COMPUTER
HARDWARE
PARTS & FUNCTIONS
BY: RAY LAURENZ T. MONTEROLA
External Components
Mouse
The mouse is a pointing
device that sends control
signals into the computer.
It is used to move the
cursor (usually arrow icon)
on the screen and to
perform click actions.
Back
Monitor
It is used to display data
in visual form (which can
only be seen). The images
it display are where the
user gets information.
Back
Keyboard
This contains set of keys
that are used to input
characters (letters,
numbers) and control
signals into the computer.
Back
Automatic Voltage Regulator
It protects the computer
from changes in the
electricity that may
damage the computer
components. It regulates
the voltage that goes to
the computer.
Back
System Unit
It serves as a container of
the computer’s internal
parts (motherboard, CPU,
etc.)
Back
THE INTERNAL
COMPONENTS
Internal Components
Power Supply Unit
It converts the main
alternating current into
low-voltage direct current
that is supplied to other
parts.
A power supply unit has
its own fan.
Hard Disk Drive
It is the main storage
device of the computer. It
is where most of the files
of the computer (such as
the ones found in
Desktop) are stored.
Optical Disc Drive
It reads or writes data into
optical discs (CD, DVD,
Blu-ray Disc).
Random Access Memory Module
It is the temporary
storage device of the
computer. It is used to
hold the data that the
computer is working on.
The black rectangles are
called RAM chips.
Central Processing Unit
This is referred to as the
computer’s brain as it
does the processing job of
the computer. This means
that it is responsible for
manipulating the data.
CPU Fan and Heatsink
These two components
work together in keeping
the CPU from
overheating. The metal is
called the heatsink as it
conducts heat from the
CPU while the CPU fan
blows the air to the
heatsink.
See next slide to know the
airflow
System Fan
This is found at the left
side panel and the back
panel of the system unit.
It directs the flow of air in
the system unit.
Motherboard
It is the main circuit board
of the computer that
connects all other parts.
PARTS OF THE
MOTHERBOARD
Expansion Slots
These are where the
expansion cards such as
modem card and graphics
card are installed. These
are different types of
slots.
RAM Slots
These are where the RAM
modules are installed.
Northbridge
Located between the CPU
socket, Expansion slots,
and RAM slots.
It coordinates the flow of
data between the CPU,
graphics card, and RAM
Southbridge
Located below the
expansion slots, the
Southbridge handles all of
the computer’s
input/output functions.
The location of the two Chipsets
BIOS Chip
It stands for Basic
Input/Output System.
It contains the program
that checks devices to
know if the computer is
ready to startup.
CMOS RAM
It is the one that holds
data used by the BIOS or
Operating System. These
data includes time, date,
BIOS password.
CMOS Battery
It provides the power
used by the CMOS RAM
so that even when the
computer is off, the
CMOS RAM can still keep
data (this means time and
date will not be reset).
Back Panel Ports
Located at the back of the
motherboard. This is
where most of the
computer peripherals are
connected. These
peripherals include the
keyboard, mouse, and
printer.
Front Panel Headers
It is mostly located at the
left and front side of the
motherboard. Most
computers have three
front panel headers:
system panel headers,
audio headers, USB
headers.
CPU Socket
It is where the CPU is
installed.
20+4 Pin ATX Main Power Connector
It is where the 20+4 Pin
ATX Main Power
Connector of the PSU is
connected.
4 Pin ATX 12V Power Connector
It is where the 4 Pin ATX
12V Power Connector of
the PSU is connected.
CPU Fan Header
It is where the CPU fan is
connected to get its
power.