What Parts Make Up A Computer

hugepedia — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:54:22 +0000

In order for a computer to work properly, it has to contain some basic parts. A microprocessor, internal memory, data and command bus and external memory; all these components are mounted inside a computer case.

The microprocessor - it represents the brain of the computer, the coordinator of all the operations that are made. A microprocessor contains inside areas in which it can save data of short lengths. These locations are named registry, and each registry has a special name (AX, BX, etc.). From all the registry, there is one which has a special role, and that is the IP registry (Instruction Pointer). The microprocessor is connected to the other computer parts through the data bus and command bus.

The internal memory – physical, it is made out of more integrated circuits with a role in keeping the information, which have an exterior aspect that resembles with the microprocessor. The microprocessor can write or read data from the memory. Reading requires obtaining the saved information, and the writing consists in the submission of information in memory. The internal memory is made out of more parts with equal sizes, which are named memory spaces. The memory spaces are numbered in order starting with the value of 0 (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). These tags which are put over the memory spaces are named memory addresses.

The data bus and command bus – even though the name is pretentious, these buses are nothing but a bunch of wires (copper tracks on a printed circuit board). Of course, on the command bus are running the commands, and on the data bus are running the transferred data between the computer’s components. All the devices which are different than the microprocessor or the internal memory are named peripheral. The screen, the printer, are named output peripherals because the data are coming out of the internal memory and go to the devices. The keyboard is a input peripheral because the data are running backwards, from the exterior into the internal memory.

The external memory – is represented by magnetic disks, which have the property to read and write information of the magnetic support. The external memory usually has a bigger capacity than the internal ones. In the external memory are saved more programs and their corresponding data. The external memory is made out of hard drives and floppy disks. The hard drives are usually mounted inside the computer case and can be detached from the computer only by the removal of the case. The flexible disks are introduced in a particular space, are used as long as are needed, after which can be removed easily. Thanks to the constructive module, the hard drives have a very large storage capacity for the information and a very high writing speed. The hard drives are used for massive data saving or for fast program running. The flexible disks, with a smaller storage capacity, are used to transfer data between computers or to keep some important information into a safe place.

Pictures Of Basic Computer Parts

hugepedia — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:31:46 +0000

Inside any computer you will find some basic parts. The basic parts are the minimum required for a computer to function properly in any application. So we have the outer case, the motherboard, the microprocessor, the video card, the memory, the network interface card, the hard drive, the sound card, the floppy disk drive and the optical drive.

You will be provided below with a list of computer parts, each with its description and descriptive picture in order for you to understand better which is which and what is does.

Let’s start with the motherboard, which is one of the main parts without which the computer cannot work. It’s practicaly the support for the other parts which are attached to it, and it’s main role is to create the links between all the pieces you have in your computer.

Followed by the processor, or the microprocessor which is the central unit of information processing of a computer, which coordinates the system and which physically presents as an electronic chip. It controls the activities of the whole system and can process the user’s data. It’s the main element of a computer system; the chip, that is placed on the motherboard is very complex, and can reach up to millions of transistors. The microprocessor insures the data and instruction processing, both from the operating system as the ones from inside the user’s applications; it reads, process and control the applications and executes or supervises the information transfer and controls the general activity of the other components that make up the system.

The video card, or graphics accelerator card, is an expansion card whose function is to generate and output images to a display

The RAM, or the Random Access Memory, is the generic name for any type of memory that can be:

- random accessed, offering direct access to any of its location or address in any order, even randomly;

- implemented on electronic chips (and not on magnetic or optical devices as the hard disks or CDs).

The network interface card, or LAN adapter, is an expansion card designed for allowing the computers to connect to a network of computers.

The hard drive, or hard disc, is an electro-mechanical device for data storage or saving. Data saving is done on a magnetic surface on the rounded metallically cups.

The sound card, or the audio card, is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs.

The CD-ROM, or the Compact Disc Read-Only Memory: is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains accessible data to a computer for data storage and music playback. The CD-ROM doesn’t allow the computer to write anything to a CD.

The Floppy Disk Drive, or floppy drive, diskette drive, 3.5 inch drive, 5.25 inch drive, reads data from and writes data to a small disk. The most common type is the 3.5 inch drive followed by the completely 5.25 inch drive, among other sizes.

So now you know how basic computer parts look like and what are used for. We hope this information has been useful and has answered your questions and doubts about computer parts.

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What Parts Make Up A Computer

Pictures Of Basic Computer Parts