System Specification

• What is System Specifications?

          System specifications help to define the operational and performance guidelines for a system. It may outline how the system is expected to perform, and what that may include. Key specifications may include interface definitions, document design rules and functional areas.

          When purchasing software or a computer, system specifications may be outlined during the evaluation process and agreed upon during the payment process. The specifications may determine security access. Many organizations will offer templates and resources to help facilitate adherence of the system specifications. In some cases, system specifications can be quite specific and difficult to follow without these guidelines.

PROCESSOR

A processor, or "microprocessor" is a small chip that resides in computers and other electronic devices. Its basic job is to receive input and provide the appropriate output. While this may seem like a simple task, modern processors can handle trillions of calculations per second.

The central processor of a computer is also known as the CPU, or "central processing unit". This processor handles all the basic system instructions, such as mouse and keyboard input processing and running applications. Most desktop computers contain a CPU developed by either Intel or AMD, both of which use the x86 processor  architecture . Mobile devices, such as  laptops  and tablets  may use Intel and AMD CPUs, but can also use specific mobile processors developed by companies like ARM or Apple.

Modern CPUs often include multiple processing cores, which work together to process instructions. While these "cores" are contained in one physical unit, they are actually individual processors. In fact, if you view your computer's performance with a system monitoring utilities like  Windows Task Manager  (Windows) or  Activity Monitor  (Mac OS X), you will see separate graphs for each processor. Processors that include two cores are called dual-core processors, while those with four cores are called quad-core processors. Some high-end workstations contain multiple CPUs with multiple cores, allowing a single machine to have eight, twelve, or even more processing cores.

Besides the central processing unit, most desktop and laptop computers also include a GPU. This processor is specifically designed for rendering graphics that are output on a monitor. Desktop computers often have a video card that contains the GPU, while mobile devices usually contain a graphics chip that is integrated into the motherboard. By using separate systems for processors and graphics processing, computers are able to handle graphic-intensive applications more efficiently.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Alternatively referred to as  main memory ,  primary memory , or  system memory , Random Access Memory  ( RAM ) is a hardware device that allows information to be stored and retrieved on a computer. RAM is usually associated with  DRAM , which is a type of  memory module . Because information is accessed randomly instead of sequentially like it is on a  CD  or  hard drive , the computer can access the data much faster. However, unlike  ROM  or the hard drive, RAM is a  volatile memory  and requires power to keep the data accessible. If the computer is turned off, all data contained in RAM is lost.

Types of RAM

Over the evolution of the computer there have been different variations of RAM. Some of the more common examples are  DIMM ,  RIMM ,  SIMM ,  SO-DIMM , and  Soo-RIMM . Below is an example image of a 512MB  DIMM  computer memory modules, a typical piece of RAM found in desktop computers. This memory module would be installed into one of the memory slots  on a  motherboard .

Additional information

As the computer  boots , parts of the operating system and drivers are loaded into memory, which allows the  CPU  to process the instructions faster and speeds up the boot process. After the operating system has loaded, you open each program, such as the browser  you're using to view this page, is loaded into memory while it is running. If too many programs are open on the computer will  swap  the data in memory between the RAM and the hard disk drive.

History of RAM

The first form of RAM came about in  1947  with the use of the Williams tube. It utilized a cathode ray tube ( CRT ) and data was stored on the face of the CRT as electrically charged spots.

The second widely used form of RAM was magnetic core memory, invented in 1947. Frederick Viehe is credited with much of the work, having filed for several patents relating to the design. Magnetic-core memory works through the use of tiny metal rings and wires connecting to each ring. One bit of data could be stored per ring and accessed at any time.

However, RAM as we know it today, as solid state memory, was first invented in  1968  by Robert Dennard . Specifically known as dynamic random access memory, or  DRAM , transistors were used to store bits of data.

Graphic System

The primary computer storage medium, which is made ​​of one or more aluminum or glass platters, coated with a ferromagnetic material. Although the terms "hard disk" and "hard drive" are used synonymously; Technically, the disk spins inside the drive. All computers have an internal hard disk for storage, and hard disks in external cases can be plugged into a USB, FireWire or eSATA ports for additional storage. Slowly but surely however, hard disks are being replaced by non-mechanical drives (see solid state drive ). Today's hard disks are "fixed," which means their platters reside permanently in the drive. In the past, removable cartridges were used for backup and transport (see removable disk ). Storage ... Not Memory Hard disks are not the computer's main memory. Disks store programs and data until deliberately deleted by the user, but memory is a temporary workspace. To learn how this workspace is used to process data, see memory . For a summary of memory and storage types, see storage vs. memory . Capacity and Speed ​​Hard disks rotate constantly from 4,000 to 15,000 rpm; however, to preserve battery power or, they can be configured by the user to turn off after a defined period of inactivity. Capacity is measured in bytes, and the largest drives have passed the terabyte threshold. Speed ​​is measured by how long it takes to begin transferring data; approximately three to 15 milliseconds (by comparison, CDs / DVDs take 80 to 120 ms) and the rate of transfer is measured in hundreds of megabytes per second. See hard drive capacity , access time and transfer rate . Hard disks are pre-formatted at the factory, which divides the disc into identifiable sectors. For more details on disk structure, see magnetic disk , formatted program , hard disk defect management and drop protection . 

Hard Disk Types

Over the years, several kinds of hard disks have been employed. Today, SATA drives are the most common, although SAS drives are also used. For more details, see SATA , SAS , SCSI and hard disk interfaces .

Internal Non-Removable Hard Disk

Hard disks use one or more metal or glass platters covered with a magnetic coating. In this drawing, the cover is removed.

First Hard Disk (5MB)

Part computer, part tabulator, in 1956, IBM's RAMAC was the first machine with a hard disk, which was extraordinary technology at that time. Each of its 50 two feet in diameter platters held a whopping 100,000 characters, the total equivalent to five megabytes today. (Images courtesy of IBM.) 

First Personal Computer Hard Disk (5MB)

A fraction of the RAMAC's size, Seagate introduced the first hard disk with 5.25 "platters in 1979. Today's platters are 3.5" for desktops and 2.5 "for laptops. See ST506 . (Image courtesy of Seagate Technology, Inc.)  

Four Decades Later

Much less than the entry level these days, but in 1998, this Seagate's 47GB drive was impressive. Four decades of development after the RAMAC let us store 100,000 times as much data on the same surface. All this is today one platter. (Image courtesy of Seagate Technology, Inc.) 

World's Smallest Hard Drive

The size of a postage stamp, Toshiba introduced a 0.85 "hard drive for mobile devices shipped 2GB and 4GB and 8GB units in 2005 and in 2007. However, solid state USB drives have long surpassed 8GB.