Overall View on Computer Architecture: Processor, Memory, IO, Buses

Almost all modern computers are based on some kind of processor. It can be very simple like 8-bit 8080, Z80, 8051, more complex like AVR, ARM-based 32-bit machines or very advanced and sophisticated 64-bit processors like Intel I9, AMD Ryzen or Apple M4. To operate, every processor requires the memory where the program is stored. It also needs the memory for the data. The computer needs also to keep in contact with the user and environment to collect the data from inputs (keyboard, mouse, sensors, network) and to provide results of calculations to the outputs (monitor, actuators, speakers etc). We can draw the overall block schematic diagram of the computer as three main elements: processor, memory and peripheral devices, called also Input/Output devices or simply I/O. All elements are connected with buses.

<Figure with block schematic of computer>