Internal systems

Central processing unit

Better known as the processor.

The processor is the brain of the computer because it handles all the calculations. The processor also keeps the memory of the computer called a program. There are 4 steps in the use of their operation: fetch, decode, execute, and writeback. You can have more then one processor in a computer, then it is called a duel processor, etc. The modern processor is small and square and had metallic connectors or pins. The processor is connected to the motherboard by the CPU socket.

 

Motherboard

 

The motherboard is where everything is puts into, such as the processor, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, parallel ports and contorllers (keyboard, display screen etc). You can also plug in more memory chips into the motherboard directly.

 

BIOS

 

The BIOS carries out all the input and output systems. It does a power on post check, meaning that it checks everything is working before the computer turns on. It also sends the instructions to the processor to boot up. On the computer, the BIOS contains all the codes required to control the keyboard, display screen, and disk drives. BIOS is placed in ROM chips in order for it not to get damaged in disk failures. Modern BIOS are now made in Flash memory chips so they can be updates if necessary.

 

Power supply

Most computers can me plugged into a standard electrical outlet which will supply the computer with power. Standard computers require 240 V from the mains which is alternating current and that is changed into 5V of direct current.

Fan and heat sink or cooling

Draws heat away from the processor and other components

 

Hard drive

The hard disk drive reads data. Computers generally have seek times (Refers to the time a program or device takes to locate a particular piece of data) of about 12 milliseconds or less. There are several interface standards for passing data between a hard disk and a computer, these are intelligent drive electronics (IDE) and small computer systems interface (SCSI).

 

Ports

Ports are an interface which you can plug in different devices such as, keyboards, display screen, mice, USB etc. Is it non volatile.

 

Internal memory

Internal memory refers to a chip that hold memory on the computer such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM). It only have temporary memory and it is volatile.

 

specialised cards

Specialised cards are slots on the motherboard where you can add cards which better the computer such as graphic cards ect.