Introduction

The basic parts of a desktop computer

are the computer
case, monitor, keyboard, mouse,
and power cord. Each part plays
an important role whenever you use a
computer.
Computer case
 Thecomputer case is the metal and plastic box
that contains the main components of the
computer, including the motherboard, central
processing unit (CPU), and power supply. The
front of the case usually has an On/Off button and
one or more optical drives.

 Computer cases come in different shapes and

sizes. A desktop case lies flat on a desk, and the
monitor usually sits on top of it. A tower case is
tall and sits next to the monitor or on the floor.
All-in-one computers come with the internal
components built into the monitor, which
eliminates the need for a separate case
MONITOR
Monitor
 The monitor works with a video card, located
inside the computer case, to display images and
text on the screen. Most monitors have control
buttons that allow you to change your
monitor's display settings, and some monitors
also have built-in speakers.
 Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid crystal
display) or LED (light-emitting diode) displays.
These can be made very thin, and they are often
called flat-panel displays. Older monitors
use CRT (cathode ray tube) displays. CRT
monitors are much larger and heavier, and they
take up more desk space
KEYBOARD
The keyboard is one of the main
ways to communicate with a
computer. There are many
different types of keyboards, but
most are very similar and allow
you to accomplish the same
basic tasks
MOUSE
 Themouse is another important tool for
communicating with computers. Commonly
known as a pointing device, it lets you point
to objects on the screen, click on them, and
move them.
 There are two main mouse types: optical
and mechanical. The optical mouse uses an
electronic eye to detect movement and is
easier to clean. The mechanical mouse
uses a rolling ball to detect movement and
requires regular cleaning to work properly
Mouse alternatives
There are other devices that can do the same thing
as a mouse. Many people find them easier to use,
and they also require less desk space than a
traditional mouse. The most common mouse
alternatives are below.

Trackball: A trackball has a ball that can rotate

freely. Instead of moving the device like a mouse, you
can roll the ball with your thumb to move the pointer.
Touchpad: A touchpad—also called a trackpad—is a
touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the pointer
by making a drawing motion with your finger.
Touchpads are common on laptop computers.
Take a look at the front and back of your computer
case and count the number of buttons, ports, and
slots you see. Now look at your monitor and count
any you find there. You probably counted at least
10, and maybe a lot more.

Each computer is different, so the buttons, ports,

and sockets will vary from computer to computer.
However, there are certain ones you can expect to
find on most desktop computers. Learning how
these ports are used will help whenever you need
to connect something to your computer, like a new
printer, keyboard, or mouse.
FRONT OF COMPUTER CASE
The back of a computer case
has connection ports that are
made to fit specific devices. The
placement will vary from computer
to computer, and many companies
have their own special connectors
for specific devices. Some of the
ports may be color coded to help
you determine which port is used
with a particular device.
Other types of ports
There are many other types of
ports, such as FireWire,
Thunderbolt, and HDMI. If your
computer has ports you don't
recognize, you should consult
your manual for more
information.
Peripherals you can use with your computer
 The most basic computer setup usually includes the
computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but you
can plug many different types of devices into the extra
ports on your computer. These devices are called
peripherals. Let's take a look at some of the most
common ones.

 Printers:A printer is used to print documents, photos,

and anything else that appears on your screen. There
are many types of printers, including inkjet, laser, and
photo printers. There are even all-in-one printers, which
can also scan and copy documents
Scanners: A scanner allows you
to copy a physical image or
document and save it to your
computer as a digital (computer-
readable) image. Many scanners
are included as part of an all-in-
one printer, although you can
also buy a separate flatbed or
handheld scanner
*

