The document provides an overview of the key hardware components of a computer system and their functions. It discusses the central processing unit (CPU), motherboard, storage devices like hard drives, input/output devices, ports, expansion slots, power supply, and how hardware components communicate via the data bus and system clock. The goal is to give an initial understanding of how computer hardware works.
In this document
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Introduction to the parts and functions of a computer, outlining the basic operations and roles.
Explanation of binary communication between hardware and software in computing systems.
Description of internal and external PC hardware components including CPU, storage, and input/output.
Identification of input devices such as keyboard and mouse, and output devices like monitors and printers.
Detailed description of the motherboard's processing, communication features, and various components.
Insights on the CPU's role and the chip set's control over motherboard activities.
Explanation of primary (temporary) and secondary (permanent) storage devices and types of memory.
Discussion of RAM chip types and secondary storage devices including hard drives and CD drives.
Details about hard drive specifications, EIDE technology, and connections for various storage devices.
Explanation of data buses and their role in communication between computer components.
Definition of system time and process time related to the system clock and CPU speed.
Information on expansion slots, types, and interface cards used to enhance computer functionality.
Overview of the computer's electrical system, focusing on the power supply and cooling systems.
Discussion on instructions stored on the motherboard, including ROM BIOS and configuration settings.
Recap of computer hardware components and a basic understanding of hardware functionality.
PC Hardware Components
•Outside computer case: input/output devices
• Inside the case: processing and storage
– CPU – most important component
• Requirements of a hardware device
– Method for CPU to communicate with it
– Software to instruct and control it
– Electricity to power it
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Hardware Used forInput and Output
• Connects to computer case by ports (eg,
serial, parallel, USB, game, keyboard, mouse)
• Popular input devices:
– Keyboard
– Mouse
• Popular output devices:
– Monitor
– Printer
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Ports
Physical Interface between a computer and another
computers or devices
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Motherboard Components
• Processing • Communication with
– CPU (most important) other devices
– Chip set – Traces
• Temporary storage – Expansion slots
– RAM – System clock
– Cache memory • Programming/setup
• Electrical system data
– Power supply – Flash ROM
connections – CMOS setup chip
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The Chip Set
•Controls most activities on the motherboard
• Includes several device controllers
– USB controller
– Memory controller
– IDE controller
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Storage Devices
• Temporary(primary storage, or memory)
– Temporarily holds data and instructions while
processing them
– Faster to access than permanent storage
• Permanent (secondary storage)
– Data and instructions must be copied into
primary storage (RAM) for processing
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Primary Storage Devices
•Memory, or RAM, located on motherboard
and other circuit boards
– Volatile versus nonvolatile (or ROM) memory
• Types of boards that hold memory chips
– SIMMs
– DIMMs
– RIMMs
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Motherboard Components Usedfor
Communication Among Devices
• The data bus
– bus is a subsystem that transfers data between
computer components inside a computer or
between computers
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The Electrical System
•Power supply
– Most important component of computer’s
electrical system
– Converts/reduces electricity to voltage the
computer can handle
– Runs a fan directly from electrical output voltage
to cool inside of computer case
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