TECHNOLOGY LIVELIHOOD

EDUCATION
(ICT)
Computer System Servicing
(CSS)
Quarter 1- Module 2

Computer
Hardware

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 INFORMATION SHEET 1.1-1
Computer Hardware

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, STUDENT(S) MUST be able
to:
• Identify different type and parts of computer.
• Explain hardware component of a computer.

INTRODUCTION

Are you new to computers? Do you wonder what they do and why
you would want to use one? Welcome—you're in the right place. This
information gives an overview of computers: What they are, the
different types of computer.

In the workplace, many people use computers to keep records,

analyze data, do research, and manage projects. At home, you can
use computers to find information, store pictures and music, track
finances, play games, and communicate with others—and those
are just a few of the possibilities.

You can also use your computer to connect to the Internet, a

network that links computers around the world. Internet access is
available for a monthly fee in most urban areas, and increasingly,
in less populated areas. With Internet access, you can
communicate with people all over the world and find a vast
amount of information.

If you use a desktop computer, you might already know that there
isn't any single part called the "computer." A computer is really a
system of many parts working together. The physical parts, which
you can see and touch, are collectively called hardware. (Software,
on the other hand, refers to the instructions, or programs, that tell
the hardware what to do.)
The following illustration shows the most common hardware in a
desktop computer system. Your system might look a little different,
but it probably has most of these parts. A laptop computer has
similar parts but combines them into a single, notebook-sized
package.

THE COMPUTER
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information,
or "data." It can store, retrieve, and process data. You can use a
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computer to type documents, send email, and browse the
internet. You can also use it to handle spreadsheets, accounting,
database management, presentations, games, and more.
Computers Simplified
For beginning computer users, the computer aisles at an
electronics store can be quite a mystery, not to mention
overwhelming. However, computers really aren't that mysterious.
All types of computers consist of two basic parts:
1. Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical
structure, such as the computer monitor or keyboard.

Image 1.1 From left to right, monitor, and printer are examples of
hardware
2. Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware
what to do. It is what guides the hardware and tells it how
to accomplish each task. Some examples of software are web

browsers, games, and word processors such as Microsoft

Word.
Image 1.2 Microsoft Office Word 365 Screenshot

The first electronic computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator

and Computer (ENIAC), was developed in 1946. It took up 1,800
square feet and weighed 30 tons.
What are the different types of computers?
When most people hear the word "computer" they think of a

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personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer.
However, computers come in many shapes and sizes, and they
perform many different functions in our daily lives. When you
withdraw cash from an ATM, scan groceries at the store, or use a
calculator, you're using a type of computer.
• Desktop Computers
Desktop computers are designed for use at a desk or table.
They are typically larger and more powerful than other types
of personal computers. Desktop computers are made up of
separate components. The main component, called the system
unit, is usually a rectangular case that sits on or underneath a
desk. Other components, such as the monitor, mouse, and
keyboard, connect to the system unit.

Image 1.3 All in One Desktop Computer

• Laptop
Is battery or AC-powered personal computer that are more
portable than desktop computers, allowing you to use them
almost anywhere.

Image 1.4 A Laptop running with Windows 10

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 Since a laptop is smaller than a desktop, it's more difficult to
access the internal components. That means you may not be able
to upgrade them as much as a desktop. However, it's usually
possible to add more RAM or a bigger hard drive.

• Server
Is a computer that "serves up" information to other computers on a
network

Image 1.5 Server

Servers also play an important role in making the internet work:
they are where web pages are stored. When you use your browser
to click a link, a web server delivers the page you requested.

OTHER TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Today, there lots of everyday devices those are basically specialized
computers, even though we don't always think of them as computers.
Here are a few common examples:
• Tablet Computers: These use a touch-sensitive screen for
typing and navigation. Since they don't require a keyboard or
mouse, tablet computers are even more portable than laptops.
The iPad is an example of a tablet computer.
• Mobile Phones: Many mobile phones can do a lot of things a
computer can do, such as browsing the internet or playing
games. These phones are often called smartphones.

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Image 1.6 From left to right, Windows Phone, iPhone, Android, and
Blackberry.

