Major Components of Computer System (CS)

Computers are indispensable to work, home management, and entertainment in

modern life. Knowing their parts and how they work together can help in diagnosing
problems. Though they all use the same components, a laptop combines these parts
into one compact unit while a desktop separates them into separate hardware pieces.

1. Case

The case is the main hardware component of the computer and contains
several circuit boards that define how your computer operates. The CPU
(Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer and processes
information. RAM (Random Access Memory) holds temporary information
that disappears when the computer is shut off.. A video card for handling
displays, a sound card for managing sound, a power source, and a cooling
fan are also in the case.

2. Hard drive

A hard drive is magnetic media that stores information permanently. It

can exist inside the case or can be externally connected through ports.
Though low-end laptops can have hard drives starting at 100MB
(megabytes) in size, terabyte (TB) drives are becoming more common.
The larger the capacity of the drive, the more information it can store.
3. CD/DVD

CDs and DVDs are the primary means of distributing programs. Your
computer must play these discs on drives in order to download the
software. Though separate drives exist for each disc type, they are more
often combined into one drive to save space. A CD/DVD drive can also
store information on a disc in a process known as "burning."

4. Monitor

A monitor or screen displays information from the computer. Its size is

typically expressed in inches as a diagonal measurement from one corner
of the screen to the opposite. Common sizes for desktop monitors range
from 17 to 23 inches. Old and bulky CRT monitors have been all but
replaced by more compact flat screens.

5. Keyboard

You enter information into a computer primarily by typing on a keyboard,

which contain not only keys for letters, numbers, and punctuation marks,
but those for functions such as moving the cursor and deleting text.
Though wireless keyboards, most of them are still attached to the
 computer. More advanced keyboards can also feature on/off switches,
media controls, and lighted keys.

6. Mouse

A mouse moves the cursor on the screen, and activates or manages

program icons through the use of buttons. Traditional mice accomplish
this by moving across a mouse pad while trackballs save space by rotating
a ball at a fixed location.

7. Modem

Modems connect the computer to the internet through a phone line or

high-speed cable. They may exist inside the case or as an external device.
Several computers connecting to the same modem or to each other use a
router, which may also be part of a modem.
 Basic Components of Computer System (CS)

1. CPU - It is basically the brain of your computer. The CPU is a used to process
everything from basic to complex functions in a computer.

2. RAM - RAM is memory that attaches to the motherboard. RAM is hardware used
to temporarily store and access data.

3. Motherboard - A Motherboard is the most important component in a computer

system. All of the other hardware in a computer system connect to the
motherboard.

4. Power Supply - A Power Supply is the sends power to all of the other hardware
so they can operate.
5. Disk Drives - Disk Drives can be a floppy drive, CD drive, DVD drive or other
possible file storage devices that are used in a computer.

6. Video Card - A Video Card is the part of a computer system that converts binary
code from the CPU so you can view it on a monitor.