System Components
A modern PC is both
simple and complicated. It is simple in the sense that over the years, many of
the components used to construct a system have become integrated with other
components into fewer and fewer actual parts. It is complicated in the sense that
each part in a modern system performs many more functions than did the same
types of parts in older systems.
This section briefly
examines all the components and peripherals in a modern PC system. Each item is
discussed further in later chapters.
Here are the components
and peripherals necessary to assemble a basic modern PC system:
- Motherboard
- Processor
- Memory (RAM)
- Case/chassis
- Power supply
- Floppy drive
- Hard disk
- CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD-ROM drive
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Video card
- Monitor (display)
- Sound card
- Speakers
- Modem
·
Basic
PC Components
Component
|
Description
|
Motherboard
|
The motherboard is the core of the system. It
really is the PC; everything else is connected to it, and it controls
everything in the system. Microprocessors are covered in detail in Chapter 3,
"Microprocessor Types and Specifications."
|
Processor
|
The processor is often thought of as the
"engine" of the computer. It's also called the CPU (central
processing unit).
|
Memory (RAM)
|
The system memory is often called RAM (for
random access memory). This is the primary memory, which holds all the
programs and data the processor is using at a given time. Memory is covered
in detail in Chapter 6, "Memory."
|
Case/chassis
|
The case is the frame or chassis that houses
the motherboard, power supply, disk drives, adapter cards, and any other
physical components in the system. The case is covered in detail in Chapter
21, "Power Supply and Chassis/Case."
|
Power supply
|
The power supply is what feeds electrical
power to every single part in the PC. The power supply is covered in detail
in Chapter 21.
|
Floppy drive
|
The floppy drive is a simple, inexpensive,
low-capacity, removable-media, magnetic storage device.
|
Hard drive
|
The hard disk is the primary archival storage
memory for the system. Hard disk drives are also covered in detail in Chapter
10, "Hard Disk Storage."
|
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
|
CD-ROM (compact disc read-only) and DVD-ROM
(digital versatile disc read-only) drives are relatively high-capacity,
removable media, optical drives. These drives are covered in detail in
Chapter 13, "Optical Storage."
|
Keyboard
|
The keyboard is the primary device on a PC
that is used by a human to communicate with and control a system. Keyboards
are covered in detail in Chapter 18, "Input Devices."
|
Mouse
|
Although many types of pointing devices are on
the market today, the first and most popular device for this purpose is the
mouse. The mouse and other pointing devices are covered in detail in Chapter
18.
|
Video card
|
The video card controls the information you
see on the monitor. Video cards are covered in detail in Chapter 15,
"Video Hardware."
|
Monitor
|
Monitors are covered in detail in Chapter 15.
|
Sound card
|
It enables the PC to generate complex sounds.
Sound cards and speakers are covered in detail in Chapter 16, "Audio
Hardware."
|
Modem
|
Most prebuilt PCs ship with a modem (generally
an internal modem). Modems and other Internet-connectivity devices and
methods are covered in Chapter 19, "Internet Connectivity."
|
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