Computer
Components
Information and
Communication Technology
Day 3
Computer Components
In this section we will look at the different components (parts) of a
computer system. You will see what role each component plays within
the computer system. You will also get to understand the features of each
component.
Computer Components: All the different pieces of electrical hardware
that join together to make up the complete computer system."
Internal Hardware Components - designed to fit INSIDE the computer
External Hardware Components - connect to computer system from
OUTSIDE
Learning objectives of this section:
Know what a computer system is and be able to identify and describe
the main components
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
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devices and backing storage.
Internal Hardware Computer
Components - 1
Picture Name Details
• All components plug into the
motherboard [directly or USB]
• Central to any computer system.
Motherboard
• Components communicate and send
signals to
each other via the bus network
• Is the brain of the computer
• Controls what computer does
CPU • Perform calculations and data
• The faster the clock rate, the faster
the
performance of the computer
• Temporarily store information that is
currently in use by the computer
• Fast memory.
RAM
• Volatile memory
• More RAM, the faster it can perform
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Internal Hardware Computer
Components - 2
Picture Name Details
• Bios(basic input/output system)
• Permanently store instructions (BIOS)
BIOS (ROM) that tell the computer how to boot
• Non-volatile memory
• Examples include: DVD/CD ROMS
• Enables the computer to display
images on the monitor.
Graphics Card • Require the installation of software
alongside the hardware
• Allow the computer system to produce
sound but they also allow
Sound Card users to connect microphones in
order to input sounds into the
computer.
• Convert of analogue data into digital
and vice versa.
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Internal Hardware Computer
Components – 3 Storage
Devices Name
Picture Details
Internal Used to store data that is not
Storage - instantly needed by the
Internal Hard computer.
Disk Drives
Permanently store data and
programs for as long as we
need.
External Storage - Used to back-up data in case
External Hard Disk original copies are lost or
Drive, Memory Stick damaged.
etc
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Manual Input Devices (External)
Input devices are pieces of
hardware that get raw data into
the computer ready for
processing. Manual Input
Devices need to be operated
by a human to input data into the
computer.
EXAMPLES
Keyboard - Mouse
Microphone - Scanner
Light Pen - Touch
screen
Digital Camera - Web Cam
Numeric Keypad
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Automatic Input Devices
(External)
Input devices are pieces of
hardware that get raw data into
the computer ready for
processing. Automatic Input
Devices - Can input data on their
own.
EXAMPLES
Magnetic Stripe Reader
Magnetic Ink Character
Recognition
Chip and Pin Reader
Optical Mark Reader
Optical Character Reader
Barcode Reader
Radio Frequency Id Reader
(RFID)
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Output Devices (External)
These are pieces of hardware that
send this usable information out
of the computer.
Temporary output devices -
constantly refresh the outputted
image on display. Monitor (CRT,
TFT).
Permanent output devices -
output
information onto paper as a hard
copy.
Examples
Monitor (CRT, TFT)
Printer (Inkjet, Dot Matrix, Laser & 3D)
Plotter
Speakers
Multimedia projector
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Peripheral Devices (External)
Almost all input and output
devices are known as Peripheral
devices. They are non-essential
which means that the computer
system can operate without it.
Usually, they connect to the
system externally using cables.
Examples
Keyboard - Mouse
Microphon - Web
e Cam
Scanner - Joystick
Speakers - Printer
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Basic Computer Model
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THE
END
THANKING YOU FOR
LISTENING
USED RESOURCES:
Websites Resource Text Books
www.ictlounge.com
www.igcseict.info
https://www.igcsepro.org/
www.yahmad.co.uk
www.znotes.org
mrlawsonsclassroom.weebly.co
m›
https://ictlis.wixsite.com/ict123
/theory-revison
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