Internal Parts of a Computer

A modern computer may contain hundreds of different controllers and chips, but even the most complicated of machines
can be boiled down to a few simple parts. Understanding just these parts can give you an excellent idea of how a
computer operates, and this knowledge can allow you to make better purchasing decisions the next time you are
shopping for a system.

1-Motherboard
The motherboard is the main circuit board that all other computer components either sit in or are connected to. The
motherboard type will determine what kind of processor and memory chips can be installed on the computer, along
with what kind of external connections, such as USB, are natively supported. Some motherboards also will include
onboard video and sound, removing the need for expansion cards.

The motherboard houses the microprocessor, providing the necessary sockets and slots that connect to all other types
of computer hardware. Therefore, the motherboard serves as the "mediator," a channel that allows components to
work together. It is considered a complete unit of work.
2- Processor (CPU or microprocessor)
The processor is probably the most important internal part of your computer, as it is where almost all of the
computations required to run the computer take place. The processor sits inside of a small socket near the middle of
the motherboard, and on top of executing code for your programs, it also controls how the other computer
components communicate and operate. The processor's power is measured in megahertz, and more recently gigahertz,
with a higher number representing more processing power.

A CPU is a very small, thin "silicon wafer" that is enclosed in a ceramic chip and then mounted on a circuit board. CPU
speed and performance is one of the most important factors determining how well a computer works.
3- RAM
When the processor needs information for a particular program or task, it first loads that data into random access
memory. or RAM. RAM is short-term memory, meaning that it gets wiped out every time the computer loses power or
gets reset, but its speed of access makes it ideal for being the computer's primary storage.

Read-only memory (ROM) is the permanent and long-term memory of the computer. It does not disappear
when the computer is turned off, it can not be erased or changed in any way.
The cache is a buffer (made up of a small number of very fast memory chips) between the main memory and
the processor. Temporarily stores recent or frequently accessed data allowing access to data faster.

Whenever the processor needs to read data, it is first looked at in this cache area. If the data is in the cache,
then the processor does not need to do more time reading the data from the main memory.
4- Internal Storage
Internal storage is hardware that keeps data inside the computer for later use and remains persistent even when the
computer has no power. There are a few different types of internal storage. Hard disks are the most popular type of
internal storage. Solid-state drives have grown in popularity slowly. A disk array controller is popular when you need
more storage then a single hard disk can hold.

(i)- Hard Drive

If RAM is one side of the computer's storage solution, the hard drive is the other. Instead of being fast-accessed, short-
term storage, hard drives are slowly accessed, long-term storage. Any file or piece of information that may be needed
more than once is stored on the hard drive. When the processor needs a file or set of files to run a program, it copies
them from the hard drive and loads those copies into RAM. Hard drive capacities are measured in gigabytes, or
sometimes terabytes, with the larger numbers representing more capacity.
(ii)- Solid State Drive
A solid-state drive (SSD) is a solid-state storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data persistently,
typically using flash memory, and functioning as secondary storage in the hierarchy of computer storage. It is also
sometimes called a solid-state device or a solid-state disk, even though SSDs lack the physical spinning disks and
movable read–write heads used in hard disk drives (HDDs) and floppy disks.

Compared with electromechanical drives, SSDs are typically more resistant to physical shock, run silently, and have
quicker access time and lower latency. SSDs store data in semiconductor cells.
5- Disk Array Controller
A disk array controller is a device that manages the physical disk drives and presents them to the computer as logical
units. It almost always implements hardware RAID, thus it is sometimes referred to as RAID controller. It also often
provides additional disk cache. RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives)
6- Video Card [Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)]

While some older motherboards have built-in video, most modern systems require a separate video card to output
graphics. The pure computational power required to render modern graphics require a separate processor and cooling
unit that is housed on this video card. The card itself is connected to the motherboard using an expansion slot.

What it is: It's not uncommon to hear gamers obsess over the next new graphics card, as these graphic cards make
it possible for computers to generate high-end visuals like those found in the many different types of video games.

In addition to video games, though, good graphics cards also come in handy for those who rely on images in order
to execute their craft, like 3D modelers using resource-intensive software.

What it does: Graphics cards often communicate directly with the display monitor, meaning a $1,000 graphics card
won't be of much use if there isn't a high-end monitor connected to it.
7- Expansion Slots
These slots sit near the back of the computer and allow you to install devices to upgrade the system. These devices,
which look like cards that slide into these slots, can be used for audio, video, network capabilities, additional USB
connections and more. Some slots, like an AGP slot, are used exclusively for video cards, but most of the slots on
modern systems are generic PCI-X slots that are used for all cards.

8- Power Supply or SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supply)

The power supply is generally located in one corner of the back side of your computer case. On the side that faces out
of the computer it has a single plug for your power cable and openings for the cooling fan. On the side that faces the
inside of the system it has a set of power wires that you use to supply power to all the computer's internal devices.
Some devices, like RAM or small expansion cards, get enough power through the motherboard so they don't need a
direct connection to the power supply, but most other device do need to be plugged into one of these wires to
operate.

