# Components of Computers [f763fc56af70] Computers are made up of **hardware** and **software**. ## Hardware [block_2] The **physical** **components** of a computer system that can be **touched** and **seen**. ### Motherboard [block_4] 1. A **circuit** **board** that **allows** **data** to **travel** to the **different** **components** in a computer. 2. The **motherboard** is the **main** **circuit** **board** that **connects** all the **components** of a computer. ### Central Processing Unit (CPU) [block_7] 1. The **component **of a computer that **carries** **out** and **controls** the computer's **instructions**. 2. The **central** **processing** **unit** **(CPU**) is the **brain** of the computer. It **executes** **instructions** and **performs** **calculations**. 3. It is split into three main subcomponents: 1. Control unit (CU) - controls the **order **and **processing **of **processes**. 2. Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) - computer **arithmetic **and **logic operations**. 3. Registers - temporarily **store **small amounts of **data **needed by the CPU. ### Primary Memory [block_10] The **component** of a computer that **stores** **data** and **instructions **that the computer needs to run and execute instructions. 1. **RAM (Random Access Memory)**: **Temporary** **storage** for **data** and **instructions** that are **currently** **being** **used** by the CPU. 2. **ROM (Read-Only Memory)**: **Permanent** **storage** for **essential** **instructions** that **cannot** be **modified**. Stores the necessary data that the computer **needs **to **boot**. 3. **Cache**: **Small **but **extremely fast** memory that **stores frequently used data** for **fast retrieval**. [{"_key":"5d32612e071b","_type":"block","asset":null,"children":[{"_key":"008a662f1477","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Upgrading the RAM to be faster and/or feature a higher capacity results in significant improvement of the speed and amount of available running processes on a computer."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}] ### Storage [block_17] The **component** of a computer that **stores** **data** and **instructions** **permanently. **Usually used for storing user data. There are two types of storage: 1. **Hard Disk Drive (HDD)**: **Magnetic** **storage** that **uses** **spinning** **disks** to **store** **data**. Weaker than SSD, but much cheaper and commonly has more capacity. 2. **Solid State Drive (SSD)**: **Flash** **storage** that **uses** **memory** **chips** to **store** **data**. Much more powerful and faster, but more expensive. ### Graphics and Sound Components [block_22] The **components** of a computer that **process** **and** **output** **visual** and **audio** **data**. 1. **Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)**: **Processes** **visual** **data** and **outputs** it to a **display** **device**. 2. **Sound Card**: **Processes** **audio** **data** and **outputs** it to **speakers** or **headphones**. [{"_key":"e8a29391768d","_type":"block","asset":null,"children":[{"_key":"3890b5fde22a","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"GPUs are actually very powerful "},{"_key":"2bae2f4dc90c","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"processors "},{"_key":"46f817a6c35b","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"(similarly to CPUs) that compute many "},{"_key":"a8963b360bf5","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"complex calculations at the same time"},{"_key":"33a6ce9b482f","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":" to allow for powerful graphic features."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}] ### Power Supply [block_26] The **component** of a computer that **converts** **AC** **power** from an **outlet** into **DC** **power** for the **computer**. The **power** **supply** **converts** **AC** **power** from an **outlet** into **DC** **power** for the **computer**. ### Input and Output Devices [block_29] A **device** that **sends** **data** and **instructions** to a computer. A **device** that **receives** **data** and **instructions** from a computer and **displays** **them** to the **user**. 1. **Input devices**: **Send** **data** and **instructions** to a computer (e.g., **keyboard**, **mouse**, **microphone**). 2. **Output devices**: **Receive** **data** and **instructions** from a computer and **display** **them** to the **user** (e.g., **monitor**, **printer**, **speakers**). ### User Interfaces [block_39] The **means** by which **human** **users** **interact** with a **digital** **technology**. The **intent** is to make the **user's** **experience** **straight** **forward**, **intuitive**, and **requiring** **minimum** **effort** to **achieve** the **desired** **outcome**. 1. **Graphical User Interface (GUI)**: **Uses** **visual** **elements** like **icons** and **windows** to **interact** with the **user**. 2. **Command Line Interface (CLI)**: **Uses** **text** **commands** to **interact** with the **user**. ### Haptic Interfaces [block_43] 1. A **user** **interface** that **provides** **feedback** to the **user** through **touch**. 