IT Fundamentals Module 3_System Components

Cooling System

A cooling system is a computer system component that prevents damage to other computer parts by dissipating the heat generated inside a computer chassis. The cooling system can consist of one or more fans and other components such as heat sinks or liquid cooling systems that service the entire computer as well as individual components, such as the power supply and CPU.

Daughter Board

A daughterboard is type of circuit board that plugs in or is attached to the motherboard or similar expansion card to extend its features and services. Connects directly to the motherboard. Unlike expansion cards, which connect with the motherboard using bus and other serial interfaces, daughterboards are usually directly embedded through soldering. Like a motherboard, a daughterboard has sockets, pins, plugs and connectors to be attached to other boards. Typically, daughterboards are released as a post-launch update to a motherboard or expansion card.

Display Device

A display device is a personal computer component that enables users to view the text and graphical data output from a computer. Common display devices include televisions, monitors, and projectors.

Componentization

A functional PC is a combination of several constituent parts. Each part is considered a field-replaceable unit (FRU), meaning it can be quickly replaced when faulty or easily upgraded when needed. Componentization keeps maintenance costs low and reduces downtime.

Optical Drive

A hardware device that uses lasers or light to read from, and maybe even write to, CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs.

Mobile Device

A mobile device is a handheld tablet or other device that is made for portability, and is therefore both compact and lightweight.

Heat Sink

A piece of metal, with cooling fins, that can be attached to or mounted on an integrated chip (such as the CPU) to dissipate heat.

Labtop Computer

A portable personal computer that is thin and lightweight, yet can be as powerful as the average desktop computer.

Power Supply

A power supply is a computer system component that converts line-voltage alternating current (AC) power from an electrical outlet to the low-voltage direct current (DC) power needed by other system components. The power supply is often referred to as the power supply unit (PSU).

Riser Card

A riser card is a board that plugs into the motherboard and provides additional expansion slots for adapter cards. Because it rises above the motherboard, it enables you to connect additional adapters to the system in an orientation that is parallel to the motherboard and thus saves space within the system case. Used for rackmount server implementations to provide additional slots for expanding the features of a server and in low rise smaller cases to fit larger expansion cards.

RAM

A temporary short-term type of storage used to store processed information for quick access. RAM is considered volatile memory because it is not persistent. When the computer is turned off, all the data that was stored in RAM is lost.

Expansion Card

An expansion card is a printed circuit board that you install into an expansion slot on the computer's system board to expand the functionality of the computer.

Front/Read Computer Fan

Attached to a computer case, used for active cooling to draw cooler air into the case from the outside and expel warm air from inside

System (BIOS) Basic Input/Output System

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a set of instructions that is stored in ROM and that is used to start the most basic services of a computer system. Every computer has a system BIOS, which sets the computer's configuration and environment when the system is powered on. It is located in ROM chips on the system board. Computers may also include other devices that have their own BIOS to control their functions.

Form Factor

Computer cases are manufactured using several different standard sizes (Examples include ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX)

Storage Device

Devices that contain non-volatile memory for saving or maintaining data. A storage device is a computer system component, such as a hard drive, that enables users to save data for reuse at a later time, even after the personal computer is shut down and restarted. Storage devices can save data magnetically, optically, or electronically, depending on their design. Common storage devices include Hard disk drives (HDD), Solid-state drives (SSD), Optical drives (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, and Blu-ray) and Flash Drives

Peripheral Device

External devices provide alternative input and output methods or additional data storage. Common examples of peripheral devices include input devices (microphones, cameras, scanners), output devices (speakers and printers), and storage devices (external drives)

Heat Sink Fan

Fan that keeps a hot component, such as a processor, cool.

Firmware

Firmware is specialized software stored in memory chips that stores OS-specific information whether or not power to the computer is on. It is most often written on an electronically programmable chip so that it can be updated with a special program to fix any errors that might be discovered after a computer is purchased, or to support updated hardware components. Updating firmware electronically is called flashing.

The System Bus

In computer communications, a bus is a group of wires or electronic pathways that connect components. The system bus is the wires, or traces, on the motherboard that provide the main communication path between the CPU and memory. The system bus enables data transfer between the CPU, memory, and the other buses in the computer, which connect other system components such as hard drives and adapter cards. It is sometimes referred to as the front side bus or local bus.

