MODULE

4
COMPONENTS OF A
COMPUTER SYSTEM
THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT – CPU
 The CPU (Central Processing Unit)
– is the device that interprets and
executes instructions.

 By definition, the CPU is the chip

that functions as the "brain" of a
computer.
 CLOCK
The system clock
synchronizes the
operation of all parts of
the PC, and provides the
basic timing signal for the
CPU.
 MEMORY

 The memory in a computer

system is of two fundamental
types: main memory and
secondary memory.
1. Main memory
 It is where programs and data are kept
when the processor is actively using
them.
 When programs and data become
active, they are copied from secondary
memory into main memory where the
processor can interact with them.
 A copy remains in secondary memory.
2. RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

 The RAM is just like our normal

memory which means the
computer can store, retrieve,
alter or delete any item held in
the RAM at random.
SDR and DDR
 3. ROM BIOS
 The ROM BIOS is normally
a DIP chip that can be
identified by a label on the
chip showing the name of
the manufacturer, and a
version number.
 4. CMOS RAM
 The CMOS RAM stores the
configuration of the PC (for
example, the password, disk
types, amount of memory
installed, current time and date).
This prevents the need for
reconfiguration when powering
on a PC.
 CMOS stand for Complimentary
Metal-Oxide Semiconductor, which
describes the manufacturing process
used to make the RAM chip. CMOS
devices require very little power to
operate and use battery power to
maintain their settings. The CMOS
battery is either a NiCad, lithium or
alkaline cell.

2. SECONDARY MEMORY

 Connected to main memory through

the bus and a controller
 The contents are easily changed, but
is very slow compared to main
memory
 Used for long-term storage of
programs and data
 The processor only occasionally
interacts with secondary memory
A. floppy disk or diskette
 A floppy disk (or diskette) is round
but comes permanently sealed in
a square dust jacket (don't try to
remove the floppy disk from the
square jacket).
 The floppy disk is as thin and
flimsy as a sheet of paper but is
protected by a sturdy, square
jacket that encases it.
Three standard sizes:
 An 8-inch floppy disk is called a large floppy
 A 5 1/4-inch floppy disk is called a mini floppy
 A 3 1/2-inch floppy disk is called a
microfloppy
floppy disk drive
 To use a floppy disk, you must buy a
floppy disk drive, which is a
computerized record player. If the
drive is external, it's a box sitting near
the system unit. If the drive is
internal, it's build in the system unit. If
your computer is standard, the drive
is internal.
B. HARD DISK
 A hard disk might have a storage
capacity of 40 GB. This is about 300
times the amount of storage in main
memory (assuming 128 MB of main
memory). However, a hard disk is very
slow compared to main memory.
 Hard drives are usually designated as
Drive C (or D or E if multiple drives are
used).
C. CD-ROMs
 A CD that holds music is
called a music CD (or
audio CD). A CD that
holds computer data
instead is called a
computer CD (or data
CD).
 CD-RW
 For more flexibility, you
can buy a CD-ReWritable
drive (CD-RW drive), which
you can write onto a blank
CD-RW dis k and then edit
what you wrote.
D. DVD
 In 1997, the electronics
industry began selling an
improved kind of CD, called a
Digital Versatile Disk (DVD). It
looks like a standard-size CD
but holds more info.
VIDEO CARD
 A board that plugs into a personal
computer to give it display
capabilities.
 These adapters are often called
graphics accelerators.
 Video cards are also called video
adapter, video board, video display
board, or graphics card.

EXPANSION SLOTS
 Expansion slots are located on
the back of the computer. They
provide access to the AGP, PCI,
and ISA expansion slots. Such
cards plug into these slots to
add more devices for your
computer.
SPEAKER
 A motherboard speaker
provides simple sound
output, such as
indicating hardware
errors during start up.
 INTERNAL MODEM
 A modem that resides on an
expansion board.
 In order to connect to the
Internet, you need some form
of modem
(modulator/demodulator).
POWER SUPPLY
 Power supply supplies power
for the computer. It supplies
power to the motherboard,
the drives, and also, normally
contains a fan that helps assist
in the task of cooling the
computer.
IDE and FLOPPY DISK
RIBBON CABLE
 IDE stands for Integrated Device
Electronics.
 Most of these wires are used to
transfer data between the
motherboard and the drive(s).
POWER CABLES

The power cables

supply power from
the power supply to
the drives.
END….. 