MyAICT Virtual Campus

2016 Certificate II&III IDMT - Project 1 - Unit 01

v1.1

Five Stones | Summary of internal

components, categories, purposes
and characteristics
Component

Name

Category

PC Case

Form factor;

Motherboard

motherboard
component

Case fan

cooling
system
component

CPU
(Central
Processor
Unit)

CPU
component

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Purpose and
Characteristics
The container that holds
all internal components.
Case has a back/front
panel that contains
connecting ports and
interfaces to connect
external devices and
cables.
The motherboard is like
spine and bones of our
body it provides the
structure that other
components can be
slotted in. It is made up of
circuitry modules, so you
need to be careful while
handling the motherboard.
It also contains a battery
called CMOS battery, and
a special type of memory
that is permanently
attached to the board.
A fan used for ventilation
to release the heat inside
the case. It becomes
dusty over time so it is
recommended to clean it
regularly for good
ventilation!
The brain of a computer.
This unit plays a role as
the core of PCs
processing capability. It
overheats easily just like a
human brain that heats up
when we use it a lot!
It is very fragile so you
need to be very careful
when handling one of

MyAICT Virtual Campus

2016 Certificate II&III IDMT - Project 1 - Unit 01
CPU fan

cooling
system
component

RAM (Random
Access
Memory)

memory
component

Sound card

adapter card
component
(multimedia)

v1.1
these units.
The CPU fan is used for
cooling the CPU. In
between a CPU and CPU
fan, a substance called
thermal compound/grease
is applied to stick them
together and to help the
heat transfer. Without this,
the computer will shut
down due to overheating.
RAM is what a PC uses to
store working data that
are currently being used
for faster access. Unlike
hard disk drives that store
data permanently (as long
as user doesnt erase it),
the information stored in
RAM disappears after
restarting the PC. Usually
the computer operating
system (such as MS
Windows) requires a
specified amount of RAM
so that it can perform
properly.
Note that each
motherboard supports a
different type of memory,
which is a major
consideration when
upgrading the memory for
a system.
The sound card enables a
PC to play sound. Notice
there are colourful jacks
on the panel through
which you can connect
cables. These are for
different types of input
and output front/rear
speakers, microphone etc.
You still need speakers to
be able to hear sound.

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MyAICT Virtual Campus

2016 Certificate II&III IDMT - Project 1 - Unit 01
Video Graphic
Card (VGA)

Hard disk
drive

adapter card
component
(multimedia)

Storage
device

Power supply
unit

Optical drive

power supply
component

Storage
device

Page 3 of 4

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The video graphic card
sends video graphic
signals to the computer
display, such as a monitor.
Nowadays VGAs are so
advanced that they have
a dedicated graphic
processing unit (GPU) and
memory for playing full
HD (high definition) videos
and computer games.
Notice on the panel there
are multiple interfaces you
can use to connect the PC
with external displays.
Hard disk drive (internal)
is a fixed storage device
to store files and
programs. There is also a
smaller sized portable
hard disk drive that you
can connect through the
USB port that enables the
user to carry it with them.
It is very fragile so you
need to be careful when
handling one of these
units. Otherwise you may
lose the precious data on
your hard drive!
As the name indicates it
supplies power
(electricity) to the PC just
like the human heart
pumps up blood through
your body.
Therefore, it is very
important that the unit
has a sufficient and stable
power supply.
This is used to read
information from digital
storage media, such as a
CD, DVD or Blu-ray, or

MyAICT Virtual Campus

2016 Certificate II&III IDMT - Project 1 - Unit 01

v1.1
record information on
those types of media.

Network
Interface
Adapter

adapter card
component
(networking,
communicati
on)

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There is also an external

type of optical drive that
you can carry with you
and connect through the
USB port usually for
laptops.
NIC enables the capability
of connecting to a network
(local area network or
normal internet). Notice
there is a port on the
panel. When connected to
a network, it will show a
green light indicating its
connectivity.