HARDWARE

HARDWARE
The physical parts of a computer are called hardware.

HARDWARE
We can divided the computer hardware into the four main groups: 1. 2. 3. 4. System Unit Input Unit Output Unit Storage Unit.

SYSTEM UNIT
The System Unit contains the main component of a computer such as the mainboard, CPU, RAM and some optional parts such as sound card, network card.

SYSTEM UNIT
Main components (parts) Optional components

1. Computer case 2. Motherboard (mainboard) 3. CPU (processor) 4. RAM 5. ROM 6. Video card 7. Power Supply

1. Sound card 2. Network card 3. Modem 4. TV card 5. Radio card

SYSTEM UNIT COMPUTER CASE

Types of the computer cases: 1. Desktop case 2. Mini tower case The computer case is only the metal and plastic box that holds the computer parts together and protects them.

3. Mid tower case

4. Full (big) tower case

SYSTEM UNIT MAINBOARD

The mainboard (also called motherboard or system board) is the biggest board inside computer case.

SYSTEM UNIT MAINBOARD

SYSTEM UNIT MAINBOARD

SYSTEM UNIT MAINBOARD

SYSTEM UNIT CPU Central Processing Unit

The CPU is one of the most important and expensive component in your computer. The main CPU manufacturers today are INTEL (Pentium processors) and AMD (Athlon processors). CPU speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz).

CPU

The CPU is located on mainboard.

SYSTEM UNIT CPU Cooler: Fan and Heat Sink

The CPU produces too much heat during operation. If excessive heat will not be enough cooled this heat may damage the CPU. Every CPU has a cooler system with a small fan and heat sink.

SYSTEM UNIT RAM (Random Access memory )

RAM is the temporary memory which is used to keep data and programs in use. When you turn off the computer all information on RAM will disappear.

RAM

The RAM is located on mainboard.

SYSTEM UNIT ROM (Read only memory )

ROM is located in a chip on the mainboard which is stores a program to load operating system program on booting and has BIOS program (basic input output system) to operate the main part of a computer such as keyboard, disk drives

SYSTEM UNIT Video Card

Video card is used for to connect your monitor to your computer and produce text and graphics to show on monitor.

SYSTEM UNIT Power Supply

The power supply transforms the city electricity (wall outlet) 220V to the lower voltages such as 5 and 12V. Power Supply supports the power to computer parts.

SYSTEM UNIT Power Supply

Power supply

SYSTEM UNIT Sound Card

The sound card produces the sound and send the sound to the computer speakers.

SYSTEM UNIT Network Card

The network card connects one computer to the another computer on the computer network. By the help of the network card and cable computers on the network can communicate each other.

SYSTEM UNIT Modem

A modem connects your computer to the telephone system. If you use internet using your telephone line or if you send fax from your computer you need a modem.
External modem Internal modem

INPUT UNIT
A computer uses input devices to get in data. The most common input devices are the keyboard and the mouse. Other examples for the input devices are a scanner, joystick, light pen, touch screen, webcam, and digital camera.

INPUT UNIT
Keyboard
A keyboard is the most common device to enter information into a computer.

INPUT UNIT
Mouse
A mouse is the another popular input device. By clicking and moving your mouse you can operate your computer. When you move mouse on the table, mouse pointer on the screen will move.

INPUT UNIT
Scanner
You can use a scanner to transfer your picture and text to the computer.

INPUT UNIT
Microphone
A microphone is used to record and transfer sound to your computer.

INPUT UNIT
Joystick
A joystick is another kind of pointing device which is often used for computer games.

INPUT UNIT
Webcam
A webcam is a small digital camera which allows you to exchange sound and video through the Internet or on the computer network.

INPUT UNIT
Digital Camera
A Digital Camera electronically snaps pictures and store them in memory instead of on traditional film. You can transfer the pictures in digital cameras memory to computer and you can see them instantly.

OUTPUT UNIT
A computer uses output devices to show information. The most common input devices are the monitor, printer, plotter, speaker.

OUTPUT UNIT
Monitor
A monitor, or computer screen displays images and text produced by the programs. The monitor is connected to the video card. There are two types of monitors: CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The size of a monitor measure in inch such as 15", 17"
CRT monitor LCD monitor

A 15 inch screen, 15 inch = 38,1 cm.

OUTPUT UNIT
Printer
A printer is an output device which prints text and graphics onto the paper. There are three types of printers: Laser printer, inkjet printer and dot matrix printer.
Dot matrix printer Inkjet printer Laser printer

OUTPUT UNIT
Plotter
A plotter is an output device similar to the printer, but can print the large images.

OUTPUT UNIT
Plotter

OUTPUT UNIT
Plotter

OUTPUT UNIT
Plotter

OUTPUT UNIT
Speakers and Headphones
A speaker gives out the sound which is produced by your computers sound card. Speakers is connected to the sound card by a audio cable.

STORAGE UNIT
A computer uses storage devices to keep (store) information. The most common storage devices are the hard disk, compact disc, floppy disk, zip disk, flash disk, and tape.

STORAGE UNIT
HARD DISK
A hard disk is also called fixed disk or winchester. It is the secondary memory to store programs and information. Hard disk is the main and largest storage device which is located inside the computer case.

Two hard disks are installed in this computer.

STORAGE UNIT
HARD DISK

An earlier hard disk

STORAGE UNIT
FLOPPY DISK
A floppy disk is also called diskette. It is the portable memory to store programs and information. If you compare to hard disk It is very slow and has very small storage capacity.

STORAGE UNIT
FLOPPY DISK

FLOPPY DISK
Front view

One floppy disk is installed in this computer.

STORAGE UNIT
COMPACT DISC
Compact disc also called optical disk is portable memory to store programs. It has smaller capacity than hard disk but larger than floppy disk. CD-ROM: Compact Disc Read Only Memory

DVD-ROM: Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc - Read Only Memory CD-ROM has 650 to 700 MB (450 times larger then a diskette) and DVD-ROM has 4.7 to 8.5 GB capacity.

STORAGE UNIT
COMPACT DISC

CD-ROM drive

STORAGE UNIT
ZIP DISK
Zip disk is permanent and portable memory to store programs and information. It is similar to floppy disk but has much capacity. They can have up to 750 MB capacity.

STORAGE UNIT
FLASH DISK
Flash disk is permanent and portable memory to store programs and information. They can have from 256MB to several GB variety capacities.

STORAGE UNIT
Magnetic Tape

A magnetic tape is permanent and portable memory to store programs and information. They look like a music cassette, but with much capacity. They are often used for backup to make a safe copy of important data that a company or a user doesn't want to lose.