A power supply unit (PSU) converts mains

AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the

internal components of a computer.
Modern personal computers universally use
a switched-mode power supply.
Some power supplies have a manual selector
for input voltage, while others automatically
adapt to the supply voltage.



RAM is your system's short-term memory. Whenever your computer
performs calculations, it temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is
needed.

SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)
SDRAM is able to scale to 133 MHz (PC133) officially, and unofficially
up to 180MHz or higher. As processors get faster, new generations of
memory such as DDR and RDRAM are required to get proper
performance.
DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM)
DDR basically doubles the rate of data transfer of standard SDRAM by
transferring data on the up and down tick of a clock cycle.
An arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) is the part of a
computer processor (CPU) that carries out arithmetic and logic
operations on the operands in computer instruction words.
In some processors, the ALU is divided into two units, an arithmetic
unit (AU) and a logic unit (LU).
Some processors contain more than one AU - for example, one
for fixed-point operations and another for floating-point operations.
Typically, the ALU has direct input and output access to the processor
controller, main memory (random access memory or RAM in a personal
computer), and input/output devices. Inputs and outputs flow along an
electronic path that is called a bus.

A control unit is circuitry that directs operations within the computer's processor by
directing the input and output of a computer system.
The processor then controls how the rest of the computer operates (giving directions
to the other parts and systems).
A control unit works by gathering input through a series of commands it receives
from instructions in a running programs and then outputs those commands into
control signals that the computer and other hardware attached to the computer carry
out.
Like a motherboard, a graphics card is a printed
circuit board that houses a processor and RAM.
It also has an input/output system(BIOS) chip,
which stores the card's settings and performs
diagnostics on the memory, input and output at
startup.
A graphics card's processor, called a graphics
processing unit (GPU), is similar to a computer's
CPU.
A GPU, however, is designed specifically for
performing the complex mathematical and
geometric calculations that are necessary for
graphics rendering.



What is a Port?
A computer port is a physical docking point using which an
external device can be connected to the computer.

A computer port can also be programmatic docking point
through which information flows from a program to computer
or over the internet.

Characteristics
External devices are connected to a computer using cables and
ports.

Ports are slots on the motherboard into which a cable of external
device is plugged in.

Examples of external devices attached via ports are mouse,
keyboard, monitor, microphone , speakers, etc.
There are two main types of computer ports: physical and virtual.
Physical ports are used for connecting a computer trough a cable and a
socket to a peripheral device.
Physical computer ports list includes serial ports ( DB9 socket ), USB
ports ( USB 2.0 or 3.0 socket)
USB port (Universal Serial Bus) is used mainly to standardize communications between computers
and peripheral. Also USB ports can be used as a power supply for different devices like digital
cameras, microcontroller programmers, laptop coolers and other

Ethernet / internet ports was first introduced in 1980 to standardize the local area networks ( LAN ).
Internet ports use RJ45 connectors and have speeds between 10 Mb/sec, 100 Mb/sec and 1 Gb/sec, 40
Gb/sec and 100 Gb/sec ;

VGA ports ( Video Graphics Array ) has 15 pins displayed on three rows and it is mainly used for
connecting the monitor with the video adapter from the computer motherboard; adapters :

HDMI ( High-Definition Multimedia Interface );

DVI are computer ports used to transmit uncompressed digital video data ;

PS/2 ports were introduced in 1987 to replace the serial mouse and keyboard;


1. Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA)
These types of drives are also known as Integrated Drive Electronics
(IDE) and Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE) drives.
2. Serial ATA (SATA)
These hard disks use a totally different connector than their PATA
counterpartsThe main difference between a SATA and a PATA hard
disk is that the former is thinner and purportedly have a faster data
interface than the latter.
3. Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
These hard disks are similar to IDE hard drives. They also spin at a higher rate in
comparison to IDE and SATA ones. IDE and SATA drives generally spin at 7,200
rpm, whereas SCSI ones spin at 10,000 to 15,000 rpm.
4. Solid State Drives (SSD)
These hard disks, unlike the other types, don't consist of moving components.
Typical hard drives comprise of a spinning magnetic disk that performs the function
of data storage, but SSDs use semiconductors for this purpose.
A switched-mode power supply (switching-mode power supply,
SMPS, or switcher) is an electronic power supply that
incorporates a switching regulator to convert electrical power
efficiently.
Like other power supplies, an SMPS transfers power from a
source, like mains power, to a load, such as a personal
computer, while converting voltage and current.

The basic input/output system (BIOS) on a computer is typically stored
on a non-volatile microchip called a BIOS chip, which is placed on
the motherboard of the computer.
This chip is integral to the proper operation of the computer, and if it
is corrupted or damaged, the computer will likely no longer be able to
start up.
Personal computer: A small, single-user computer
based on a microprocessor.
Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A
workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a
more powerful microprocessor and, in general, a
higher-quality monitor.
Minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of
supporting up to hundreds of users simultaneously.
Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable
of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that can
perform hundreds of millions of instructions per
second.

Tower model
Its a computer in which the power supply, motherboard,
and mass storage devices are stacked on top of each other in
a cabinet. This is in contrast to desktop models, in which
these components are housed in a more compact box
Desktop model
A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk,
typically with the monitor sitting on top of the computer.
Desktop model computers are broad and low, whereas
tower model computers are narrow and tall.
Notebook computer
An extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook
computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and are small
enough to fit easily in a briefcase.
Laptop computer
A small, portable computer -- small enough that it can sit on your lap. Nowadays, laptop
computers are more frequently called notebook computers.
Subnotebook computer
A portable computer that is slightly lighter and smaller than a full-sized notebook
computer. Typically, subnotebook computers have a smaller keyboard and screen, but
are otherwise equivalent to notebook computers.
Hand-held computer
A portable computer that is small enough to be held in ones hand. Although extremely
convenient to carry, handheld computers have not replaced notebook computers
because of their small keyboards and screens.
Palmtop
A small computer that literally fits in your palm. Compared to full-size computers,
palmtops are severely limited, but they are practical for certain functions such as phone
books and calendars.
PDA
Short for personal digital assistant, a handheld device that combines computing,
telephone/fax, and networking features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone,
fax sender, and personal organizer.