Computer Components

Computer Components

1. Processor/CPU

   • Central Processing Unit controls actions of the computer. Manages all hardware actvities receives instructions. The computer's "brain"- performing calculations and managing hardware components
   • Fetch>Decode>Execute

2. Motherboard main printed circuit board sockets where RAM,ROM, expansion cards are connected to other parts of the computer

3. Hardrive used to read and write to a hard disk

   • Solid state no moving parts stores data with flash memory
     • storage device small lightweight removable and rewritable. Consists of small printed circuit board encased in plastic or metal casing e.g. USB, SD card

4. Internal memory storage device inside computer case e.g. hard disk

5. SAS transmits data serially one bit at a time along a single wire

6. SCSI small computer system interface

7. Cloud Storage holds digital data stored in logical data pools e.g. dropbox

8. USB universal bus connector links devices to PC or laptop

9. SATA serial advanced technology attachment wire used to connect hard drive to motherboard

10. Network port physical ports connects to modems, routers or local network

11. Fibre Channel high speed network connects computer data storage to servers

12. RAM random access memory stores instructions. Volatile loses data once device is switched off

    • ROM read only memory used for booting up a programme. In-volatile keeps instructions even when device is switched off
      • Cache fast memory in CPUexpensive form of memory speeds up the way the application works e.g. Google chrome cache stores all web pages visited recently so that next time you visit the page will load quickly