Internal parts of a computer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A microprocessor the brain of the computer

Coordinates and controls all other parts of the computer

Does the actual computing (mathematical and logical operations)

Ex. Intel Pentium 4/ AMD

The Motherboard

The main circuit board that contains and connects a number of other part.

Allows all parts to receive power and communicate to one another

RAM

High- speed, short term memory the computers uses to store the programs
and data it is running (hard drive and disks are too slow)

The more RAM a computer has, the more work it can do at one time.

When the power is turned off, everything in RAM disappears for good.
ROM

Built-in computer memory containing data that normally can only be read,
not written to.

Contains the programming that allows your commuter to be booted up or

regenerated each time you turn it on.

The data ROM is not lost when the computer power

Operating system

The operating system acts as the interface between the application and the
computer system.

The following are examples of operating systems

o

Microsoft Windows, Unix, Linux, and Macintosh.

Computer Case

The hard shell in which your computer parts are stored

Monitors

computer screen or display

Displays the computers user interface and open programs.

Allows the user to interact with the computer.

CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD Drives

CD-RW- allows a computer to read from and write to CDs.

DVD Drives- digital versatile disc or digital video disc.

Expansion Slot

A slot or area located on the motherboard that allows additional boards or

expansion cards to be added, to give the computer additional capabilities.
Fan

Keeps the computer and parts cool by circulating air, bringing air into the
computer case and removing hot air from the case.
Expansion Cards

An electronic board added to the computer that provides additional

capabilities for the computer.
Sound card

Lets us hear sound from the computer.

Video/Graphic card

Allows the user to see images/pictures/text on the computer.

Ports

Parts on the back of the motherboard that enables a computer to

communicate with other devices, such as printers or modems.
Power supply

Part that allows the computer to run.

Converts electricity from a wall switch into the proper form needed to rin the
computer. (Alternating Current to Direct Current)
Hard Drive

The built-in, long term storage compartment of the computer

Stores programs and vast amounts of data

Data bus

Determines CPUs speed

Sends and receives data from memory

Address Bus

Sets of wires connecting the CPU to the memory

Every storage location in the computers memory has a unique address

Sends an address to memory.