Speakers/headphones: Speakers and

headphones are output devices, which
means they send information from the
computer to the user—in this case,
they allow you to hear sound and
music. Depending on the model, they
may connect to the audio port or the
USB port. Some monitors also have
built-in speakers.
Microphones: A microphone is a
type of input device, or a device
that receives information from a
user. You can connect a
microphone to record sound or
talk with someone else over the
Internet. Many laptop computers
come with built-in microphones.
Inside a computer
Have you ever looked inside a computer
case, or seen pictures of the inside of
one? The small parts may look
complicated, but the inside of a
computer case isn't really all that
mysterious. This lesson will help you
master some of the basic terminology
and understand a bit more about what
goes on inside a computer.
MOTHER BOARD
The motherboard is the computer's
main circuit board. It's a thin plate
that holds the CPU, memory,
connectors for the hard drive and
optical drives, expansion cards to
control the video and audio, and
connections to your computer's ports
(such as USB ports). The motherboard
connects directly or indirectly to every
part of the computer.
CPU/processor
 The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located
inside the computer case on the motherboard. It is sometimes called the
brain of the computer, and its job is to carry out commands. Whenever
you press a key, click the mouse, or start an application, you're sending
instructions to the CPU.

 The CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon chip located
inside. The chip is usually about the size of a thumbnail. The CPU fits
into the motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered by the heat sink, an
object that absorbs heat from the CPU.

 A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions of

instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of instructions
per second. A faster processor can execute instructions more quickly.
However, the actual speed of the computer depends on the speed of
many different components—not just the processor.
RAM (random access
memory)
 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.

 This short-term memory disappears when the computer is

turned off. If you're working on a document, spreadsheet, or
other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it.
When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive,
which acts as long-term storage.

 RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). The

more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do
at the same time. If you don't have enough RAM, you may
notice that your computer is sluggish when you have
several programs open. Because of this, many people add
extra RAM to their computers to improve performance.
HARD DRIVE
 Thehard drive is where your software,
documents, and other files are stored. The
hard drive is long-term storage, which means
the data is still saved even if you turn the
computer off or unplug it.

 When you run a program or open a file, the

computer copies some of the data from the
hard drive onto the RAM. When you save a
file, the data is copied back to the hard drive.
The faster the hard drive, the faster your
computer can start up and load programs.
POWER SUPPLY UNIT
 The power supply unit in a computer converts the
power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed
by the computer. It sends power through cables to the
motherboard and other components.

 Ifyou decide to open the computer case and take a

look, make sure to unplug the computer first. Before
touching the inside of the computer, you should touch a
grounded metal object—or a metal part of the
computer casing—to discharge any static buildup.
Static electricity can be transmitted through the
computer circuits, which can seriously damage your
machine.
Expansion cards
Most computers have expansion slots on the
motherboard that allow you to add various types of
expansion cards. These are sometimes called PCI
(peripheral component interconnect) cards. You may
never need to add any PCI cards because most
motherboards have built-in video, sound, network, and
other capabilities.

However, if you want to boost the performance of your

computer or update the capabilities of an older
computer, you can always add one or more cards.
Below are some of the most common types of
expansion cards.
VIDEO CARD
 Thevideo card is responsible for what you see on the
monitor. Most computers have a GPU (graphics
processing unit) built into the motherboard instead of
having a separate video card. If you like playing
graphics-intensive games, you can add a faster video
card to one of the expansion slots to get better
performance.

Sound card
 The sound card—also called an audio card—is
responsible for what you hear in the speakers or
headphones. Most motherboards have integrated
sound, but you can upgrade to a dedicated sound card
for higher-quality sound.
NETWORK CARD
The network card allows your
computer to communicate over a
network and access the Internet. It
can either connect with an Ethernet
cable or through a wireless connection
(often called Wi-Fi). Many
motherboards have built-in network
connections, and a network card can
also be added to an expansion slot.
Bluetooth card (or adapter)
Bluetooth is a technology for wireless
communication over short distances.
It's often used in computers to
communicate with wireless
keyboards, mice, and printers. It's
commonly built into the motherboard
or included in a wireless network
card. For computers that don't have
Bluetooth, you can purchase a USB
adapter, often called a dongle.