Computer Hardware

The Desk Top Computer

A PC is • a general-purpose information processing

device. • It can take data from a person (through the

keyboard and mouse), from a device (like a floppy disk or CD) or from the network (through a modem or a network card) and process it.

• Once processed, the information is shown to the user (on the monitor), stored on a device (like a hard disk) or sent somewhere else on the network (back through the modem or network).

Each part of a computer system has hardware associated to it. Some of the hardware components are found internally within the case of the computer. Other components are found attached to the tower externally. They are called peripherals.

Inside the Computer

 

Used for Processing Storage Communication lines

(BUS)

Central Processing Unit(CPU) •Memory (RAM,ROM)•Cache (Level 1,2)•Motherboard •Power Supply

•Hard Disk

•Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)Controller •Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)Bus •Universal Serial Bus (USB) •SCSI •AGP •Sound card •Graphics card •Network Card (NIC)

Outside the Computer (peripherals)

 

Input unitsStorage Units (removable)

Output Units

•Keyboard •Mouse •Microphone •Scanner •Digital Camera •Modem  •Network

•Floppy Disk •CD- ROM •Flash memory •DVD-ROM

•Monitor •Printer •Speakers •Modem •Network

Back of Computer

- ports for plugging peripherals in- power supply port for power cord- mouse and keyboard port- usb ports - plug in newer mouse, printer, Flash or Jump drives- serial ports - serial mouse, serial port to upload Rogue programs- parallel port - plug in printers- parallel interface- scanners - parallel interface- network - plug into ethernet card - 10/100mbs- monitor port, sound port for speakers peripherals can plug in

Input devices

-mouse, keyboard, hard disk, Flash drive or jump drive, 3 1/2" floppy drive-CD- RW, CD-R

Output devices

-screen, printer, hard disk, flash drive, CD – RW, DVD-RW

CPU- made up of Control Unit and ALU .-Control unit manages the activity of the computer. -The ALU performs the calculations along with registers in the computer.

Storage- RAM - random access memory - temporary memory - loads all software into RAM including the operating system- ROM - read only memory - usually contains the BIOS for the computer to help it boot up - and access the peripherals or attached devices and the operating system

Bus- transports or carries the information throughout the computer

5 main parts of the computer