Computer hardware parts and their purpose
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The document provides an introduction to the main parts of a computer system. It discusses the central processing unit (CPU) which provides calculations and data manipulation. Random access memory (RAM) is variable memory that is lost when the computer is turned off, while the hard drive stores data even after shut down using magnetism. The mainboard connects all the components including the CPU, RAM, hard drive, video card for displaying graphics, and various input/output devices like the keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor and audio system.
Computer hardware parts and their purpose
- 1. Introduction to Computing august29,2019 PangasinanState University Lingayen,pangasinan S,Y 2019-2020 Computer Background The word "computer"wasfirstrecordedasbeingusedin1613 and originallywasusedto describe a human performedcalculations or computations.The who definition of a computer remained the same until the end of the 19th century, when the industrial revolutiongave rise to machineswhose primarypurpose wascalculating. I.Computer MainParts Central Processing Unit (CPU) The CPU isthe "brains"of the computer.The central processingunitprovidesthe calculationsand manipulationof datasentfromthe user.Each time the userclicksa key,executesanapplicationorbrowsesthe Web,the CPU reads the code involvedandreturnsthe response tothe user.The CPU workscloselywith memory,whichisthe componentthatsendsstored data to the unit. Random Access Memory (RAM) RAMis variable inacomputer.Oldercomputers had onlya few dozenmegabytesof RAMinstalled. Whenpersonal computersbecame popularinthe 1990s, computershad 32 megabytesof memory. Motherboardsandsoftware now require atleastone gigabyte tofunction.RAMcontainsthe information duringthe time the computerison. Afterthe machine is turnedoff,the informationinRAMislost. Hard Drive Unlike RAM,the hard drive storesdata even afterthe machine isturnedoff. A hard drive isthe storage unitfor the machine.Saveddocumentsand applicationsare storedonthe hard drive using magnetism.The harddrive ismade upof small platters witha movinghead.The plattersspinasthe head movesbackand forthto retrieve andstore data.
- 2. Introduction to Computing august29,2019 Video CardVideo Card The video card provides the image seen on the monitor.The videocard isattached to a monitorusinga VGA cable. Some video cards have two monitor connections.Thisallowsthe usertoattachtwomonitors to the computer, so the desktop can be spread across bothmonitorsforbetterusability. Motherboard Each componentisattachedtothe motherboard. The motherboard receives power from the computer's power supply. The motherboard allows all the components to communicate, including the CPU. The motherboardalsocontainscontrollers,whichare circuits that helpthe operatingsystemworkwithhardware such as the hard drive. Printer A printer is an external hardware output device that takes the electronic data stored on a computer or otherdevice andgeneratesahardcopyof it.Forexample, if youcreatedareportonyourcomputer,youcouldprint several copiestohandoutatastaff meeting.Printersare one of the most popular computer peripherals and are commonly used to print text and photos.The picture to the rightisan example of aninkjetcomputerprinter,the LexmarkZ605. Monitor The monitor is the piece of computer hardware that displays the video and graphics information generatedbythe computerthroughthe videocard.
- 3. Introduction to Computing august29,2019 keyboard A computerkeyboardisone of the primaryinput devices used with a computer. Similar to an electric typewriter, a keyboard is composed of buttons that create letters,numbers,andsymbols,aswell asperform otherfunctions.The followingsectionsprovide more in- depth information and answers to some of the more frequentlyaskedquestionsaboutthe keyboard. Mouse A computermouse isahandheldhardware input device that controls a cursor in a GUI (graphical user interface) andcan move and selecttext,icons,files,and foldersonyourcomputer. Audio System A computer speakeris an output hardware device that connects to a computer to generate sound. The signal usedtoproduce the soundthat comesfroma computer speaker is created by the computer's sound card. The picture showsthe HarmanKardonSound sticks III2.1 Channel MultimediaSpeakerSystem.