Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
Division of Ilocos Sur

CSS 1
COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING I
11
LESSON TITLE:
BASIC HARDWARE COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
SYSTEMS

Name of Teacher –Writer: SHERYL R. RIALUBIN

School: SINAIT NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

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Welcome to the Computer Systems Servicing (CSS) I Module 2.

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled
to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.
The unit of competency, "Install and Configure Computer Systems", is one
of the competencies of COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NC II, a course which
comprises the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for a Computer Systems
Servicing trainee to possess.
This module contains training materials and activities related to assembling
computer hardware, installing operating system and drivers for peripherals/devices,
installing the computer application software and conduct testing and documentation.
In this module, you are required to go through a series of learning activities in order to
complete each learning outcome. In each learning outcome are Information Sheets,
Self-Checks, Task Sheets and Job Sheets. Follow and perform the activities on your
own. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask for assistance from your facilitator.

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Describe each of the components of the system unit;

2. Identify all the basic hardware components of computer
systems.

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 THE SYSTEM UNIT
The System Unit is the overall structure that houses the
processor, memory, and electronic components of the
computer that are used to process data. All input and output
devices are connected into the system unit. The system unit
is housed by what is known as system case or computer
case. It holds and protects most components of a computer.

THE CHASSIS

The Computer Case contains the framework to support and enclose internal
components of the computer. It helps to prevent damage from static electricity. It
typically made up of plastic, steel, and aluminum which are available in a variety of
styles. The size and layout of a case is called a form factor. It is also designed to
keep internal components cool by using airflow vents and cooling fans.

Computer cases are referred to in a number of ways: Computer

chassis, Cabinet, Tower, Box and Housing.

TYPES
1. Tower (Full, Mid, Mini)
2. Desktop (Standard, Slimline)

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THE POWER SUPPLY UNIT
Power supplies serve as the source for electricity to the computer. Attached are vital
hardware cables and buses for transferring power to various components in the
computer.
The following are the basic connector you can see in a power supply:

1. ATX 24 pin main power connector

-is the standard motherboard power connector used in nearly every computer.
2. SATA 15 pin power supply connector is one of several standard peripheral
power connectors. SATA 15 pin power supply connector is one of several
standard peripheral power connectors. SATA power connectors only connect
to SATA drives like hard drives and optical drives. SATA power connectors do
not work with older PATA devices.
3. Molex 4 pin power supply connector is a standard peripheral power
connector. Molex power connectors connect to many different kinds of internal
peripherals including PATA hard drives and optical drives, some video cards,
and even some other devices.
4. Floppy drive 4 pin power supply connector is the standard floppy drive
power connector. The floppy power connector, also called a Berg connector or
Mini-Molex connector, is included in even the newest power supplies even
though floppy drives are becoming obsolete.

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THE MOTHERBOARD

The motherboard is also known as mainboard, system board, logic board, or

MOBO. It holds and allows communication between the crucial components of the
computer such as the CPU and memory.

There are several components that are attached to the motherboard. These include:
1. Chip – small piece of semiconducting material, where more integrated circuits
are embedded. They have standard-sized pin connectors that allows them to
be attached to the motherboard.

2. Bus - an electrical path that enables data flow between various system
components.

3. Integrated Circuit (IC) – contains microscopic pathways that carry electric

current. The IC contains millions of elements such as resistors, capacitators,
and transistors. Many different kinds of chips are located in the motherboard

4. Microprocessor – this is the central processing unit on a chip.

The form factor of motherboards pertains to the size and shape of the board. It also
describes the physical layout of the different components and devices on the
motherboard.

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SOUTHBRIDGE & NORTHBRIDGE

The function of the northbridge is primarily a fast path between the CPU and
the video bus and system RAM. While the southbridge connects with the slow
hardware/components of the system.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

Commonly known as the CPU or processor, this is the brain of the computer.
It interprets and carries out the basic instructions to operate a computer. It impacts
overall computing power and manages most of the computer operations.

