MOTHERBOARD
The motherboard is the main component inside the case. It is a large rectangular board with integrated circuitry that connects the various parts of computer as the CPU, RAM, Disk drives (CD, DVD, Hard disk or any others)as well as any other peripherals connected via the ports or the expansion slots. Components directly attached to the motherboard include:
• The central processing unit (CPU) performs most of the calculations that enable a
computer to function and is sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan.
• The chip set aids communication between the CPU andthe other components of the system, including main memory.
• RAM (Random Access Memory) stores all running processes (applications) and the current running OS.
• The BIOS includes boot firmware and power management. The Basic Input Output System tasks are handled by operating system drivers.
• Internal Buses connect the CPU to various internal components and to expansion cards for graphics and sound.
Current Technology
• The north bridge memory controller, for RAM and PCIExpress
• PCI Express, for expansion cards such as graphics and physics processors, and high-end network interfaces
• PCI, for other expansion cards
• SATA, for disk drives
Obsolete Technology
• ATA (superseded by SATA)
• AGP (superseded by PCI Express)
• VLB VESA Local Bus (superseded by AGP)
• ISA (expansion card slot format obsolete in PCs butstill used in industrial computers)
• External Bus Controllers support ports for externalperipherals. These ports may be controlled directly by the south bridge I/O controller or based on expansion cards attached to the motherboard through the PCI bus.
USB
FireWire
SATA
SCSI
POWER SUPPLY
A power supply unit (PSU) converts alternating current (AC) electric power to low-voltage DC power for the internal components of thecomputer. Some power supplies have a switch to change between 230 V and 115 V. Other models have automatic sensors that switch input voltage automatically or are able to accept any voltage within these limits.
Power supply units used in computers are generally switch mode power supplies (SMPS). The SMPS provides regulated direct current power atseveral voltages as required by the motherboard and accessories such as disk drives andcooling fans.
REMOVABLE MEDIA DEVICES
• CD (compact disc): The most common type of removable media, suitable for music and data CD-ROM Drive: A device used for reading data from CD Writer: A device used for both reading and writing data to and from a CD
• DVD (digital versatile disc): A popular type of removable media that is the same size as a CD but stores up to 12 times as much information- the most common way of transferring digital video and is popular for data storage DVD-ROM Drive: A device used for reading data from a DVD Writer: A device used for both reading and writing data to and from a DVD-RAM Drive: A device used for rapid writing and reading of data from a special type of DVD
• Blu-ray Disc: A high density optical disc format for data and high-definition video that can store 70 times as much information as a CD BD-ROM Drive: A device used for reading data from aBlu-ray disc 12 Computer Application in Management BD Writer: A device used for both reading and writing data to and from a Blu-ray disc
• HD DVD: A discontinued competitor to the Blu-ray format
• Floppy disk: An outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible magnetic storage medium used today mainly for loading RAID drivers
• Iomega Zip drive: An outdated medium-capacity removable disk storage system, first introduced by Iomega in 1994
• USB flash drive: A flash memory data storage deviceintegrated with a USB interface, typically small, lightweight, removable and rewritable with varying capacities from hundreds of megabytes (in the same ballpark as CDs)to tens of gigabytes (surpassing, at great expense, Blu-ray discs)
• Tape drive: A device that reads and writes data on a magnetic tape, used for long term storage and backups
SECONDARY STORAGE
This hardware keeps data inside the computer for later use and retains it even when the computer has no power.
• Hard disk: A device for medium-term storage of data
• Solid-state drive: A device quite similar to the hard disk, but containing no moving parts and which stores data in a digital format
• RAID array controller: A device to manage several internal or external hard disks and optionally some peripherals in order to achieve performance or reliability improvement in what is called a RAID array
SOUND CARD
This device enables the computer to output sound toaudio devices, as well as accept input from a microphone. Most modern computers havesound cards built-in to the motherboard, though it is common for a user to install a separate sound card as an upgrade. Most sound cards, either built-in or added, have surround sound capabilities.
OTHER PERIPHERALS
In addition, hardware devices can include external components of a computer system. The following are either standard or very common.
WHEEL MOUSE
Includes various input and output devices, usually external to the computer system
INPUT
• Text input devices
Keyboard: A device to input text and characters by pressing buttons (referred to as keys)
• Pointing devices
Mouse: A pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface
Optical Mouse: Uses light to determine motion
Trackball: A pointing device consisting of an exposed protruding ball housed in a socket that detects rotation about the two axes
Touch screen: Senses the user pressing directly on the display
• Gaming devices
Joystick: A control device that consists of a handheld stick that pivots around one end, to detect angles in two or three dimensions
Gamepad: A handheld game controller that relies on the digits/ fingers (especially thumbs) to provide input
Game controller: A specific type of controller specialized for certain gaming purposes
• Image, video input devices
Image scanner: A device that provides input by analysing images, printed text, handwriting or an object
Webcam: A low resolution video camera used to provide visual input that can be easily transferred over the Internet
• Audio input devices
Microphone: An acoustic sensor that provides input by converting sound into electrical signals.
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