INSIDE A COMPUTER CABINET

The computer cabinet

encloses the components
that are required for the
running of the computer.
The components inside a
computer cabinet include
the power supply,
motherboard, memory
chips, expansion slots,
ports and interface,
processor, cables, and
storage devices.
MAIN COMPONENTS INSIDE COMPUTER
The motherboard is the most
important component in the PC. It is
a large Printed Circuit Board (PCB),
having many chips, connectors, and
other electronics mounted on it.
The motherboard is the hub, which is
used to connect all the essential
components of a computer
It is also called a mainboard, system
board, etc., and forms the basis of
every computer.
Also referred to as the CPU – Central
Processing Unit, this is the most
important part of the cabinet. This is
where everything you do on your
computer is processed.
However, you will not be able to see it
at first glance when you open the
cabinet, as normally, a fan and a
heatsink are attached to the processor
to ensure that it does not overheat.
Intel and AMD are two leading
processor manufacturers, which bring
new variants of existing processors to
the market every few months.
A heat sink and fan is often used in
modern computer systems to keep
the processor cool. Without it, the
processor could easily overheat and
become damaged.
This combination is often found in
most low- to mid-range computer
systems, and even in high-end
notebooks.
This is part of the computer that
holds all your childhood memories
and your exclusive song list in the
form of huge files. It is usually built
into a slot above the motherboard.
Here, all the information is stored
permanently and can be accessed,
modified, or deleted if needed. A
virus attack can negatively affect a
hard drive.
Also known as the SMPS – Switched
Mode Power Supply, or PSU – Power
Supply Unit, is the part of the
enclosure that supplies power to
every single component within the
enclosure. It converts an alternating
current of 220-230 V into a direct
current that the computer can use. It
is normally located in the upper
corner of the enclosure and is
equipped with a small fan to prevent
overheating.
RAM 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 often called a volatile or
temporary memory because the
information stored in RAM is lost if
the power supply is turned off.
It is often called primary memory or
the main memory of a computer. It is
the most common type of memory
found in computers
RAM Types: DIMM & SIMM
BIOS, also known as firmware stored
in ROM.

ROM Types:
PROM: can be programmed with a
special tool, but the contents cannot be
changed after it has been
programmed.
EPROM: can be programmed
similarly to PROM, but it can be erased
by exposing it to ultraviolet light and
re-programmed.
EEPROM: memories can be erased by
electric charge and re-programmed.
The complementary metal-oxide-
semiconductor (CMOS) chip is a small
battery-powered and stores the hard
drive's configuration and other critical
information.
When the computer is turned off.
When the computer is turned on again,
the system still displays the correct
clock time. This is because the CMOS
chip saves some system information,
such as time, system date, and
essential system settings
Any slots on a motherboard that can
hold an expansion card to expand
the computer's functionality, like a
video card, network card, or sound
card.
Port is a connection point or
interface between a computer and
an external or internal device.
Internal ports may connect such
devices as hard drives and CD ROM
or DVD drives.
External ports may connect
modems, printers, mice and other
devices.
ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)
slot—To connect modem and input
devices.
PCI (Peripheral Component Inter
Connect) slot—To connect audio,
video and graphics. They are much
faster than ISA cards.
AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port)
slot—A fast port for a graphics card.
PCI (Peripheral Component Inter
Connect) Express slot—Faster bus
architecture than AGP and PCI
buses.
PC Card—It is used in laptop
computers. It includes Wi-Fi card,
network card and external modem.
A chipset is a smaller set of chips that
has replaced a larger amount of chips.
It controls data flow between the
processor, memory, and other
peripheral devices.
Main chipsets: the Northbridge and
the Southbridge.
The Northbridge is directly connected
to the CPU, allowing for faster
transmissions between it and ports
that require faster speeds. These
include your RAM modules and PCI
Express cards, as well as AGP.
The Southbridge is slower than the
Northbridge, and information from
the CPU has to go through the
Northbridge before reaching the
Southbridge such as the PCI bus slots,
Hard drive, USB ports, Mouse, and
audio.