Computer Components List

Use the internet to find the function of the following components of a

computer. Also insert pictures of the component or device when for each term
listed.

Motherboard (System Board)

a printed circuit board containing the principal

components of a computer or other device,
with connectors into which other circuit boards
can be slotted

CPU (Processor)

CPU (pronounced as separate letters) is

the abbreviation for central processing
unit. Sometimes referred to simply as the
central processor, but more commonly
called processor, the CPU is the brains
of the computer where most calculations
take place.

RAM
RAM (pronounced ramm) is an acronym
for random access memory, a type
ofcomputer memory that can be
accessed randomly; that is, any byte of
memory can be accessed without
touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the
most common type of memory found in
computers and other devices, such as
printers.

Video Card

a printed circuit board controlling output to a

display screen.

Hard Drive

a high-capacity, self-contained storage device

containing a read-write mechanism plus one
or more hard disks, inside a sealed unit. Also
called hard disk drive.

SSD Drive
An all-electronic storage device that is an
alternative to a hard disk. Employed in
myriad products, including mobile
devices, iPods, cameras, laptops and
desktop computers, solid state drives
(SSDs) are faster than hard disks
because there is zero latency (no
read/write head to move).

Power Supply

A power supply is an electronic device

that supplies electric energy to an
electrical load. The primary function of a
power supply is to convert one form of
electrical energy to another and, as a
result, power supplies are sometimes
referred to as electric power converters.

Sound Card

a device that can be slotted into a computer to

allow the use of audio components for
multimedia applications

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Chelsio. A network interface controller
(NIC, also known as a network interface
card, network adapter, LAN adapter or
physical network interface, and by
similar terms) is a computer hardware
component that connects a computer to a
computer network.

Operating System

the software that supports a computer's basic

functions, such as scheduling tasks,
executing applications, and controlling
peripherals

PCI

a standard for connecting computers and their

peripherals

AGP
Definition of: AGP. AGP. (Accelerated
Graphics Port) An earlier hardware
interface from Intel for connecting a
graphics card (display adapter) to a PC.
Introduced in 1997 and superseded by
PCI Express in the late 2000s, a single
AGP slot on the motherboard provided a
direct connection between the card and
memory

PCI Express

PCIe is not plug compatible with PCI. The

x1 slot is a single-lane implementation,
while the x16 slot supports 16 lanes for
high-speed data transfer. Parallel Transfer
in Serial Form. Each lane is an
independent single-bit serial channel on
the PCIebackplane.

SATA

SATA is the faster serial version of the

parallel ATA (PATA) interface. Both SATA
and PATA are "integrated drive
electronics" (IDE) devices, which means
the controller is in the drive, and only a
simple circuit is required on the
motherboard.

eSATA
External Serial Advanced Technology
Attachment (eSATA) is an extension to
the Serial ATA standard that enables
SATA drives to be attached externally.
Prior toeSATA, external hard drives were
connected via USB 2.0 or FireWire.

IDE Port

It is a standard interface for IBM

compatible hard drives and CD or DVD
drives. IDE is different than SCSI and
Enhanced Small Device Interface (ESDI)
because its controllers are on each drive,
meaning the drive can connect directly to
the motherboard or controller.

IDE Cable

It is a standard interface for IBM

compatible hard drives and CD or DVD
drives. IDE is different than SCSI and
Enhanced Small Device Interface (ESDI)
because its controllers are on each drive,
meaning the drive can connect directly to
the motherboard or controller

USB
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a
common interface that enables
communication between devices and a
host controller such as a personal
computer (PC). It connects peripheral
devices such as digital cameras, mice,
keyboards, printers, scanners, media
devices, external hard drives and flash
drives.