The document describes the various components that make up a typical personal computer. It discusses the internal components of the system unit including the microprocessor, memory, power supply, storage devices, and adapter cards. It also covers external components such as display devices, input devices, and peripheral devices. Additionally, it examines the different connection methods that allow components to interface with one another, such as USB, serial, parallel, FireWire, SCSI, PATA, and SATA ports and cables.

1. OV 1 - 1Copyright © 2007 Element K Content LLC. All rights reserved.
Personal Computer Components
 Personal Computer Components
 System Unit Components
 Storage Devices
 Personal Computer Connection Methods

2. OV 1 - 2Copyright © 2007 Element K Content LLC. All rights reserved.
A Typical Personal Computer
System unitSystem unit Display deviceDisplay device
External deviceExternal deviceExternal deviceExternal device
Input devicesInput devices

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A System Unit
ChassisChassis
Cooling deviceCooling device
Microprocessor
(under cooling device)
Microprocessor
(under cooling device)
Memory chipsMemory chips
Power SupplyPower Supply
PortsPorts
Adapter CardAdapter Card
Disk drivesDisk drives

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A Display Device

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An Input Device

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External Devices
 Microphone
 Digital camera
 Scanner
 Speakers
 Printer
 Network device
 External drive

7. OV 1 - 7Copyright © 2007 Element K Content LLC. All rights reserved.
A System Board
Expansion slotsExpansion slots
AGP slotAGP slot PortsPorts
CPUCPU
RAM slotsRAM slots
Drive interfacesDrive interfaces

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CPUs

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A Sample Memory Module

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The System Bus
Hard Drive
Controller
Video
Controller
Memory
System Bus
CPU

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Examples of Storage Devices

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A Power Supply
Internal viewInternal view
External viewExternal view
Wires from the power supply
to the system board and drives
Wires from the power supply
to the system board and drives
FanFan
Voltage switchVoltage switch
Socket for power cordSocket for power cord
Power switchPower switch

13. OV 1 - 13Copyright © 2007 Element K Content LLC. All rights reserved.
A Typical Cooling System for a CPU
FanFan Heat sinkHeat sink

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An Adapter Card
ConnectorConnector
CircuitryCircuitry

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A System Board with a Riser Card
REARREAR
FRONTFRONT
Memory slots
PCI/ISA slots on riser
Peripheral
connectors
CPU

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System Board Form Factors
 AT
 Baby AT
 ATX
 microATX
 LPX
 NLX
 BTX

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A Floppy Disk Drive (FDD)
Front view 3.5-inch floppy disk drive
3.5-inch floppy disk
Rear view of floppy disk drive
Data cableData cable Power cablePower cable

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A Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

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Optical Disks and Drives
An internal CD-ROM drive
An external DVD drive
A CD-R disc

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Optical Disk and Drive Types
 CD-ROM
 CD-R
 CD-RW
 DVD-ROM
 DVD-R
 DVD+R
 DVD+R DL
 DVD-RW
 DVD+RW

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A Tape Drive

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Solid State Storage
43mm
CompactFlash
card fits in here
CompactFlash
card fits in here
36mm
USB adapter connects the
CompactFlash reader to the computer
USB adapter connects the
CompactFlash reader to the computer

23. OV 1 - 23Copyright © 2007 Element K Content LLC. All rights reserved.
Ports
Enable devices to be connected to a personal computer.
6-pin round
connector
6-pin round
connector
25-pin D-shaped
connector
25-pin D-shaped
connector
15-pin D-shaped
connector
15-pin D-shaped
connector

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Personal Computer Connections
USB ConnectorUSB Connector
CableCable

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Serial Connections
25-pin serial port
on a serial device
25-pin serial port
on a serial device
25-pin end of serial cable connects
to modem and 9-pin end
connects to computer’s serial port
25-pin end of serial cable connects
to modem and 9-pin end
connects to computer’s serial port

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Parallel Connections
Parallel connectorParallel connector
Parallel cableParallel cable

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USB Connections
Type B connector
connects to USB device
Type B connector
connects to USB device
Type A connector connects to
USB port on the computer
or on a hub
Type A connector connects to
USB port on the computer
or on a hub

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FireWire Connections
FireWire deviceFireWire device
FireWire portFireWire port
FireWire 6-pin
connector
FireWire 6-pin
connector

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SCSI Connections
SCSI connectorSCSI connector
SCSI cableSCSI cable

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PATA Connections
PATA connectorPATA connector

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SATA Connections
SATA data cableSATA data cable
SATA power cablesSATA power cables

32. OV 1 - 32Copyright © 2007 Element K Content LLC. All rights reserved.
Reflective Questions
1. How many of the personal computer components described are
familiar to you?
2. What is the most important component of a computer?