LESSON 2: Basic Hardware Components of Computer Systems

Site: TESDA Online Program

Course: Introduction to CSS
LESSON 2: Basic Hardware Components of Computer
Book:
Systems
Printed by: Kate Cacay
Date: Tuesday, 11 July 2023, 10:03 AM
Table of contents

 Introduction
 TOPIC 1: Computer Systems
o Processing Devices
o Storage Devices
o Input Devices
o Output Devices

 TOPIC 2: The System Unit

o Power Supply
o Motherboard
o Central Processing Unit (CPU)
o Random Access Memory (RAM)
o Cooling Technology
o Expansion Cards
o Storage

 TOPIC 3: Ports, Sockets, Slots, & Connectors

o Ports
o Slots
o Sockets
o Connectors

Introduction
A computer system consists of hardware and software components. As
important as the software which are the programs that run the computer,
the hardware is the physical equipment such as the case, storage drives,
keyboards, monitors, cables, speakers, and printers that builds up and let the
software run. 

It is important to learn about these components as these will be the basis before
you handle equipment especially in disassembling and assembling a computer
system.

TOPIC 1: Computer Systems

The complete computer made up of the CPU, memory and related electronics (main
cabinet), all the peripheral devices connected to it and its operating system. 

Computer systems fall into two broad divisions: clients and servers. 

 Client machines fall into three categories from low to high end: laptop,
desktop and workstation. 
 Servers range from small to large: low-end servers, midrange
servers and mainframes

Processing Devices
Processing devices are the computer’s circuitry in the system unit.

 Motherboard – the circuit board housing the memory and the central
processing unit (CPU)

  Central Processing Unit (CPU) – manipulates input data into the
information needed by the users

 Memory – also known as Random Access Memory or RAM. It is a series of

electronic elements that act as temporary storage of data and program
instructions while the instructions are being processed by the CPU.

 Chips – these make up the CPU and the memory; these are electronic
devices that contain many microscopic pathways designed to carry electrical
currents.

Storage Devices
Storage devices store data and programs. These hold data, information, and
programs permanently

 Solid State Drive (SSD) – mass storage device that stores data in a
permanent state even without power. Similar to an HDD’s function, only the
internal components are different. SSDs do not have moving parts but store
data on magnetic platters making use of flash memory.
  Hard Disk Drive (HHD) – often called hard drive or hard disk. This is the
most common storage device that do not need power to maintain data; these
store data through spinning platters or magnetic disks, recording individual
bits written into the disk.

 Flash Drive – highly portable small data storage devices making use of flash
memory and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port connection

 CD – “compact disc”, this storage device can hold up to 700 MB; it is read by
an optical drive through a laser

Input Devices
Input devices allow the user to communicate with the computer by entering data
or commands.

 Keyboard – primary input device used to input alphanumeric data and

commands to the computer

 Mouse – primary input device used to navigate and interact with the monitor
output

 Scanner – scans documents and converts them digitally, which can be edited
on a computer.

 Webcam – small cameras attached to a monitor or desk that record or

broadcast video

 Joystick – device used to control video games, aside from the keyboard
Output Devices

Output devices enable the computer to show the processed data and information
understandably to the user.

 Printer – prints paper documents, photographs, and other outputs called

hard copies which are physical versions of the documents.

 Monitor – acts as the primary display of the unit where the user interface
and programs are reflected.

 Speakers – sound system device that produce audio output from the
computer
 

TOPIC 2: The System Unit

The System Unit is the overall structure that houses the processor, memory, and
electronic components of the computer that are used to process data. All input and
output devices are connected into the system unit. The system unit is housed by
what is known as system case or computer case. It holds and protects most
components of a computer.

The Computer Case contains the framework to support and enclose internal

components of the computer.  It helps to prevent damage from static electricity. It
typically made up of plastic, steel, and aluminum which are available in a variety of
styles.  The size and layout of a case is called a form factor.  It is also designed to
keep internal components cool by using airflow vents and cooling fans.  

Computer cases are referred to in a number of ways: Computer

chassis, Cabinet, Tower, Box and Housing.

  Types:

 Tower (Full, Mid, Mini)

 Desktop (Standard, Slimline)
Power Supply
Power supplies serve as the source for electricity to the computer. Attached
are vital hardware cables and buses  for transferring power to various
components in the computer. 