2. **Haptic** **interfaces** **provide** **feedback** to the **user** through **touch** (e.g., **vibrations** in a **game** **controller**). [{"_key":"8c55ca14ffcf","_type":"block","asset":null,"children":[{"_key":"9725f471d39b","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Sony PlayStation's DualSense game controllers use haptic feedback on some of their buttons to make gaming more immersive and difficult in certain scenarios."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}] ## Software [block_46] The **programs** and **applications** that **run** on a **computer**. ### Operating Systems [block_48] 1. Software that **manages** the **hardware**, **software** and **memory** of a computer as well as **providing** a **user** **interface**. 2. The **operating** **system** is the **software** that **manages** the **hardware**, **software**, and **memory** of a computer. It **provides** a **user** **interface** for **interacting** with the **system**. [{"_key":"04f7dc7899e1","_type":"block","asset":null,"children":[{"_key":"a3b969828b6c","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Some of the most common operating systems used on personal computers include "},{"_key":"1f1a68f3e22e","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Windows"},{"_key":"f70ffdcd8de6","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", "},{"_key":"e5be191b9a68","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"macOS"},{"_key":"fb8bf11cbb44","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":", and "},{"_key":"51130e7b5dfc","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Linux"},{"_key":"b46b521c48c6","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"."}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"3f88f2650447","_type":"block","asset":null,"children":[{"_key":"0b824293ff0c","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Mobile phones commonly run "},{"_key":"4ccb6dbd7bd0","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"Android "},{"_key":"8a02224617eb","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"or "},{"_key":"60f45e01bc7e","_type":"span","marks":["strong"],"text":"iOS "},{"_key":"b0233a6b65f8","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"as their operating system."}],"level":1,"listItem":"bullet","markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}] ### Applications / Applicative Software [block_51] 1. Software that **serves** a **specific** **purpose**, such as a **word** **processor** or **video** **editor**. 2. **Software** **applications** are **programs** that **perform** **specific** **tasks** (e.g., **word** **processors**, **web** **browsers**, **games**). ### Malicious Software (Malware) [block_54] 1. Software **designed** to **steal** **data** or **damage** **computers**/ **IT** **systems**. 2. Common **types **of malware include **ransomware**, **viruses**, **trojan horses**, etc. [{"_key":"block_59","_type":"block","asset":null,"children":[{"_key":"eb8337f85843","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":"Computer systems are made up of "},{"_key":"5d202e4fcb57","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":["strong"],"text":"hardware "},{"_key":"8b94e7fa9ab5","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":"and "},{"_key":"fe4a65af2782","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":["strong"],"text":"software"},{"_key":"8cebf8b7cc31","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":". "},{"_key":"7c56ac2cef35","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":["strong"],"text":"Hardware includes "},{"_key":"70ad83f09ba1","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":"the "},{"_key":"070a45e5b3fe","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":["strong"],"text":"physical components "},{"_key":"feb5ae5171c4","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":"of a computer, while "},{"_key":"80e8aab98dc3","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":["strong"],"text":"software "},{"_key":"113452413880","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"includes the "},{"_key":"c4f2933c13f6","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":["strong"],"text":"programs "},{"_key":"b2f901562030","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":"and "},{"_key":"5d76daabaf15","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":["strong"],"text":"applications "},{"_key":"f2f10ea9bc00","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":"that "},{"_key":"36c813a0b93c","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":["strong"],"text":"run "},{"_key":"33310d5d90c2","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":"on the computer system."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}] [{"_key":"block_62","_type":"block","asset":null,"children":[{"_key":"91589ea5212e","_type":"span","markDefs":[],"marks":[],"text":"What are the main components of a computer? 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