The document discusses various computer hardware components and their functions. It covers topics such as the CPU, RAM, ROM, storage devices, expansion slots, and input/output interfaces. Technical details are provided for each component, along with some non-technical explanations. The document aims to explain both the technical and non-technical aspects of fundamental computer parts and how they work together in a system.

1. Technical
Non-Technical
INPUT & OUTPUT

2. Technical CPU
The CPU [Central Processing Unit] otherwise known as the
processor is an electronic
circuit that executes computer programs.
The CPU is hosted in a single chip called
“Microprocessor.”
The CPU is inserted directly into a CPU Socket, Pin side
down with ZIF [Zero Insertion Force.]
When Replacing or Upgrading a CPU you need to checkthe
motherboard manufacturer‟s specifications before
attempting this to see if the CPU is compatible.
The speeds of CPU‟s is measured in MHz [Megahertz]

3. Technical Ram & Rom RAM [Random Access Memory] computer memory which can be
accessed randomly, this kind of memory is commonly found
on computers and other devices, such as printers.
There are two different types of RAM
DRAM [Dynamic Random Access Memory]
ROM [Read-Only Memory] computer memory is where data is DRAM needs to be refreshed thousands of times per second, It
pre-recorded. Once data has been written on a ROM also supports access times for about 60 nanoseconds.
chip. It cannot be removed but can be only read. The other type of RAM is SRAM[Static Random Access Memory]
SRAM is faster than DRAM as it does not need to be refreshed it
ROM retains the data when the computer is powered off. can also give access times as low as 10 nanoseconds but
ROM memory is used extensively used in calculators and requires more power. SRAM is faster than DRAM but is not
peripheral devices such as laser printers. as common due to the cost of it.
You can only Read and Write on a RAM chip
ROM is referred to as Non-volatile.
Both Rams are Volatile as they lose their content when power is
There is a variation of ROM, Which is PROM these chips are turned off.
manufactured as blanks and data can be written with a
special programme called PROM programme.

4. Technical Eprom
EPROM [Erasable Programme Read-Only Memory]
Is a special type of memory which retains content
until it is exposed to UV light [Ultraviolet Light].
UV lights clears data of the Eprom chip making it
possible to reprogram the chip, to write and
erase content on EPROM a special device is
needed a „PROM programmer.‟
EPROM chips can be used widely in personal
computers because it enables the manufacture
to change the contents of the PROM before the
computer is shipped, This means New version
can be installed and bugs can be removed
before a delivery.

5. Technical Flash Memory
Flash Memory is a data storage device, This memory is
commonly used on digital cameras,USB flash drives and
video games. Flash memory is very similar to EEPROM.
Flash Memory USB is hot swappable meaning it can be used
whenever needed on a computer, Which also means that
it is a peripheral device.
You can get different USBs which have different speeds and
capacities to hold data.
Flash drives are not Volatile like RAM but Flash Memory can
keep its data intact even when power is turned off, This
means Flash Memory is Non Volatile as the chip keeps the
data saved.

7. Technical PCI & PCIe
PCI [Peripheral Component Interconnect] PCIe [Peripheral Component Interconnect Express]
This is a computer bus standard developed by Intel Corporation. This is a computer expansion bus which was designed to
Modern computers contains these PCI bus. replaced PCI,AGP and PCI-X bus standards, The PCIe
PCI are also used on MAC computers, a PCI slot is a 64-bit bus but was also designed to match the higher speeds of the
is usually implented as a 32-bit bus.
present CPUs.
As video adapter,processors and sound cards have got faster and
more powerful, but the PCIs has stayed the same, The 32 A PCIe provides more bandwidth and compatibility with the
bits can only handle up to 5 devices. Where as the 62 bit PCI present OS [Operating System] compared to the PCI.
provide more bandwidth.
The newer standard for a personal computer is called
The idea of a bus is simple it lets you connect the component to
the computers processor. PCIe 3.0 this allows us faster exchange of data.
The expansion card for a PCI slot is a PCI card which is inserted PCIe slot is also smaller in size compared to the AGP,PCI
into a PCI slot in order for it to function. and PCI-X

8. Technical SATA & PATA
SATA [Serial Advanced Technology Attachment] PATA [Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment] is a used
This is a computer bus interface which connects host bus for connecting storage devices like hard drives and
adapters to high storage devices such as HDD and optical drives into computer systems.
optical drives. PATA cables are long, flat cable with 40-pin. One side of the
SATA cables are long thin, 7 pin cable. One side of the cable cable is inserted into a labelled IDE port where as the
is inserted into a port labelled SATA and the other side other side is inserted into a port storage device.
is inserted into the back of a storage device. PATA cables come in 40 or 80 wire designs, PATA cable
A SATA bus was produced to replace the older PATA maximum workable cable length is 46 centimetre
standards offering many advantages compared to the which mean it is practically used for internal drives.
older interface, Such as hot swappable and faster
data transfer. PATA device are based on Parallel Signalling Technology,
SATA device are based on Serial Signalling Technology.

9. Technical SCSI & Solid State
SCSI [Small Computer System Interface] This is a parallel interface Solid State Drive [SSD] is data storage device which
standard, It is a set of ANSI standard electronic interface which is
used for attaching peripheral devices [External Devices] to a is similar to a USB Flash Drives as they both use
computer. Non Volatile memory chips which allows the memory
to stay intact even when the computer is turned off.
All Apple Macs have this with the exception of the earliest MACs but
the recent IMacs come with a SCSI port.
A SSD is basically a Hard Disk Drive but it contains
A SCSI interface provide the fastest data transmission rate which flash memory chips which means there are a few
goes up to 80 Megabytes Per Second than a standard Serial and advantages compared to a Hard Disk Drive such as
Parallel Port.
a SSD will access data faster with less power usage
SCSI has many different types of variation offering different and also is more reliable
positive and negative aspects.

