Student Handout #1

Topic: Hardware Components of a Computer

prepared by Mr. Lemuel C. Condes

Parts of the Motherboard

5
4
6

7
2
8

9
15
14

10
13
12

PART

11

FUNCTION

DEVICE CONNECTED

1. Back Panel

Connectors and ports for connecting the computer to external devices; Input and Output
connectors.

Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor, USB

Devices, Printer, Speaker,
Headphones, Network Cables

2. Atx 4-Pin Power

Connector

Used to connect the 4-pin power connector that gives power to the Motherboard.

Power Supply

3. Cpu Socket

4. Memory Slot
5. 20-Pin Atx Power
Connector
6. IDE Port
7. Southbridge
Chipset
8. SATA Port

A CPU socket or CPU slot is a mechanical component(s) that provides mechanical and
electrical connections between a microprocessor and a printed circuit board (PCB). This
allows the CPU to be placed and replaced without soldering.
A memory slot, memory socket, or RAM slot is what allows computer memory (RAM) to be
inserted into the computer. Depending on the motherboard, there may be 2 to 4 memory
slots (sometimes more on high-end motherboards) and are what determine the type of
RAM used with the computer.

Power Supply

Connects to older hard disk drives and optical drives for data transfer. Have been replaced
over by SATA connectors. (Integrated Drive Electrocis - IDE)
Also known as the Input/output Controller Hub (ICH).Chipset that allows the CPU to
communicate with PCI slots, PCI-Express x 1 slots (expansion cards), SATA connectors
(hard drives, optical drives), USB ports (USB devices), Ethernet ports and on-board audio.
Connects to modern hard disk drives, solid state drives and optical drives for data transfer.
(Serial Advanced Technology Attachment - SATA)

IDE Cable and Hard Disk Drives

and Optical Drives

Connects to the power switch, reset switch, power LED, hard drive LED and front audio
ports of a computer case.

10. FDD Port

Connects to floppy disk drives for data transfer. (FDD Floppy Disk Drive)

12. PCIE Slot

13. AGP Slot
14. CMOS Battery

15. Northbridge
Chipset
Heatsink

RAM / Memory

Used to connect the 10-pin power connector that gives power to the Motherboard.

9. Front Panel
Connector

11. PCI Slot

CPU / Processor /
Microprocessor

Slot for older expansion cards such as sound cards, network cards, connector cards.
(Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI))
Slot for discrete graphic cards and high bandwidth devices such as top-end solid state
drives. (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE))
Use for connecting graphic cards. (Accelerated Graphics Adapter (AGP))
Supplies power to store BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings and keep the real-time
clock running. See image above for a close-up view. The CMOS battery found on most
motherboards is the CR2032 lithium coin cell. (Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-

Conductor (CMOS))
Also known as Memory Controller Hub (MCH). Chipset that allows the CPU to
communicate with the RAM and graphics card. Beginning from Intel Sandy Bridge in 2011,
this motherboard component is no longer present as it has been integrated within the CPU
itself.
Used in cooling down the Motherboard when use.

N/A
SATA Cable and Hard Disk
Drives and Optical Drives
HDD LED, Power LED, Power
Swith, Reset Switch, Front USB
Port and Front Audio Port
FDD Cable and Floppy Disk
Drive
Sound Card, LAN Card,
Graphic Cards / Video Cards
Graphic Cards / Video Cards
N/A

N/A
N/A

Typical Components of a Computer System (Outside)

17

1.

PART
SCANNER

2.

CPU/PROCESSOR

3.

MEMORY/RAM

4.

EXPANSION CARDS

5.

POWER SUPPLY

6.
7.

OPTICAL DRIVE
HARD DISK DRIVE
(HDD)

8.

