Components of a Computer

Motherboard:

All of the components of a computer are found on the motherboard.

The motherboard is the main circuit board of a personal computer.

The Motherboard is the most important component in the computer. You can plug all the other components into the motherboard. On the motherboard there are many ports like USB ports, in which you can plug many peripherals, for example; mouse, keyboard, memory sticks and many more that are all important for using you computer.

BIOS

The BIOS (or Basic Input Output System), is a small chip connected to the motherboard on which you store Read Only Memory (or ROM). The modern name for it is flash memory. The BIOS chip is the component that controls many important functions such as whether the pc boots up from the hard-drive or straight from the disk drive. It also controls the boot settings. The BIOS is also able to shut the computer down if needed. To access the BIOS screen, press F2 when the computer is starting up. The first thing the pc does is load up POST. POST is a built-in diagnostic program that checks your hardware to ensure that everything is present and functioning properly.

Processor

The processor (or CPU), is the component that controls and runs the basic instructions that make the computer work. Processor speed is normally measured in Megahertz or Gigahertz. Processors can cope with either 32bit or 64 bit chunks of data. For example, a 32 bit processor would require a 32 bit operating system. The average modern day processor speed is 2.5GHz, the top of the range speed is around 5GHz. The faster the processor, the faster the PC is not necessarily true. If you don't have enough memory for the processor then it is likely that you PC will overclock and then overheat.

Internal Memory

Ram (Random Access Memory) is a type of computer storage. It allows data to be accessed in any order. IT is used to store the operating system and programs that are being run. When the PC is switched off, the contents of the RAM are lost.

Rom (Read Only Memory) is a type of storage media used in ccomputers. This is because data stored in ROM cannot be modified, it is mainly used to distribute software that is very closely tied to specific hardware.

Cache Memory is high speed memory that is used to temporarily store recently processed instructions and data. Very quick to access data which makes it so expensive. Two types, L2 which is found on the motherboard and L1 which is ppart of the CPU .

PSU

The PSU (or Power Supply Unit), is component that supplies power to the computer. The main function of the PSU is to convert AC to DC for the internal components of a computer. Most computer power supplies are built to adapt to the ATX form factor, this means that you can replace the existing PSU with a different one and it will still work with all the other components. Power Supply Unit are made so that they turn off and on by a signal from the motherboard. A typical PSU runs off around 3.3V compared to the old 5V.

The PSU must NEVER be taken apart even when the power has been switched off.

Fan & Heat Sink

The Heat Sink is a component that draws the heat in and then gets rid of it elsewhere using the process of conduction. The process is made easier by spreading a thin layer of a thermal compound between the CPU and the heat sink.
A typical Fan in a computer usually runs at around 2000 to 4000 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The job of the fan is to draw the hot air away from the heat sink. It runs off a 12V battery and the power is outputted in DC.








Specialized Cards
In the computer are a number of cards that are fitted, they help run or improve the quality of your computer. You have the cards built into your computer but you can improve the quality by adding a better spec card.
Some of the cards are as such;

+ Network Card- The network card is a card that allows the usual to access the network. The average Network Card can run off 32 bit PCI.

+ Graphics Card- The graphics card is a card that generates and image that is then displayed on the screen. On the graphics card you can change he contrast and colour of the imagine it is projecting on to your monitor.

+ Sound/ Audio Card- This is the card that creates sound so if you have no sound card then the computer won't play anything.


Ports
On a computer there are many different ports that enable you to plug in other peripherals some of these are keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner and many more. USB is the most common method as nearly every peripheral uses this. Other types of port are PS/2 Green which is to plug in your mouse and PS/2 Purple which is port for your keyboard. Many modern PC's do not have PS/2 connectors, instead the use USB format. Other PS/2 connector ports are for microphone, headphones and to plug in a gameport.

Peripherals

Peripherals such as Printers, Scanners, Camera's and Joysticks all connect to the back of the PC into it's ports using a USB cable. You have to install the drivers for the peripheral onto your PC before use.

Hard Drive Configuration
The hard drive is controlledby the integrated drive electronics, whic is located on the motherboard. Each channel has a master and slave drive. The master is normally the faster of the two.