TOPIC A
Personal Computer Components
In this lesson, you will investigate many types of hardware components. The first step is to identify the main elements that are used in virtually all computer systems. In this topic, you will identify the major components of personal computers.
If you don’t understand the main components of a computer, it can seem like the most elabo- rate jigsaw puzzle you have ever seen. Like most puzzles, the parts of a computer each have a specific place they need to be, but generally, you will find that the pieces fit together almost exactly the same way. To help you put the puzzle together, you need to understand what the pieces look like and what they do.
Categories of Personal Computer Components
There are four primary categories of components in a typical personal computer: the system unit, a display device, input devices, and external devices.
The System Unit
Definition:
A system unit is the main component of a personal computer, which houses the other devices necessary for the computer to function. It is comprised of a chassis and the internal compo- nents of a personal computer such as the system board, the microprocessor, memory modules, disk drives, adapter cards, the power supply, a fan or other cooling device, and ports for con- necting external components such as monitors, keyboards, mice, and other devices.
Personal Computer Components
In this lesson, you will investigate many types of hardware components. The first step is to identify the main elements that are used in virtually all computer systems. In this topic, you will identify the major components of personal computers.
If you don’t understand the main components of a computer, it can seem like the most elabo- rate jigsaw puzzle you have ever seen. Like most puzzles, the parts of a computer each have a specific place they need to be, but generally, you will find that the pieces fit together almost exactly the same way. To help you put the puzzle together, you need to understand what the pieces look like and what they do.
Categories of Personal Computer Components
There are four primary categories of components in a typical personal computer: the system unit, a display device, input devices, and external devices.
The System Unit
Definition:
A system unit is the main component of a personal computer, which houses the other devices necessary for the computer to function. It is comprised of a chassis and the internal compo- nents of a personal computer such as the system board, the microprocessor, memory modules, disk drives, adapter cards, the power supply, a fan or other cooling device, and ports for con- necting external components such as monitors, keyboards, mice, and other devices.
This topic is meant to be
an introduction to the
main components of
personal computers.
Provide only an overview
of these elements at this
point, as the specific
characteristics of each will
be covered in depth later
in the course.
Display Devices
Definition:
A display device is a personal computer component that enables users to view the text and graphical data associated with a computer program. Display devices commonly connect to the system unit via a cable, and they have controls to adjust the settings for the device. They vary in size and shape, as well as the technologies used.
Definition:
A display device is a personal computer component that enables users to view the text and graphical data associated with a computer program. Display devices commonly connect to the system unit via a cable, and they have controls to adjust the settings for the device. They vary in size and shape, as well as the technologies used.
Input Devices
Definition:
An input device is a personal computer component that enables users to enter data or instruc- tions into a computer. The most common input devices are keyboards and computer mice. Input devices can connect to the system unit via a cable or a wireless connection.
Definition:
An input device is a personal computer component that enables users to enter data or instruc- tions into a computer. The most common input devices are keyboards and computer mice. Input devices can connect to the system unit via a cable or a wireless connection.
External Devices
A personal computer’s functionality can be enhanced by connecting different types of external devices to the system unit. Often called peripheral devices, external devices typically provide alternative input or output methods or additional data storage. External devices are connected to the system unit via a cable or a wireless connection. Some have their own power source and some draw power from the system.
A personal computer’s functionality can be enhanced by connecting different types of external devices to the system unit. Often called peripheral devices, external devices typically provide alternative input or output methods or additional data storage. External devices are connected to the system unit via a cable or a wireless connection. Some have their own power source and some draw power from the system.
There are several categories of external devices.
TOPIC B
System Unit Components
In the last topic, you identified the main components of personal computers, one of which is the system unit. The system unit itself has several important sub-components. In this topic, you will identify the major components of the system unit.
Being able to recognize a system unit is a good start, but it is not enough for a computer technician. If you need to replace a part within a system unit, you want to be sure that you replace the right one. The ability to identify system unit components is an integral part of the background knowledge that every computer technician should have.
The System Board Definition:
The system board is the personal computer component that acts as the backbone for the entire computer system. Sometimes called the motherboard, it consists of a large, flat circuit board with chips and other electrical components on it. Some components are soldered directly to the board, and some are slots and sockets where other components can be added and removed easily.
System Unit Components
In the last topic, you identified the main components of personal computers, one of which is the system unit. The system unit itself has several important sub-components. In this topic, you will identify the major components of the system unit.
Being able to recognize a system unit is a good start, but it is not enough for a computer technician. If you need to replace a part within a system unit, you want to be sure that you replace the right one. The ability to identify system unit components is an integral part of the background knowledge that every computer technician should have.
The System Board Definition:
The system board is the personal computer component that acts as the backbone for the entire computer system. Sometimes called the motherboard, it consists of a large, flat circuit board with chips and other electrical components on it. Some components are soldered directly to the board, and some are slots and sockets where other components can be added and removed easily.
