Just IT Hardware Blog

In the vast world of retail, the UPC code plays a pivotal role in inventory management, sales tracking, and operational efficiency. Standing for Universal Product Code, a UPC code is a unique identifier assigned to retail merchandise, ranging from computer hardware to soft goods like clothing and bedding. It facilitates the quick scanning of products at points of sale and assists in the efficient management of store inventory. In this blog, we will assist those engaged in the retail business with understanding what a UPC code is and how it operates.

Computer hardware consists of the physical parts of a computer; thus, it refers to the components that make up the computer system, especially those that form part of the central processing unit (CPU). While computer technicians are familiar with the basic components of computer hardware, the average individual may be overwhelmed by the number of parts, those of which include, but are not limited to, the motherboard, power supply, keyboard, mouse, and monitor, among other parts. In this blog, we will discuss 11 key components of computer hardware and how each one works.

A memory module, also known as a RAM (random access memory) stick, is a printed circuit board on which memory integrated circuits are mounted. Memory modules provide simple installation and replacement in electronic systems, especially personal computers, workstations, servers, and other types of computers. The first memory modules were proprietary designs that were specific to a model of computer from a specific manufacturer, but later modules would be standardized by organizations such as JEDEC, a semiconductor engineering trade organization and standardization body, to be compatible with any system designed to use memory modules.

People use the Internet every day, but often do so without giving it a single thought. As such, it's not uncommon for Internet users to be unsure about how their network works or what devices carry out what functions.

When building or repairing a computer, one can easily notice that there are many parts that come together to provide all of its functionalities. For someone unfamiliar with each component, it may seem a daunting task to troubleshoot, replace, or upgrade parts. Understanding the basics of various important computer hardware components can help you better understand your computer.

When purchasing a product, whether it is from a retail outlet, grocery store, or even an online retailer, you have probably noticed that every item has a barcode either on or attached to it. This barcode, or Universal Product Code (UPC), was created to enable quicker checkout and more efficient inventory tracking. While it started within grocery stores, this categorization and methodology quickly spread to all forms of retail.

RAM is the computer component that stores needed variables and content for computers. When installed onto a computer motherboard, various channels will be utilized depending on the amount of RAM sticks inserted. One stick would be single channel, and two would be dual channel. One could install up to four sticks and run a quad channel configuration, though single and dual channels are the most commonly applied configuration with one to two sticks installed. By running more channels with smaller capacity sticks, the memory bandwidth is theoretically doubled, or even quadrupled, all while having the same memory as a single larger one. But does increasing the bandwidth also increase the performance of computers? With applications like video games, they are loaded onto the RAM rather than the hard drive as it is easier to store temporary items on them. This makes video games a great way to test RAM capabilities with high stress and intensive programs.

Modern desktop computers are frequently multitasking. While the user is browsing the Internet, typing up a report, or playing a video game, they may also be listening to music, streaming their favorite TV show, and running an antivirus program in the background. But each of these programs takes up computational power from the micro-processor, and a processor’s core can only compute one task at a time. Therefore, most modern processors are multi-core, able to juggle multiple programs at the same time.

When building an extremely well-built computer many aspects contribute to its maximum potential. From the components being installed to the screws binding everything together. Besides the smaller components, the real aspect behind a great computer is the motherboard. Motherboards are designed to fit many different users’ needs and tend more centered on a group of tasks ranging from gaming to downloading at faster speeds.  Often times users believe that looking for the right motherboard could be nerve wrecking but are quite simple when educated on the right ones. 

Teledyne Inc has just announced their decision to take over the Essex-based imaged sensor and space component specialist e2v technologies. The takeover will cost Teledyne approximately 620 million dollars but such is the price of absorbing an industry leader for imagers and space component like e2v. Not only limited to imagers, e2v also supplied radio devices and semiconductors for high-reliability industrial/defense applications and healthcare.

"The Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015-2025” has been introduced by Future Market Insights.  Hard disk drives have similar properties as disk drives and hard drives.  They have been used for reading and writing data onto a hard disk which is the main data storage unit in the computer. What Global hard disk drives are based on are various types of hard disk drives, composed of unique factors of hard disk drive and the building of other applications of hard disk drives.  The HDD market has been able to witness first handedly the increase and the decrease of the market.

Intel along with every other tech company on the planet is gearing up their chip development in the quest for artificial intelligence. The company is betting heavily that the new chip technology will have mass appeal and world wide applications. On Thursday Intel announced that they will be developing new chips that can handle A.I. level workloads with the end game being A.I. however for the time being the chips will be released as specialized co-processors or primary chips in computers which will be completely separate from the major product lines. The thinking is that over time Intel will be able to further adapt and integrate these chips with A.I. features into everything from mainstream servers to PC chips and IoT. Due to the weakening PC market, Intel is aggressively pursuing other sectors in order to diversify.

Intel has been a leader and valued semiconductor chip maker, they also have invented the x86 series of microprocessors and these are found in most processors that you will find either in a laptop or a desktop PC. Intel Corporation has been supplying processors to computer manufacturing companies such IBM, Dell, Apple and other companies. They have been innovating their technology since day one and Intel is always working on improving their processing systems continuously to make better and faster operating systems for the modern world. The word is that Intel’s new processor called the Kaby Lake desktop processor is coming out sometime the following year and rumor says that Kaby Lake processing system is not going to be a magnificent upgrade from Skylake processing system. At the very least this will not show on desktop PCs.

Researchers and professionals at the University of California Riverside along with the State University of New York have teamed up and have discovered that there has been a fault in many computer hardware systems. The dilemma has been founded in the computers central processing system unit (CPU) that can release full access to one’s computer to hackers that attempt to break into a computer.

On October 26^th 2016, Gareth Halfacree wrote an article on Bit Tech talking about how Zotac Corporation has its 10 year anniversary and how it will be released a new product range.

Mediatek Corp. has just released its X20 Development Board which features a 10-core chip and 4k graphics and could be used as an Android PC. Looking to compete with PCs, developer boards like Raspberry Pi and Mediatek’s X20 are loading up on horsepower to run faster applications while featuring 4k graphics. Starting at just $199, Mediatek X20 Development Board is crammed to the gills with the latest mobile chips that allow this developer board to boast PC-like computing power.

NVIDIA and AMD have an all-out war on graphics cards and things get more interesting in regards to custom cards. Although the GTX 1060 will be revealed soon, companies like Gigabyte and ASUS are already eyeing their own variants. With ASUS, teasing with the idea that they have multiple custom versions which include the Turbo, Dual, and ROG Strix.

Advanced Micro Devices, the American multinational semiconductor company based in California, has recently launched their RX 480 graphics cards with AMD LiquidVR technology as well as Polaris Architecture in order to provide immersive and rich virtual reality experiences with advanced capabilities and compatibility. In engineered setups used to test the precise power offered from the video card itself, a couple of reviewers, specifically Tom’s Hardware and PC Perspective, found that the RX 480 slightly exceeds its target TDP. The card itself may also exceed the limits of the PCI Express specification.