PC Components

Information Sheet 1.
1-3
BASIC PC HARDWARE COMPONENTS CONCEPTS
Learning Objectives:
After reading this Information Sheet, you must be able to:
1. Identify the different types of computer hardware.
2. Explain and discuss the different functions of computer hardware.
If you use a desktop computer, you might already know that there
isn't any single part called the "computer." A computer is really a system of
many parts working together. The physical parts, which you can see and
touch, are collectively called hardware. (Software, on the other hand, refers
to the instructions, or programs, that tell the hardware what to do.)
The following illustration shows the most common hardware in a

desktop computer system. Your system might look a little different, but it
probably has most of these parts. A laptop computer has similar parts but
combines them into a single, notebook-sized package.
System unit
The system unit is the core of a computer system.
Usually it's a rectangular box placed on or underneath your
desk. Inside this box are many electronic components
that process information. The most important of these
components is the central processing unit (CPU), or
microprocessor, which acts as the "brain" of your
computer. Another component is random access memory
(RAM), which temporarily stores information that the CPU
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uses while the computer is on. The information stored in RAM is erased
when the computer is turned off.
Almost every other part of your computer connects to the system unit using
cables. The cables plug into specific ports (openings), typically on the back
of the system unit. Hardware that is not part of the system unit is
sometimes called a peripheral device or device.
Storage
Your computer has one or more disk drives—devices that store
information on a metal or plastic disk. The disk preserves the information
even when your computer is turned off.
Hard disk drive

Your computer's hard disk drive stores
information on a hard disk— a rigid platter or
stack of platters with a magnetic surface.
Because hard disks can hold massive amounts of
information, they usually serve as your
computer's primary means of storage, holding
almost all of your programs and files. The hard disk drive is normally
located inside the system unit.
CD and DVD drives

Nearly all computers today come equipped with a CD or DVD drive,
usually located on the front of the system unit.
CD drives use lasers to read (retrieve) data from a
CD; many CD drives can also write (record) data
onto CDs. If you have a recordable disk drive, you
can store copies of your files on
blank CDs. You can also use a
CD drive to play music CDs on
your computer.
DVD drives can do everything that CD drives can,
plus read DVDs. If you have a DVD drive, you can watch
movies on your computer. Many DVD drives can record data onto blank
DVDs.

If you have a recordable CD or DVD drive, periodically back up (copy)
your important files to CDs or DVDs. That way, if your hard disk ever
fails, you won't lose your data.
Floppy disk drive
Floppy disk drives store information on floppy
disks, also called floppies or diskettes. Compared to
CDs and DVDs, floppy disks can store only a small
amount of data. They also retrieve information more
slowly and are more prone to damage. For these reasons,
floppy disk drives are less popular than they used to be, although some
computers still include them.
Why these disks are called "floppy" disks? The outside is made of
hard plastic, but that's just the sleeve. The disk inside is made of a thin,
flexible vinyl material.
Mouse
A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your
computer screen. Although mice come in many shapes, the
typical mouse does look a bit like an actual mouse. It's
small, oblong, and connected to the system unit by a long
wire that resembles a tail. Some newer mice are wireless. A
mouse usually has two buttons: A primary button (usually the left button)
and a secondary button. Many mice also have a wheel between the two
buttons, which allows you to scroll smoothly through screens of
information.
Keyboard
A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into your computer. Like
the keyboard on a typewriter, it has keys for
letters and numbers, but it also has special
keys:
 The function keys, found on the top
row, perform different functions depending on where they are used.
 The numeric keypad, located on the right side of most keyboards,
allows you to enter numbers quickly.
 The navigation keys, such as the arrow keys, allow you to move your
position within a document or webpage.

Monitor
A monitor displays information in visual form, using text and
graphics. The portion of the monitor that displays the information is called
the screen. Like a television screen, a computer screen can show still or
moving pictures.
There are two basic types of monitors: CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors
and the newer LCD (liquid crystal
display) monitors. Both types produce
sharp images, but LCD monitors have the
advantage of being much thinner and
lighter.
Printer
A printer transfers data from a computer onto
paper. You don't need a printer to use your computer,
but having one allows you to print e‑mail, cards,
invitations, announcements, and other material. Many
people also like being able to print their own photos at
home.
The two main types of printers are inkjet printers

and laser printers. Inkjet printers are the most
popular printers for the home. They can print in
black and white or in full color and can produce
high-quality photographs when used with special
paper. Laser printers are faster and generally better
able to handle heavy use.
Speakers
Speakers are used to play sound. They can be built into
the system unit or connected with cables. Speakers allow you to
listen to music and hear sound effects from your computer.
Modem
To connect your computer to the Internet, you
need a modem. A modem is a device that sends and
receives computer information over a telephone line or
high-speed cable. Modems are sometimes built into the
system unit, but higher-speed modems are usually
separate components.