System Board Features
Because features that are built into the design of the system board cannot be changed without replacing the whole system board, most system boards include only the standard features that most users want—those that will not change much in the near future. By omitting features that some users do not use, such as SCSI connections, system board manufacturers can keep the cost of their boards low. By allowing users to buy components such as a high-end video card with the speed and features they want, and letting the users attach the card to the system board, the designers build in flexibility that most users appreciate.
Sometimes computer makers who sell complete systems find it is cheaper to build a system board with components such as the modem, sound card, video, and all other features built-in, rather than add interface cards to a standard system board. If the integrated components are sufficient for your needs, this is an economical way to purchase this functionality; however, you should not invest money in a board with integrated components if you plan to upgrade these components anyway.
Because features that are built into the design of the system board cannot be changed without replacing the whole system board, most system boards include only the standard features that most users want—those that will not change much in the near future. By omitting features that some users do not use, such as SCSI connections, system board manufacturers can keep the cost of their boards low. By allowing users to buy components such as a high-end video card with the speed and features they want, and letting the users attach the card to the system board, the designers build in flexibility that most users appreciate.
Sometimes computer makers who sell complete systems find it is cheaper to build a system board with components such as the modem, sound card, video, and all other features built-in, rather than add interface cards to a standard system board. If the integrated components are sufficient for your needs, this is an economical way to purchase this functionality; however, you should not invest money in a board with integrated components if you plan to upgrade these components anyway.
The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Definition:
The central processing unit (CPU), sometimes called microprocessor or just processor, is the real brains of the computer and is where most of the calculations take place. On most personal computers, the CPU is housed in a single microprocessor chip that is installed on the system board in a slot or socket.
Memory is the component that provides the electronic storage for the computer. Memory most
commonly refers to actual chips that typically store and retrieve information faster than tape or
hard drives can. Memory chips contain millions of transistors etched on one sliver of a
semiconductor. When a transistor conducts electricity, it represents the binary number 1. When
it does not, it represents the binary number 0.
The central processing unit (CPU), sometimes called microprocessor or just processor, is the real brains of the computer and is where most of the calculations take place. On most personal computers, the CPU is housed in a single microprocessor chip that is installed on the system board in a slot or socket.
Memory
Definition:
Definition:
Storage Devices
Definition:
A personal computer storage device is a component, such as a hard drive, that enables users to save data for reuse at a later time, even after the personal computer is shut down and restarted. Storage devices can save data magnetically, optically, or electrically, depending on the medium on which the data is stored.
A power supply is an internal computer component that converts AC power from an electrical
outlet to the DC power needed by system components. The power supply is a metal box in the
rear of the system that is attached to the computer chassis and to the system board. While the
power supply is not itself a component of the system board, it is required in order for system
components to receive power. The power supply contains the power cord plug and a fan for
cooling, because it generates a lot of heat. Some power supplies have a voltage switch that
enables you to set the voltage to that used in different countries.
A personal computer storage device is a component, such as a hard drive, that enables users to save data for reuse at a later time, even after the personal computer is shut down and restarted. Storage devices can save data magnetically, optically, or electrically, depending on the medium on which the data is stored.
Power Supplies
Definition:
Definition:
Fixed-Input Power Supply Voltage Switch Safety
Power supplies with voltage switches are called fixed-input power supplies. The voltage switches generally have two settings—for example, 220 and 110—depending on the manufacturer. If you set the switch to a higher voltage than supplied by the power source, the system will not receive enough power and will not function properly. However, if you set the switch to a lower setting than supplied by the power source—for example, if you set the switch to 110V while connected to a 220V outlet—you run the risk of burning out the power supply, damaging system components, or more seriously, creating a fire or electrocution hazard.
Auto-switching power supplies do not have a manual voltage switch, but detect the voltage level supplied by the outlet and set themselves to the correct voltage automatically. This can be convenient and safe for people who travel to various countries with portable computers.
Cooling Systems Definition:
A cooling system is a system unit component that prevents damage to computer parts by dissi- pating the heat generated inside a computer chassis. The cooling system can contain fans and other devices such as a heat sink that service the entire computer as well as individual compo- nents such as the power supply and CPU.
Power supplies with voltage switches are called fixed-input power supplies. The voltage switches generally have two settings—for example, 220 and 110—depending on the manufacturer. If you set the switch to a higher voltage than supplied by the power source, the system will not receive enough power and will not function properly. However, if you set the switch to a lower setting than supplied by the power source—for example, if you set the switch to 110V while connected to a 220V outlet—you run the risk of burning out the power supply, damaging system components, or more seriously, creating a fire or electrocution hazard.
Auto-switching power supplies do not have a manual voltage switch, but detect the voltage level supplied by the outlet and set themselves to the correct voltage automatically. This can be convenient and safe for people who travel to various countries with portable computers.
Cooling Systems Definition:
A cooling system is a system unit component that prevents damage to computer parts by dissi- pating the heat generated inside a computer chassis. The cooling system can contain fans and other devices such as a heat sink that service the entire computer as well as individual compo- nents such as the power supply and CPU.
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