Nowadays, processors have multiple cores called multi-core processors.

This means that the processor is a single chip that has two or more separate
processors. In multi-core processors, each of the processors run at a slower clock
speed as compared to a single-core processor, but this efficient process typically
increases performance.

There are two kinds of common multi-core processors today:

1. Dual Core Processor – chip that contains two separate processors
2. Quad Core Processor – chip with four separate processors

AMD and Intel are the two most popular

brands of processors in the market nowadays.

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 Bundled with the processors are the heat sinks. A heat
sink consists of metal fins that draw heat away from a
component. The fan and heat sink together are called the
processor cooler.

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

RAM acts as temporary storage as long as the computer is running. The

contents of the RAM change as programs are executed. These are chips that are
placed directly on the motherboard. These RAM consists of switches which are
triggered by changes in electric current.
The computer will need a certain amount of memory to be able to handle
programs, data, and information, depending on the types of applications used.
The more RAM a computer has, the faster the computer will be.

To be able to use basic application software such as Office Suite, one needs at
least 1GB of RAM. Using programs and multimedia should have at
least 4GB. Playing modern games or using editing software will require at least 8GB.

COOLING TECHNOLOGIES
Cooling technologies are essential in avoiding the computer from overheating
and maintaining a good, well-ventilated system.

Several cooling technologies are present throughout the system unit:

1. Fans are also present in several components such as the power supply,
ports, processor, hard disk etc.

2. Heat sink, on another hand, is a small metal or ceramic component with fins
on the surface which absorbs and distributes heat produced by electrical
components.

3. Heat pipe is used on smaller devices like notebook computers since this is
smaller in size.

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Expansion Cards

Expansion Cards also called an adapter card, is a circuit board that provides
more ports than those provided by the motherboard.
TYPES OF EXPANSION CARDS
1. NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC)
NIC is also referred to as an Ethernet
card and network adapter. A NIC is a
computer expansion card for
connecting to a network (e.g.,
home network or Internet) using an
Ethernet cable with an RJ-45
connector.

2. VIDEO CARD
Alternatively known as a display
adapter, graphics card, video
adapter, video board, or video
controller, a video card is an
expansion card that connects to a
computer motherboard. It is used to
create a picture on a display.

3. SOUND CARD
Alternatively referred to as an audio
output device, sound board, or audio
card. A sound card is an expansion
card or IC for producing sound on a
computer that can be heard through
speakers or headphones.

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 Read the questions carefully and write the correct answer in
the space provided. For items 11-15, write the correct name of
the basic connector in power supply.

1. It interprets and carries out the basic instructions to operate a computer.

a. Random Access Memory
b. Hard Disk Drive
c. Central Processing Unit
d. Read Only Memory

2. The fan and heat sink together are called ___________________.

a. chips cooler
b. microprocessor
c. bus
d. processor cooler

3. It serves as the source for electricity to the computer.

a. power supply unit
b. uninterrupted power supply
c. motherboard
d. powerbank

4. It is an electrical path that enables data flow between various system

components.
a. integrated circuits
b. bus
c. microprocessor
d. chips

5. Chip that contains two separate processors

a. Dual core
b. Quad core
c. Pentium II
d. Atom

6. It holds and allows communication between the crucial components of the

computer.
a. motherboard
b. power supply unit
c. hard disk drive
d. central processing unit

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7. It acts as temporary storage as long as the computer is running.
a. Read Only Memory
b. Random Access Memory
c. Central Processing Unit
d. Hard Disk Drive

8. An expansion card for producing sound on a computer through

headphones/speaker.
a. Audio Card
b. Video Card
c. Network Interface Card
d. ATM Card

9. The two popular brands of processor in the market nowadays.

a. Intel and Acer
b. Asus and Acer
c. AMD and Intel
d. Lenovo and Asus

10. Computer cases are referred to in a number of ways EXCEPT

a. Tower
b. Cabinet
c. Chassis
d. Central Processing Unit

11. __________ 12. _____________ 13. ___________

14. __________________ 15. _________________

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Below is the picture of the computer back panel where
most of the computer ports/slots are located. Can you
identify the following ports/slots?