Software

Instructions or data that are stored electronically, either on a hard drive or a special chip. Software components include operating systems, program applications, and hardware drivers (special programs that tell the operating system how to use the hardware.)

Memory

Memory is the computer system component that provides a temporary workspace for the processor. Memory refers to modules of computer chips that store data in a digital electronic format, which is faster to read from and write to than tape or hard drives. Memory chips contain millions of transistors etched on one sliver of a semiconductor.

Non-volatile

Memory that retains the information stored on it whether or not electrical current is available (ROM)

Hardware Drivers

Special programs that tell the operating system how to use the hardware.

Standardization

Specifications that allow components from different manufacturers to be interchangeable. If a component meets the specified standards, it will work in the computer regardless of manufacturer.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

Storage device that contains no moving parts. Typically uses flash memory to store data, instructions, and information (EX: solid state hard drive, USB drive)

Power-On Self Test (POST)

The Power-On Self Test (POST) is a built-in diagnostic program that runs every time a personal computer starts up. The POST checks your hardware to ensure that everything is present and functioning properly, before the system UEFI/BIOS begins the operating system boot process. If there is an error, then an audible beep will alert you that something is wrong.

CPU

The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is a piece of hardware that carries out the instructions of a computer program. It performs the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of a computer system. The CPU is like the brains of the computer - every instruction, no matter how simple, has to go through the CPU

Computer Case

The computer case (chassis) holds all of the components of your computer. Full tower (used for servers or when many drives and other components need to be installed) Mid tower (smaller version of the full-size tower) Micro or mini tower (the size that replaces the original desktop case) Slim line (a tower case that can be turned on its side to save room)

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

The computer's nonvolatile, primary storage device for permanent storage of software and documents.

Processing

The flow of data through a series of procedures as defined by a set of instructions. Major processing components include CPU (central processing unit), RAM (random-access memory)

Motherboard

The motherboard is the personal computer component that acts as the backbone for the entire computer system. Sometimes called the system board, it consists of a large, flat circuit board with chips and other electrical components on it, with various connectors. Some components are soldered directly to the board, and some components connect to the board by using slots or sockets.

Input Device

The movement of data or commands to the internal computer hardware. An input device enables users to enter data or instructions into a computer. Input devices include Standard Input Devices (Mouse Keyboard, and Touchscreen), Gaming Input Devices (Game controller and Joystick), Media Input devices (Scanner, Digital camera, Webcam) and Audio Input Devices (Microphone and MIDI controller)

Hardware

The physical components that compose a computer system or network. Common hardware components include keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, connectors and cables, hard disk drives, and circuit boards.

Networking

The practice of connecting two or more computers in order to transfer data. Networking components include connecting media, such as copper cables, radio signals, and connection devices (routers and switches)

Output Device

The process of the computer presenting, displaying, or otherwise giving data. Allows the user to view or listen to the data a computer processes such as a monitor, printer, headphones, or speakers. Output devices include video, audio, and printing.

The System Unit

The system unit is the main component of a computer, which houses most of the other devices necessary for the computer to function. It consists of a chassis and internal components, such as the system board, the microprocessor, memory modules, disk drives, adapter cards, the power supply, fans and other cooling systems, and ports for connecting external components such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other devices.

Types of Memory

There are two types of memory used in computer systems: Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read-Only Memory (ROM). RAM is a computer storage method that functions as a computer's main memory. This type requires a constant power source to access the data stored within the RAM (volatile). Data stored on ROM is saved and stored without a constant power source (non-volatile).

Transistor

Transistors are switches that can be opened or closed. When a transistor is closed, it conducts electricity, representing the binary number 1. When it is opened, it does not, representing the binary number 0.

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, and it is the replacement for BIOS. When a UEFI computer is turned on, it uses what's called a boot manager to look at the current boot configuration (checks to see which operating system to boot first).

Volatile Memory

Volatile memory stores data temporarily and requires a constant source of electricity to keep track of the data stored in it. When the power is no longer available, the data stored in volatile memory is lost (RAM). The computer can both read the data stored in RAM and write different data into the same RAM. Any byte of data can be accessed without disturbing other data (random access memory).