KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

Self Access Learning Module

ICT Literacy for

Secondary School
Programme

Computer Hardware
System Unit

PUSAT PERKEMBANGAN KURIKULUM

KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

MODULE 3

SYSTEM UNIT

Curriculum Development Centre

Ministry of Education Malaysia

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

1.

Name of Module :

System Unit

2.

Learning Outcomes: The students should be able to:

identify the components of a system unit

state the functions of the main components of a system unit

state the functions of cpu, ram, rom and expansions slots found
on the motherboard

3.

Knowledge and Skills:

main components in the computer system

4.

Module Summary:

At the end of the module, a student is able to :

identify main components of system unit and motherboard
state the functions of main components of system unit
state the functions of CPU, RAM, ROM and expansion slot

This module contains 2 activities:

Activity 1 : Identify the components of a system unit
Activity 2 : Identify the components of a motherboard

As you are doing this module, use the computer in the lab to identify the components in the
system unit.

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Notes: What is system unit?

Box-like case that contains computers electronic components

Sometimes called the chassis

Figure 1 Examples of System Unit

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Activity 1 : Identify the components of a system unit

Inside view of system unit

Figure 2 Inside view of System Unit

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Front layer of a system unit

DVD-ROM drive
CD-ROM/CD-RW drive
Zip drive
Empty drive bay
Floppy disk drive
Power button
Reset button

Figure 3 Front View of a System Unit

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Input/Output port (I/O port)

Power port
mouse

keyboard

USB

USB

printer (parallel
port)

serial port

speaker
monitor

microphone

game port
network
telephone
line out

telephone
line in

FM reception

svideo out

cable TV
Figure 4 Back View of a System Unit

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Functions of the main components of a system unit

No.
1.

Components
Input/Output port
(I/O port)

Functions
A port is the point at which a peripheral attaches to a system unit
so that the peripheral can send data to or receive information from
the computer.
An external device, such as a keyboard, monitor, printer, mouse
and microphone is often attached by a cable to a port on the
system unit.
The back of the system unit contains so many ports. Some newer
personal computers also have ports on the front of the system unit.
Ports have different types of connectors. A connector joins a cable
to a peripheral. One end of a cable attaches to the connector on
the system unit and the other end of the cable attaches to a
connector on the peripheral.

2.

Power button

To start on computer

3.

Reset button

Kick of soft boot, instructing the computer to go through the

process of shutting down, which would clear memory and reset
devices to their initialized state. It simply removes power
immediately.

4.

Motherboard

Main circuit board of the system unit, which has some electronic
components attached to it and others built into it.

5.

Power Supply

Convert standard electrical power into the form that computer can
use. If a power supply is not providing the necessary power, the
computer will not function properly.

6.

DVD-ROM drive

A device that reads DVD-ROM, also can read audio CDs, CDROMSs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs.

7.

CD-ROM drive

A device that reads audio CDs, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs.

8.

DVD/CD-RW
drive

It is a combination drive that reads DVD and CD media, it also

writes to CD-RW media. This drive also allows watching a DVD or
burn a CD.

9.

Zip drive

A high-capacity disk drive that reads from and writes on a Zip disk.

10.

Floppy drive

A device that reads from and writes on a floppy disk

11.

Hard disk drive

Type of storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular

platters that store data, instructions and information. Also called a
hard disk.

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Activity 2 : Identify the components of a motherboard

for RAM

Expansion
slots

Figure 5: Layout of a motherboard

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

CPU

Expansion
Slots
Expansion
Card

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Functions of the components of the motherboard

No.
1.

Components

Functions

Central
Processing
Unit (CPU)

A Central Processing Unit or CPU is a microprocessor (or processor

for short). It is an integrated circuit chip that is capable of processing
electronic signals. The CPU is the most important element in a
computer system.
A CPU interprets instructions given by the software and carries out
those instructions by processing data and controlling the rest of the
computers components.

2.
Random
Access
Memory
(RAM)

RAM is installed inside computers. RAM is also known as a

working memory.
The data in RAM can be read (retrieved) or written (stored).
RAM is volatile which means the programs and data in RAM
are lost when the computer is powered off.
A computer uses RAM to hold temporary instructions and data
needed to complete tasks. This enables the computer's CPU
(Central Processing Unit) to access instructions and data
stored in the memory very quickly.
RAM stores data during and after processing.

Read Only
Memory
(ROM)

ROM is another type of memory permanently stored inside the

computer.
ROM is non-volatile. It holds the programs and data when the
computer is powered off.
Programs in ROM have been pre-recorded. It can only be
stored by the manufacturer; once it is done, it cannot be
changed.
Many complex functions, such as start up operating
instructions, translators for high-level languages and operating
systems are placed in ROM memory.
All the contents in ROM can be accessed and read but cannot
be changed.

Expansion
Slots

Expansion slots are the sockets where the circuit boards or the
adapter cards can be inserted into the motherboard. It is a place to fit
an expansion card containing the circuitry that provides some
specialised capability, such as video acceleration, sound or disk drive
control.

3.

4.

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Appendix 1

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 1

Label the system unit below with the words given.

Expansion
Cards
RAM

Power Supply

Zip Drive

Hard Disk Drive

Floppy Drive

Mother Board

CD/DVD Drive

Expansion
Slots

CPU Chip

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 2
Look at the diagram carefully and match them to the name of the ports in the table given using
numbers.
Label of the ports
No
1

Power port

USB port

VGA port (Monitor display)

Serial port (Modem)

PS2 port (Mouse)

Game port (Joystick)

Audio ports (speaker, headphone

and microphone)

Parallel port (printer port)

PS2 port (keyboard)

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 3
Names the component parts of the motherboard.

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 4

Mark T for True and F for False

1. The processor (CPU) interprets and carries out the basic instructions that
operate a computer.
2. Computers can use only one processor at a time.
3. ROM is the main circuit board of the system unit.
4. Expansion slot is a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card.
5. RAM is non-volatile
6. The most important chip on the main circuit board is the microprocessor chip.
7. I/O port is the point at which a peripheral attaches to a system unit so that the
peripheral can send data to or receive information from the computer.
8. Reset button is to start on computer.
9. A device that reads from and writes on a floppy disk is called hard disk drives.
10. Power supply convert standard electrical power into the form that computer
can use.

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ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 5
Fill in the blank with the correct name of components and functions.
No. Components
1.
Input/Output port
(I/O port)

Functions

2.
To start on computer
3.
Reset button
4.
Main circuit board of the system unit, which has some electronic
components attached to it and others built into it.
5.
Convert standard electrical power into the form that computer can
use.
6.
DVD-ROM drive
7.
CD-ROM drive
8.
This drive also allows watching a DVD or burn a CD.
9.
A high-capacity disk drive that reads from and writes on a Zip disk.
10.
Floppy drive
11.
Type of storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular
platters that store data, instructions and information.

16

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Worksheet 6
Find the differences between primary storage RAM and ROM
RAM

ROM

17

ICTL For Secondary School - Computer Hardware Module

Reference
Cashman, S. (2006) Discovering Computers 2006. USA : Thomson Course Technology.
Ibrahim Ahmad, Mohd Hafiz et al (2007) Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Based on SPM Syllabus. Selangor: Venton Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd.
NCC Education (2002) Computer Studies, Computer Ace. Sri Lanka : Computer Pioneers.
IBasic Computing (2003) by TMEdu Tech (M) Sdn Bhd
http://www.wikipedia.org
http://images.search.yahoo.com
http://www.google.com.my
CD courseware ICT

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