The central processing unit (CPU) carries out the computer's instructions and communicates with other components. A heat sink cools the CPU using thermal compound. There are two main processor manufacturers, AMD and Intel, which make dual and quad-core processors. Memory includes RAM, ROM, cache memory, and solid state drives. Storage devices include hard disk drives, solid state drives, external hard drives, and SCSI devices. Other components are adapter cards, sound/video cards, the motherboard, and the power supply.

1. COMPONENTS FOR A
COMPUTER
By harry hickford

2. CPU
 CPU means central processing unit this
carries out the instructions of the
computer. It communicates the instructions
from the software to the components. The
speed of the processor is usually measured
in MHz or GHz.

3. Heat sink
 The CPU it needs to be compatible on the
socket on the motherboard
 The heat sink is cools down the laptop or
the desktop when extremely hot and uses
thermal compound to transfer the heat to
the Processor.

4. Processor types
 There are 2 main manufactures of
processors they are AMD and Intel.
 Processors can be Dual core and quad core
processor more instructions and faster
 The latest processor is i7 but it produces a
lot of heat.
 Processors can be 32 bit and the lastest are
64 bit

5. Memory
 ROM – read only memory it can only read
data NOT write.
 RAM- random access memory when
working on a computer the information is
in RAM. When turning off the computer all
the information is loss from RAM it is
volatile

6.  RAM is either SDRAM or DRAM.
 Cache memory is SDRAM it can be access
very quickly by the CPU and the CPU when
processing instruction.
 EPROM - Erasable Programmable Read-
Only Memory can be rewritten using UV
light and then EEPROM can be rewritten
using electrical current. These are non
volatile types of RAM

7. Storage devices
 Hard disc drive it stores the digital data of your
computer for example the operating system
and application data.
 The data can be stored on revolving platters
that have magnetic material and there are
magnetic heads for writing the data.
 Solid state - is a data storage device that uses
solid-state memory to store persistent data
with the intention of providing access in the
same manner of a traditional block I/O hard
disk drive.

8. Internal hard drives
storage devices
PATA. These are now an slower old form of
internal hard drives which are connected to
the motherboard with PATA cables that are
40 pins
 SATA cables are 7 pin connecter and faster
data transfer. One of the connecter is
connected to the motherboard while the
other one is connected to the hard drive

9. External storage devices
 External portable hard drives are now used
for storing back ups including music,
videos and documents.
 Normally these portable hard drives are
connected by USB

10. Storage devices
 SCSI - is a set of standards for physically
connecting and transferring data between
computers and peripheral devices. There
are SCSI hard drives that are used for RAID
SCSI
controllers

11. Adapter card
 These are printed circuit boards that’s can
be inserted into an expansion slot of the
computer motherboard.
 These slots are PCI or PCIe. The PCIe has a
faster bus than the PCI card.
 PCMCIA is a very compact small device that
slides into a laptop
This is a wireless
PCIe nick card
for connecting a
desktop to a
network

12. Sound and video card
Sound card is used A high quality video card
for multi media built in memory
and it is often
better to have PCIe
card than one that
is on board
motherboard

13. Motherboard
 The motherboard holds all of the internal
components of the computer together it is
a printed circuit board.
 The motherboard must be compatible with
the computer case, the memory, processor
and the power supply.

14. Power supply
 The power supply converts AC to DC.
 The power supply through the motherboard
powers all of the internal components of
the computer.
 The wattage of the power supply must be
enough to give power to all of the
components