COMPUTER:

computer is a device that can receive, process and store data

Or

A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmed to

carry out a set of arithmetic or logical operations automatically
HARDWARE:

The term "Hardware" refers to the physical elements of a computer, the machinery or the electronics in a
computer.
A basic computer consists of 4 components:
1. Input device (or input unit)
2. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
3. Memory (or Memory unit)
4. Output device (Output unit)

Input unit and Output unit (I/O)

Input unit sends things (data) to the computer and output unit presents things (Output unit: monitor,
printer, speaker, etc.

Memory Unit
The memory unit is what allows a computer to remember data and information. Similar to human
memory, there is short term memory (RAM) and long term memory (Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or
Compact Disk Drive (CDD)).

When a computer is turned off, it forgets everything in the RAM (short term memory), while it
saves everything it will need later into a disk drive (long term memory). When data is needed by
the CPU, it's sent from the hard disk drive (HDD) or compact disk drive (CDD) to the RAM.
RAM tends to be faster to process, whereas HDD/CDD have more data and require longer to
process.
CPU

The CPU (or Central Processing Unit) performs arithmetical and logical operations of the
computer system.
The central processing unit, or processor, is the component of a computer that performs
processes. Examples of other tasks performed by the CPU include:

Input/Output directions (reading data from an input device/writing information to an

output device)
Storing data in memory

Motherboard
The motherboard is hardware that makes connections between all of the other components in a
computer

1. Back Panel Connectors & Ports

Connectors and ports for connecting the computer to external devices such as display
ports, audio ports, USB ports, Ethernet ports, PS/2 ports etc. See image below for a closeup view
2. PCI Slots
PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect
Slot for older expansion cards such as sound cards, network cards, connector cards. See
image below for a close-up view.
3. PCI Express x1 Slot
Slot for modern expansion cards such as sound cards, network cards (Wi-Fi, Ethernet,
Bluetooth), connector cards (USB, FireWire, eSATA) and certain low-end graphics cards.
4. PCI Express x16 Slot
Slot for discrete graphic cards and high bandwidth devices such as top-end solid state
drives
5. Northbridge
Also known as Memory Controller Hub (MCH).
Chipset that allows the CPU to communicate with the RAM and graphics card.
Beginning from the Sandy Bridge generation of Intel CPUs, motherboards no longer have
this component as it has been integrated within the CPU itself. - See more at: 6. CPU
6. CPU Socket Insert CPU here
7. ATX 12V Power Connector
Connects to the 4-pin power cable of a power supply unit which supplies power to the CPU.
8. Front Panel USB 2.0 Connectors
Connects to USB 2.0 ports at the front or top of a computer case
9. Front Panel Connectors
Connects to the power switch, reset switch, power LED, hard drive LED and front audio
ports of a computer case.
10. IDE Connector

Connects to older hard drive disks and optical drives for data transfer
11. CMOS Battery

Supplies power to store BIOS settings and keep the real-time clock running.
12. Southbridge

Also known as the Input/Output Controller Hub (ICH).

Chipset that allows the CPU to communicate with PCI slots, PCI-Express x 1 slots
(expansion cards), SATA connectors (hard drives, optical drives), USB ports (USB devices),
Ethernet ports and on-board audio.
13. SATA Connectors
Connects to modern hard disk drives, solid state drives and optical drives for data transfer
14. Fan Headers
Supplies power to the CPU heat sink fan and computer case fans fugifo
15. RAM Slots
Insert RAM here
16. ATX Power Connector
Connects to the 24-pin ATX power cable of a power supply unit which supplies power to the
motherboard

Detailed Explanation for the components of MotherBoard

Motherboard is a also one of the important parts of the CPU. It is a Main Circuit board.
Motherboard connects all the parts of CPU. Motherboard Consist of Processor Socket, RAM
slots, PCI slots, AGP slot, IDE connectors and Ports.glf

Mecury 845 Chipset Motherboard

Every motherboard has connectors and slots to connect all the remaining parts of CPU. here the
list of all the slot and connector of motherboard.

CPU Socket

North Bridge

South Bridge

RAM Slots

AGP Slot

PCI Slots

CNR Slot

Floppy Connector

Primary and Secondary IDE Connectors

SATA connectors
Power Connector
BIOS
CMOS battery
Ports

CPU Socket:
CPU Socket or Processor Socket. Which is used to install or insert the processor. we have two
types of sockets. LIF sockets and ZIF socket. LIF stands for Low Insertion Force, this is the old
model sockets and ZIF stands for Zero Insertion Force, this is the present model sockets.

LIF socket or slot type processor socket

ZIF socket or PGA sockets

North Bridge:
North Bridge is always near the processor socket. which is one of the important component of a
motherboard. It is a focal Point of Motherboard and It is also called as Memory Controller Hub.
North Bridge interconnects Processor socket, RAM slots and AGP slot. here Gigabyte chip is
north bridge it is near Processor socket.

South Bridge:
North bridge and south bridge are the two main poles of a motherboard. South Bridge
interconnects Primary and Secondary IDE interfaces, SATA connectors, Floppy Drive
Connector, PCI slots and BIOS.

RAM Slots:
RAM slots are used to insert RAMs. there are so many types of ram slots. they are SD ram slots,
DDR ram slots, DDR2 and DDR3 ram slots. SD stands for synchronize Dynamic and DDR
Stands for Double Data Rate.

AGP slot:

AGP slots are used to insert or install AGP Cards. AGP full form is Accelerated Graphics Port.
This slot is for graphics and 3d gaming purpose. it is always beside the PCI slots

PCI slots:
PCI slots are used to Insert or install Add-on cards, such as LAN cards, Sound cards, Capture
cards and TV tuner cards. PCI full form is Peripheral Component Interconnect.

Floppy Drive Connector:

Floppy Drive Connector is used to connect floppy drives. It supports two floppy drives. so that A
and B drives are reserved for two floppy drives in My computer. it has 32 pins.

Primary and Secondary IDE Interfaces:

Primary and Secondary IDE interfaces are also called as IDE connectors or PATA connectors.
IDE full form is Integrated Device Electronics. it supports IDE devices, such as Hard disks and
CD and DVD drives.

SATA Connectors:
SATA connectors are also called as Serial ATA connectors. SATA full form is Serial Advanced
Technology Attachment. These are connect with serial ATA devices, such as Hard disk drives
and CD or DVD drives.

Power Connector:
This power connector is ATX power connector. it has 20 or 24 pin connector. mother takes the
power from this connector to work.

BIOS:
BIOS stands for Basic input and Output system. This is also one of the important chips. it
conducts the POST (Power On Self Test).

CMOS battery:
There is a battery in the motherboard, which is used to power the south bridge and the BIOS to
save the setting, data and time.

Ports:
Ports are used to connect input and output devices. they are attached and come with
motherboard and they are in backside of CPU.