Information Sheet 1.1-4
COMPUTER HARDWARE COMPONENTS AND DEVICES
Learning Objectives:
After reading this Information Sheet, you must be able to:
1. Define the function of system components and peripherals in a
computer system.
2. Distinguish between a system components and peripherals.
3. List different types of system components and peripherals.
Take a look at the front and back of your computer case, and count
the number of buttons, sockets, and slots you see. Now look at your monitor
and count any that appear there. You probably counted at least 20.
Each computer is different, so the buttons, slots, and sockets will vary
from computer to computer. However, there are certain features you can
expect to find on most desktop computers. Being familiar with the names of
each and how they are commonly used will help you later on when you
connect a new printer, mouse, digital camera, or other device.
Watch the video to learn about the buttons, sockets, and slots on a
desktop computer.

Front of Computer Case

Back of Computer Case
On the back of the computer case are connection ports that are made
to fit specific devices. The arrangement of these varies from computer to
computer, and many companies have their own special connectors for
specific devices. Some of the ports may be color coded to match a color on
the device, which will help you determine which port is used with a
particular device.

Inside a computer
Have you ever looked inside a computer case before, or seen pictures
of the inside of one? The small parts may look complicated, but the inside of
a computer case really isn't all that mysterious. This lesson will help you
master some of the basic terminology and understand a bit more about
what goes on inside a computer casing.
Watch the video to learn about what's inside a desktop computer.
A look inside a computer

CPU/processor
The central processing unit (CPU), also called a
processor, is located inside the computer case on the
motherboard. It is sometimes called the brain of the
computer, and its job is to carry out commands.
Whenever you press a key, click the mouse, or start an
application, you're sending instructions to the CPU.
The CPU is generally a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon chip

located inside. The chip is usually about the size of a thumbnail. The CPU
fits into the motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered by the heat sink,
an object that absorbs heat from the CPU.
A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions of

instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of instructions per
second. A faster processor can execute instructions more quickly. However,
the actual speed of the computer depends on the speed of many different
components—not just the processor.
There are many processor manufacturers for personal computers,

but the most well-known ones are Intel and AMD.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the computer's
main circuit board. It's a thin plate
that holds the CPU, memory,
connectors for the hard drive and
optical drives, expansion cards to
control the video and audio, and
connections to your computer's ports
(such as USB ports). The motherboard
connects directly or indirectly to every
part of the computer.

Power supply unit
The power supply unit in a computer
converts the power from the wall outlet to
the type of power needed by the computer.
It sends power through cables to the
motherboard and other components.
If you decide to open the computer

case and take a look, make sure to unplug
the computer first. Before touching the
inside of the computer, you should touch a grounded metal object—or a
metal part of the computer casing—to discharge any static buildup.
Static electricity can be transmitted through the computer circuits and
ruin them.
RAM (random access memory)

RAM is your system's short-term
memory. Whenever your computer
performs calculations, it
temporarily stores the data in the
RAM until it is needed.
This short-term memory

disappears when the computer is
turned off. If you're working on a
document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid
losing it. When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which
acts as long-term storage.
RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). The more RAM

you have, the more things your computer can do at the same time. If you
don't have enough RAM, you may notice that your computer is sluggish
when you have several programs open. Because of this, many people add
extra RAM to their computers to improve performance.
Hard drive
The hard drive on your computer is where the

software is installed, and it's also where your documents
and other files are stored. The hard drive is long-term
storage, which means the data is still saved even if you
turn the computer off or unplug it.

When you run a program or open a file, the computer copies some of the
data from the hard drive onto the RAM. When you save a file, the data is
copied back to the hard drive. The faster the hard drive is, the faster your
computer can start up and load programs.
Expansion cards
Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard that allow

you to add various types of expansion cards. These are sometimes
called PCI (peripheral component interconnect) cards. You may never
have to add any PCI cards because most motherboards have built-in video,
sound, network, and other capabilities. However, if you want to boost the
performance of your computer or update the capabilities of an older
computer, you can always add one or more cards. Below are some of the
most common types of expansion cards.
Video card
The video card is responsible for what you see on

the monitor. Most computers have a GPU (graphics
processing unit) built into the motherboard instead
of having a separate video card. If you like playing
graphics-intensive games, you can add a faster video
card to one of the expansion slots to get better
performance.
Sound card
The sound card, also called an audio card,

is responsible for what you hear in the speakers
or headphones. Most motherboards have
integrated sound, but you can upgrade to a
dedicated sound card for higher-quality sound.
Network card
The network card allows your computer to

communicate over a network and access the Internet. It
can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through
a wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi). Many
motherboards have built-in network connections, and a
network card can also be added to an expansion slot.

Bluetooth card
Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communication over short

distances. It's often used in computers to communicate with
wireless keyboards, mice, and printers. It's often built into the
motherboard or included in a wireless network card. For computers that
don't have Bluetooth, a USB adapter, called a dongle, can be purchased.


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Information Sheet 1.

The following illustration shows the most common hardware in a

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

Hard disk drive

CD and DVD drives

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

The two main types of printers are inkjet printers

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

Watch the video to learn about what's inside a desktop computer.

A look inside a computer

The CPU is generally a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon chip

A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions of

There are many processor manufacturers for personal computers,

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

If you decide to open the computer

RAM (random access memory)

This short-term memory

RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). The more RAM

The hard drive on your computer is where the

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard that allow

The video card is responsible for what you see on

The sound card, also called an audio card,

The network card allows your computer to

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communication over short

COMPUTER SYSTEMS Date Developed: Document #:

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