 840 EVO Basic – 2.700 RON
Size Does Matter… in Engineering!
1 byte (B)
1 kilobyte (KB)
= 210 B = 1024 B
1 megabyte (MB) = 220 B = 1024 KB
1 gigabyte (GB)
= 230 B = 1024 MB
1 terabyte (TB)
= 240 B = 1024 GB
1 petabyte
= 250 B = 1024 TB
Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)
Special processing unit for graphics.
Main characteristics:
• clock speed (Hz)
• installed memory (GB)
• I/O ports
Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)
PNY nVidia K2000 video card – 2.800 RON
Still missing…
Optical drive
Power source
Mouse
Keyboard
Case
Monitor
Dell U3014 30”– 5.200 RON
Main characteristics:
• size
• technology
• resolution
• refresh rate
Let’s connect the dots!
Port/Connector: Parallel/DB-25
Use: Printers and other
Port/Connector: Serial/DE-9
Use: Cash registers, POS, other
Port/Connector: PS/2/mini-DIN
Use: keyboard, mouse
Port/Connector: Audio/Audio jack
Use: Audio input/output
Port/Connector: USB/USB 2.x, 3.0
Use: universal
Port/Connector: VGA/DE-15
Use: Video
Port/Connector: HDMI/HDMI
Use: Audio + Video
Build your dream system!
30 mins.
1. Access the website of your favorite PC
components supplier
(emag.ro, pcgarage.ro, pcfun.ro is you need help)
2. Build a custom PC from parts
a. Select: Motherboard, RAM, CPU, GPU, HDD,
Optical Drive, Case, Power Source, Keyboard,
Mouse, Monitor(s) + any extras you want
b. Calculate total price
c. All selected components should be opened in
separate tabs and documented in Excel
What did we learn today?
• computer
hardware
configurations
and
components
• PC assembly AND part identification/matching
Courses
Available online at:
http://www.ael.utcluj.ro/
Information for Students -> Courses -> Applied Informatics