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PC Components
On the previous page, click on the arrows to find
out more about each component
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Power unit supply

• This is the Power Supply Unit (PSU), this is
  often overlooked when building a computer system.
  It supplies power to the motherboard, the drive
  units and fan which helps in cooling the
  computer.
• The PSU can supply the power for other devices
  like a printer or scanner. The PSU's come in 200
  watt and 250 watt sizes, as the most commonly
  used power supplies. However, a higher wattage
  unit (300w or 350w) will provide a more powerful
  supply of electricity for your computer.

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Power unit supply

• This is the Power Supply Unit (PSU), this is
  often overlooked when building a computer system.
  It supplies power to the motherboard, the drive
  units and fan which helps in cooling the
  computer.
• The PSU can supply the power for other devices
  like a printer or scanner. The PSU's come in 200
  watt and 250 watt sizes, as the most commonly
  used power supplies. However, a higher wattage
  unit (300w or 350w) will provide a more powerful
  supply of electricity for your computer.
• A poor quality PSU can greatly reduce the life
  span of a good system. A high quality PSU can
  also help reduce the noise or heat generated
  within a computer system. Most people need to
  purchase one either because the case did not have
  one or to replace an old one.

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5.25 inch drive bay unit

• The 5.25 inch drive bays can hold several
  different types of hardware. For example, you can
  include a CD or DVD player/re-writer, a 5.25 inch
  hard disk drive and if you use adapter plates you
  can include 3.5 inch disk drives.

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Case fans

• The case fans are very important and necessary to
  ensure that the computer continues to work
  properly. The computer components that are
  present in the computer generate significant
  amount of heat and must be kept as cool as
  possible. The case fan is the primary source of
  cooling for your computer. The fans are
  relatively cheap but essential. In computers with
  more powerful processors and many components it
  is advisable to fit an additional fan.

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Central processing unit (CPU)

• The microprocessor is the brain of the computer.
  A microprocessor comes with a heatsink and a fan
  to prevent it from overheating.
• The microprocessor contains the Central
  Processing Unit and it's cache memory. The
  Central Processing Unit or CPU, contains the
  Control Unit and the Arithmetic/logic Unit, both
  working together to process the data inside the
  computer. The control unit is actually the brain
  of the brain. The control unit controls the
  computer by fetching, decoding, executing, and
  storing the data inside the computer. The
  arithmetic/logic unit is kind of like the CPU's
  sergeant. It handles all the math calculations
  and logical comparisons for the CPU, working
  together with the control unit like team.

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Central processing unit (CPU)

• The microprocessor is the brain of the computer.
  A microprocessor comes with a heatsink and a fan
  to prevent it from overheating.
• The microprocessor contains the Central
  Processing Unit and it's cache memory. The
  Central Processing Unit or CPU, contains the
  Control Unit and the Arithmetic/logic Unit, both
  working together to process the data inside the
  computer. The control unit is actually the brain
  of the brain. The control unit controls the
  computer by fetching, decoding, executing, and
  storing the data inside the computer. The
  arithmetic/logic unit is kind of like the CPU's
  sergeant. It handles all the math calculations
  and logical comparisons for the CPU, working
  together with the control unit like team. The
  microprocessor's Level 1 cache memory, is memory
  that is contained within the CPU, and stores the
  most frequently used instructions and data. The
  CPU can access the cache memory much faster than
  having to access the RAM (Random Access Memory).

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Motherboard

• The motherboard allows all components to be
  connected together and allows communication
  between each of the components and without it the
  computer would be a collection of individual
  components. The Chipset manage and direct the
  flow of data between the components. The
  motherboard is kind of like the blood vessels
  inside the human body which connect to all the
  vital organs. Instead of blood vessels, the
  motherboard uses tiny electrical paths to connect
  each component of the computer. The BIOS is where
  the computer's settings are stored and changed.

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RAM

• RAM is simply an abbreviation for Random Access
  Memory. SDRAM is simply another abbreviation
  which stands for Synchronous Dynamic Random
  Access Memory. SDRAM is capable of performing
  effectively with the newer, higher data transfer,
  bus speeds, of 100Mhz and faster. A bus is simply
  a connection between two items on the
  motherboard. The data transfer speed is how fast
  the data travels between the two items.
• A computer's memory is like a person's memory,
  the more it has, the more it can remember.

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RAM

• RAM is simply an abbreviation for Random Access
  Memory. SDRAM is simply another abbreviation
  which stands for Synchronous Dynamic Random
  Access Memory. SDRAM is capable of performing
  effectively with the newer, higher data transfer,
  bus speeds, of 100Mhz and faster. A bus is simply
  a connection between two items on the
  motherboard. The data transfer speed is how fast
  the data travels between the two items. SDRAM
  modules usually are available in 16Mb, 32Mb,
  64Mb, 128Mb, and 256Mb sizes, each able to hold
  different amounts of data. The 16Mb module can
  hold 16M, (or 16,000,000) bytes of data. and so
  on. The memory module are produced as DIMM chips.
  DIMM stands for Duel In-line Memory Module.
  DIMM's have separate contact points on both sides
  of their boards. SIMM's (Single Inline Memory
  Modules), were connected to each other on both
  sides.
• A computer's memory is like a person's memory,
  the more it has, the more it can remember.