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 The motherboard has several ports, sockets, slots, and connectors that
link the computers' components, input, and output devices among each
other.

PORTS
The port basically serves as an interface between the computer and other computers
or peripheral devices.

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SLOTS
Slot is a computer processor connection designed to make upgrading the processor
much easier.

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SOCKET
The following are the most common sockets found in the motherboard.

The CPU socket where the CPU itself is inserted and the CMOS slot where the
CMOS battery (which lets the motherboard remember the date and time of the
computer) that is replaced after it has worn out.

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CONNECTORS
A simple device that physically links, couples, or connects, two things together.

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 Help! The computer room is in a complete chaos. Let’s help
your teacher in testing the computers by matching the devices
in Column A to their respective ports, slots or socket in Column
B. Write the letter of the correct answer before the number.
Identify also what port/slot or socket is in the picture, you can
write your answer in the space provided.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

___ 1. _____________________________ A.

___ 2. B.
______________________________

___ 3. C.
______________________________

___ 4. _____________________________ D.

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___ 5. _____________________________ E.

___ 6. _____________________________ F.

___ 7. _____________________________ G.

___ 8.______________________________ H.

___ 9. I.
______________________________

___ 10. ____________________________ J.

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 TRUE OR FALSE
Directions: Read each statement below carefully. Place a T on the line
if you think a statement it TRUE. Place an F on the line if you think the
statement is FALSE.

_______1. Playing modern games or using editing software will require at least 8
gb Ram.
_______2. RAM is the brain of the computer.
_______3. A NIC is an exapnsion card that is used to create a picture or a display.
_______4. HDMI port is used to connect RJ 11.
_______5. The CPU Socket is where the CPU is inserted and the CMOS slot is
where the CMOS battery is placed.
_______6. MOLEX is the standard motherboard power connector used in nearly
every computer.
_______7. Motherboard holds and allows communication between the crucial
components of the computer such as the CPU and memory
_______8. Quad Core Processor contains two separate processors.
_______9. PCI slot is used to hold the video card of the computer.
_______10. PS/2 ports are intended only for mouse and keyboard.

ESSAY
Directions: Answer the question briefly.

1. What components does the southbridge and northbridge supports?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. As a Computer System Servicing student, why is it important to familiarize yourself

to the different components of the computer?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

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EXERCISE/ACTIVITY 1
10. D
9. C
8. A
7. B
6. A
15. AT(P8,P9) 5. A
14. ATX-20Pin 4. B
13. ATX-12V 3. A
12. MOLEX 2. D
11. Berg 1. C

REVIEW /MOTIVATION

PS/2 FOR PS/2 FOR

KEYBOARD MOUSE

USB PORT
LAN PORT

SERIAL PORT

PARALLEL PORT

VGA PORT

LINE IN

LINE OUT
GAME PORT

MICROPHONE

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EXERCISE/ACTIVITY 2
F 10. CMOS SOCKET
J 9. RAM SLOT
E 8. PCIe SLOT
B 7. AUDIO PORT
A 6. HDMI PORT
C 5. LAN PORT
I 4. CPU SOCKET
H 3. VGA PORT
D 2. USB PORT
G 1. PS/2 PORT

ASSESSMENT
TRUE OR FALSE

T 10.
F 9.
F 8.
T 7.
F 6.
T 5.
F 4.
F 3.
F 2.
T 1.

ESSAY
1. Southbridge supports the PCI, IDE, SATA, USB, CMOS, LEGACY and BIOS
while Northbridge supports the CPU, PCIe or AGP, and RAM.

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