Download How PC Parts Work

~How PC Parts Work~
(30 MARKS)
List 4 External components you can see on the PC in front of
you and describe the basic function of each one.
• 1) DVD Drive – takes the information of the DVD and projects it onto the monitor.
• 2) Monitor – displays video and graphics which is generated from the computers
graphics card.
• 3) Keyboard – a set of typewriter like keys that allow you to type what you want
onto the screen.
• 4) USB Drive – takes the information from the USB, whether it’s photos, music, or
other documents.
Inside of the case are internal components. List 6
components and describe the basic function of each
one.
• 1) Power Supply - A power supply is an electronic device that supplies electric
energy to an electrical load.
• 2) Motherboard - A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) found
in general purpose microcomputers and other expandable systems.
• 3) RAM - RAM or Random Access Memory is a type of computer memory that
can be accessed randomly.
• 4) Video Graphics Card - A video card connects to the motherboard of a
computer system and generates output images to display.
• 5) ROM - Once data has been written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be removed
and can only be read. ROM retains its contents even when the computer is
turned off.
• 6) Hard Drive - A hard drive disk is a non-volatile memory hardware device that
permanently stores and retrieves information.
List 7 Communication Parts. Describe the
appearance and common uses of each one.
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1) Keyboard – a keyboard looks like a smaller, more efficient typewriter. You can type
what you want and it will appear on screen.
2) Mouse – a mouse is a little hand held device that allows you to click on what ever
you want and it “guides” the computer.
3) DVD Drive – a DVD drive is a little slot in the computer where you’re able to put in a
DVD and sync all the storage off that DVD onto the computer.
4) USB – a USB is a little stick of memory that you can stick into the computer to input
data like, photos, music and other documents.
5) Power Supply – the power supply looks like a bunch of devices with a fan on the
side of a case and it converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the
internal components of a computer.
6) Motherboard – a mother board hold together many of the crucial components of a
computer, including the central processing unit (CPU), memory and connectors for
input and output devices.
7) Video Card – video card looks like a rectangle with an opening at the top that looks
like a fan and its used for generation output images to display. They’re also referred to
as graphics cards.
Compare Primary and Secondary Storage.
• Primary storage typically refers to random access memory
(RAM)
• Secondary storage refers to the computer's internal hard
drive.
• A primary storage device is RAM. 
• A secondary storage device is
Explain what a byte, mega byte, and a gigabyte are.
• Byte – a byte is a unit of data that is eight binary digits long.
• Mega Byte – a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. Its
recommended unit symbol is MB.
• Gigabyte – a measure of computer data storage capacity that is roughly
equivalent to 1 billion bytes.
---------------------------------------------------------------Byte - 8Bits= 1 byte(s)
KB - Kilobyte = 1000 bytes
MB - Megabyte= 1,000,000 bytes
GB – Gigabyte= 1,000,000,000 bytes