PARTS OF A COMPUTER AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE

SYSTEM

Introduction
A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of
arithmetic or logical operations automatically. Modern digital electronic
computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These
programs enable computers to perform a wide range of tasks.
A computer system is a nominally complete computer that includes the
hardware, operating system (main software), and peripheral equipment needed
and used for full operation. This term may also refer to a group of computers
that are linked and function together, such as a computer network early
computers were meant to be used only for calculations. Simple manual
instruments like the abacus have aided people in doing calculations since
ancient times. Early in the Industrial Revolution, some mechanical devices were
built to automate long, tedious tasks, such as guiding patterns for looms. More
complex electronic machines did specialized analog calculations in the early
20th century.
The speed, power and versatility of computers have been increasing
dramatically ever since then, with transistor counts increasing at a rapid pace ,
leading to the Digital Revolution during the late 20th to early 21st centuries.
Parts Of The Computer:
• Central Processing Unit(CPU) : A central processing unit (CPU) is an
important part of every computer. The CPU sends signals to control the
other parts of the computer, almost like how a brain controls a body. The
CPU is an electronic machine that works on a list of computer things to
do, called instructions. It reads the list of instructions and runs (executes)
each one in order. A list of instructions that a CPU can run is a computer
program.

• Motherboard :A motherboard provides connectivity between the

hardware components of a computer, like the processor (CPU), memory
(RAM), hard drive, and video card. There are multiple types of
motherboards, designed to fit different types and sizes of computers.
Each type of motherboard is designed to work with specific types of
processors and memory, so they don't work with every processor and
type of memory. However, hard drives are mostly universal and work
with most motherboards, regardless of the type or brand.
• Random Processing Unit(RAM): Random Access Memory (RAM)
provides space for your computer to read and write data to be accessed
by the CPU (central processing unit). When people refer to a computer's
memory, they usually mean its RAM.If you add more RAM to your
computer, you reduce the number of times your CPU must read data
from your hard disk. This usually allows your computer to work
considerably faster, as RAM is many times faster than a hard disk.RAM is
volatile, so data stored in RAM stays there only as long as your computer
is running. As soon as you turn the computer off, the data stored in RAM
disappears.When you turn your computer on again, your computer's
boot firmware uses instructions stored semi-permanently in ROM chips
to read your operating system and related files from the disk and load
them back into RAM.

• Graphical Processing Unit(GPU) : A GPU is a processor that is

specifically designed to handle graphics rendering tasks. Basically, it's a
component that can create images on the screen. Whether you're looking
at your smartphone, tablet or computer, being able to see an image is
down to the device's GPU without one, your device would not be able to
create any images.Basic computers solely render images and animations
such as what you're looking at right now. However, more advanced
computers such as gaming PCs offer more powerful GPUs that are able
to accelerate the rendering of 3D graphics. While a computer with a basic
GPU is capable of showing 3D graphics, a dedicated GPU can process
them much faster and with much better levels of detail. Video editors
also benefit from GPUs, which can render multiple complex animations
at once, including when editing videos or rendering 3D models.
• Network Interface Card(NIC) : A network interface card is a piece of
hardware that allows computers to communicate with other devices on
a network. It can also be called an Ethernet card, LAN card, or network
adaptor. A NIC provides a dedicated connection to a network. It contains
the circuits necessary to translate the computer’s digital data into the
signals used to transfer data in the network, like Ethernet or Wi-Fi. A NIC
also represents the computer on the network. Routers, switches, and
other network devices use the unique MAC address of the NIC card to
identify the computer.
• Optical drives: An optical drive is a computer disc drive that uses a
laser to read optical discs like CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays. Optical drives are
available in both internal models that are mounted inside a computer and
connected directly to the motherboard, as well as external models in
separate enclosures. Most optical drives can not only read optical discs,
but can also write to writable and rewritable discs. The word "optical"
means "relating to vision or light." In the case of optical drives and optical
media, it refers to the laser that reads the underside of a spinning plastic
disc, detecting a series of bumps and pits that contain encoded digital
data. Optical drives that can write to discs include several lasers at
different levels of power — a low-power laser that reads data, a medium-
power laser that erases rewritable discs, and a high-power laser that
burns data to a disc.

• Storage devices: Alternatively called digital storage, storage, storage

media, or storage medium, a storage device is any hardware capable of
holding information either temporarily or permanently.Two types of
storage devices are used with computers: a primary storage device, such
as RAM (random-access memory), and a secondary storage device, such
as a hard drive. Secondary storage can be removable, internal, or
external.
• Power Supplying Unit(PSU): The power supply unit is the piece of
hardware that converts the power provided from the outlet into usable
power for the many parts inside the computer case. It converts the
alternating current from your wall outlet into a continuous form of power
called direct current that the computer components require. It also
regulates overheating by controlling voltage, which might change
automatically or manually depending on the power supply. The power
supply is a crucial piece because, without it, the rest of the internal
hardware can't function. Motherboards, cases, and power supplies all
come in different sizes called form factors. All three must be compatible
to work properly together.
• Cooling System : As we all know that the electronic things produce
heat because of power consumption. Similarly in the computer system,
the CPU, VGA card and all the other electronic chips produce heat and as
a result it effects the speed and performance of the system. If the heat is
not removed then there are chances of the processor and other
components to be damaged permanently. So in order to keep the internal
temperature of the system low, the cooling system is provided and fixed
to it. All computer systems today come with some cooling systems to
reduce and remove heat.

• Ports And Connectors: Computer port is a connection point

through which we work to connect external devices to PC or computer.
For example, if you want to connect a keyboard, mouse, pen drive to the
computer, then you will need a port or connection point through which
you will be able to connect these devices to the computer. So a port acts
as an interface between the computer and the external devices. It is also
called a communication port because it is the point from where the
external device connects to the computer and through which the transfer
and exchange of data and files between the computer and the external
device.
• Peripheral devices: A Peripheral Device is defined as a device that
provides input/output functions for a computer and serves as an auxiliary
computer device without computing-intensive functionality.A peripheral
device is also called a peripheral, computer peripheral, input-output
device, or I/O device.

There are mainly two types of peripheral devices:

A}Input devices: The input device is defined as it converts incoming
data and instructions into a pattern of electrical signals in binary code
that are comprehensible to a digital computer.
Example: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Microphone etc..,.
 B)Output devices: An output device is generally the reverse of the
input process and generally translates the digitized signals into a form intelligible
to the user. The output device is also performed for sending data from one
computer system to another. For some time punched card and paper tape
readers were extensively used for input, but these have now been supplanted
by more efficient devices.
Example: Monitors, Headphones, Printers etc..,.

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SYSTEM:

Computer software needs certain hardware components or other software
resources to be present on a computer. These prerequisites are known as
computer system requirements and are often used as a guideline as opposed to
an absolute rule. Most software defines two sets of system requirements:
minimum and recommended. With increasing demand for higher processing
power and resources in newer versions of software, system requirements tend
to increase over time
A)Computer Struture ; B)Processing Power; C)Storage;
D)Secondary storage; E)Display Adapter; F)Peripherals