Components of a computer

By George Lee

C.P.U• The CPU (Central Processing Unit), is the brain of

the computer.• The computer CPU is responsible for handling all

instructions and calculation it receives from other hardware components in the computer and software programs running on the computer.

• The CPU is attached to the motherboard using a locking system.

Hard Drive• A hard drive is something that holds files, music,

documents and downloads etc.• There are different types of hard drive, external

hard drives, they are hard drives that are plugged into the , internal hard drives.

Internal Hard Drive

External hard drive that connects via USB

Fans• The fans are used to cool the inside components like the CPU• The fans is connected to the Motherboard by a 3/4 pin Molex connector•The fan draws in cold air and expels hot air for better circulation•They prevent components on the motherboard from overheating

Optical Drive

• An optical drive is a disc drive that uses electromagnetic waves or light beams to read a disc

• They are connected through a IDE cable

Ram• Random access memory (RAM) is a form of computer data storage

•that allow stored data to be accessed in any order

•SRAM (static ram) does not need to be periodically refreshed

•DRAM (dynamic ram) does need to be periodically refreshed

Sound card• The sound card is an internal computer expansion

card

• Some sound cards are integrated into the motherboard, if you wish to upgrade your integrated sound card then you must disable the old sound card

USB connector• USB (Universal Serial Bus)• Developed in 1990s• Used for communication• Supply's power between electronic devices

Adapter cards• A printed circuit card • Required to allow a computer to support a new

device• Needed to enable a computer to communicate

with a peripheral

Input devices• Any peripheral used to provided data and control

signals• Keyboard• Mouse • Controller • joystick

Output devices• An output device is any piece of computer

hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing system

Speakers Monitor Printer/ Fax

NIC card• A network interface controller is a computer

hardware component that connects a computer to a computer network.

It is also known as a Lan card, network interface card, network adapter

Inside of a computer

Power supply

Fan

RAM

RAM slots

Motherboard