Computer Hardware Activity -- Instructions

OBJECTIVE:
Describe the properties and characteristics of computer-related hardware and software.
Go through the list and find a definition for each part of a computer using the Internet. Write the
definition in your own words. (3 points each.- 2 for the definition, 1 for listing its purpose.)

Computer Hardware Worksheet

1. Network Card
Definition:
Network card, network adapter, LAN Adapter or NIC (network interface card) is a piece of
computer hardware designed to allow computers to communicate over a computer network. It
is both an OSI layer 1 (physical layer) and layer 2 (data link layer) device.

Purpose:
It provides physical access to a networking medium and provides a low-level addressing
system through the use of MAC addresses. It allows users to connect to each other either by
using cables or wirelessly.

2. Video Card
Definition:
The card is usually located on the computer motherboard or is a separate circuit board but
is sometimes built into the computer display unit. It contains a graphics processing unit
(GPU)

Purpose:
Is a processor dedicated to creating images; a digital-to-analog converter; and memory chips
that store display data.

3. Sound Card
Definition:
A sound card is an expansion card or IC for producing sound on a computer that can be
heard through speakers or headphones.

Purpose:
Although the computer doesn’t need a sound card, it’s included on every machine as
either in an expansion slot or built into the motherboard.

4. Graphics Card
Definition:
connects to the motherboard of a computer system and generates output images to
display. Video cards are also referred to as graphics cards
Purpose:
 include a processing unit, memory, a cooling mechanism and connections to a display
device.

5. Fax/Modem Card
Definition:
A fax modem is like a data modem but is designed to transmit and receive documents to
and from a fax machine or another fax modem.

Purpose:
A fax modem enables a computer to transmit and receive documents as faxes on a
telephone line. Some, but not all, fax modems do double duty as data modems.
6. CD-ROM/DVD Drive
Definition:
Short for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, a CD-ROM is an optical disc containing
audio or software data whose memory is read-only.

Purpose:
A CD-ROM Drive or optical drive is the device used to read them. CD-ROM drives have
speeds ranging from 1x to 72x, meaning it reads the CD roughly 72 times faster than the
1x version. As you would imagine, these drives are capable of playing audio CDs and
reading data CDs, including CD-R and CD-RW discs.

7. USB Port
Definition:
A USB port is a standard cable connection interface for personal computers and
consumer electronics devices. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, an industry standard
for short-distance digital data communications.

Purpose:
USB ports allow USB devices to be connected to each other with and transfer digital data
over USB cables.

8. Hard Drive
Definition:
Computer hard drive (or a hard disk or HDD) is one kind of technology that stores the
operating system, applications, and data files such a documents, pictures and music that
your computer uses. The rest of the components in your computer work together to show
you the applications and files stored on your hard drive.

Purpose:
A hard disk drive (HDD) is composed of a platter that contains compartments to hold
data. This data is your operating system, applications, and any files you have created.
There is also an accuator arm that moves across the platter to read or write the
information requested. To make this process faster, the platter spins as the accuator arm
moves across it.

9. Monitor
Definition:
Computer monitor is an output device that displays information in pictorial or text form.

Purpose:
Monitor usually comprises a visual display, some circuitry, a casing, and a power supply.
The display device in modern monitors is typically a thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal
display (TFT-LCD) with LED backlighting having replaced cold-cathode fluorescent
lamp (CCFL) backlighting.

10. Keyboard
Definition:
A keyboard is one of the primary input devices used with a computer.

Purpose:
Similar to an electric typewriter, a keyboard is composed of buttons used to create letters,
numbers, and symbols, and perform additional functions. The following sections provide
more in-depth information and answers to some of the frequently asked questions about the
keyboard.
11. Network Cable
Definition:
Networking cables are networking hardware

Purpose:
Used to connect one network device to other network devices or to connect two or more
computers to share printers, scanners etc.

12. Mouse
Definition:
The mouse is a small, movable device that lets you control a range of things on a
computer.

Purpose:
Computer mouse is a handheld hardware input device that controls a cursor in a GUI
(graphical user interface) for pointing, moving and selecting text, icons, files, and folders on
your computer. In addition to these functions, a mouse can also be used to drag-and-drop
objects and give you access to the right-click menu.

13. Mother Board

Definition:
A motherboard is the main printed circuit board in general-purpose computers and other
expandable systems.

Purpose:
It holds and allows communication between many of the crucial electronic components of a
system, such as the central processing unit and memory, and provides connectors for other
peripherals.

14. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Definition:
A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor or just
processor, is the electronic circuitry that executes instructions comprising a computer
program.
Purpose:
The CPU performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations
specified by the instructions in the program. This contrasts with external components
such as main memory and I/O circuitry,[1] and specialized processors such as graphics
processing units (GPUs).

15. Power Supply (Explain how it works)

Definition:
The power supply is the metal box usually found in a corner of the case. The power
supply is visible from the back of many systems because it contains the power-cord
receptacle and the cooling fan. A typical PSU will have integrated connectors to send
power to the motherboard, microprocessors, and SATA storage.

Purpose:
One component that is absolutely vital to the operation of a computer, it is the power
supply. Without it, a computer is just an inert box full of plastic and metal. The power
supply unit, also known as a PSU, converts the alternating current (AC) line from your
home to the direct current (DC) needed by the personal computer. In this article, we’ll
learn how PC power supplies work and what the wattage ratings mean.
16. RAM (What does it stand for and how is it used.)

Definition:
RAM (Random Access Memory) is the hardware in a computing device where the
operating system (OS), application programs and data in current use are kept so they can
be quickly reached by the device’s processor. RAM is the main memory in a computer. It
is much faster to read from and write to than other kinds of storage, such as a hard disk
drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD) or optical drive.

Purpose:
Because of its volatility, RAM can’t store permanent data. RAM can be compared to a
person’s short-term memory, and a hard disk drive to a person’s long-term memory.
Short-term memory is focused on immediate work, but it can only keep a limited number
of facts in view at any one time. When a person’s short-term memory fills up, it can be
refreshed with facts stored in the brain’s long-term memory.

A computer also works this way. If RAM fills up, the computer’s processor must
repeatedly go to the hard disk to overlay the old data in RAM with new data. This process
slows the computer’s operation

17. List five (5) types of memories used by a computer. (5 Points)

 RAM

 ROM

 HARD DISK DRIVES

 SOLID STATE DRIVES

 TAPE DRIVES