The following are the basic connector you can see in a power supply:

 ATX 24 pin main power connector is the standard motherboard power

connector used in nearly every computer.
 SATA 15 pin power supply connector is one of several standard
peripheral power connectors. SATA power connectors only connect to SATA
drives like hard drives and optical drives. SATA power connectors do not work
with older PATA devices.
 Molex 4 pin power supply connector is a standard peripheral power
connector. Molex power connectors connect to many different kinds of
internal peripherals including PATA hard drives and optical drives, some video
cards, and even some other devices.
 Floppy drive 4 pin power supply connector is the standard floppy drive
power connector. The floppy power connector, also called a Berg connector or
Mini-Molex connector, is included in even the newest power supplies even
though floppy drives are becoming obsolete.
 ATX 4 pin power supply connector is a standard motherboard power
connector used to provide +12 VDC to the processor voltage regulator. This
small connector usually attaches to the motherboard near the CPU.
 ATX 6 pin power supply connector is a motherboard power connector
used to provide +12 VDC to the processor voltage regulator but the 4-pin
variety is the more commonly used connector. This small connector usually
attaches to the motherboard near the CPU.
Motherboard

The motherboard is also known as mainboard, system board, logic

board, or MOBO. It holds and allows communication between the crucial
components of the computer such as the CPU and memory. It also provides
connection for other peripherals. This provides the path which the processor (CPU)
communicates with all the components of the computer.
There are several components that are attached to the motherboard. These include:

1.     Chip – small piece of semiconducting material, where more integrated circuits

are embedded. They have standard-sized pin connectors that allows them to be
attached to the motherboard.

2.     Bus - an electrical path that enables data flow between various system
components.

3.     Integrated Circuit (IC) – contains microscopic pathways that carry electric

current. The IC contains millions of elements such as resistors, capacitators, and
transistors. Many different kinds of chips are located in the motherboard

4.     Microprocessor – this is the central processing unit on a chip.

Different variety of chip packages:

1.     Dual Inline Package (DIP) – this has two parallel rows of pints that attach
the chip package to the circuit board

2.     Pin Grid Array (PGA) – holds a larger number of pins because the pins are
mounted on the surface of the package.
3.     Flip Chip-PGA (CF-PGA) Package – higher performance PGA packaging
that places the chip on the opposite sides of the pins.

4.     Single Edge Contact (SEC) Cartridge – does not use pins but connects to
one of the edges in the motherboard.

The form factor of motherboards pertains to the size and shape of the board.  It
also describes the physical layout of the different components and devices on the
motherboard.  Various form factors exist for motherboards:

 AT – Advanced Technology

 ATX – Advanced Technology Extended
 Mini-ATX – Smaller footprint of ATX
 Micro-ATX – Smaller footprint of ATX
 LPX – Low-profile Extended
 NLX – New Low-profile Extended
 BTX – Balanced Technology Extended

The function of the northbridge is primarily a fast path between the CPU and the
video bus and system RAM. While the southbridge connects with the slow
hardware/components of the system. 

See the photo below (courtesy of Quora) to understand the function of these
bridges:
Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Commonly known as the CPU  or processor, this is the brain  of the computer. It

interprets and carries out the basic instructions to operate a computer. 

It impacts overall computing power and manages most of the computer

operations. The motherboard contains a socket to hold the processor or CPU. The
central processing unit (CPU), also called the processor or microprocessor, does
most of the processing of data and instructions for the entire system. Because the
CPU generates heat, a fan and heat sink might be installed on top to keep it cool.

Nowadays, processors have multiple cores called multi-core processors. This

means that the processor is a single chips that has two or more separate
processors. In multi-core processors, each of the processors run at a slower clock
speed as compared to a single-core processor, but this efficient process typically
increases performance. There are two kinds of common multi-core processors
today:

1.     Dual Core Processor – chip that contains two separate processors

2.     Quad Core Processor – chip with four separate processors

 
AMD and Intel are the two most popular brands of processors in the market
nowadays.
Bundled with the processors are the heat sinks.  A heat sink consists of metal fins
that draw heat away from a component. The fan and heat sink together are called
the processor cooler. The photo below shows a CPU with a heat sink mounted on
the motherboard.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

The Random Access Memory or RAM acts as temporary storage as long as the

computer is running. The contents of the RAM change as programs are
executed. These are chips that are placed directly on the motherboard. These RAM
consists of switches which are triggered by changes in electric current. 
  

