The ICT Lounge

Section 1.2:
Components of a Computer System and Storage Devices
In this section we will look at the different components (parts) of a
computer system. Learning objectives of this section:

You will see what role each component plays within the computer
# Know what a computer system is and be
system. You will also get to understand the features of each component. able to identify and describe the main
This section also briefly introduces the different forms of storage components of a computer system.
devices that we use to hold out data. # Understand what internal memory is and
be able to describe the difference
between RAM and ROM.
# Be able to identify and describe the
difference between input devices,
storage devices and backing storage.

Computer Components Key Words:

Motherboard, CPU, RAM, ROM,
BIOS, BUS Network, Hertz,
Definition: "All the different pieces of electrical hardware Graphics Card, Peripheral, Volatile,
that join together to make up the complete Non-Volatile, Storage Device
computer system."

Examples of common Computer Hardware (components): (click images to zoom and retrieve more info)

Motherboard CPU RAM BIOS (ROM)

What is a computer system?
Components form the complete computer
system. A computer system is made up of 4
main types of components:

Input Devices (keyboard, mouse etc)

Output Devices (monitor, speakers etc)
Graphics Card Peripherals Storage Devices Secondary Storage Devices (hard disk
NOTE: drive, CD/DVD drive etc)
We will look at Processor and Primary Storage Devices
storage devices in (cpu, RAM)
greater detail in a
later unit.

Features of Internal Hardware Computer Components

Internal computer components are designed to fit INSIDE the computer system and they all carry out important roles. We will discuss the
following:

Motherboard (this does something with the data to make it useful information)
Processor (central processing unit)
Internal Memory (RAM and ROM)
Video Card (aka graphics card)
Sound Card
Internal Hard Disk Drive

Motherboard
# The motherboard is central to any computer system.
Examples:
# 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.

Click image to zoom in and retrieve more

information.

Processor (CPU / Central Processing Unit)

# The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the Examples:
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.

# CPU's come in a variety of speeds which are known as 'clock

rates'. Clock rates are measured in 'Hertz'. Generally, the
faster the clock rate, the faster the performance of the
computer.

# There are two main brands of CPU currently on the market... Click image to zoom in and retrieve more
AMD and Intel: information.

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) Examples:

RAM is used to temporarily store information that is
currently in use by the computer. This can include
anything from word documents to videos.

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). Click image to zoom in and retrieve more
information.

RAM is a fast memory. Data can be written to and read

from RAM very quickly. RAM is generally measured in GB NOTE:
(Gigabytes). If you use up all of your RAM
by opening too many programs
at once you will notice that
RAM is Volatile Memory. This means that information your computer becomes very
stored in RAM is deleted as soon as the computer is turned slow.
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) Examples:

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.
Click image to zoom in and retrieve more
information.
ROM is fast memory. Data stored in ROM can be accessed
and read very quickly.
NOTE:
The computer would not start-
ROM is Non-Volatile memory. This means that stored
up without ROM Bios.
information is not lost when the computer loses power.

Other examples of ROM include:

DVD/CD ROMS bought in stores containing pre-
recorded music and movie files. These are played back
at home but cannot be altered.
ROM in printers which is used to store different font
types.

How to remember the difference between RAM and ROM.

RAM ROM
1. Contents are lost when the computer is
turned off.
2. Contents are not lost when the computer is
turned off.
3. Stores instructions that tell the computer
how to start up.
4. Stores data and programs currently in use.
5. Your computer will perform faster with
more of this.
6. This cannot be written to (altered).. only
read.
7. Stands for Random Access Memory.
8. Stands for Read Only 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. Examples:

# 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.

# See below for an example of graphics card software allowing the user to alter various
graphical settings:

Click image to zoom in and retrieve more

information.

Sound Card
# Sound cards are internal hardware devices that plug into the motherboard.
Examples:
# 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.

# Sound cards are also useful in the conversion of analogue data into digital and vice
versa.

This topic is discussed in more detail in later units.

