Computers are all around us and not every computer is like a PC. Computers can be very simple. They can be built in to other devices. They all use programming. How many computers can you think of?

  Calculator Phone/Smartphone Washing machine GPS Can you think of any more?  Before we start to learn about computers, we need to understand about

Input, Process, Output

We put data in i.e. with a

keyboard, mouse, or microphone

The data input is manipulated to produce useful

information.

The data changes in to something we can see or

hear. i.e. monitor, speaker,

printer

the computer is the PROCESS part.  

A process example:A computer takes the word you have typed on the keyboard, changes it in to information it can handle, then instructs the

monitor to show the word you typed.  

So how does that work?

Power Supply/PSU

Transforms the electricity for the components by stepping down the power from the mains. It can do other things as well but this is its main job. 

Motherboard/main board

This is the electronic centerpiece of the computer: everything else connects to the motherboard. 

Processor/CPU(central processing unit)

The "brain" of the computer, most of the actual computation takes place here. 

RAM (Random access memory)

The "short-term memory" of a computer, used by the CPU to store program instructions and data which it is currently operating.Data in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off, which is why you need a hard drive.How fast your computer is to do what you want it to depend on how much RAM you have. You can add more RAM to speed it up. 

Hard Drive/Hard Disk

The "long-term memory" of the computer, the things stored on it remains, even when the computer is turned off. The operating system, and all your programs and data are stored here. 

Optical Drive 

Reads/writes disks. It may read CDs, DVDs, or other media. It is essential for installing operating systems and programs. Some people like to have two drives for making copies of discs. 

You need to know what a computer is made up of first! Let’s start with the hardware. Below are the most important computer

components.

Video Card/Graphics Card/GPU

Video output. Some motherboards have an "onboard" GPU, so you don’t need a separate card but they are not very powerful, which would be a problem for playing video or games! Otherwise, you will need a GPU. These plug into a slot on the motherboard. 

On top of the internal components listed above, you would also need these external components:Keyboard – for typing on. Many motherboards won't even boot without a keyboard attached.Mouse – for pointing and clicking!Monitor – This is where the pretty pictures go.1

2

3

4

5

6

7

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Name the components.—you could do this whilst the video is playing/your teacher is doing the demonstration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWzX4MEYOBk&feature=related

Label the computer components

 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.       

STUCK? CHANGE THE BOX BELOW TO WHITE

Computer parts:Power supply, mother board, CPU (central processing unit), RAM, Hard drive, optical (CD drive), case, mouse, keyboard,

video/graphics card. 

CPU (central

processing unit) RA

MHard drive

optical drive

Right then you savvy techie you,  

The picture below is the inside of a computer. Using your amazing powers of drag and drop, move the labels to the correct component.

 (tip—the components are not always easy to see because they may be partially

hidden or seen on a strange angle!)

Question Answer/s 

Which component allows you to see images and video on your screen?

 

 

   

 RAM (Random Access Memory) stores temporary data that is lost when the PC is turned off – can you give an example of what sort of job/s RAM

does? 

 

   

 An optical drive is not necessary in a PC but you

might want to include one……Why? 

 

Power supply (PSU)

mother board

CPU (central

processing unit) RA

M

Hard drive optical

drive

GPU(video/graphics

card)

How much do you know about computer hardware components now? 

Let’s find out! Answer the questions below.

   

 What hardware does all of the above either

attach to or connect to? 

 

   

 What is the “brain” of the computer called?

 

 

   

 Why is there a fan on the power supply? (PSU)

 

 

   

 Can you name an input, process and output

component?