Three basic types of RAM:

1.     Dynamic RAM (DRAM) – This kind of RAM needs to be recharged by the

CPU. If not, it loses its contents. There are many variations of DRAM such as:

o Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) – faster than DRAM because it is synchronized

to the system clock

o Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM – faster than SDRAM because they transfer
data twice for each clock cycle

o DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM – faster than DDR SDRAM

o  ambus DRAM (RDRAM) – type of DRAM faster than SDRAM that uses
pipelining techniques

2.     Static RAM (SRAM) – This kind is faster and more reliable than any form of
DRAM. Unlike the DRAM, this does not need to be re-energized. However, it is much
more expensive and it used for special purposes.

3.     Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) – This kind stores data using magnetic

charges instead of electrical charges. It has greater storage capacity, consume less
power, and faster access times.

 
The RAM chips are housed in a small circuit board called the memory
module, which is inserted into the motherboard.

Three types of memory modules:

1.     Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM) – this has pins on opposite sides of
the circuit board which connect together to form a single set of contacts. This
houses SDRAM chips along with DIMMs.

2.     Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) – the pins on the opposite sides of
the circuit board do not connect and form two sets of contacts. This houses SDRAM
chips along with SIMMs.

3.     Rambus Inline Memory Module (RIMM) – this houses RDRAM chips

The computer will need a certain amount of memory to be able to handle programs,
data, and information, depending on the types of applications used. 

The more RAM a computer has, the faster the computer will be. 

 To be able to use basic application software such as Office Suite, one

needs at least 1GB of RAM. 
 Using programs and multimedia should have at least 4GB. 
 Playing modern games or using editing software will require at least
8GB. 

Today the RAM ranges up to 64GB depending on the programs that will be used for
the computer.

Cooling Technology

Cooling technologies are essential in avoiding the computer from overheating

and maintaining a good, well-ventilated system.

Several cooling technologies are present throughout the system unit:

 o    Fans are also present in several components such as the power supply, ports,
processor, hard disk etc.

o    Heat sink, on another hand, is a small metal or ceramic component with fins
on the surface which absorbs and distributes heat produced by electrical
components.

o    Heat pipe is used on smaller devices like notebook computers since this is
smaller in size.

Chassis Fan

Heat Sink

Expansion Cards

A motherboard has expansion slots to be used by expansion cards. An expansion

card, also called an adapter card, is a circuit board that provides more ports than
those provided by the motherboard. 
The photo below shows a Video Card, where it provides three video ports. Notice
the cooling fan and heat sink on the card, which help to keep the card from
overheating. The trend today is for most ports in a system to be provided by the
motherboard (called onboard ports) and less use of expansion cards.

There are also other variants of expansion cards such as network cards, sound
cards, video capture cards, interface cards, and other expansion cards that cater to
whatever the computer user for his/her needs and improvements for the system.

Storage
A system might have one or more hard drives, an optical drive, a tape drive, or, for
really old systems, a floppy drive. 

A hard drive, also called a hard disk drive (HDD), is permanent storage used to
hold data and programs.  

Hard Disk Drive

For example, the Windows  operating system and applications are installed on the
hard drive. All drives in a system are installed in a stack of drive bays at either the
front or on the lower portion of the case.  Nowadays, users use Solid State Drive
or SSDs because of its use of flash memory, which does not use physical disks to
write memory/data.

Solid State Drive

Each drive has two connections for cables: the power cable connects to the power
supply and another cable, used for data and instructions, connects to the
motherboard.

SATA Cable // SATA Connector Slot in the Motherboard

TOPIC 3: Ports, Sockets, Slots, & Connectors

The motherboard has several ports, sockets, slots, and connectors that link the
computers' components, input, and output devices among each other. First we'll
look at the port which are usually found at the side of the motherboard or the back
of the system case.

The port basically serves as an interface between the computer and other
computers or peripheral devices. 

A port generally refers to the female part of connection. Computer ports have

many uses, to connect a monitor, webcam, speakers, or other peripheral devices. 

On the physical layer, a computer port is a specialized outlet on a piece of

equipment to which a plug or cable connects. Electronically, the several conductors
where the port and cable contacts connect, provide a method to transfer signals
between devices.

Familiarize yourself with the following ports usually found with computer systems
below:

Ports
PORTS:

Slots
Sockets
The following are the most common sockets found in the motherboard. The CPU
socket where the CPU itself is inserted and the CMOS slot where the CMOS battery
(which lets the motherboard remember the date and time of the computer) that is
replaced after it has worn out.

Connectors