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- 2. St. Robert’s International Academy Elementsof a Computer System 2 Hardware Software
- 3. St. Robert’s International Academy TheHardware 3 Computer hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system.
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- 5. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 5 Motherboard: The motherboard is the piece of computer hardware that can be thought of as the "backbone" of the PC, or more appropriately as the "mother" that holds all the pieces together.
- 6. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 6
- 7. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 7 The central processing unit (CPU) is the computer component that's responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer's other hardware and software.
- 8. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 8
- 9. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 9 Random Access Memory is the physical hardware inside a computer that temporarily stores data, serving as the computer's "working" memory. The purpose of RAM is to provide quick read and write access to a storage device. Your computer uses RAM to load data because it's much quicker than running that same data directly off of a hard drive.
- 10. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 10
- 11. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 11 The power supply unit is the piece of hardware that converts the power provided from the outlet into usable power for the many parts inside the computer case.
- 12. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 12
- 13. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 13 The video card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor, TV, or projector. Some other names for a video card include graphics card, graphics adapter, display adapter, video adapter, video controller, and add-in boards (AIBs).
- 14. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 14
- 15. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 15 The hard disk drive is the main, and usually most substantial, data storage hardware device in a computer. The operating system, software titles, and most other files are stored in the hard disk drive.
- 16. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 16
- 17. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 17 Solid state drives and USB flash drives use the same type of non-volatile memory chips that retain information when there is no power. The difference is in the form factor and capacity of the drives. While a flash drive is designed to be external to the computer system, an SSD is designed to reside inside the computer in place of a more traditional hard drive.
- 18. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 18
- 19. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 19 Optical drives retrieve and/or store data on optical discs like CDs, DVDs, and BDs (Blu-ray discs), any of which hold much more information than previously available portable media options like the floppy disk.
- 20. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 20
- 21. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 21 A card reader is a data input device that reads data from a card-shaped storage medium. A memory card reader is a device used for communication with a smart card or a memory card. A magnetic card reader is a device used to read magnetic stripe cards, such as credit cards.
- 22. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 22
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- 24. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 24 On a desktop computer, the monitor connects via a cable to a port on the computer's video card or motherboard. Even though the monitor sits outside the main computer housing, it's an essential part of the system.
- 25. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 25
- 26. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 26 The keyboard is the piece of computer hardware used to input text, characters, and other commands into a computer or similar device. Even though the keyboard is an external peripheral device in a desktop system, or is "virtual" in a tablet PC, it is an essential part of the complete computer system.
- 27. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 27
- 28. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 28 Whether the mouse uses a laser or ball, or is wired or wireless, a movement detected from the mouse sends instructions to the computer to move the cursor on the screen in order to interact with files, windows, and other software elements.
- 29. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 29
- 30. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 30 A battery backup, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS), is primarily used to provide a backup power source to important desktop computer hardware components.
- 31. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 31
- 32. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 32 Flash drives are often referred to as pen drives, thumb drives, or jump drives. The terms USB drive and solid- state drive (SSD) are also sometimes used but most of the time those refer to larger, not-so-mobile USB- based storage devices like external hard drives.
- 33. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 33
- 34. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 34 A printer is a peripheral device which makes a persistent representation of graphics or text, usually on paper. While most output is human-readable, bar code printers are an example of an expanded use for printers. The different types of printers include 3D printer, inkjet printer, laser printer, thermal printer, etc.
- 35. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 35
- 36. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 36 A computer speaker is an output hardware device that connects to a computer to generate sound. The signal used to produce the sound that comes from a computer speaker is created by the computer's sound card.
- 37. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 37
- 38. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 38 Some external drives draw power over their data cable, which of course comes from the computer itself, while others may require an AC wall connection to derive power on their own.
- 39. St. Robert’s International Academy CommonComputer Hardware Components 39
Editor's Notes
- #4 There are many different kinds of hardware that can be installed inside, and connected to the outside, of a computer.
- #6 The motherboard serves to connect all of the parts of a computer together. The CPU, memory, hard drives, and other ports and expansion cards all connect to the motherboard directly or via cables.
- #7 The motherboard serves to connect all of the parts of a computer together. The CPU, memory, hard drives, and other ports and expansion cards all connect to the motherboard directly or via cables.
- #8 All sorts of devices use a CPU, including desktop, laptop, and tablet computers, smartphones, even your flat-screen television set. Intel and AMD are the two most popular CPU manufacturers for desktops, laptops, and servers, while Apple, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm are big smartphone and tablet CPU makers.