• Game Consoles: A game console is a specialized kind of

computer that is used for playing video games. Although they
are not as fully-featured as a desktop computer, many newer
consoles, such as the Nintendo Wii, allow you to do non-
gaming tasks like browsing the internet

Image 1.7 From left to right, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation, and

Xbox logos

• Smart TV: Many TV Display now include applications (or

apps) that let you access various types of online content. For
example, you can view your Facebook news feed or watch
streaming movies on Netflix.

Image 1.8 Smart TV

Mac: The Macintosh computer was

introduced in 1984, and it was the
first widely sold personal computer
with a Graphical User Interface, or GUI
(pronounced gooey). All Macs are
made by one company, Apple Inc.,
and they almost always use the Mac
OS X operating system.

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Although PC can refer to an IBM PC Compatible, the term can also
be used to refer to any personal computer, including

BASIC PARTS OF COMPUTER

System Unit
The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually it's a
rectangular box placed on or underneath your desk. Inside this box
are many electronic components that process information. The most
important of these components is the central
processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which
acts as the "brain" of
your computer. Another
component is random access memory (RAM),
which temporarily stores information that the
CP
U uses while the computer is on. The information
stored in RAM is erased when the
computer is turned off.

Image 1.11 System Unit

Almost every other part of your
computer
connects to the system unit using cables. The cables plug into specific
ports (openings), typically on the back of the system unit. Hardware
that is not part of the system unit is sometimes called a peripheral
device or device.
The Mouse
Mouse is used to interact with items on your computer screen. You
can move objects, open them, change them, throw them away, and
perform other actions, all by pointing and clicking with your mouse.

Image 1.12 Mouse

Image source: Windows 7
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 help file
Understanding Mouse Buzzwords
When mice burst into the PC world in the early ’80s, Macintosh
models had one button. PC models came with two buttons.
Then somebody introduced a three-button mouse for PCs, and
the world went wild.
Kinds of Mouse
• Mouse ball: A little rubber ball rests in the belly of a mouse;
when you move the mouse, you also roll the little ball. The
movement of the ball tells the computer the direction and
speed to move the on- screen pointer. Optical: Optical mice
ditch the ball/roller mechanics for a small glowing light
and a sensor. Trackball:

Trackballs are, in essence, upside-down

mice. TrackPoint/AccuPoint: Found on
some laptops, this pointing device looks like a pencil
eraser protruding from the middle of your keyboard.
• Touchpads: Found on many laptops, this square pad lets
you move the cursor by dragging your finger across its
surface.
Scroll wheel: This little wheel protrudes from the mouse’s back,
usually between the two buttons.
Wireless: Wireless mice work just like their keyboard
counterparts; in fact, some share the same receiving unit,
which plugs into your computer’s USB or mouse PS/2 port.
PS/2: An older mouse comes with a PS/2-style connector,
which still work fine. Just don’t ever unplug the mouse while
the computer is turned on, the mouse will stop working —
even after you frantically plug it back in.(Restart the computer,
and the mouse will begin working again.)
The Monitor
Your PC’s video circuits send images to your monitor, where you can
see the action. Because monitors and your PC’s video circuits (known
as video cards or display adapters) work as a team. When you shop for
either a monitor or video card, these words show up on newspaper ads,
showroom signs, and the fine print of product boxes.

Monitors come in different types, each described below.

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• CRT (cathode ray tube)
By comparison, old school CRT monitors seem boring and bulky.
Fading fast from the marketplace, CRT (Cathode Ray Tube),
shown in Figure 3-2, monitors resemble small (but expensive)
TV sets. Although some CRT monitors call themselves “flat
screen,” that merely means their glass screens are relatively
flat. They’re not flat panel monitors, an honor belonging only
to LCD monitors.

Image 1.13 Cathode Ray Tube

Monitor Image source:
Windows 7 help file

• LCD (liquid crystal display)

LCD monitors look slim and hip on any desktop.
The most popular monitor today, LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display) monitors look much like large
laptop screens mounted on a stand. LCD
monitors, like the one shown above, are also
called flat-panel monitors.
Image 1.14 Liquid Crystal
Display Image source: Windows 7 help
file

• Quantum dot LED

A display technology that uses quantum dots to emit light.
QLED is expected to be more power efficient than OLED and
less costly to manufacture. QLED is also ultra-thin,
transparent and flexible.
• OLED (organic light emitting diode)
A display technology that offers bright, colorful images with
a wide viewing angle, low power, high contrast ratio and fast
response time for sports and action movies. The OLED
technology differs greatly from the screens in plasma and
LCD/LED Monitors/Display.

