Computer Basics - Inside A Computer - PowerPoint

4/2/2024
COMPUTER
BASICS
INSIDE A COMPUTER
INSIDE A COMPUTER
• Have you ever looked inside a computer case
before, or seen pictures of the inside of one?
• The small parts may look complicated, but the
inside of a computer case really isn't all that
mysterious.
• This lesson will help you master some of the basic
terminology and understand a bit more about
what goes on inside a computer casing.
1
4/2/2024
CPU/PROCESSOR
• The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located
inside the computer case on the motherboard.
• It is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to carry
out commands.
• Whenever you press a key, click the mouse, or start an application,
you're sending instructions to the CPU.
• The CPU is generally a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon
chip located inside.
• The chip is usually about the size of a thumbnail.
• The CPU fits into the motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered
by the heat sink, an object that absorbs heat from the CPU.
• A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions
of instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of
instructions per second.
• A faster processor can execute instructions more quickly. However,
the actual speed of the computer depends on the speed of many
different components—not just the processor.
• There are many processor manufacturers for personal computers, but
the most well-known ones are Intel and AMD.
MOTHERBOARD
• The motherboard is the computer's main
circuit board.
• It's a thin plate that holds:
– the CPU
– Memory
– connectors for the hard drive and optical drives
– expansion cards to control the video and audio
– and connections to your computer's ports (such
as USB ports).
• The motherboard connects directly or indirectly
to every part of the computer.
2
4/2/2024
POWER SUPPLY UNIT

• The power supply unit in a computer converts
the power from the wall outlet to the type of
power needed by the computer.
• It sends power through cables to the motherboard
and other components.
• If you decide to open the computer case and take a
look, make sure to unplug the computer first.
• Before touching the inside of the computer, you
should touch a grounded metal object or a metal
part of the computer casing to discharge any static
buildup.
• Static electricity can be transmitted through the
computer circuits and ruin them.
RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY)

• RAM is your system's short-term memory.
• Whenever your computer performs calculations, it temporarily
stores the data in the RAM until it is needed.
• This short-term memory disappears when the computer is
turned off.
• If you're working on a document, spreadsheet, or other type of
file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it.
• When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which
acts as long-term storage.
• RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB).
• The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can
do at the same time.
• If you don't have enough RAM, you may notice that your
computer is sluggish when you have several programs open.
• Because of this, many people add extra RAM to their computers
to improve performance.
3
4/2/2024
HARD DRIVE
• The hard drive on your computer is where the software is
installed, and it's also where your documents and other files are
stored.
• The hard drive is long-term storage, which means the data is still
saved even if you turn the computer off or unplug it.
• When you run a program or open a file, the computer copies some
of the data from the hard drive onto the RAM.
• When you save a file, the data is copied back to the hard drive.
• The faster the hard drive is, the faster your computer can start up
and load programs.
EXPANSION CARDS
• Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard
that allow you to add various types of expansion cards.
• These are sometimes called PCI (peripheral component
interconnect) cards.
• You may never have to add any PCI cards because most
motherboards have built-in video, sound, network, and other
capabilities.
• However, if you want to boost the performance of your
computer or update the capabilities of an older computer,
you can always add one or more cards.
4
4/2/2024
EXPANSION CARDS
Video card
• The video card is responsible for what you see on the monitor.
• Most computers have a GPU (graphics processing unit) built into the
motherboard instead of having a separate video card.
• If you like playing graphics-intensive games, you can add a faster video card to one
of the expansion slots to get better performance.
Sound card
• The sound card, also called an audio card, is responsible for what you hear in
the speakers or headphones.
• Most motherboards have integrated sound, but you can upgrade to a dedicated
sound card for higher-quality sound.
Network card
• The network card allows your computer to communicate over a network and
access the Internet.
• It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection
(often called Wi-Fi).
• Many motherboards have built-in network connections, and a network card can
also be added to an expansion slot.
CHALLENGE!
Review the parts of the computer identified in this lesson. Make sure you know the function
of each part.
• Think creatively! In the videos, we compared the CPU to a brain, the hard drive to a closet,
and the motherboard to a blueprint. Do any of the computer parts listed remind you of
anything else?
• Find out your computer's processor speed. Is it measured in gigahertz or megahertz?
• How much RAM does your computer have?

Computer Basics - Inside A Computer - PowerPoint

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Computer Basics - Inside A Computer - PowerPoint

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Computer Basics - Inside A Computer - PowerPoint

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

4/2/2024

POWER SUPPLY UNIT

RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY)

You might also like