PARTS OF A COMPUTER AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

1. The computer case or chassis

This component holds all of the physical parts

of a computer system.
It is usually designed in such a manner to
make fitting a motherboard, wiring, and
primary and secondary storage devices as easy
as possible. Some are designed so well that it
is easy to make everything look tidy and
presentable.
They can also accommodate CD or DVD drives,
allowing users to listen to music using
compact discs or watch Blu-ray movies from
their computer.
Cases come in all different sizes and shapes to
accommodate various computer components
and satisfy the consumer’s needs. Not only do
computer builders need to ensure compatibility between components, but also the case.
Cases typically have extra connectors on the front of them for more convenience. USB ports and
headphone jacks are commonly found.
Design elements can vary from plain to highly elaborate. You can get a plain grey desktop case
or one with colored lighting everywhere to make it look spectacular.
Computer cases rely on fans inside them to create proper airflow to keep all the internals cool
and working reliably.
A computer case, like most things, varies in quality. You can get them made from cheap metals
or good quality materials that provide you with a sturdy design.
A good way to discharge yourself from electrostatic charge before working on a computer is to
touch the case. It will safeguard the computer’s circuits from being damaged by static
discharge.
And, of course, a ground strap is recommended where possible.
Laptops have their case or chassis designed specifically for each model to hole all the parts and
the screen in a conveniently compact design that can fold closed to make it even more mobile.
List of computer case sizes (known as form factor):
Very small form factor: Supports Mini ITX motherboards
Small form factor: Supports micro ATX motherboards.
Standard form factor: Supports standard ATX motherboards.
Larger form factors: Supports ATX and XL-ATX motherboards.

2. Motherboard

The motherboard is the main board mounted

directly inside the computer case. All other
cards plug directly into the motherboard,
hence its name.
It is a printed circuit board in which the CPU,
RAM, drives, power supply, expansion cards,
and more are plugged into it.
Its function involves integrating all the
physical components to communicate and
operate together.
A good motherboard offers a wide amount of
connectivity options. It also has the least
amount of bottlenecks possible.
This allows all the components to operate
efficiently and to fulfill their maximum
potential as they were designed to do.
As the physical size is reduced, it limits
connectivity options and functionality.
 Motherboards come in the following sizes:
Motherboard Dimensions

Pico-ITX 3.9 inch x 2.9 inch | 100mm x 72mm

Nano-ITX 4.7 inch x 4.7 inch | 120mm x 120mm

Mini-ITX 6.7 inch x 6.7 inch | 170mm x 170mm

Micro-ATX 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch | 244mm x 244mm

Standard-ATX 12 inch x 9.6 inch | 305mm x 244mm

EVGA: 13.5 inch x 10.3 inch | 343mm x 262mm

XL-ATX Gigabyte: 13.58 inch x 10.31 inch | 345mm x 262mm
Micro-Star: 13.6 inch x 10.4 inch | 345mm x 264mm

3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU or central processing

unit is basically like the brain of
computer systems. It processes
all the information on a
computational level.
It takes all the processes from
the RAM and processes them to
perform the tasks required by
the computer system.
The faster the processor, the
more instructions it can execute
at any given time.
The central processing unit is
usually seated in a socket that
utilizes a lever or a latch with a
hinged plate with a cut-out in
the center to secure the CPU
onto the motherboard.
It has many copper pads
underneath it for the socket
contacts to push up against
them to make electrical contact.
There are other ways CPUs can be attached to the motherboard.
Here are some common examples:
ZIF (Zero Insertion Force): Although this is a more desirable socket, they are mostly
found on older computer motherboards. It has a lever-operated mechanism to clamp the
pins of the processor.
PGA (Pin Grid Array): It is also a ZIF socket with a different pin pitch and count.
LGA (Land Grid Array): More commonly found on motherboards today. A levered hinged
plate with a center cut-out clamps down on the processor.
BGA (Ball Grid Array): The CPU is soldered directly onto the motherboard. This makes it
a non-user-swappable component. It is susceptible to bad connectivity.
A processor generates a decent amount of heat, especially when working under high loads.
It will run even hotter when set to a higher clock speed to make it run faster. This is called
overclocking.
This is why a heatsink and fan assembly are required to draw the heat away from the central
processing unit and distribute it to thin sheets or fins of metal for the fan to cool down.
There are so many different types of computer processors. The largest manufacturers of
processors are Intel, AMD, and NVidia.
 4. Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is a data storage device that can
provide fast read and write access. RAM
is volatile memory, meaning it loses all
the stored data when power is lost.
The RAM keeps data ready for the CPU to
process. The RAM speed is a big
contributor to the overall speed of a
computer system.
It plugs directly into a long slot that has
contacts on either side of the slot.
It, too, has a clock speed, just like a
processor. So, it can also be overclocked
to deliver increased performance beyond
the intended specification.
Certain RAM modules are sold with a heat spreader. It helps dissipate the heat from the
individual memory ICs, keeping them cooler.
RAM has evolved like any other component. RAM used on the motherboard often uses DDR
(Double Data Rate) SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) type memory.
RAM Amount always comes in powers of 2, so you will always see numbers like 16GB, 32GB, or
64GB of RAM, to mention some examples of memory units.