Click image to zoom in and retrieve more
information.

Storage Devices (secondary backing storage)

# Secondary storage devices are used to store data that is not Examples:
instantly needed by the computer.

# Secondary storage devices permanently store data and programs for as long as we
need. These devices are also used to back-up data in case original copies are lost or
damaged.

Remember: Temporary storage like RAM does not hold data

for long periods.

It is used to store only those programs and files

that we are currently working on.
Click image to zoom in and retrieve more
information about INTERNAL STORAGE.

# There are two categories of storage devices:

Internal Storage - Internal Hard Disk Drives

External Storage - External Hard Disk Drive, Memory Stick etc

Example of how a hard disk drive

works:
Click image to zoom in and retrieve more
The video to the right shows how data is information about EXTERNAL STORAGE.
read/written to the hard disk drive by spinning a
platter across a read/write head.

The read/write head is on the end of a movable

arm.

Features of External Hardware Computer Components

External computer components connect to a computer system from OUTSIDE. They are not necessary for the system to function but make
our experiences easier or better. We will discuss the following:

Input Devices (used to get data into a computer)

Output Devices (used to get information out of a computer)
Peripherals

Input Devices
# Input devices are pieces of hardware that get raw data into the computer ready for processing.

# Processing involves taking raw data and turning it into more useful information.

# Input devices fall into two categories:

Manual Input Devices - Need to be operated by a human to input information

Automatic Input Devices - Can input information on their own.

Manual Input Devices Automatic Input Devices

Keyboard Mouse Microphone Magnetic Stripe Magnetic Ink Chip and Pin
Reader Character Recognition Reader

Scanner Numeric Keypad Light Pen Optical Mark Optical Character

Barcode Reader
Reader Reader

Touch screen Digital Camera Web Cam

NOTE:
We will look at input devices in more detail during
a later unit!

Click here to jump to the unit

Output Devices
# When inputted raw data has been processed it becomes usable information. Output devices are pieces of hardware that send this
usable information out of the computer.

# Some output devices send information out temporarily and some send information out permanently:

Temporary Output Devices - E.g. Monitors which constantly refresh the outputted image on the screen
Permanent Output Devices - E.g. Printers which output information onto paper as a hard copy.

Output Devices

CRT Monitor TFT Monitor Laser Printer Inkjet Printer Dot Matrix Printer

Plotter Speakers Multimedia Projector

Note:
We will look at output devices in more detail
during a later unit!

Peripheral Devices
# Almost all input and output devices are known as 'Peripheral devices'.
Examples:
# These are 'non-essential' hardware components that usually connect to the system
externally.

# Peripherals are called non-essential because the system can operate without them.

For example : You can still use your computer without

speakers... you will just have to do without high
quality sound.
Click image to zoom in and retrieve more
information.

# Examples of peripherals are shown below:

Peripheral Devices

Keyboard Mouse Microphone Web Cam

Scanner Joystick Speakers Printer

Activity! Activity! Activity!

Task 1 Task 2 Task 3
Computer Components Identifying Components Motherboard and Components

Click the above task and complete Click the above task and follow the Click the above task and arrange the
the diagram of a computer system. instructions given on the sheet. components into the correct place on
the motherboard.

Previous - Hardware / Software and Next - Operating Systems

Types of Computers

Links to Theory Units:

Section 1: Types and Components of Computer Systems Section 2: Input and Output Devices Section 3: Storage Devices and Media
Section 4: Computer Networks Section 5: Data Types Section 6: The Effects of Using ICT
Section 7: The Ways in which ICT is used Section 7: Part 2 Section 8: Systems Analysis and Design

Links to Practical Units:

Section 9: Communication Section 10: Document Production Section 11: Data Manipulation
Section 12: Integration Section 13: Output Data Section 14: Data Analysis
Section 15: Web site Authoring Section 16: Presentation Authoring

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