Components of a Computer System

Can you identify the: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. . ". $. Computer Case Monitor Speakers Keyboard Mouse Printer S!anner #eb !amera %&oppy dri'e

1(. C) or )*) dri'e

Inside the Computer

Some parts you +i&& not see be!ause they are inside: CPU: ,he CP- .Centra& Pro!essin/ -nit0 is the brains behind your !omputer. ,he CP- is responsib&e for performin/ !a&!u&ations and tasks that make pro/rams +ork. ,he faster the CP-1 the 2ui!ker pro/rams !an pro!ess !omputations and !ommands. RAM: 3 fast CP- is use&ess +ithout an ade2uate amount of 43M .4andom 3!!ess Memory0. 43M is usua&&y referred to as a !omputer5s memory 66 meanin/ it stores information that is used by runnin/ pro/rams or app&i!ations. More memory &ets you run more app&i!ations at the same time +ithout de/radin/ your system5s performan!e. Hard Disk Drive: ,he hard disk dri'e .7))0 of the !omputer is +here permanent information is stored. )o!uments1 databases1 spreadsheets1 and pro/rams are a&& stored on the hard disk. ,he &ar/er the hard disk1 the more you !an fit on the dri'e. ,he si8e of the 7)) does not affe!t the speed at +hi!h a pro/ram !an run1 but the 7)) speed !an affe!t ho+ fast you !an a!!ess your fi&es. Video Card: ,he 'ideo !ard is a board that p&u/s into the PC motherboard to /i'e it disp&ay !apabi&ities. 9e+ 'ideo !ards !ome +ith their o+n 43M and pro!essor to he&p speed up the /raphi!s disp&ay. Many !omputers !ome +ith 'ideo !hips bui&t in. ,hat makes a separate 'ideo !ard unne!essary1 un&ess the !omputer is /oin/ to be used for hi/h6end mu&timedia +ork or to p&ay 'ideo /ames. Sound Card: :ike 'ideo !ards1 sound !ards are e;pansion boards used for enab&in/ a !omputer to manipu&ate sound. Most sound !ards /i'e you the po+er to p&u/ in speakers and a mi!rophone. Some e'en /i'e you the <a!ks for hookin/ your !omputer up to a !ommon stereo. 3s +ith 'ideo !ards1 many !omputers !ome +ith sound !hips1 makin/ it unne!essary to buy a separate !ard1 un&ess you need hi/her sound 2ua&ity for your +ork. Modem: ,he modem a&&o+s your !omputer to use a te&ephone &ine to !ommuni!ate and !onne!t to the =nternet. Net ork Card: 3 net+ork !ard a&&o+s your !omputer to be !onne!ted either to other !omputers or to the =nternet if you are usin/ a fast =nternet !onne!tion su!h as !ab&e or ds&. !ans: >ne or more fans inside the !omputer keep air mo'in/ and keep your !omputer !oo&. Ca"#es: 9umerous +ires and f&at1 ribbon6&ike !ab&es pro'ide po+er and !ommuni!ation to the 'arious parts inside your !omputer.