A switched-mode power supply (switching-mode power supply, switch-mode power supply, switched power supply,
SMPS, or switcher) is an electronic power supply that incorporates a switching regulator to convert electrical power
efficiently.
9- Interface Cards
Most computers allow for a variety of interface cards, which allow external devices to input or read data from the
computer. Examples of interface cards include video cards, audio cards, network cards and modems. Modems are
cards that allow data communication over standard telephone lines. In many cases, a single interface card allows many
devices to be used on a single computer. A good example is a USB card, which allows many devices to send and receive
data from a computer. In the past, USB was implemented only on an interface card, but many modern computers
implement USB on the main board, thus negating the need for a card.
10- Firmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a tangible electronic component with embedded software
instructions, such as a BIOS. Typically, those software instructions are used to tell an electronic device how to operate.
... Firmware is held in non-volatile memory devices such as ROM, EPROM, or flash memory.
11- Removable Media Devices
If your putting something in your computer and taking it out is most likely a form of removable media. There are many
different removable media devices. The most popular are probably CD and DVD drives which almost every computer
these days has at least one of. There are some new disc drives such as Blu-ray which can hold a much larger amount of
information then normal CDs or DVDs. One type of removable media which is becoming less popular is floppy disk.

(i)- CD
The compact disc (CD) is a digital optical disc data storage format that was co-developed by Philips and Sony to store
and play digital audio recordings. It was released in 1982 branded as Digital Audio Compact Disc.

The format was later adapted for storage of data (CD-ROM). Several other formats were further derived from these,
including write-once audio and data storage (CD-R), rewritable media (CD-RW), Video CD (VCD), Super Video CD
(SVCD), Photo CD, Picture CD, Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-i), and Enhanced Music CD.

Standard CDs have a diameter of 120 millimetres (4.7 in) and are designed to hold up to 74 minutes of uncompressed
stereo digital audio or about 650 MB of data. Capacity is routinely extended to 80 minutes and 700 MB by arranging
more data closely on the same sized disc.
There are two types of devices in a computer that use CDs: CD-ROM drive and a CD writer. The CD-ROM drive used for
reading a CD. The CD writer drive can read and write a CD. CD writers are much more popular are new computers than
a CD-ROM drive. Both kinds of CD drives are called optical disc drives because the use a laser light or electromagnetic
waves to read or write data to or from a CD.

(ii)- DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage
format invented and developed in 1995 and released in late 1996. The medium can store any kind of digital data and was
widely used for software and other computer files as well as video programs watched using DVD players. DVDs offer
higher storage capacity than compact discs while having the same dimensions.

Prerecorded DVDs are mass-produced using molding machines that physically stamp data onto the DVD. Such discs are
a form of DVD-ROM because data can only be read and not written or erased. Blank recordable DVD discs (DVD-R and
DVD+R) can be recorded once using a DVD recorder and then function as a DVD-ROM. Rewritable DVDs (DVD-RW,
DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM) can be recorded and erased many times.
(iii)- Blu-ray
The Blu-ray Disc (BD), often known simply as Blu-ray, is a digital optical disc storage format. Its main uses are high-definition video
and data storage. The name "Blu-ray" refers to the blue laser (which is actually a violet laser) used to read the disc, which allows
information to be stored at a greater density than is possible with the longer-wavelength red laser used for DVDs.

The plastic disc is 120 millimetres (4.7 in) in diameter and 1.2 millimetres (0.047 in) thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs.
Conventional or pre-BD-XL Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual-layer discs (50 GB) being the industry standard for
feature-length video discs. Triple-layer discs (100 GB) and quadruple-layer discs (128 GB) are available for BD-XL re-writer drives.

Developed by - Sony
Blu-ray Disc Association

Released - June 20, 2006

(iv)- Floppy Disk

A floppy disk or floppy diskette (sometimes casually referred to as a floppy or diskette) is a type of disk storage
composed of a thin and flexible disk of a magnetic storage medium in a square or nearly square plastic enclosure lined
with a fabric that removes dust particles from the spinning disk. Floppy disks are read from and written to by a floppy
disk drive (FDD).

The first floppy disks, invented and made by IBM, had a disk diameter of 8 inches (203.2 mm). Subsequently the 5¼-inch and then
the 3½-inch became a ubiquitous form of data storage and transfer into the first years of the 21st century. 3½-inch floppy disks
can still be used with an external USB floppy disk drive. USB drives for 5¼-inch, 8-inch, and non-standard floppy disks are rare to
non-existent. Some individuals and organizations continue to use older equipment to read or transfer data from floppy disks.
12 - Bluetooth Card
Bluetooth® is a wireless technology that connects personal electronics together to create a personal area network
(PAN). ... A Bluetooth® PC Card will allow you to effortlessly create a PAN between your mobile computer and office
equipment, cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or digital player.