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 • LED (light emitting diode)
An LED display is a flat panel display, which uses an array of
light- emitting diodes as a video display. An LED panel is a
small display, or a component of a larger display.

Image 1.15 Light Emitting Diode Display

The differences between OLED and LED are much more substantial
than an extra vowel in their names. OLED is not just next-generation
LED; it's an all- new technology that results in different pros and
cons when it comes to performance, design, and energy
consumption.

LED display are very similar to existing LCD display. The difference
lies in how the screens are lit. While traditional LCD Display use
florescent backlights, LED display use smaller, more energy-efficient
LEDs. Though LED display are slimmer than traditional LCDs, the
need for backlighting still makes LED display larger than they could
be. While LED screens produce great color, the brightness of the lights
can also wash out blacks on the screen.

OLED display have elements that generate their own light and don't
require an extra lighting source. Their screens can produce vibrant
colors by drawing on electrical current, and don't need active
current at all to produce a true black color. This means thinner sets,
better blacks, and lower energy consumption.
Keyboard
Keyboard is input device the main way to enter information into your
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computer.But did you know you can also use your keyboard to control
your computer? Learning just a few simple keyboard commands
(instructions to your computer) can help you work more efficiently.

The keys on your keyboard can be divided into several groups

based on function:
• Typing (alphanumeric) keys. These keys include the same
letter,number, punctuation, and symbol keys found on a
traditional typewriter.
• Control keys. These keys are used alone or in combination
with other keys to perform certain actions. The most
frequently used control keys
are Ctrl, Alt, the Windows logo key , and Esc.
• Function keys. The function keys are used to perform specific
tasks. They are labeled as F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. The
functionality of these keys differs from program to program.

Image 1.16
Keyboard
Imag
e
file

• Navigation keys. These keys are used for moving around in

documents or webpages and editing text. They include the
arrow keys, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, Delete, and
Insert.

• Numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is handy for entering

numbers quickly. The keys are grouped together in a block like a
conventional calculator or adding machine.
NOTES:
• Keyboard comes with three ports supported technology USB,
PS2, and Wireless.
• Specialized keyboard keys require special drivers. Those
specialized keys won’t work until you install the keyboard’s
bundled software.
• Wireless keyboards bear no cords, making for tidy desktops.

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 Most come in two parts: the keyboard and a receiving unit, which
plugs into your PC’s USB part. Unfortunately, they’re battery
hogs.
Speaker
Speakers are used to play sound. They can be built into the system
unit or connected with cables. Speakers allow you to listen to music
and hear sound effects from your computer.
The Modem
To connect your computer to the Internet, you need
a modem. A modem is a device that sends and
receives computer information over a telephone
line or high-speed cable. Modems are sometimes
built into the system unit, but higher-speed
modems are usually separate components.
Image 1.18 Modem
Image source: Windows 7 help file

Printer
Like most computer peripheral, printers come with their own secret
vocabulary.

Image 1.19 from left to right, Inkjet Printer, Laser Printer, All in One
Printer Image source: Windows 7 help file
Kinds of Printer
• Inkjet
Popular for their low price and high quality, inkjet printers
(shown in figure below) squirt ink onto a page, creating
surprisingly realistic images in color or black and white.

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 • Laser
Laser printers might sound dangerous, but these printers) use
technology similar to their ho-hum equivalent, copy machines;
they sear images into the paper with toner. Black-and-white
laser printers cost a little more than inkjet printers; double that
price for color laser printers. Although laser printers can’t
print digital photos, they’re cheaper in the long run for general
office paperwork.
Warning:
Laser printers are supposed to heat up. That’s why you shouldn’t keep
dust covers on laser printers when they’re running. If you don’t allow
for plenty of air ventilation, your laser printer might overheat. After
you’re through using your laser printer, let it cool off; then put on the
dust cover to keep out lint and small insects.

• All-in-one (AIO): Popular with small offices, this type of printer

combines a laser or inkjet printer, copy machine, scanner, and
a fax machine into one compact package.