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3.5 inch drive bays

• You can have 3.5 Inch drive units inside the
  computer (called internal), or cased and outside
  the computer (called external). Popular types of
  3.5 Inch drives are a Zip Drive which is capable
  of storing a minimum of 100 megabytes
  (100,000,000 bytes) on Zip Disks. Also, we are
  all familiar with the 3.5 Inch 1.44Mb (1,440
  bytes) floppy drive, which stores considerably
  less information than the Zip Drive.
• A hard disk drives is normally also 3.5 inch in
  size and these are usually sealed and do not
  require removal of the disks. These can be hidden
  inside the computer. The hard drive are used to
  store your files and programs for everyday use.
  They are always there unless someone or something
  erases them. You can also have removable hard
  drives that are mounted in special case (caddies)
  that hold the drive unit. These can be swapped
  with different hard drive units.

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AGP expansion slot

• The AGP expansion Port allows you to add video
  expansion cards, such as, a video card with T.V.
  input/output. The video card is in charge of
  controlling your video display.
• The AGP expansion Port allows you to add video
  expansion cards, such as, the Asus TNT2 video
  card with T.V. input/output. Video expansion
  cards are also known as graphic expansion cards.
  AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port. AGP
  cards are capable of a higher and faster data
  transfer rate than PCI graphic cards.

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AGP expansion slot

• The AGP expansion Port allows you to add video
  expansion cards, such as, a video card with T.V.
  input/output. The video card is in charge of
  controlling your video display.
• The AGP expansion Port allows you to add video
  expansion cards, such as, the Asus TNT2 video
  card with T.V. input/output. Video expansion
  cards are also known as graphic expansion cards.
  AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port. AGP
  cards are capable of a higher and faster data
  transfer rate than PCI graphic cards.
• The video card is in charge of controlling your
  video display. The brain of a video card may be
  NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 3D Graphics and Video
  Accelerator Chip. It is responsible for making
  decisions for graphical data input and output. It
  is hid under the fan in the picture above to keep
  it cool so it won't overheat.

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PCI cards

• PCI slots in a computer allow you to connect
  components outside the computer, they can handle
  64 bits of data at a time, where ISA slots can
  only handle 32 bits at a time. PCI stands for
  Peripheral Component Interconnect.
• PCI slots in a computer can handle 64 bits of
  data at a time, where ISA slots can only handle
  32 bits at a time. PCI stands for Peripheral
  Component Interconnect. A 64 bit PCI slot or (PCI
  bus), has 64 connections to the motherboard. Each
  connection is capable of handling 1 bit of data
  at a time. A 32 bit ISA slot has 32 connections
  to the motherboard and can handle only 32 bits of
  data at a time.

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Shared PCI/ISA slot

• With this expansion slot you can choose either to
  use an ISA card or a PCI card, but not both. That
  is the reason it is called a shared PCI/ISA slot.
  You must choose one, or the other type of
  expansion card. This is a good place for a modem
  since modems are about 50/50 ISA and PCI.

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PCI/AGP controller

• Chipsets are like the motherboard's traffic cops.
  They direct the flow of data from one point to
  the other. Each chip in the chipset has its own
  particular job. This is chip 1 of 2 chips in the
  440BX Chipset.

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PCI/AGP controller

• Chipsets are like the motherboard's traffic cops.
  They direct the flow of data from one point to
  the other. Each chip in the chipset has its own
  particular job. This is chip 1 of 2 chips in the
  440BX Chipset.
• The 82443BX chip controls the data traffic
  between the microprocessor and the AGP card. Both
  chips share the task of controlling the PCI and
  main memory data flow.

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Power cable connector

• The Power Cable Connector is what connects the
  power supply cable to the drives. Once plugged
  into the device, it furnishes power to run the
  CD-ROM, Hard Drive, or any other drive.

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Power cable

• The power cables supply power from the power
  supply to the drives. The power cables are red,
  yellow, and black. The yellow wire furnishes 12
  volts of power. The red wire furnishes 5 volts of
  power. The two black wires are ground wires for
  each. Some drives, like the floppy, use a smaller
  cable and connector, but their wires are still
  the same voltage.

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IDE cable

• IDE stands for Integrated Device Electronics.
  EIDE is a newer standard of IDE and it stands for
  Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics. EIDE is
  three to four times faster than the IDE standard.
  You connect components such as the hard disk
  drives via the IDE cable, the master drive is the
  primary drive, and is normally on the end of a
  two connection IDE cable.

