LABORATORY 4

1. What is system unit and what are the different components of system unit. (Include a picture/
Image on each item)

A typical desktop computer consists of a computer system unit, a keyboard, a mouse, and a
monitor. The computer system unit is the enclosure for all the other main interior
components of a computer. It is also called the computer case, computer chassis, or computer
tower. Cases are typically made of steel or aluminum, but plastic can also be used. While most
computer cases are rather dull, black, metal boxes, some manufacturers try to give the unit
some flair with color and special design elements.
 2. Differentiate among various styles of system units on desktop computers, notebook computers,
and mobile devices.

A desktop computer is designed to sit on a desk. I.e. it's too large to be considered portable, so you
wouldn't be moving it around a lot.

Notebook/laptop computers are smaller than their desktop counterparts, and are made small enough
for them to be transported easily. This could mean moving them around the house or from place to
place, such as school, library, cafe, etc.

Mobile devices are generally the smallest of the lot. A mobile device would be easily transportable,
and may even fit into a pocket. Cell phones are one type of mobile device, as are some handheld
games devices.

3. Identify chips, adapter cards, and other components of motherboard. (Include a picture on each
item and name it)
 4. Describe the control unit and arithmetic logic unit components of a processor, and explain the
four steps in machine cycle.

5. Discuss how memory stores data, instructions, and information.

How do data and instructions get from an input device into memory? The control unit sends them.
Likewise, when the time is right, the control unit sends these items from memory to the
arithmetic/logic unit, where an arithmetic operation or logical operation is performed. After being
processed, the information is sent to memory, where it is held until it is ready to be released to an
output unit.

6. Discuss the sequence of operations that occur when a computer executes an instruction.

An instruction cycle (sometimes called fetch-and-execute cycle, fetch-decode-execute cycle, or FDX) is

the basic operation cycle of a computer. It is the process by which a computer retrieves a program
instruction from its memory, determines what actions the instruction requires, and carries out those
actions

7. Identify characteristics of various personal computer processors on the market today, and
describe or discuss the ways processors are cooled.

8. Discuss what is bit and describe how a series of bits represents data.

A bit (short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single binary value,
either 0 or 1. Although computers usually provide instructions that can test and manipulate bits, they
generally are designed to store data and execute instructions in bit multiples called bytes. In most
computer systems, there are eight bits in a byte. The value of a bit is usually stored as either above or
below a designated level of electrical charge in a single capacitor within a memory device.