10. Technical FORMATTING
Disk Formatting is process that prepares a HDD [Hard Disk Drive]
or other storage medium for use. In some case the formatting
process may set up some empty file system.
There are two types of Disk Formatting such as
-Physical Disk Formatting
-Logical Disk Formatting
When formatting a HDD, The hard disk drive must be physically
formatted before it can be logically formatted. Physical
formatting basically divides the hard drive into their basic
physical elements, such as the tracks, sectors and cylinders.
After the physically formatting process is completed successfully
it must then be logically formatted. Logical formatting places a
file system on the disk allowing the OS [Operating System] to use
the available disk space to store and retrieve files.
Formatting your entire HDD with one file system can limit the
number and types of OS you can install on the hard disk drive.

11. Technical PARTITIONING
Disk Partitioning is a process which divides the HDD [Hard
Disk Drive] into multiple logical storage units in order to
organize her/his data more effectively, these separate data
areas are known as partitions. A partition program can be
used to modify, delete or create a partition.
When a disk has been divided into several partitions,
directories and files of different categories may be stored
into different partitions. Having more partitions provides
more control but having to many partition may become very
hard to control.
When creating HDD partitions most OS use „fdisk‟ command
to create a HDD partition. Some OS also have graphical tools
that accomplish the same task.

12. Non-Technical CPU
The CPU [Central Processing Unit] carries out the
instructions of a computer program and essential is the
computers brain. The CPU is the most important element
of a computer system.

13. Non-Technical Ram & Rom
RAM [Random Access Memory]
ROM [Read-Only Memory] Ram doesn‟t retain information when the power
ROM retains information when personal computer to your computer is turned off.
is turned off. Two types variations of RAM
ROM is used in computers and other electronic DRAM [Dynamic Random Access Memory]
devices. SRAM [Static Random Access Memory]
ROM cannot be modified or can be modified but
slowly and difficult to do so.

14. Non-Technical EPROM
EPROM [Erasable Programme Read-Only Memory]
retains information when personal computer
is turned off.
Programmed individually by electronic devices
which supplies high voltages than a usually
digital circuit.
Data on EPROM can be erased by exposing the chip
to ultraviolet light.

15. Non-Technical Flash Memory
Flash Memory is memory storage device can be
hot swappable as you can use it when ever you
want on a computer which means it is a
external device.
You can get different USBs consisting of different
speeds and capacity.
Flash memory unlike RAM does not lose its data
when a computer is turned off.

16. Non-Technical PCI & PCIe
PCI [Peripheral Component Interconnect] PCIe [Peripheral Component Interconnect Express]
Is a computer standard bus which most A computer expansion bus was designed to replace
modern computers consist of. the older PCIs and to match the more powerful
CPUs.
PCI slots hold PCI cards.
PCIe has more advantages than a PCI,AGP and PCI-X
standard.

17. Non-Technical SATA & PATA
SATA [Serial Advanced Technology Attachment] PATA [Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment]
SATA ports connects high storage devices and PATA ports connect storage devices and optical
optical drives into computer systems.
drives into computer systems.
SATA cables are plugged into a SATA port and the
other side of the cable is plugged into a storage PATA cables are plugged into a IDE port and the
device. other side of the cable is plugged into a storage
SATA has many more advantages than PATA as it device.
was produce to replace PATA.
PATA cables used to work with internal drives.

18. Non-Technical SCSI & Solid State
SCSI [Small Computer System Interface] Solid State [SSD] Storage device which does not
Is a parallel interface which is used to attach lose data when turned off.
external devices to the computer. A SSD access data faster with less power usage
SCSI provides faster data transmissions than a and is more reliable compared to a Hard Disk
standard Serial and Parallel Port. Drive [HDD]

19. Non-Technical FORMATTING
Disk formatting is a simple process which prepares
some space for the hard disk drive, the process many
sometimes make some empty files.
Theres two types of formatting, Physical and Logical
in order to complete the formatting successfully you
need to first complete the Physical Disk Formatting
successful in order to do Logical Disk Formatting
which then can be completed to complete the
formatting process.

20. Non-Technical PARTITIONING
Disk partitioning is a process which divides the Hard drive
to create multiple storage spaces. In order to perform a
partition you need a program which will let you partition the
Hard drive.
The more partitions created the easier it is to control data
but to many can make it difficult.

21. INPUT & OUTPUT
Input Output BOTH
TOUCH SCREEN PRINTER MODEMS
GRAPHICS MONITOR NETWORK CARDS
TABLET SPEAKERS TOUCH SCREEN
GAMES CONTROLLER PROJECTOR HEADSETS
MICROPHONE LED PROJECTION PANEL
KEYBOARD To connect these devices to the computer you can use these interfaces:
FINGERPRINT SCANNER
MOUSE USB
SCANNER PS/2
WEBCAM DVI
DIGITAL CAMERA
VGA
SCSI
BARCODE READER
IEEE 1394
TOUCHPADS
Ethernet
Serial
TRS
Parallel

22. Northbridge Chipset
Back Panel Connector
DDR DIMM Memory
Central Processing Unit
Slots
AGP 8X Slot
RAM
PCI Slots
USB 2.0 Header
CD-In Header
Southbridge
Chipset
IDE Connection ATX Power
BIOS