MOTHERBOARD

9. SPEAKER
10. MONITOR
11. OPERATING SYSTEM
SOFTWARE (OS)
12. APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
13. KEYBOARD
14. MOUSE
15. UNINTERRUPTIBLE
POWER SUPPLY (UPS)
AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE
REGULATOR (AVR)
16. PRINTER
17. CASE

FUNCTION
A device that optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image.
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is
sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan. Most newer
CPUs include an on-die Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).
The Random-Access Memory (RAM) stores the code and data that are being actively accessed by the CPU.
An expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot of a
computer motherboard or backplane to add functionality to a computer system via the expansion bus. Expansions
cards can be used to obtain or expand on features not offered by the motherboard.
A power supply unit (PSU) converts alternating current (AC) electric power to low-voltage DC power for the
internal components of the computer.
Storage technology that uses a laser beam to store large amounts of data at relatively low cost.
A data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information using one or more rigid ("hard") rapidly
rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material.
The main component of a computer. It is a large rectangular board with integrated circuitry that connects the other
parts of the computer including the CPU, the RAM, the disk drives (CD, DVD, hard disk, or any others) as well as
any peripherals connected via the ports or the expansion slots.
An output device that allows a computer play music.
Hardware that features the computer screen and allows the computer display its operation.
Computer software designed to operate and control the computer hardware and to provide a platform for running
application software.
A computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of
the user.
A typewriter-style device, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic
switches.
A pointing device (hand control) that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a surface. This motion is typically
translated into the motion of a pointer on a display, which allows for fine control of a graphical user interface.
An electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source, typically mains
power, fails.
A circuit or device which maintains an output voltage within specified values, despite variations in variables such
as load resistance, line voltage, or temperature, so long as they are within a prescribed range.
Any device that prints text or illustrations on paper.
The computer case is a plastic or metal enclosure that houses most of the components. Those found on desktop
computers are usually small enough to fit under a desk. Though a case can basically be big or small, what
matters more is which form factor of motherboard its designed for.

Typical Components of a Computer System (Inside)

Central Processing Unit (CPU) /

Random Access Memory

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Processor

(RAM)

Gra[hics Card or Video Card

Optical Drive (Can be a CDROM or DVD-ROM Drive)

Power Cable

Integrated Drive
Electronics (IDE) Cable

Motherboard

Network Card / LAN Card

Serial Advanced
Technology Attachment
(SATA) Cable

Front Panel Pin Connector

Heat Sink

CPU Cooler Fan

CMOS Battery

Chipset

Computer Disassembling Steps and Guide

Step 1.

Discharge yourself before touching any part of the computer. (Electrostatic Discharge (ESD))

Step 2.

Switch off and unplug the computer system from the power source.

Step 3.

Disconnect all the external connector and peripherals.

Step 4.

Open the case.

Step 5.

Unplug all the internal connectors from the motherboard.

Step 6.

Unplug all the cable connectors from the drives. (HDD & Optical Drives)

Step 7.

Remove the cables (IDE, FDD & SATA) from the base unit.

Step 8.

Unscrew and remove the power supply.

Step 9.

Unscrew and remove all the drives. (HDD & Optical Drives)

Step 10.

Unscrew and remove the peripheral cards. (Graphic Card or PCI Card)

Step 11.

Unplug the front panel connectors from the motherboard.

Step 12.

Unscrew and remove the motherboard.

Step 13.

Unlock and remove the RAM.

Step 14.

Unlock, unplug and remove the CPU cooling fan.

Step 15.

Unlock and remove the CPU.

Step 16.

Collect all the screws.

Step 17.

Arrange all the components so that the workplace will look tidy, clean, and neat.

Computer Assembling Steps and Guide

Step 1.

Discharge yourself before touching any part of the computer.

Step 2.

Gather all the tools, materials, and equipment that you will use.

Step 3.

Collect all the screws.

Step 4.

Install the CPU, CPU cooling fan and the RAM to the Motherboard.

Step 5.

Open the case and install the motherboard on it.

Step 6.

Install the power supply on the case.

Step 7.

Connect the power connectors to the motherboard.

Step 8.

Install the drives to the case. (HDD, FDD, Optical Drives)

Step 9.

Connect all the internal cable connectors (IDE, SATA, & FDD Cable) to its respective.

Step 10.

Connect the internal cable connectors to the motherboard.

Step 11.

Inspect all the internal cable connectors. Make sure that they are properly connected and

placed-in.
Step 12.

Install the peripheral cards. (Graphic card and/or PCI card).

Step 13.

Connect the front panel connectors.

Step 14.

Connect the external connectors and peripherals. (Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speaker,

headsets, printer and power cables)

Step 15.

Connect the power cables to the AVR or UPS.

Step 16.

Plug-in the power cables to the power outlet.

Step 17.

Switch-on the Computer.