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IDE cable

• IDE stands for Integrated Device Electronics.
  EIDE is a newer standard of IDE and it stands for
  Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics. EIDE is
  three to four times faster than the IDE standard.
  You connect components such as the hard disk
  drives via the IDE cable, the master drive is the
  primary drive, and is normally on the end of a
  two connection IDE cable. The slave, or secondary
  drive, is connected to the IDE cable between the
  master drive and the motherboard IDE connection.
  Since data can not go to and from each drive at
  the same time, it is necessary to make one a
  master drive and the other a slave drive. This is
  done with a little jumper connection on the back
  of the drive. IDE cables consist of either 40
  individual wires, or 80 individual wires (for
  newer Ultra ATA/66 drives). Most of these wires
  are used to transfer data between the motherboard
  and the drive(s).

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I/O ports

• I/O stands for Input and Output. The most common
  instrument for input is the keyboard. When you
  type, you are putting information into the
  computer, which is known as input. The most
  common instrument for output is the monitor. When
  the information has made its way through the
  computer, it is sent out to the monitor for us to
  see. This is known as output.
• I/O (Input/Output) ports are
• - are two PS/2 ports (normally used for mouse
  and keyboard connections)
• - USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports
• - serial ports
• - printer port
• - game port for joysticks or other game
  controllers
• - microphone hook up, a speaker hook up

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PCI audio accelerator

• The PCI Audio Accelerator is a "helper" chip that
  increases, (or accelerates) the transfer of
  sound, (or audio) data. It also helps enhance the
  quality of the audio data. Motherboards commonly
  have several "helper" chips like this, that
  assist the Chipset in routing, directing, and
  enhancing the flow of data.

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ISA expansion slots

• ISA expansion slots are used for adding ISA
  expansion cards. ISA stands for Industry Standard
  Architecture. PCI slots are newer and faster than
  ISA slots, but still, many modems and other
  expansion cards are still frequently used for ISA
  slots.

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Optional speaker

• This is an optional speaker, most cases come with
  a speaker. This speaker is used for computer
  warning beeps, or an occasional generic sound
  from a program. You rarely ever even hear the
  case speaker, and can sometimes bypass it through
  your regular, "good" speakers.

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PCI ISA IDE accelerator

• This is chip 2 of 2 chipset in the 440BX Chipset.
  It is slightly less important than the other
  chip, but of all the motherboard's components, it
  is still one of the most important. Without it,
  the computer could not operate.

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Motherboard battery

• The battery is used to preserve the computer's
  clock's time, and your BIOS settings while the
  computer is turned off. Some of the newer
  motherboards only need the battery in case of a
  power outage. They draw the needed electricity
  from your house's electrical outlet, as long as
  the computer stays plugged in and the power does
  not get shut off.

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BIOS

• BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. The
  BIOS is always there, written permanently on the
  BIOS chip. It is used to set up the computer's
  hardware. Every time you boot your computer, you
  have the option of entering "Setup." Setup is
  where you access the BIOS program. Only
  experienced users should alter the BIOS settings.
  Improper BIOS settings can cause major problems
  on a computer.

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BIOS

• BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. The
  BIOS is always there, written permanently on the
  BIOS chip. It is used to set up the computer's
  hardware. Every time you boot your computer, you
  have the option of entering "Setup." Setup is
  where you access the BIOS program. Only
  experienced users should alter the BIOS settings.
  Improper BIOS settings can cause major problems
  on a computer. The BIOS chip contains enough
  information to operate the computer by itself.
  When the computer is first turned on (booted),
  the BIOS program is in charge. After booting and
  performing a few system checks, the BIOS turns
  the computer over to your operating system.

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Optional case fan

• An optional case fan is a good idea particularly
  newer more powerful systems, with more and more
  components being added to newer computers it is a
  good idea to assist the case fan, sharing the
  cooling duties.

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Case front panel

• The front panel is the main interface with any
  user and is the first thing you see. This will
  allow access to
• - the 5.25 inch drive units (CD/DVD units)
• - the 3.5 inch drive units (Floppy drive, Zip
  Drive)
• - start switch (on/off)
• - reset switch
• - power on led indicator
• - hard drive activity light
• - the newer systems now have USB connections at
  the front for ease of use

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Case top

• All the case parts are important for the
  protection of the computers internal components.

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Case rear panel

• There are a lot of openings at the back of the
  computers case, this is where various external
  peripherals and power supply are connected to
  allow the computer to function, these include
• - main power on/off
• - power supply input
• - peripheral connections (monitor, printer,
  external modem, audio output, phone input,
  scanners etc.)
• - all expansion cards are at the bottom of a
  tower unit (the same applies to desktop units,
  but the will have a different layout
  configuration)

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Case bottom

• All the case parts are important for the
  protection of the computers internal components.

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Hard drive

• The hard drive is where all of the programs and
  data are stored.
• The data is represented as a magnetic pattern.
• Reading data onto and off a hard disk is much
  faster that using a floppy disk.
• Hard disk drives are more reliable than floppy
  disk drives.
• Hard disks can have a huge storage capacity.
  Many newer PCs have in the region of 60 GB hard
  disks.

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