• Photo Printer: Many color inkjet printers do a fair job at

printing digital photos, but photo printers contain extra colors,
letting them print with more finesse. Some photo printers print
directly from your camera’s memory card, letting you print
without firing up your PC.

THE INTERNAL HARDWARE

5.1 Motherboard
Motherboard is the main circuit board within a typical desktop
computer, laptop or server. Its main functions are as follows:
• To serve as a central backbone to which all other modular parts
such as CPU, RAM, and hard drives can be attached as required
to create a computer.
• To accept (on many motherboards) different components (in
particular CPU and expansion cards) for the purposes of
customization.

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 • To distribute power to PC components.
• To electronically co-ordinate and interface the operation of the
components.
Form factor is the specification of a motherboard – the dimensions,
power supply type, location of mounting holes, number of ports on

the back panel, etc.

Image 1.20 Motherboard form factors

Image 1.21 Different Form Factors

5.2 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
The PC processor also called the central processing unit. It is the
hardware within a computer that carries out the instructions of a
computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and
input/output operations of the system.
Clock Speed is a processor’s rating that measure a certain number
of information processed per second.
FSB Front Side Bus serves as the processors connection to the
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system memory. FSB transfer speed allows better processor
performance.
L2 Cache enables the processor to speedily access recently used
information. Currently a processor operates on Level2 (L2) which
provides faster data transfer between processor and main system
memory.
32-bit (x86) CPU vs. 64-bit (x64)
There are two different types of CPUs. There is a 32-bit CPU and
there is a 64- bit CPU. The main difference between these two
processors is the structure. The older processor which is the 32-bit
processor has a structure that can process instructions less
efficiently than a 64-bit processor.

5.3 RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

Although manufacturers have created many types of memory over
the years, all of the memory looks pretty much the same: A fiberglass
strip about four inches long and an inch tall, with little notches in its
sides and edges. Different types of memory fit into different types of
socket little slots that hold the strip’s bottom and sides. The notches
on the memory module must mesh with the dividers and holders on
their sockets. If they don’t line up, you’re inserting the wrong type of
memory into the socket.
• The Main Types Of Memory
SIMMs come in two main sizes, as shown in figure below, so
both sizes require a different-size socket. Ancient, pre-
Pentium computers use the smaller size (31⁄2 inches
long), which has 30 pins and usually holds less than
20MB of memory.

Early Pentium computers used a larger size (4 1⁄4

inches long), which has 72 pins and usually holds no more
than 64MB of memory. Both types simply push into a socket,
held in place by friction.

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 Image 1.23 30 pin SIMM(Above), 72 pin SIMM(Below)
NOTES: SIMMs are yesterday’s technology from early ’90s
computers. Don’t buy SIMMs for modern PCs

• SDRAM DIMM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access

Memory Dual In-line Memory Modules)
To meet the increased memory demands of newer and more
powerful Pentium and AMD CPUs, designers created the
speedier SDRAM DIMMs. With 168 pins, the 5 1⁄4-inch DIMMs
(as shown below) look much like longer SIMMs. They slide
into newly designed slots with little clips holding them in
place.

Image 1.24
168 pin
SDRA
M DIMM

NOTES: Usually called simply SDRAM, DIMMs ruled the

computer world through most of the ’90s.

• RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic Random Access Memory) or

RIMM

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 Rambus, Inc., created a super-fast, super-expensive memory
in the late 1990s and covered the chips with a cool-looking
heat shield. The speedy 5 1⁄4-inch-long memory modules,
shown in the figure below, enchanted Intel so much that the
CPU maker designed its Pentium 4 CPUs and motherboards
around them. The rest of the computer industry ignored
RDRAM because of its high price and licensing fees. Intel’s
main competitor, AMD, stuck with standard motherboards
and SDRAM, the existing industry standard. RDRAM and

SDRAM use different slots, so stick with the type of memory

your computer is built around.
Image 1.25 RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic Random-Access
Memory)
NOTES: Unless you’re using a Pentium 4 with an Intel
motherboard, you probably won’t be using RDRAM.

• DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM)

The biggest competitor to RDRAM, this stuff does some
tricky piggybacking on the memory bus to speed things up
dramatically. The catch? Because your motherboard must
be designed to support it, these 5 1⁄4-inch memory modules
use slots with different notches than those designed for
traditional SDRAM. That means that DDR SDRAM modules,
like the one in the figure shown below, don’t fit into a
regular SDRAM slot or an RDRAM slot.

