Scribd
Upload
29 views8 pages

Week 2 - Internal Components of A Computer

The document discusses the main internal hardware components of a computer system including the motherboard, processor, video card, sound card, and internal memory like RAM and ROM. The motherboard acts as the central connection point and allows the components to communicate and work together via the bus network. RAM is used for temporary storage while active while ROM permanently stores startup instructions.

Uploaded by

sahoopragyan2510
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
29 views8 pages

Week 2 - Internal Components of A Computer

The document discusses the main internal hardware components of a computer system including the motherboard, processor, video card, sound card, and internal memory like RAM and ROM. The motherboard acts as the central connection point and allows the components to communicate and work together via the bus network. RAM is used for temporary storage while active while ROM permanently stores startup instructions.

Uploaded by

sahoopragyan2510
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

Main components of computer systems

"All the different pieces of electrical hardware that join together to make
up the complete computer system."

Internal Hardware Computer


Components
Motherboard

• The motherboard is central to any computer system


• All components plug into the motherboard either directly
(straight into the circuit board) or indirectly (via USB ports).
• Once connected to the motherboard, the components can work
together to form the computer system
• Components communicate and send signals to each other via
the BUS Network
Processor (CPU / Central Processing Unit)

• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer.

• The CPU 'controls' what the computer does and is responsible for
performing calculations and data processing. It also handles the
movement of data to and from system memory.
Video Card (aka graphics card)
• Graphics cards are hardware devices that plug into the motherboard
and enables the computer to display images on the monitor.

• Graphics cards usually require the installation of


software alongside the hardware. The software instructs the
computer how to use the graphics card and also allows you
to alter settings to change image quality and size.
Sound Card

• Sound cards are internal hardware devices that plug into


the motherboard.

• A sound card's main function is to allow the computer system


to produce sound but they also allow users to connect
microphones in order to input sounds into the computer.
Internal Memory (RAM and ROM)
• There are two types of internal memory - RAM and ROM.

• RAM and ROM are used to store computer data and this can be
directly accessed by the CPU.

• RAM and ROM are sometimes referred to as 'Primary Storage'.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

• RAM is used to temporarily store information that is currently in


use by the computer.

• RAM can be read from and written to and so the information stored
in RAM can change all the time (it depends what tasks you are using
the computer for).

• RAM is a fast memory. Data can be written to and read from RAM
very quickly.

• RAM is Volatile Memory. This means that information stored in RAM


is deleted as soon as the computer is turned off.

• The more RAM you have installed in your computer -- the faster it
can perform. You can open and use more programs at the same time
without slowing the computer down.
ROM (Read Only Memory)
• ROM is used to permanently store instructions that tell the
computer how to boot (start up). It also loads the operating
system (e.g. Windows).

These instructions are known as the BIOS (Basic input/output system)


or the boot program.

• Information stored in ROM is known as READ ONLY. This means that


the contents of ROM cannot be altered or added to by the user.

• ROM is fast memory. Data stored in ROM can be accessed and read
very quickly.

• ROM is Non-Volatile memory. This means that stored information is


not lost when the computer loses power.

ROM
• Read only memory (ROM) is memory used to store permanent information
• Used to contain configuration data for a computer etc.
• Chips cannot be altered, only read from
• Data not lost when computer is turned off
• Referred to as non-volatile memory

You might also like