Computer PartsJames Dillon

OverviewWe will go over all of the basic parts of a computer. Motherboard Central Processing Unit (CPU) Read Only Memory (ROM) Random Access Memory (RAM) Bus Hard Drive Assorted Computer Cards:

Sound Card Graphics Card Network Card Modem Card

Disk Drives Floppy Drive Monitor Keyboard Mouse Case Power Unit

The Motherboard The Motherboard is the most important part of a computer. All parts are connected to the Motherboard. It is the main

circuit board for a computer. The Motherboard holds all parts together so that they can communicate with each other, allowing them to work in harmony.

Without a Motherboard, there is no computer.

Mother-board

Central Processing UnitThe Central Processing Unit, or CPU, is the “brain” of the computer. The CPU is consisted of three different elements: The ALU (Arithmetic/Logic Unit) performs mathematic

calculations and does logical comparisons. The Control Unit is responsible for decoding all program

instructions by accessing coordinates that flow in and out of the ALU, storages, registers, and other various output devices.

The Register Is the high-speed storage system within a CPU. All data must go through the register before it is processed.

CPU

Read Only MemoryRead Only Memory, or ROM, is a type of memory that holds data permanently. Nothing can be written on it. ROM contains a Basic Input-Output System, or BIOS, that is used to control start-up instructions when a computer is turned on. There are two types of ROM: the Programmable Read Only

Memory (PROM) and Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM).

PROM is ROM that is programmed once with the instructions by the manufacturer. These are in video games.

EPROM is ROM that is just like PROM, but is erasable.

ROM

Random Access MemoryRandom Access Memory, or RAM, is what most people refer to when someone says the word “memory.” RAM holds temporary data and instructions that the CPU needs to

complete tasks. Therefore, the RAM and the CPU work together. The RAM works by being there instructions data for the CPU. The

RAM and CPU are connected by a Bus, but we’ll get to that computer part later.

The CPU and RAM are connected by a specialized type of bus, called the Front Side Bus (FSB).

RAM

BusThe Bus is a system of wires that transfers power and data between all parts of a computer. Think of it as a “highway” in which data moves. As said before, there is a specific type of bus called the Front Side Bus that connects the RAM to the CPU. One very popular type of Bus is the Universal Serial Bus, or USB.

Bus

Hard DriveThe Hard Drive is the main storage unit in a computer. All programs, applications and data are housed inside the hard drive. The files are completely saved in the hard drive, which has a vast memory of hundreds of gigabytes (GB). 1,073,741,824 bytes are in one gigabyte. That means a 100 gigabyte hard drive holds 107,374,182,400 bytes of data! The hard drive holds all files permanently in the computer’s casing,

unless the user erases the files. We’ll get to the Casing later. Anything that is ever installed into a computer resides in the Hard Drive.

Laptop Hard Drive

Desktop Hard Drive

Computer Cards: Sound CardThere are two types of computer cards: Sound Cards, and Video Cards. Computer Cards are circuit boards that are attached to the Motherboard which allow the user to attach outside components, like headphones, or USB devices. There are many types of Computer Cards, like Graphics Cards, Sound Cards, Network Cards, and Modem Cards. Right now, though, we will focus on just the Sound Card. The Sound Card allows users to hear audio and voice, hence its

name.

Sound Card

Computer Cards: Graphics CardThe Graphics Card controls everything that is seen on the monitor. Without the Graphics Card, you couldn’t play games, watch videos work on documents or PowerPoints, or anything else at all for that matter.

Graphics Card

Computer Cards: Network Card vs. Modem CardThe Network Card is used to allow computers to communicate with each other. Network Cards are usually confused with Modem Cards, but there’s a difference. A Network Card allows computers to communicate with each other, while a Modem Card uses an already existing telephone network to assist in computer communication.

Network Card

Modem Card

Disk DrivesThere are two types of Disk Drives: CD (Compact Disk) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drives. They each play optical disks, which are the two listed above. These drives use laser technology to “write” and “read” data. Data is “written” on a disk with a laser that burns pits on its surface.

This can also be called “burning” a disk. Data is “read” in the Disk Drive by reflecting a low-powered laser onto

these pits. The Disk Drive has a photo detector that turns this reflected light into pictures, video, or audio. CD-ROM is a type of Disk Drive (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory).

Disk Drive

Floppy DriveThe Floppy Drive reads data from Floppy Disks, which are used to hold data, and even application programs. These have been made obsolete by CD drives and Flash Memory.

Floppy Drive

Floppy Disk

Flash Drive

MonitorThe Monitor displays “output” on a computer. In many ways it is just like a TV screen. There are two types of screens: CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display. The CRT is like the older TV models, and LCD screens are like the newer, flatscreen models. The

Monitor works together with the Graphics Card to display pictures and video

CRT Monitor

LCD Monitor

KeyboardThis is one of the most important parts of a computer. The keyboard is used to enter text, commands, and data just by pressing the keys.

Keyboard

MouseThe Mouse is used to navigate application programs. It moves a pointer around by converting hand movement into movement onscreen so that the user can navigate the computer and software very easily. The Mouse does this in two ways: The first way, found in older Mice, is using a wheel to roll on a flat

surface. A Light-Emitting Diode (LED) is shone onto the wheel, as an infrared sensor on the other side of the wheel picks up any LED pulses interrupted by the wheel. This is a Ball Mouse

The second way, which has for the most part replaced the first way, is the Optical Mouse. It uses an LED and a small camera to detect movement.

Ball Mouse

Optical Mouse

CaseThe Computer’s Case is its outer shell, or its armor. It houses and protects all of a computer’s components, except the Monitor, Mouse, and Keyboard. The Case is designed to hold all parts so that they have easy access to the Motherboard. There are three common types of Computer Cases: The Full-Tower (or just “Tower”) is oriented vertically and is meant to

be put on the floor. The Mini-Tower is a smaller version of the Tower. The Desktop is oriented horizontally so that it can be put on a table

or desktop.

Tower Case

Power UnitThe Power Unit, like you can probably guess, supplies power to the computer.

Power Supply

Sources

www.all-about-computer-parts.com/

http://www.ehow.com/