Image 1.26
DDR SDRAM

NOTE: Pentium 4 computers that don’t use RDRAM often use

DDR SDRAM memory. However, make sure your motherboard
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specifically supports DDR SDRAM before buying it. (DDR is also
known as Dual Channel.)
• DDR2 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 2 SDRAM)
DDR2 SDRAM (shown below) is simply a newer, faster
version of DDR SDRAM. Yet again, your motherboard must
be designed to support it, as these modules use yet another
system of slots and notches.

Image 1.20 DDR2 SDRAM

• DDR3 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 3 SDRAM)

Image 1.20 DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3)

• DDR4 SDRAM (Double Data Rate 4 SDRAM)
An abbreviation for double data rate fourth-
generation synchronous dynamic random-access
memory, is a type of

synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM)

with a high bandwidth ("double data rate") interface.

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5.4 HARD DISK
Hard drives constantly move to new technologies to pack more
information into successively smaller spaces. These words describe the
storage technology built into the drives found today and yesterday.
Common HDD Terms to Remember
• IDE/ATA/PATA (Integrated Drive Electronics or
Intelligent Drive Electronics):
Today, most hard drives still use some form of IDE technology,
often referred to as ATA (ATAttachment). Because these drives
use technology called parallel, they’ve picked up the acronym
PATA to describe all drives from this old school.
• UDMA, UIDE, AT-6, Fast ATA, Ultra ATA, UDMA, and
more:
These subsequent flavors of IDE/ATA technology each add new
technologies and longer acronyms. The result? More speed and
more storage capacity.
• SATA (Serial ATA)
The newest incarnation of the IDE/ATA drives, these offer still
greater performance. Older drives moved information to your
computer through awkward, stubby ribbon cables. SATA
drives transfer their information faster through sleek, thin
cables that route through your computer’s innards more
easily.
• External SATA
You guessed it, external SATA drives live outside your PC and
plug into special eSATA ports you can add to your PC.
• SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface), Fast Wide
SCSI, Ultra SCSI, WideUltra2 SCSI)
Pronounced “scuzzy,” this popular drive variety worked its
way into the hearts of power users and network
administrators. Today, SATA supersedes SCSI away from even
those folks.
Speed and Space

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The following terms appear on nearly every hard drive’s box to
help you find the drive with the size and speed you need:
• Capacity: The amount of data the hard drive can store;
the larger, the better. When buying a new drive, look for
something with 50 gigabytes (GB) or more. Always buy
the biggest drive you can possibly afford.
• Access or seek time: The time your drive takes to locate
stored files, measured in milliseconds (ms). The smaller
the number, the better.
• DTR (Data Transfer Rate): How fast your computer can
grab information from files after it finds them. Larger
numbers are better. Data transfer rates are broken down
into burst and sustained each described next.
• Burst/sustained:. The burst rate determines the speed
at which your computer can fetch one small piece of
information from your hard drive. The sustained rate, by
contrast, refers to how fast it constantly streams data
fetches a large file, for example. Naturally, burst rates
are much faster than sustained rates.
• 5000/7200/10000 RPM: The speed at which your hard
drive’s internal disks spin, measured in revolutions per
minute (RPM). Bigger numbers mean faster and more
expensive drives. (For some reason, techies leave out
commas when discussing RPM.)
NOTES:
• When you’re purchasing a drive for everyday work or
sound/video editing, buy a very fast one. If you’re looking to
simply store large amounts of data, such as MP3s, videos, text, or
similar items, save money by buying a slower drive.
• For further information read storage devices section.

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5.5 POWER SUPPLY UNIT (PSU)
Converts high-voltage alternating current (AC) power into the
lower voltage direct current (DC) power that your motherboard
and drives need.

Image 1.27 Power Supply Unit

Power Supply Form Factors
Power supply form factors more or less mirror motherboard
form factors. ATX power supplies are the most common, and
they plug into all sizes of ATX and BTX motherboards. You can

find smaller power supplies that fit microATX, FlexATX, and

microBTX motherboards as well.
Image 1.28 PSU Connector

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5.6 GRAPHICS CARD
Graphics Card (also
called a video adapter,
display card, graphics
card, graphics board,
display adapter or
graphics adapter) is an
expansion card which
generates a feed of
output images to a
display.