- #9 You may see many different names used to describe the CPU, including processor, computer processor, microprocessor, central processor, and "the brains of the computer."
- #10 Additional RAM allows a computer to work with more information at the same time, which usually has a considerable effect on total system performance.
- #11 all the data you're actively using on your computer (or smartphone, tablet, etc.) is temporarily stored in RAM. This type of memory, provides much faster read/write times than using a hard drive. Most hard drives are considerably slower than RAM due to physical limitations like rotation speed.
- #12 It converts the alternating current from your wall outlet into a continuous form of power called direct current that the computer components require. It also regulates overheating by controlling voltage, which might change automatically or manually depending on the power supply.
- #13 The power supply unit is mounted just inside the back of the case. If you follow the computer's power cable, you'll find that it attaches to the back of the power supply. It's the backside that's usually the only portion of the power supply that most people will ever see.
- #14 A staggering number of companies manufacture video cards, but almost every one includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) from either NVIDIA Corporation or AMD.
- #15 A video card is a piece of computer hardware that's rectangular in shape with numerous contacts on the bottom of the card and one or more ports on the side for connection to video displays and other devices.
- #16 The hard drive is sometimes referred to as the "C drive" because Microsoft Windows, by default, designates the "C" drive letter to the primary partition on the primary hard drive in a computer.
- #17 Unlike volatile storage like RAM, a hard drive keeps a hold of its data even when powered off. This is why you can restart a computer, which powers down the HDD, but retain access to all the data when it's back on. Inside the hard drive are sectors located on tracks, stored on rotating platters. These platters have magnetic heads that move with an actuator arm to read and write data to the drive.
- #18 Solid state refers to electronic circuitry that is built entirely of semiconductors. The term was originally used to define those electronics, such as a transistor radio that used semiconductors rather than vacuum tubes in its construction. Most electronics today are built around semiconductors and chips. A solid state drive uses, as its primary storage medium, semiconductors rather than the magnetic platters of a conventional hard drive.
- #19 Solid state drives offer several advantages over magnetic hard drives. First, the SSD does not have moving parts. While a magnetic drive uses drive motors to spin the magnetic platters and the drive heads, all the storage on a solid state drive is handled by flash memory chips.
- #20 The optical drive normally goes by other names like a disc drive, ODD (abbreviation), CD drive, DVD drive, or BD drive.
- #21 An optical drive is a piece of computer hardware about the size of a thick softcover book. The front of the drive has a small Open/Close button that ejects and retracts the drive bay door. This is how media like CDs, DVDs, and BDs are inserted into and removed from the drive.
- #22 The optical drive normally goes by other names like a disc drive, ODD (abbreviation), CD drive, DVD drive, or BD drive.
- #25 A monitor is a piece of computer hardware that displays the video and graphics information generated by a connected computer through the computer's video card.
- #26 Most monitors are considered output devices since they usually only serve the purpose of outputting information to the screen but some of them are touch screens as well. This type of monitor is considered an input/output device, or an I/O device. Some monitors have integrated accessories like a microphone, speakers, a camera, or a USB hub.
- #28 Tablets, phones, and other computers with touch interfaces often don't include physical keyboards. However, most do have USB receptacles or wireless technologies which allow external keyboards to be attached.
- #29 The mouse, sometimes called a pointer, is a hand-operated input device used to manipulate objects on a computer screen.
- #31 While a UPS system isn't a required piece of a complete computer system, including one as part of yours is always recommended. The need for a reliable supply of electricity is often overlooked and not fully realized until damage has occured.
- #32 In addition to acting as a backup when the power goes out, most battery backup devices also act as power "conditioners" by ensuring that the electricity flowing to your computer and accessories is free from drops or surges. If a computer isn't receiving a consistent flow of electricity, damage can and often does occur.
- #33 A flash drive is a small, ultra-portable storage device which, unlike an optical drive or a traditional hard drive, has no moving parts. Flash drives connect to computers and other devices via a built-in USB Type-A or USB-C plug, making a flash drive a kind of combination USB device and cable.
- #34 In addition to acting as a backup when the power goes out, most battery backup devices also act as power "conditioners" by ensuring that the electricity flowing to your computer and accessories is free from drops or surges. If a computer isn't receiving a consistent flow of electricity, damage can and often does occur.
- #39 An external drive is just a hard drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD) that is connected to a computer on the outside rather than on the inside.
- #40 One way to think of an external hard drive is as if it were a regular, internal hard drive that has been removed, covered in its own protective casing, and plugged into the outside of your computer.