What is the device that used to supply the components inside the computer system?
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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. Show
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:
A breakdown of these items is shown in Table 2.4. Table 2.4 Basic PC ComponentsComponent 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." For typical desktop computers, the processor, main memory, secondary memory, power supply, and supporting hardware are housed in a metal case. Many of the components are connected to the main circuit board of the computer, called the motherboard. The power supply supplies power for most of the components. Various input devices (such as the keyboard) and output devices (such as the monitor) are attached through connectors at the rear of the case. Computer hardware is a collective term used to describe any of the physical components of an analog or digital computer. The term hardware distinguishes the tangible aspects of a computing device from software, which consists of written, machine-readable instructions or programs that tell physical components what to do and when to execute the instructions. Hardware and software are complementary. A computing device can function efficiently and produce useful output only when both hardware and software work together appropriately. Computer hardware can be categorized as being either internal or external components. Generally, internal hardware components are those necessary for the proper functioning of the computer, while external hardware components are attached to the computer to add or enhance functionality. What are internal computer hardware components?Internal components collectively process or store the instructions delivered by the program or operating system (OS). These include the following:
Other computing components, such as USB ports, power supplies, transistors and chips, are also types of internal hardware. This computer hardware chart below illustrates what typical internal computer hardware components look like.  What are external hardware components?External hardware components, also called peripheral components, are those items that are often externally connected to the computer to control either input or output functions. These hardware devices are designed to either provide instructions to the software (input) or render results from its execution (output). Common input hardware components include the following:
Other input hardware components include joysticks, styluses and scanners. Examples of output hardware components include the following:
Hardware vs. softwareHardware refers to the computer's tangible components or delivery systems that store and run the written instructions provided by the software. The software is the intangible part of the device that lets the user interact with the hardware and command it to perform specific tasks. Computer software includes the following:
On mobile devices and laptop computers, virtual keyboards are also considered software because they're not physical. Since the software and hardware depend on each other to enable a computer to produce useful output, the software must be designed to work properly with the hardware. The presence of malicious software, or malware, such as viruses, Trojan horses, spyware and worms, can have a huge effect on computer programs and a system's OS. Hardware is not affected by malware, though. However, malware can affect the system in other ways. For example, it can consume a large portion of the computer's memory or even replicate itself to fill the device's hard drive. This slows down the computer and may also prevent legitimate programs from running. Malware can also prevent users from accessing the files in the computer's hardware storage. What is hardware virtualization?Hardware virtualization is the abstraction of physical computing resources from the software that uses those resources. Simply put, when software is used to create virtual versions of hardware instead of using physical, tangible hardware components for some computing function, it is known as hardware virtualization. Sometimes referred to as platform or server virtualization, hardware virtualization is executed on a particular hardware platform by host software. It requires a virtual machine manager called a hypervisor that creates virtual versions of internal hardware. This enables the hardware resources of one physical machine to be shared among OSes and applications and to be used more efficiently. In cloud computing, hardware virtualization is often associated with infrastructure as a service (IaaS), a delivery model that provides hardware resources over high-speed internet. A cloud service provider (CSP), such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, hosts all the hardware components that are traditionally present in an on-premises data center, including servers, storage and networking hardware, as well the software that makes virtualization possible. This makes IaaS and CSPs different from hardware as a service (HaaS) provider that hosts only hardware but not software. Typically, an IaaS provider also supplies a range of services to accompany infrastructure components, such as the following:
Some CSPs also provide storage resiliency services, such as automated backup, replication and disaster recovery. What is hardware as a service?While it's common for individuals or businesses to purchase computer hardware and then periodically replace or upgrade it, they can also lease physical and virtual hardware from a service provider. The provider then becomes responsible for keeping hardware up to date, including its various physical components and the software running on it. This is known as the HaaS model. The biggest advantage of HaaS is that it reduces the costs of hardware purchases and maintenance, enabling organizations to shift from a capital expense budget to a generally less expensive operating expense budget. Also, since most HaaS offerings are based on a pay-as-you-go model, it makes it easier for organizations to control costs, while still having access to the hardware they need for their operational and business continuity. In HaaS, physical components that belong to a managed service provider (MSP) are installed at a customer's site. A service-level agreement (SLA) defines the responsibilities of both parties. The customer may either pay a monthly fee for using the MSP's hardware, or its use may be incorporated into the MSP's fee structure for installing, monitoring and maintaining the hardware. Either way, if the hardware breaks down or becomes outdated, the MSP is responsible for repairing or replacing it. Depending upon the terms of the SLA, decommissioning hardware may include wiping proprietary data, physically destroying hard drives and certifying that old equipment has been recycled legally. What device supplies all components in a computer with power?A power supply unit (PSU) converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer. Modern personal computers universally use switched-mode power supplies.
What is the name of the device that connects everything inside your computer?The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the video and audio, and connections to your computer's ports (such as USB ports).
What is used to plug all other components into the system?The Motherboard is used to plug all other components into the system. It uses a Bus Network to allow components to communicate. The CPU is known as the 'brains' of the computer. It carries out processing and turns data into Information.
What are the components used for computer system?There are five basic components which include:. Input Unit.. Output Unit.. Memory Unit.. Control Unit.. Arithmetical and Logical Unit.. |
