Computer case

The computer case is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the
computer, including the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power supply. The
front of the case usually has an On/Off button and one or more optical drives.

Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes. A desktop case lies flat on a desk, and the
monitor usually sits on top of it. A tower case is tall and sits next to the monitor or on the floor.
All-in-one computers come with the internal components built into the monitor, which
eliminates the need for a separate case.

Monitor

The monitor works with a video card, located inside the computer case, to display images and
text on the screen. Most monitors have control buttons that allow you to change your monitor's
display settings, and some monitors also have built-in speakers.

Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid crystal display) or LED (light-emitting diode)
displays. These can be made very thin, and they are often called flat-panel displays. Older
monitors use CRT (cathode ray tube) displays. CRT monitors are much larger and heavier, and
they take up more desk space.
Keyboard

The keyboard is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There are many
different types of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you to accomplish the same
basic tasks.

Mouse

The mouse is another important tool for communicating with computers. Commonly known as a
pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the screen, click on them, and move them.

There are two main mouse types: optical and mechanical. The optical mouse uses an electronic
eye to detect movement and is easier to clean. The mechanical mouse uses a rolling ball to
detect movement and requires regular cleaning to work properly.
Front of a computer case

Click the buttons in the interactive below to become familiar with the front of a computer.

Back of a computer case

The back of a computer case has connection ports that are made to fit specific devices. The
placement will vary from computer to computer, and many companies have their own special
connectors for specific devices. Some of the ports may be color coded to help you determine
which port is used with a particular device.

Other types of ports

There are many other types of ports, such as FireWire, Thunderbolt, and HDMI. If your
computer has ports you don't recognize, you should consult your manual for more information.

Peripherals you can use with your computer

The most basic computer setup usually includes the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and
mouse, but you can plug many different types of devices into the extra ports on your computer.
These devices are called peripherals. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones.

 Printers: A printer is used to print documents, photos, and anything else that appears on your
screen. There are many types of printers, including inkjet, laser, and photo printers. There are
even all-in-one printers, which can also scan and copy documents.

 Scanners: A scanner allows you to copy a physical image or document and save it to your
computer as a digital (computer-readable) image. Many scanners are included as part of an all-
in-one printer, although you can also buy a separate flatbed or handheld scanner.
 Speakers/headphones: Speakers and headphones are output devices, which means they send
information from the computer to the user—in this case, they allow you to hear sound and
music. Depending on the model, they may connect to the audio port or the USB port. Some
monitors also have built-in speakers.

 Microphones: A microphone is a type of input device, or a device that receives information

from a user. You can connect a microphone to record sound or talk with someone else over the
Internet. Many laptop computers come with built-in microphones.
  Web cameras: A web camera—or webcam—is a type of input device that can record videos and
take pictures. It can also transmit video over the Internet in real time, which allows for video
chat or video conferencing with someone else. Many webcams also include a microphone for
this reason.

 Game controllers and joysticks: A game controller is used to control computer games. There are
many other types of controllers you can use, including joysticks, although you can also use your
mouse and keyboard to control most games.
 Digital cameras: A digital camera lets you capture pictures and videos in a digital format. By
connecting the camera to your computer's USB port, you can transfer the images from the
camera to the computer.
 Mobile phones, MP3 players, tablet computers, and other devices: Whenever you buy an
electronic device, such as a mobile phone or MP3 player, check to see if it comes with a USB
cable. If it does, this means you can most likely connect it to your computer.

Inside a computer

Motherboard

The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds the CPU,
memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the video
and audio, and connections to your computer's ports (such as USB ports). The motherboard
connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer.
CPU/processor

The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located inside the computer case
on the motherboard. It is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to carry out
commands. Whenever you press a key, click the mouse, or start an application, you're sending
instructions to the CPU.

The CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon chip located inside. The chip is
usually about the size of a thumbnail. The CPU fits into the motherboard's CPU socket, which is
covered by the heat sink, an object that absorbs heat from the CPU.

A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions of instructions per second;

and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of instructions per second. A faster processor can execute
instructions more quickly. However, the actual speed of the computer depends on the speed of
many different components—not just the processor.

RAM (random access memory)

RAM is your system's short-term memory. Whenever your computer performs calculations, it
temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is needed.

This short-term memory disappears when the computer is turned off. If you're working on a
document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it. When you
save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which acts as long-term storage.

RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). The more RAM you have, the more
things your computer can do at the same time. If you don't have enough RAM, you may notice
that your computer is sluggish when you have several programs open. Because of this, many
people add extra RAM to their computers to improve performance.

Hard drive

The hard drive is where your software, documents, and other files are stored. The hard drive is
long-term storage, which means the data is still saved even if you turn the computer off or
unplug it.

When you run a program or open a file, the computer copies some of the data from the hard
drive onto the RAM. When you save a file, the data is copied back to the hard drive. The faster
the hard drive, the faster your computer can start up and load programs.

Power supply unit

The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of
power needed by the computer. It sends power through cables to the motherboard and other
components.

If you decide to open the computer case and take a look, make sure to unplug the computer first.
Before touching the inside of the computer, you should touch a grounded metal object—or a
metal part of the computer casing—to discharge any static buildup. Static electricity can be
transmitted through the computer circuits, which can seriously damage your machine.
Expansion cards

Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard that allow you to add various types of
expansion cards. These are sometimes called PCI (peripheral component interconnect)
cards. You may never need to add any PCI cards because most motherboards have built-in
video, sound, network, and other capabilities.

However, if you want to boost the performance of your computer or update the capabilities of an
older computer, you can always add one or more cards. Below are some of the most common
types of expansion cards.

Video card

The video card is responsible for what you see on the monitor. Most computers have a GPU
(graphics processing unit) built into the motherboard instead of having a separate video card. If
you like playing graphics-intensive games, you can add a faster video card to one of the
expansion slots to get better performance.

Sound card

The sound card—also called an audio card—is responsible for what you hear in the speakers or
headphones. Most motherboards have integrated sound, but you can upgrade to a dedicated
sound card for higher-quality sound.

Network card
The network card allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the
Internet. It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection (often
called Wi-Fi). Many motherboards have built-in network connections, and a network card can
also be added to an expansion slot.

Bluetooth card (or adapter)

Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communication over short distances. It's often used in
computers to communicate with wireless keyboards, mice, and printers. It's commonly built
into the motherboard or included in a wireless network card. For computers that don't have
Bluetooth, you can purchase a USB adapter, often called a dongle.