Image 1.30 System Unit

with on board and
attached video card

Common Types
of Graphics
Card
• Peripheral
Component
Interconnect
(PCI) Short for
Peripheral
Component
Interconnect, PCI
was introduced by
Intel in 1992. The
PCI bus came in
both 32-bit
(133MBps) and
64-bit versions
and was
used to attach hardware to a computer. Although
commonly used in computers from the late 1990s to the
early 2000s, PCI has since been replaced with PCI
Express.
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 Image 1.31 PCI Video Card

• AGP Accelerated Graphics Port (often shortened to AGP)

Short for Accelerated Graphics Port, AGP is an advanced
port designed for Video cards and 3D accelerators.
Designed by Intel and introduced in August of 1997, AGP
introduces a dedicated point-to-point channel that allows
the graphics controller direct access to the system
memory. Below is an illustration of what the AGP slot
may look like on your motherboard.
AGP slot The AGP channel is 32-bits wide and runs at 66
MHz, which is a total bandwidth of 266 MBps and much
greater than the PCI bandwidth of up to 133 MBps. AGP
also supports two optional faster modes, with a
throughput of 533 MBps and 1.07 GBps. It also allows 3-
D textures to be stored in main memory rather than
video memory.
AGP is available in three different versions, the original
AGP version mentioned above, AGP 2.0 that was
introduced in May of 1998, and AGP 3.0 (AGP 8x) that
was introduced in November of 2000. AGP 2.0 added 4x
signaling and was capable of operating at 1.5V and AGP
3.0 was capable of double the transfer speeds.

By mid-2009, PCIe cards dominated the market; AGP cards

and motherboards were still produced, but OEM driver
support was minimal.

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 Image 1.32 AGP Video Card

• PCI-E Peripheral Component Interconnect Express

Officially abbreviated as PCIe, is a high-speed serial
computer expansion bus standard designed to replace
the older PCI, PCI-X, and AGP bus standards.

Originally known as 3rd Generation I/O (3GIO), PCI

Express, or PCIe, was approved as a standard on July
2002 and is a computer bus found in computers. PCI
Express is a serial bus designed to replace PCI and AGP
and is available in different formats: x1, x2, x4, x8, x12,
x16, and x32.

Image 1.33 PCI-E Video Card

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What’s on the card?
• DisplayPort is a digital display interface developed by
the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). The
interface is primarily used to connect a video source to
a display device such as a computer monitor, though it
can also be used to transmit audio, USB, and other forms
of data.

Image 1.34 DisplayPort

• (HDMI) High Definition Multimedia Interface
simultaneously transmitting visual and audio data via

the same cable.

Image 1.35 HDMI Port
• (DVI) Digital Visual Interface Digital-based standard
designed for displays such as flat-panel displays (LCDs,

plasma screens, wide high-definition television displays)

and video projectors
Image 1.36 DVI Port
• Analog D-Sub is standard interface for analog monitor. It
was designed for CRT displays.

Image 1.37 15 pin Analog D-Sub

Common Graphics Card Terms
• Fill Rate
GPU’s speed in drawing pixels depending on the number of
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 (ROP) Raster Operation Pipeline units of the graphics card.
• GART Graphics Address Remapping Table
A capability of reading texture directly from the memory
without the need to copy them to video memory.
• Pixel Pipeline
Pixels pass through GPU unit called Pipeline which
crunch complex vertex and pixel shaders programs for
lighting and effects. The more pipelines, the better.

Cheaper cards usually have four pipelines while mid-range

to high end have 8-16 pipelines o more.
• Pixel Shader
Also called as pixel processor and unified shaders-usually
used for realism gamming. Pixel and Vertexshaders
• SLI (Scalable Link Interface) and Crossfire [ATI]
New technologies that allow two or more graphics cards
installation for certain intensive graphics application.
• DirectX
Software that programmers use to create advanced visual
tricks with video circuitry. Many games use DirectX to
display three- dimensional fire-breathing dragons and
other spectacular effects. My computer use DirectX version
11 running Windows 7 Ultimate operating system.
• Driver
A piece of software that lets Windows talk to your
hardware in this case, your video card. Without the right
driver, your card won’t work properly.
• Port
A computer buzzword for connector, this is one of
connectors on your PC where you plug in cables. The plug
on the end of your monitor’s cable must match your PC’s
video port

