Chapter 2

Inside
Computer

Components (Parts) of
Computer
1. Processor (CPU)
2. Main Memory (Primary : RAM)
3. Hard Disk (Secondary memory and removable
storage)
4. Input/Output Devices (Mouse, Keyboard, Printer
etc.)
5. Connection Ports
6. Power supply
7. Motherboard
8. Monitor
9. Bios

Units to measure CPU speed

CPU speed is measured in megahertz and
gigahertz.
Mega means million and Giga means billion.
Hertz is a unit of measurement that measures
the processing speed. It means cycles per
second.
CPU needs one or more cycles to perform an
action. More cycles per seconds means that the
CPU can process more instructions per second.
So, the higher the processing speed, the faster
the CPU can process instructions.

Units to measure CPU speed

(Continued)
1 Byte
1 Kilobyte (KB)
1 Megabytes (MB)

1 Gigabytes (GB)

1 Gibibyte (GiB)

8 Bits
= 210 bytes
= 210 Kilobytes
= 210 210 Bytes
= 220 bytes
= 210 Megabytes
= 210 210
Kilobytes
= 210 210 210
Bytes
= 230 bytes
1.074 GB

CPU
The Central Processing Unit (CPU), also called a
processor, is like the brain of the computer. It
executes instructions in response to commands.
Whenever we press a key, click the mouse, or start
an application, we send instructions to the CPU.
These are all executed by the CPU.
A processors speed is measured in Megahertz
(MHZ), or Gigahertz (GHZ). Higher the speed, faster
is the execution of instructions.
The CPU is generally a 2 inch ceramic square with a
silicon chip located inside. The chip is usually about
the size of a thumbnail.

RAM vs ROM
RAM is Random Access Memory.

ROM is Read Only Memory.

RAM is the memory available for

the operating system, programs
and processes to use when the
computer is running.

ROM is the memory that comes

with your computer that is prewritten to hold the instructions for
booting-up the computer.

RAM requires a flow of electricity

to retain data (e.g. the computer
powered on).

ROM will retain data without the

flow of electricity (e.g. when
computer is powered off).

RAM is a type of volatile memory

. Data in RAM is not permanently
written. When you power off your
computer the data stored in RAM
is deleted.

ROM is a type of
non- volatile memory. Data in
ROM is permanently written and
is not erased when you power off
your computer.

There are different types of RAM,

including DRAM (Dynamic
Random Access Memory) and
SRAM (Static Random Access
Memory).

There are different types of ROM,

including PROM (programmable
read-only memory) that is
manufactured as blank memory
(e.g. a CD-ROM) and EPROM
(erasable programmable read-

Hard Disk
The hard disk drive is the data center of the computer.
The hard disk drive is usually found inside a computer.
Operating system, the documents and content that a
user creates and saves, the software to operate the
computer, and the applications like Word processor and
Scratch, are stored on the hard disk until explicitly
deleted.
Whatever information we save on a computer, is
written to the hard disk, which can be retrieved later. It
is a permanent storage device.
The computer loads the instructions from secondary
memory (hard disk) into main memory (RAM) as and
when required.

Removable Storage devices

Devices that can be
removed from the
computer and can
be carried wherever
required are called
as Removable
Storage Devices.
Examples : CD/DVD,
hard disk, pen drive
etc.

Backup and its

Importance/Uses

Making a copy of a document or information that

you create on the computer, is called taking
backup.
Backup of content (documents, paintings, reports,
etc.) that you create is important.
Backup can be taken on CD/DVD, pen drive, a
removable hard disk, or another computer to which
you have access.
We can also mail a copy to ourselves if we have
Internet connectivity.
We also get books, games, educational lessons on
CD/DVDs. These devices can also be used for
distribution and sharing of resources.

How does input get converted

to
output?
An input device converts data and instructions
entered using the device into a pattern of electrical
signals.
A user inputs data and instructions (example: using
a keyboard), initiates a task (example: using a
mouse), transfers images (example: using a web
camera), using the input devices.
These signals correspond to binary code that can be
processed by a digital computer.
An output device reverses the process, translating
the binary code into a form intelligible to the user.
The computer displays processed information
(example: a print out of the information or audio,
video) through the output devices.
Some devices can handle both input and output. The

Processing
Input devices are used to send information to
the computer and output devices are used to
receive information from the computer.
CPU is neither an input nor an output device.
It takes information from the input devices,
processes it and sends the result to the
output devices. This is called processing.

NIC (Network Interface Card)

In computer networking, a NIC provides the hardware
interface between a computer and a network. A NIC
technically is network adapter hardware in the form factor
of an add-in card such as a PCI (Peripheral Component
Interconnect) or PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association)card.
Some NIC cards work with wired connections while others
are wireless. Most NICs support either wired Ethernet or Wifi
wireless standards. Ethernet NICs plug into the system bus
of the PC and include jacks for network cables, while WiFi
NICs contain built-in transmitters / receivers (transceivers).
In new computers, many NICs are now pre-installed by the
manufacturer. All NICs feature a speed rating such as 11
Mbps, 54 Mbps or 100 Mbps that suggest the general
performance of the unit.

Connection Ports
Some common ports and their details are as follows:
1. PS/2 Port: Used to connect the mouse and keyboard.
2. Ethernet Port: Used to connect the network cable.
3. Audio In/Audio Out: Connect various audio devices,
including speakers, microphones, headsets, etc.
4. VGA Port: Monitor is connected to this port.
5. USB Port: The Universal Serial Bus port is one of the
most useful ports. These USB ports let you attach a
variety of devices such as mouse, printers, keyboards,
web cameras, USB/flash drives, and digital cameras to
the computer quickly. Most peripherals have a USB
version.
6. Power cord sockets.
7. Fan.

Personal System/2
(PS/2)

PS/2 Wires

Video Graphics
Array

USB (Universal
Serial Bus)

Ethernet Port and Wire

Case Fan

Audio In/Audio Out

Power cord
sockets.