5. Graphics Card or Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A graphics card is an output

device that processes the data
from the motherboard and sends
the appropriate information to the
computer’s screen for display.
You can connect monitors to it
using HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or
VGA connectors.
It can also be referred to as a
video or display card.
A video card takes the burden of
all the video processing from the
main CPU. This gives a
computer a big boost in
performance.
Fans are almost a given because
of the large processing
requirements for a gaming GPU.
A video card plugs into a PCI
Express (Peripheral Component
Interconnect Express) slot on the
motherboard. It is a serial expansion bus slot capable of high bandwidth in two directions.
A graphics card has a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), the main part of a computer system that
requires cooling.
A GPU is slower than a CPU but is designed to deal with mathematical operations required for
video rendering.
The card’s memory amount varies depending on the manufacturer’s design.
Video cards use GDDR (Graphics Double Data Rate) SDRAM, specially designed to optimize
graphics performance.
GDDR is built to handle a higher bandwidth compared to plain DDR RAM.
A laptop’s GPU is usually mounted directly onto the motherboard, much like the CPU. Some
models use integrated graphics with the GPU and CPU in one processing unit.
This can also be true for some CPUs for a desktop computer. The GPU can be integrated with
the CPU, and the motherboard’s output ports are used instead of a graphics card’s ports.
Integrated graphics do not offer great performance, so most gamers or individuals using their
computers for work that involves more GPU-intensive tasks opt for systems with discrete GPUs.
6. Sound Card
Most of the time, the sound chip built into
the motherboard is used for audio output.
But, if you are a sound enthusiast or prefer
high-quality audio output while playing a
game, you might be inclined to use a sound
card.
Sound cards plug into a computer in
multiple ways. It can be through USB, PCI
slot, or PCI Express x 1 slot.
External DACs have gained popularity and
help deliver clearer and more defined audio
or high-definition sound output.
They connect up using an IO cable like a
USB cable to your computer or laptop and
provide a line out for your speakers or
headphones.
A sound processing chip on the card does all
of the audio processing and is usually not a
very powerful processor.
A sound card can offer a wide range of connectivity with audio equipment.
Examples could be optical audio, a 1/4-inch jack, or RCA connectors.

7. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A hard drive is still found in many

PCs to this day. A mechanical
drive’s purpose is to store all your
information for retrieval at any time.
Software
Apart from storing information for
your computer, hard disk drives also
function as a boot drive to run the
operating system (OS) from it. You
can install operating systems of
many different kinds depending on
your needs.
An OS is a software program
installed, making a computer
useable, like Microsoft Windows.
The biggest vulnerability of a
mechanical drive is its physically
fragile nature.
They have fragile components
One bump the wrong way can destroy a whole drive. A mechanical hard drive contains one or
more platters that spin anywhere between 5200 to 10000 RPM (revolutions per minute).
The read and write heads are about 0.002 (51 micro M) inches from the platter.
This gives you an idea about the physical limitations of its fragile nature.
Small areas on the platter can represent a 1 or a 0. It can be changed using the drive head to
alter the material to represent the correct value magnetically. This is how to write data to the
drive for storage.
There are various categories of hard drives made for various real-world applications.
Some examples include:
General use for desktops or laptops.
Gaming optimized for desktops or laptops.
General high-capacity storage.
NAS Devices.
Servers.
Video recording.
They can also be purchased as an external drive that usually connects to your computer by USB
cable.
An uninterruptible power supply is sometimes used to prevent data loss with mechanical drives
where a sudden power outage is experienced, or the power cord is accidentally disconnected
while the computer is running.
This allows proper shutdowns for desktop systems that have experienced sudden power loss.

8. Solid State Drive (SSD)

An SSD is also a type of hard drive, but

it doesn’t have any moving bits. It
consists of a bank of flash memory that
can hold a reasonable amount of
information.
While the capacity of SSDs is
increasing, they aren’t cost-effective
for storing large amounts.
A mechanical drive has a cheaper
gigabyte-to-dollar ratio.
However, the SSD is a high-
performance drive. It’s fast and cannot
be as easily damaged by dropping it or
taking a few bumps.
SSDs are available as 2.5-inch laptop
encapsulated drives, and an M.2 SDD
is the most commonly used kind on the
market.

9. Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A power supply unit mounts inside the

computer case. It converts the AC
mains supply from the power cord from
a wall socket and supplies the correct
DC voltages to all the parts of a
computer.
A computer power supply supplies the
following voltages:
+3.3v: This voltage is supplied to the
motherboard.
+5V: This voltage is supplied to the
motherboard and other computer
hardware.
+12V: This voltage is supplied to the
motherboard and other components.
-12V: This voltage is supplied to the
motherboard.
One of the most important system
components
It plays an important role in keeping a computer running reliably.
You get different wattage ratings for power supplies. The higher the wattage, the higher the
electrical current that can be made available to everything that needs it to function properly.
The higher you go in Watts, the more the power supply will likely cost.
A power supply usually also comes with a cooling fan. This helps all the internal components in
your computer to stay cool when the power supply is subjected to bigger loads.
You read more about a power supply and its lifespan to know how long it lasts.
10. Monitor or Visual Display Unit (VDU)

A monitor is an output device to visualize the

graphics information sent from the
computer’s GPU.
There are various types of monitors on the
market. An LED (Light Emitting Diode)
backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor
is the most commonly used with a modern PC.
There are also various computer screen sizes
with different aspect ratios. The aspect ratio
is simply the ratio between height and width.
For example, a 16:9 aspect ratio screen will
have 16 parts wide to 9 parts in height.
There are also curved computer monitors,
but they are more expensive displays.
Monitors also have a fast response time to
meet the high demands required to eliminate
delays with user input for gaming.

11. Keyboard

A keyboard is an input device that is

one of the ways to communicate with
a computer. Typing a key from the
keyboard sends a small portion of
information to tell it which key was
pressed.
Once the computer receives input
from the keyboard, it can use the
keystrokes in digital form to produce
a specific task in any software being
used.
The computer system can use this
information in many ways. An
example could be a command or a
character that can be used in a
document.
There are two main different types of keyboards. Mechanical and membrane types.

12. Mouse or Trackpad

A mouse is an input device that

allows the user to move a pointer
displayed on the monitor and
experience a more intuitive
interaction with computer systems.
These days, mice have more buttons
than the common three and offer
way more functions than mice in the
early days.
However, the three main buttons
allow users to select, grab, scroll,
and access extra menus and options.
A computer mouse is a handy
pointing device that can be wired or
wireless. The latter requires
batteries.
Optical mice of today allow for very accurate precision and smooth movement.
Laptops have a built-in trackpad, which works almost like a mouse. Many people don’t like
working with them, so they usually plug a mouse into the laptop instead.

COMMON PERIPHERAL PARTS FOR COMPUTERS

Some common peripherals connect to a computer and extend their usefulness.

A. Printer

A printer can take an image sent by a computer and deliver it onto a sheet of paper.
It does this by using the information from the computer, and by either using toner or ink, it
deposits one of these in a controlled and accurate manner to form the image.
B. Scanner

A scanner can take anything on paper, and it functions by scanning it to produce a replicated
digital image for a computer to save.
This is also handy for saving physical photos you want to preserve.
Once the photo is stored digitally, it won’t decay as a physical photo does over time.
The flatbed scanner is one of the most commonly used today.
 C. Multifunction printers

Many all-in-one, multifunction devices have printer and scanning capabilities in one reasonably
compact product, which has dominated the market over recent years and continues to grow.
The most common models include an inkjet printer and scanner for home use and a laser
printer version for home and other office applications.
D. Computer Speakers

Speakers can connect to the sound card at the rear of the computer.
Another way they can be connected is by a monitor that already has built-in speakers.
For more full immersion
Generally, the sound quality is poor from a monitor’s speakers. That’s why most people buy a
set of computer speakers for their desks.
You can even connect up a 7.1 surround speaker system to certain sound cards for a computer.
This can add a nicer experience to gaming, playing music, or watching a film.
 E. A microphone

A microphone is essential for anyone who requires decent audio recording or capturing. They
can range widely in price, from extremely cheap to very expensive, depending on the
individual’s profession or application.
They are usually connected to an audio interface before connecting to the computer.
There are so many uses for a microphone connected to a computer, but some include:
Recording singing or musical instruments for composing music.
Game streaming or commentary.
Communication for calls.
Webinars.
Creating podcasts.
F. A camera or webcam

Desktop users often use cameras when not using a laptop or other portable communication
device with an inbuilt camera.
Again, quality can vary depending on how much someone is willing to spend. They allow many
applications, including video or conference calls, webinars, or presentations, and gamers to be
streamed from their seats.
Many models have microphones built into them, but they won’t deliver the audio quality that a
high-end dedicated microphone can produce.
Conclusion

Reference:
Strydom, M. (2023, January 8). Parts of a Computer and Their Functions. Computer Info
Bits. https://computerinfobits.com/parts-of-computer-and-their-functions/