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IO PORTS

PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse

Keyboard and Mice Connectors - Old Style 5 Pin DIN Keyboard
connector. The 5 pin DIN connectors are rarely used anymore. Most
computers use the mini-DIN PS/2 connector, but an increasing
number of new systems are dropping PS/2 connectors in favor of
USB. Adapters are available to convert 5 pin din to PS/2.
FACTS:
• PS2 Keyboard (Purple) and Mouse (Green). NOT
interchangeable.
• Newer Motherboards may have a single PS2 connector
with 1/2 purple and 1/2 Green.

Image 1.38 PS/2 Mouse and PS/2 Keyboard Ports

Serial Port
Serial or COM-1 port Used for External Modems and old
Mice. Being phased out on newer computers. Replaced by USB.

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 Image 1.39 Serial Port
FACTS:
Today, serial ports usually remain empty. Modems, their prime
users, usually live inside the computer. A handful of other
gadgets cling to them, mostly older PocketPCs, Palm Pilots, label
printers, and similar nerdy gadgets. Most high-end PCs still
include a serial port, but the budget models leave them off.

Parallel / Printer Port

Also called as Line Printer Terminal (LPT Port) used for old
printers. It is not be found on newer computers.

Image 1.40 Parallel Port

FACTS:
• Like serial ports, parallel ports are being replaced by USB
ports. A few printers still use them, though, so they haven’t
yet dropped off high-end PCs. You probably won’t find one
on a budget PC.
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Universal Serial Bus (USB) Ports
Use the USB ports to connect USB devices. (Universal Serial
Bus) Used for just about everything attached in a computer.

Image 1.41 USB standard ports and symbol

FACTS: For the past ten years, manufacturers have shipped their
computers with USB ports small, rectangular-shaped holes ready
to accept small, rectangular-shaped plugs. At first, everybody
ignored them. But slowly, companies began creating items to
plug into those holes.

Firewire
Firewire connectors should not be confused with USB
connectors, they look almost the same. Fire Wire is used to
connect external devices like hard drives. Sometimes Fire Wire
is called IEEE1394a or i-link

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Audio and Game Ports
SPDIF is a standard for transmitting high-quality digital audio without
going through an analogue conversion process. The SPDIF interface can
be implemented in two different ways, Coaxial and Optical.

Image 1.43 Audio Ports, (Green) Line Out, (Pink) Mic In, (Blue) Line In

Ethernet Port
Connects an RJ-45 jack to the LAN port to connect your
computer to the Network.

Image 1.44 (Left) Ethernet cable (Right) Ethernet port

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 SELF CHECK 1.1-1

IDENTIFY WHAT IS BEING ASKED

1. An electronic device that manipulates information, or "data."
A. Operating System
B. Hardware
C. Software
D. Computer

2. The first electronic computer, It was developed in 1946. It

took up 1,800 square feet and weighed 30 tons.
A. Electric Numerical Integrator and Computer
B. Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
C. Electronically Numerical Integrator and Computer
D. Electronic Number Integrator and Computer
3. It is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do.
It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish
each task.
A. Server
B. Software
C. Computer
D. Hardware
4. Designed for use at a desk or table and made up of separate
components.
A. Laptop Computers
B. Tablet
C. Desktop Computer
D. Server E.
5. It was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely sold
personal computer with a Graphical User Interface, or GUI.
A. Windows B. MAC

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 6. Battery or AC-powered personal computers that are more portable than
desktop computers, allowing you to use them almost anywhere.
A. Laptop C. PC
B. Desktop D. Server
7. This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was
introduced in 1981.
A. Desktop C. Personal Computer
B. Laptop D. Server
8. It is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as
the computer monitor or keyboard.
A. Software C. Hardware
B. Microsoft Word D. Operating System
9. It is the hardware within a computer that carries out the instructions
of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and
input/output operations of the system.
A. Hardware C. Computer
B. C.P.U. D. Laptop
10. A computer that "serves up" information to other computers on a
network.
A. PC C. MAC
B. Server D. DESKTOP

II. ENUMERATION: ENUMERATE THE FOLLOWING.

1. Other types of computers

2. Two main styles of personal

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