PARTS OF A SYSTEM UNIT

Visual display unit

A visual display unit (or monitor) is a piece of
electrical equipment, usually separate from the computer
case, which displays viewable images generated by a
computer without producing a permanent record.

Keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is an arrangement of buttons that each correspond to a
function, letter, or number. They are the primary devices of inputting text.

Mouse
A Mouse on a computer is a small, slidable device that users
hold and slide around to point at, click on, and sometimes drag objects
on screen in a graphical user interface using a pointer on screen.

Hard disk
Mass storage devices store programs and data even when the
power is off; they do require power to perform read and write functions
during usage. Although flash memory has dropped in cost, the
prevailing form of mass storage in personal computers is still the hard
disk.

IDE Cable standard interface that used to connect the HDD or CD/DVD to the
motherboard.

SATA CABLE - standard interface that uses to connect the HDD or CD/DVD to the motherboard.

DVD-writer - an input/output device that can read and write CD and DVD

Motherboard - also referred to as systemboard or mainboard, is the

primary circuit board within a personal computer.

Processor
The central processing unit, or CPU, is that part of a
computer which executes software program instructions. In
older computers this circuitry was formerly on several printed
circuit boards, but in PCs is a single integrated circuit. Nearly
all PCs contain a type of CPU known as a microprocessor. with
a fan attached via heat sink.

A heat sink is an electronic device that incorporates a fan to keep a hot

component such as a processor cool.

FLOPPY DISK DRIVE - a device that enables the computer to read and write floppy
disk/diskette.

FDD CABLE standard interface that uses to connect the floppy disk drive to motherboard.

Main memory (RAM)

A PC's main memory is fast storage that is directly accessible by the CPU, and is used to
store the currently executing program and immediately needed data.

LAN CARD - an expansion card that enables a computer to connect to a network such as a
home network and/or the Internet using an Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector.

POWER SUPPLY a device which converts line voltage (220/110Vac) into various
voltages required by the computer. It gives power to the motherboard, drives and
expansion cards.

AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) a device that regulates the voltage

COMPUTER CHASSIS (System Unit) houses the computers CPU, memory, and other
hardware as well as the floppy and hard disk drive

SPEAKER a device that produces audible sound

Video card
The video card - otherwise called a graphics card, graphics
adapter or video adapter - processes and renders the graphics output
from the computer to the computer display, and is an essential part
of the modern computer.

POWER CORD standard interface use to connect the PC or system unit to AVR or UPS.

PARTS OF A MOTHERBOARD
1) Central processing unit (CPU) is a microchip that does all the processing of information. It
sometimes referred to as the brain of the computer. The CPU is usually one of the most costly
components in a computer.
2) CPU socket it is where the central processing unit sits on. There are various sockets designed
for different processors such as:

Socket 478 and LGA 775 for older Pentium and Celeron processors.

Socket 754 for AMD Sempron and some AMD Athlon processors.

Socket 939 for newer and faster AMD Athlon processors.

Socket AM2 for the AMD Athlon processors.

Socket A for older AMD Athlon processors.

3) CPU fan and Heatsink- help to cool the CPU during operation. While the CPU is running, huge
amount of heat is being generated. The CPU can easily heats up to over 100 oC in seconds, and
failure to install the CPU fan and heatsink can literally fry your CPU.
4) 24-pin and 4-pin Power connectors is where the motherboard receives power from the
powersupply unit also known as PSU, and distributes it to all other components and peripherals.
5) Power supply unit is also known as the power box, supplies power to operate the computer.
6) Memory slot is a slot where memory module sits on.
7) Memory module commonly known as RAM (Random Access Memory), is a small rectangular
piece of printed circuit board with come microchips on it. As the name implies, it provides
memory to the computer. The capacity of the memory module determines how much information
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can be loaded from the hard drive, ready for use by the CPU at any one time. The capacity of the
memory modules is one of the key factors influencing the performance of the computer. Much of
the memory available today is Dual/double Data Rate (DDR) memory. This means that the
memory can transmit data twice per cycle instead of once, which makes the memory faster. Also,
most motherboard have space for multiple memory chips, and on newer motherboards, they often
connect to the north bridge via a dual bus instead of a single bus. This further reduces the amount
of time it takes for the processor to get information from the memory.
8) IDE connector is an interface that allows a hard drive to connect to the computer. IDE is the
abbreviation for Integrated Drive Electronics. Each IDE connector can connect up to two hard
drives to the computer.
9) Serial ATA (SATA) connector a newer and faster interface has emerged to replace IDE. Older
motherboards used to have at least two IDE connectors, while new motherboards now come with
only one IDE connector together with a few SATA connectors. After the market introduction of
SATA, IDE has also been retroactively renamed to parallel ATA o PATA.
10) Northbridge controller - refers to the primary chipset of the motherboard, a microchip that
controls the operation of high-speed components, namely, the CPU, RAM and graphics.
11) Southbridge controller refers to the secondary chipset of the motherboard, a microchip that
controls the operation of a low speed components such as PCI components, audio, IDE controller,
Ethernet controller, USB controller, firewire controller, and RAID controller.
12) PCI-express slot - is a slot that holds a PCI-e Video card. this card is exclusive only for this slot.
13) PCI slot - is a slot that holds PCI card. PCI stands for Peripheral Component interconnect. A PCI
card is usually a component to extend the functionality of a computer. Examples: 56k modem,
wireless LAN card, USB, firewire, TV- tuner,etc.
14) CMOS backup battery is a button battery that supplies auxiliary power to the CMOS chip
when the computer is power off. The CMOS chip requires power to retain configuration settings
of the computer set by user. The system date and time also depends on the CMOS backup battery
to continue running. Should the battery becomes flat, all user-modified configuration settings on
the computer and the system date and time would return to factory-default settings, from which
the computer may not function properly.
15) BIOS a chip located on all computer motherboards that contains instructions and setup for how
your system should boot and operate.
16) Back panel connectors

PS/2 keyboard (violet) and mouse (green) ports

VGA (Video Graphics Array) port (for the Monitor)
Parrallel port Dot matrix printer Port
LAN port for network
USB ports flash drives and other devices with USB connectors (printer, Smart phones,

external hard drives)

Audio ports microphone (pink), speaker (green)