LESSON 3: BASIC PARTS AND

FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTER
COMP1: COMPUTER CONCEPTS WITH INTERNET

INSTRUCTOR: SIR JOSHUA HERNANDEZ

BASIC PARTS
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

Desktop computer system

BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• A. SYSTEM UNIT
The system unit is the core of a computer system.
Usually it's a rectangular box placed on or underneath
your desk. Inside this box are many electronic
components that process information. The most
important of these components is the central
processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as
the "brain" of your computer. Another component
is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily
stores information that the CPU uses while the
computer is on. The information stored in RAM is
erased when the computer is turned off.
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• B. STORAGE
Your computer has one or more disk drives—
devices that store information on a metal or
plastic disk. The disk preserves the
information even when your computer is
turned off.
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• B. STORAGE
• 1. Hard disk drive
• Your computer's hard disk drive stores
information on a hard disk—a rigid platter or
stack of platters with a magnetic surface. Because
hard disks can hold massive amounts of
information, they usually serve as your
computer's primary means of storage, holding
almost all of your programs and files. The hard
disk drive is normally located inside the system
unit.
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• B. STORAGE
• 2. CD and DVD drives
• Nearly all computers today come equipped with a
CD or DVD drive, usually located on the front of
the system unit. CD drives use lasers to read
(retrieve) data from a CD; many CD drives can
also write (record) data onto CDs. If you have a
recordable disk drive, you can store copies of
your files on blank CDs. You can also use a CD
drive to play music CDs on your computer.
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• B. STORAGE
• 3. Floppy disk drive
• Floppy disk drives store information on floppy
disks, also called floppies or diskettes. Compared
to CDs and DVDs, floppy disks can store only a
small amount of data. They also retrieve
information more slowly and are more prone to
damage. For these reasons, floppy disk drives are
less popular than they used to be, although some
computers still include them.
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• C. MOUSE
A mouse is a small device used to point to
and select items on your computer screen.
Although mice come in many shapes, the
typical mouse does look a bit like an actual
mouse. It's small, oblong, and connected to
the system unit by a long wire that resembles
a tail. Some newer mice are wireless.
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• D. KEYBOARD
A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into
your computer. Like the keyboard on a typewriter,
it has keys for letters and numbers, but it also has
special keys:
• The function keys, found on the top row, perform
different functions depending on where they are
used.
• The numeric keypad, located on the right side of
most keyboards, allows you to enter numbers
quickly.
• The navigation keys, such as the arrow keys, allow
you to move your position within a document or
webpage.
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• E. MONITOR
• A monitor displays information in visual form, using
text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that
displays the information is called the screen. Like a CRT
television screen, a computer screen can show still or
moving pictures.
• There are two basic types of monitors: CRT (cathode
ray tube) monitors and the newer LCD (liquid crystal
display) monitors. Both types produce sharp images,
but LCD monitors have the advantage of being much
thinner and lighter.
LCD
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• F. SPEAKERS
• Speakers are used to play sound. They can
be built into the system unit or connected
with cables. Speakers allow you to listen to
music and hear sound effects from your
computer.
BASIC PARTS OF A COMPUTER

• G. MODEM
• To connect your computer to the Internet,
you need a modem. A modem is a device
that sends and receives computer
information over a telephone line or high-
speed cable. Modems are sometimes built
into the system unit, but higher-speed
modems are usually separate components.
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

• The computer system is defined as an arrangement of all-

possible hardware and software installed to the computer,
which will assist in carrying out its task efficiently.

• The Computer System Equation:

Computer System = Hardware + Software
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
Components of a Computer System
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• The CPU is most times referred to as the brain of the computer,
because it controls and coordinates all the functions of a computer,
similar to how your brain controls and coordinates the data and
information which comes into your body. For smaller computers such
as personal computers, the CPU is contained on a silicon chip called a
microprocessor. On larger computers such as IBM mainframe, the
CPU may consist of several circuit boards.
• The three main manufactures of CPUs are: Intel Corporation,
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Cyrix.
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Main Functions of the CPU

1. Fetching data and instruction from memory.

2. Coordinating and performing instructions received.
3. Sending the results of execution to memory.
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Main Components of the CPU

1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• This is a twin unit that performs all arithmetic calculations (arithmetic
unit) and logical operations (logic unit) on data being processed.

2. Control Unit (CU)

• The main function of the control unit is to decode and execute all
instructions given to the computer. However other function includes:
• Processing inputted information.
• Controlling the output’s outcome and destination.
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Main Components of the CPU

3. CPU clock
• The CPU clock regulates the speed of the processor and it synchronizes
all the parts of the CPU. The speed of the processor is measured in Mega
Hertz (MHz) which means million of cycles per second.

4. Registers
• Registers are high-speed storage areas in CPU that temporarily hold
data and instructions.
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Main Components of the CPU

5. Buses
• The electrical path or channel along where bits are transferred. This
information is transmitted in groups of bits and bytes. Bus width can be
8, 16, 32, 64, or 128 bits. An 8-bit bus moves 8 bits of data at a time.
Bus width is the amount of data the CPU can transmit at any time. The
speed of a bus affects the transfer of bits. A faster bus means faster
transfer of information to and from the CPU.
BASIC FUNCTIONS
MAIN FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS

1. Input - In order for the computer to function, data and instructions

have to be input into it in a suitable form. This is done via input
devices. Examples of input devices are the keyboard, the mouse,
and microphone. It involves receiving information from the
environment, or from storage devices, through an input device.
2. Output – Presentation of data to the environment from main
memory of the computer to media external to the CPU. Common
output devices, like the printer and the monitor present the
information to the user in a format he/she can immediately
understand (e.g. printed on paper or displayed on screen)
MAIN FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS

3. Processing – Manipulation of data in a variety of ways

applying rules of arithmetic and logic. This is commonly
referred to as the “brain” of the computer system and is
responsible for converting data and instructions into useful
information.
4. Storing – recording of data in a relatively permanent form i.e.
disk, CD and other storage devices for access later on.
REFERENCES

• Steinbeck, Dionne. (2007) Exploring Information Technology.

Marie Rose Pittal - 232 p.
• Shelly, Gary; Vermaat, Misty. (2013) Discovering Computers.
Boston, Ma: Cengage Learning.
• Parts of A Computer. © 2014 Microsoft. Date Retrieved: Nov
26, 2014. Retrieved from: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-
ph/windows/computer-parts#1TC=windows-7