Inside the System Unit
Inside the System Unit • System unit: The main case of a computer • A system unit, also known as base unit, is the main body of a desktop computer. – Houses the processing hardware for a computer – Also contains memory, the power supply, cooling fans, and interfaces to connect peripheral devices – Houses the drive bays in which storage devices (hard drives, DVD drives, etc.) are located – With a desktop PC, usually looks like a rectangular box
Power Supply • The power supply is a device [box] inside the system that converts A.C into D.C means changes normal household electricity into electricity that a computer can use. • The power supply has a fan that provides the system and components from overheating.
The Motherboard • Computer chip: A very small pieces of silicon or other semi-conducting material onto which integrated circuits are embedded • Circuit board: A thin board containing computer chips and other electronic components • Motherboard or system board: The main circuit board inside the system unit – All computer components must connect to the motherboard – External devices (monitors, keyboards, mice, printers) typically connect by plugging into a port exposed through the exterior of the system unit
Central Processing Unit • Small piece of semi-conducting material on which integrated circuits are etched. • It controls all the processing in a computer. Interprets and carries out basic instructions that operate a computer • It is also called brain of the computer. Or Processor. • Most PCs today use CPU chips (micro processor) of two kinds – those based on the model made by INTEL and MOTOROLA.
Processing Speed • CPU clock speed: One measurement of processing speed – Measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz) – Higher CPU clock speed = more instructions processed per second • Alternate measure of processing
Power Supply • The power supply is a device [box] inside the system that converts A.C into D.C means changes normal household electricity into electricity that a computer can use. • The power supply has a fan that provides the system and components from overheating.
The Motherboard • Computer chip: A very small pieces of silicon or other semi-conducting material onto which integrated circuits are embedded • Circuit board: A thin board containing computer chips and other electronic components • Motherboard or system board: The main circuit board inside the system unit – All computer components must connect to the motherboard – External devices (monitors, keyboards, mice, printers) typically connect by plugging into a port exposed through the exterior of the system unit
Central Processing Unit • Small piece of semi-conducting material on which integrated circuits are etched. • It controls all the processing in a computer. Interprets and carries out basic instructions that operate a computer • It is also called brain of the computer. Or Processor. • Most PCs today use CPU chips (micro processor) of two kinds – those based on the model made by INTEL and MOTOROLA.
Processing Speed • CPU clock speed: One measurement of processing speed – Measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz) – Higher CPU clock speed = more instructions processed per second • Alternate measure of processing