Lesson 3.0 basic parts and functions of computer

LESSON 3: BASIC PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERCOMP1: COMPUTER CONCEPTS WITH INTERNET

INSTRUCTOR: SIR JOSHUA HERNANDEZ

BASIC PARTS

BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

Desktop computer system


• A. 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 CPU uses while the computer is on. The information stored in RAM is erased when the computer is turned off.


• B. STORAGE

Your computer has one or more disk drives—

devices that store information on a metal or

plastic disk. The disk preserves the

information even when your computer is

turned off.


• B. STORAGE

• 1. Hard disk drive

• Your computer's hard disk drive stores

information on a hard disk—a rigid platter or

stack of platters with a magnetic surface. Because

hard disks can hold massive amounts of

information, they usually serve as your

computer's primary means of storage, holding

almost all of your programs and files. The hard

disk drive is normally located inside the system

unit.


• B. STORAGE

• 2. CD and DVD drives

• Nearly all computers today come equipped with a

CD or DVD drive, usually located on the front of

the system unit. CD drives use lasers to read

(retrieve) data from a CD; many CD drives can

also write (record) data onto CDs. If you have a

recordable disk drive, you can store copies of

your files on blank CDs. You can also use a CD

drive to play music CDs on your computer.


• B. STORAGE

• 3. Floppy disk drive

• Floppy disk drives store information on floppy

disks, also called floppies or diskettes. Compared

to CDs and DVDs, floppy disks can store only a

small amount of data. They also retrieve

information more slowly and are more prone to

damage. For these reasons, floppy disk drives are

less popular than they used to be, although some

computers still include them.


• C. MOUSE

A mouse is a small device used to point to

and select items on your computer screen.

Although mice come in many shapes, the

typical mouse does look a bit like an actual

mouse. It's small, oblong, and connected to

the system unit by a long wire that resembles

a tail. Some newer mice are wireless.


• D. KEYBOARD

A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into your computer. Like the keyboard on a typewriter, it has keys for letters and numbers, but it also has special keys:

• The function keys, found on the top row, perform different functions depending on where they are used.

• The numeric keypad, located on the right side of most keyboards, allows you to enter numbers quickly.

• The navigation keys, such as the arrow keys, allow you to move your position within a document or webpage.


• E. MONITOR

• A monitor displays information in visual form, using

text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that

displays the information is called the screen. Like a

television screen, a computer screen can show still or

moving pictures.

• There are two basic types of monitors: CRT (cathode

ray tube) monitors and the newer LCD (liquid crystal

display) monitors. Both types produce sharp images,

but LCD monitors have the advantage of being much

thinner and lighter.

CRT

LCD


• F. SPEAKERS

• 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.


• G. 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.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

• The computer system is defined as an arrangement of all-

possible hardware and software installed to the computer,

which will assist in carrying out its task efficiently.

• The Computer System Equation:

Computer System = Hardware + Software

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

Components of a Computer System

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• The CPU is most times referred to as the brain of the computer, because it controls and coordinates all the functions of a computer, similar to how your brain controls and coordinates the data and information which comes into your body. For smaller computers such as personal computers, the CPU is contained on a silicon chip called a microprocessor. On larger computers such as IBM mainframe, the CPU may consist of several circuit boards.

• The three main manufactures of CPUs are: Intel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Cyrix.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Main Functions of the CPU

1. Fetching data and instruction from memory.

2. Coordinating and performing instructions received.

3. Sending the results of execution to memory.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Main Components of the CPU

1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

• This is a twin unit that performs all arithmetic calculations (arithmetic

unit) and logical operations (logic unit) on data being processed.

2. Control Unit (CU)

• The main function of the control unit is to decode and execute all

instructions given to the computer. However other function includes:

• Processing inputted information.

• Controlling the output’s outcome and destination.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM


3. CPU clock

• The CPU clock regulates the speed of the processor and it synchronizes

all the parts of the CPU. The speed of the processor is measured in Mega

Hertz (MHz) which means million of cycles per second.

4. Registers

• Registers are high-speed storage areas in CPU that temporarily hold

data and instructions.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM


5. Buses

• The electrical path or channel along where bits are transferred. This

information is transmitted in groups of bits and bytes. Bus width can be

8, 16, 32, 64, or 128 bits. An 8-bit bus moves 8 bits of data at a time.

Bus width is the amount of data the CPU can transmit at any time. The

speed of a bus affects the transfer of bits. A faster bus means faster

transfer of information to and from the CPU.

BASIC FUNCTIONS

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS

1. Input - In order for the computer to function, data and instructions

have to be input into it in a suitable form. This is done via input

devices. Examples of input devices are the keyboard, the mouse,

and microphone. It involves receiving information from the

environment, or from storage devices, through an input device.

2. Output – Presentation of data to the environment from main

memory of the computer to media external to the CPU. Common

output devices, like the printer and the monitor present the

information to the user in a format he/she can immediately

understand (e.g. printed on paper or displayed on screen)

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS

3. Processing – Manipulation of data in a variety of ways

applying rules of arithmetic and logic. This is commonly

referred to as the “brain” of the computer system and is

responsible for converting data and instructions into useful

information.

4. Storing – recording of data in a relatively permanent form i.e.

disk, CD and other storage devices for access later on.

REFERENCES

• Steinbeck, Dionne. (2007) Exploring Information Technology.

Marie Rose Pittal - 232 p.

• Shelly, Gary; Vermaat, Misty. (2013) Discovering Computers.

Boston, Ma: Cengage Learning.

• Parts of A Computer. © 2014 Microsoft. Date Retrieved: Nov

26, 2014. Retrieved from: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-

ph/windows/computer-parts#1TC=windows-7