Advanced Computer Hardware – JSS3 Computer Hardware & GSM Repair Lesson Note (First Term)

Advanced computer hardware is the set of powerful parts, mainly the advanced CPU and the graphics card (GPU), that lets a computer handle heavy tasks such as gaming, video editing and artificial intelligence.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define an advanced CPU and a graphics card (GPU).
2. State and explain three features of an advanced CPU: cores, clock speed and cache memory.
3. Name the two types of graphics and state one use of each.
4. Differentiate between a CPU and a GPU using a table.
5. Give examples of popular CPUs and graphics cards.

Why do computers need advanced hardware?

Computers now do far more than typing letters, so they need stronger parts to do heavy work quickly.

• Gaming: playing high-quality video games such as FIFA or Fortnite.
• Video editing: making videos for YouTube or TikTok.
• Online classes: joining lessons with clear video.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): chatbots and face recognition.

• In JSS1 and JSS2, we learned that the CPU is the “brain” of the computer.
• That is still true, but modern computers also need a more powerful CPU and a graphics card.

What is an advanced CPU?

An advanced CPU is a powerful Central Processing Unit that has several cores working together in one chip.

• A basic CPU has few cores, so it does fewer jobs at the same time.
• An advanced CPU is like having several brains working together in one chip.

What are the key features of an advanced CPU?

The three key features of an advanced CPU are multiple cores, high clock speed and cache memory.

1. Multiple cores

• Core: an individual processing unit inside the CPU, like one worker.
• Dual-core: a CPU with 2 cores, which means 2 workers.
• Advanced CPUs: Intel Core i7, i9 and AMD Ryzen chips can have 8, 16 or more cores.
• Benefit: the computer can multitask (do many things at once) without freezing.

2. Clock speed (GHz)

• Clock speed: how fast a CPU works, like how fast a worker thinks.
• Unit: it is measured in Gigahertz (GHz).
• 1 GHz: one billion clock cycles in one second.
• Meaning: a higher GHz usually means faster processing.

3. Cache memory

• Cache: a tiny, very fast storage area inside the CPU.
• Job: it holds the data the CPU needs right now.
• Benefit: the CPU does not have to wait for the slower RAM.

What are examples of advanced CPUs?

The two most popular makers of advanced CPUs are Intel and AMD.

• Intel Core: Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9.
• AMD Ryzen: Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9.

What is a graphics card (GPU)?

A graphics card, also called a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), is the part of the computer that creates the images and video you see on the screen.

• The CPU handles logic and maths, but it is slow at drawing pictures.
• A GPU is built to draw millions of tiny dots (pixels) on the screen every second.
• That is why the GPU is called the “Artist” of the computer.

What does a graphics card do?

• Gaming: a 3D character that moves smoothly in a game shows the GPU at work.
• Video: a high-definition (HD) movie looks sharp because of the GPU.
• Editing: it helps to show and process video during editing.

What are the types of graphics?

There are two types of graphics: integrated graphics and dedicated graphics.

1. Integrated graphics

• Where: built inside the CPU.
• Use: basic work such as browsing the web or watching school videos.
• Advantage: it costs less and does not need an extra card.

2. Dedicated (advanced) graphics card

• Where: a separate card that plugs into the computer.
• Own memory: it has its own processor and its own memory, called VRAM (video RAM).
• Use: gamers and video editors need it.
• Examples: NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon.

What is the difference between a CPU and a GPU?

The CPU is the “brain” that handles general tasks and logic, while the GPU is the “artist” that draws images and video.

• You need both. Neither one is more important than the other.
• It is like asking, “Is the Chef or the Artist more important?”

The Chef and Assistants analogy

• The CPU is like a Head Chef: he is very smart and can cook everything, but he has only two hands.
• He cannot flip 100 eggs at once. He can do only a few jobs at a time.
• The GPU is like 1,000 Assistants: each one is less skilled but has one simple job, “flip the egg”.
• Result: with 1,000 assistants, 1,000 eggs can be flipped at the same time.

Evaluation

1. What is the main difference between a CPU and a GPU?
2. What does GHz stand for, and what does it measure?
3. Why does a gamer need a “dedicated” graphics card instead of an “integrated” one?
4. If a CPU has 8 “cores”, what does that mean?
5. What is cache memory, and why is it useful?

Assignment

Draw a table with two columns, “Advanced CPU” and “Graphics card (GPU)”. Write three facts about each, and give two examples of each.