Between the internal parts of a computer , stand out the motherboard and the central processor. The motherboard is a complex circuit that provides the necessary connections for the system to work.
The computers are composed of hundreds of internal parts that guarantee the operation of the same. These elements can not be observed with the naked eye, since they are inside the equipment: in the case, in the monitor, in the keyboard, among others.
For its part, the processor is the"brain"of the computer, responsible for retrieving, decoding, executing and rewrite the commands of the computer. The processors do not act at will but follow a series of instructions installed by a programmer.
Other internal parts of the computer are the central memory (ROM and RAM), optical reading devices, buses, system clock, internal storage, hard disk, video card, expansion slots and source of power.
List of internal parts of a computer
Computers have hundreds of internal parts that make them work. Below are the 12 most important.
1- Motherboard
The motherboard is one of the most important elements of a computer, since it depends on the operation of the computer. It is a heat resistant plastic plate.
On this board is a series of printed circuits that create connections with other elements of the computer: the processor, memories and peripheral elements (monitor, keyboard, mouse, among others).
2- Processor
The processor is the brain of the computer. It is composed of two basic units: the arithmetic-logic unit and the control unit.
The arithmetic-logic unit is responsible for making calculations and logical reasoning. For its part, the control unit interprets the commands given by a program and transforms these into commands executable by the computer system.
3- Random access memory
Random access memory (RAM) Random Access Memory ) is one of the types of memory that a computer has.
It is a volatile memory, because the information stored here disappears once the computer has been turned off. The data archived in random access memory can be edited, rewritten, saved and deleted by users.
It is said to be random access since you can read a file without having to go through the previous file. This differentiates it from sequential devices, such as the cassette, in which it is necessary to play the files in a specific order.
4- Reading Memory
The reading memory (ROM for its acronym in English: Read Only Memory ) is the second type of memory of which a computer is equipped.
Unlike random access memory, the information stored in the read memory is not available to the user and does not disappear when the computer is turned off.
The data stored in the reading memory are of vital importance for the operation of the equipment. For this reason, they can not be edited, rewritten or deleted, since loss of one of these files could damage the computer.
5- Buses
Buses are the set of cables that transmit information from the motherboard and the processor to other parts of the computer, and vice versa. The transmitted information circulates in the form of electrical pulses encoded in the binary system.
There are three types of buses: data buses, address buses and control buses. Data buses are the ones that transmit information.
Address busses indicate where the information is to be transmitted. Finally, control buses carry orders that regulate computer processes.
6- Optical devices
Optical devices are read elements that allow decoding of information stored on disks.
7- System Clock
Each component of a computer works at a different speed. However, these components need to be organized so that the system can function properly.
The clock of the system has the function of setting the rhythm to which each device of the computer must work, so that these function as a whole.
8- Internal storage
Internal storage is the part of the computer that archives information and does not delete it even when the computer has shut down. The hard drive is one of the most common internal storage devices.
9- Hard disk
The hard drive is a long term storage system. This allows you to store information that the computer will use more than once.
When the computer needs a file from the hard drive, it copies it and loads it into the RAM. When it is no longer needed, the file can be erased from the RAM but will always remain on the hard drive.
The storage capacity of the hard drive is higher than the RAM. Some computers have 500 gigabytes, while others exceed terabytes.
10- Video Card
The video card or controller is a microprocessor that is responsible for producing the images and graphics that are displayed on the monitor.
It is connected directly to or integrated in the motherboard. It also connects to the monitor via a series of buses.
Basically, the video card transforms the images into a dot matrix, which is based on a binary system.
If it is desired that a point is illuminated, then the corresponding number will be 1. If it is desired to be kept off, the corresponding number will be 0.
11- Expansion slots
Expansion slots are usually located on the back of the computer and allow other devices (such as external memory, printers, etc.) to be installed.
12-Power Supply
The computers run on direct current that usually does not exceed 20 volts. However, the current that is in the houses is alternating of 100-240 volts.
Then, for a computer to be able to turn on, it is necessary to transform the alternating current in direct and to diminish the voltage of this one. The power supply fulfills this function.
Some computers also have Uninterruptible Power Systems (UPS), which provide power to the computer even when it is not connected to the mains.
References
- Internal Computer Hardware. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from openbookproject.net
- Internal Parts of a Computer. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from itstillworks.com
- Computer Basics: Inside a Computer. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from gcflearnfree.org
- Internal Components of a Desktop PC. Recovered on September 20, 2017, from utilizawindows.com
- Computer Hardware. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from en.wikipedia.org
- Internal and External Hardware Components in a Computer. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from lawrencealbuquerque.wordpress.com
- External and Internal Computer Components. Retrieved on September 20, 2017, from sites.google.com