2. The Basic Computer
A computer is simply a device that accepts inputs, performs functions, and
produces an output.
Many people are familiar with a computer, but they are unaware of the parts that
make up the computer and what they do.
3. The Basics
The computer is made of 4 basic parts
CPU
Display (output sources)
Input sources
Memory
4. CPU
The CPU or Central Processing unit is
the brain of the computer. This is
where all the calculations are
performed. It is a silicon chip and
housed in the tower.
Tower
5. Inside the Tower
Removing the cover reveals the inside
of the computer.
The large fan in the middle covers the
CPU chip keeping it cool.
Fan covering CPU
6. Inside the Tower
There are 2 other main points in the
tower.
To the right of the fan there are 2 strips.
These are the RAM of the Computer.
RAM stands for Random Access
Memory. This is the memory the
computer uses and erases many times.
The more RAM a computer has the less
stress will be placed on the CPU.
RAM
7. Close up of the RAM
RAM comes in sticks.
It is in Megabytes or Gigabytes
Ideally, you want as much RAM as your
computer will hold.
Other than the CPU, RAM has the most
impact of the performance of a computer.
8. Inside the Tower
The large rectangular box in the bottom
right is the ssecond type of memory in a
computer, the ROM.
ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
This is where the long term memory is.
Photos, games, applications, music, and
other files are stored here to be
retrieved at a later date.
ROM is also called the Hard Disk
ROM or Hard Disk
9. Close up of the Hard Drive or ROM
The Hard Drive is rated in terms of bytes.
Gigabytes are 1000 Megabits
Terabytes are 1000 Gigabytes
The more memory you have the more
information you can store on the
computer.
