COMPETENCY BASED LEARNING MATERIALS COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

In this lesson, we take a look at the different components of a computer

system.

After this lesson, you will be able to

 Define the primary components that make up a computer

Estimated lesson time: 10 minutes

As you might expect, the components of a computer reflect the function of the
machine—specifically, the three stages of computing, as outlined in Lesson 1.
Let's examine the components.

Input Devices
The following table lists some examples of devices that are used to
put information into a computer:

Device Description
Keyboard The primary input device for a computer,
allowing users to type information just as they
once did on a typewriter.
Mouse Used with graphical interface environments to
point to and select objects on the system's
monitor. Can be purchased in a variety of
sizes, shapes, and configurations.

Scanner Converts printed or photographic information

Sector: to digital information that can be used by the
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY computer. Works similar to the scanning
Qualification: process of a photocopy machine.
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II
Unit of Competency:
COMMON COMPETENCY Microphone Works like the microphone on a tape
recorder. Allows input of voice or music to be
Module Title: converted to digital information and saved to a
PERFORM COMPUTER OPERATION / HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE EXPLAINATION file.
TESDA - Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER - ILIGAN
Maria Cristina, Iligan City CD-ROM/DVD drive Compact disc–read only memory: stores large
amounts of data on a CD that can be read by
a computer.
Processing When a processor or DMA-enabled
The central processing unit (CPU) is the heart and brain of the device needs to read or write to a memory
computer. This one component, or "chip," is responsible for all primary number location, it specifies that memory location
crunching and data management. It is truly the centrepiece of any computer. on the address bus (the value to be read
It is so important that whole generations of computer technology are based or written is sent on the data bus).
and measured on each "new and improved" version of the CPU.
When we refer to the CPU, we are usually speaking of the processor.
However, the CPU requires several other components that support it with the
management of data to operate. These components, when working in Expansion Slots Specialized sockets that allow additional
harmony, make up the primary elements of the PC we know today. The devices called expansion cards or, less
following table lists these fundamental support components. commonly, circuit boards, to be attached
to the motherboard. Used to expand or
Component Description customize a computer, they are
Motherboard The main circuit board of the computer. extensions of the computer's bus system.
The large circuit board found inside the
computer. Without it, a computer is just a
metal box. The motherboard contains all Clock Establishes the maximum speed at which
the remaining items in this table; for all the processor can execute commands.
practical purposes, it is the computer. Not to be confused with the clock that
keeps the date and time.

Chip Set A group of computer chips or integrated

circuits (ICs) that, when working together,
manage and control the computer
system. This set includes the CPU and
other chips that control the flow of data
throughout the system.
Data Bus A group of parallel conductors (circuit
traces) found on the motherboard and
used by the CPU to send and receive
data from all the devices in the computer.
Battery Protects unique information about the
setup of the computer against loss when
electrical power fails or is turned off. Also
maintains the external date and time (not
to be confused with the CPU's clock).
Memory Stores temporary information (in the form
of data bits) that the CPU and software
need to keep running.

Address Bus A group of parallel conductors (circuit

traces) found on the motherboard and
used by the CPU to "address" memory
locations. Determines which information is
sent to, or received from, the data bus. An
address bus is a computer bus (a series
of lines connecting two or more devices)
that is used to specify a physical address.
Output Devices
The following table lists some common devices, known as peripherals,
used exclusively for output.
Device Description
Printer Generates a "hard copy" of information.
Includes dot matrix, ink jet, and laser
varieties.
Monitor The primary output device. Visually
displays text and graphics.
Plotter Similar to a printer, but uses pens to draw
an image. Most often used with graphics
or drawing programs for very large
drawings.
Speakers Reproduce sound. Optional high-quality
speakers can be added to provide
improved output from games and
multimedia software.
Input and Output
Some devices handle both input and output functions. These devices
are called input/output (I/O) devices, a term you will encounter quite often.
Device Description
Floppy Disk Drive Mechanism for reading and writing to low-
capacity, removable, magnetic disks.
Used to store and easily transport
information.
Hard Disk Drive High-capacity internal (and sometimes
external) magnetic disks for storing data
and program files. Also called fixed disks.
Modem Converts computer data to information
that can be transmitted over telephone
wires and cable lines. Allows
communication between computers over
long and short distances.
Network Card An expansion card that allows several
computers to connect to each other and
share information and programs. Also
called network interface card (NIC).
CD Recorder Also called CD-R. You can copy data to a
CD with this device, but you can only
write to a section of the disc once.
Variations on this type of device include
compact disc–rewritable (CD-RW) drives.
These drives allow you to read, write, and
overwrite a special CD-ROM-type disc.
Tape Drive Large-capacity, magnetic, data storage
devices. Ideal for backup and retrieval of
large amounts of data. Works like a tape
recorder and saves information in a linear
format.
Other external storage devices include Iomega Zip drives, which allow users
to store 100 MB or 250 MB of data on a single Zip disk.
Other Computer Parts and Accessories
The following table lists some examples of cable that are used to
communicate to a system.
Cable/Cord Description
IDE (ATA/PATA Cable) IDE is also known as ATA or PATA
(Parallel ATA) and is a way of handling a
parallel data bus from a disk drive (well,
usually a disk drive) to a computer mother
board where the disk controller is mostly
embedded in the disk drive.
SATA/ATA SATA (Serial ATA) is an advance on this
where the signals are sent over a serial
bus not a parallel bus. The cable is much
smaller and it will run at higher speed and
will support more than 2 drives on a bus.
 Note: They are both ways to connect a
disk drive to a computer. You use the one
that matches your computer mother board
(old ones support IDE only, newer ones
will support SATA and may support both
SATA and IDE) and your disk drive (disk
drives are either IDE or SATA, never seen
one with both available).
USB Cable USB cable is a cable that is used to
connect a device to a computer or laptop
or Printer, Video cameras, Mp3, mp4
even cell phone.
A/V Cable A/V cable is to use for connect a device to
tv and it has the video and audio cable.
Heat Sink An environment capable of absorbing
heat from an object with which it is in
thermal contact without a phase change
or an appreciable change in temperature.
A protective device that absorbs and
dissipates the excess heat generated by a
system.
USB HUB A device that increases the number of
USB ports on a PC. However, since the
hub plugs into one of the USB ports on
the computer, the total number of
additional ports is minus one. For
example, a four-port hub adds three new
ports. USB hubs are typically used to
extend USB sockets to the top of the desk
for conveniently connecting external
peripherals.
Power Cord A power cord, line cord, or mains cable
is a cord or cable that temporarily
connects an electrical appliance to the
distribution circuits of an electrical power
source via a wall socket or extension
cord.
AVR (Automatic Voltage A voltage regulator is an electrical
Regulator) regulator designed to automatically
maintain a constant voltage level.
It may use an electromechanical
mechanism, or passive or active
electronic components. Depending on the
design, it may be used to regulate one or
more AC or DC voltages.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power An uninterruptible power supply, also
Supply) uninterruptible power source, UPS or
battery/flywheel backup, is an electrical
apparatus that provides emergency power
to a load when the input power source,
typically the utility mains, fails. A UPS
differs from an auxiliary or emergency
power system or standby generator in that
it will provide instantaneous or near-
instantaneous protection from input power
interruptions by means of one or more
attached batteries and associated
electronic circuitry for low power users,
and or by means of diesel generators and
flywheels for high power users. The on-
battery runtime of most uninterruptible
power sources is relatively short—5–15
minutes being typical for smaller units—
but sufficient to allow time to bring an
auxiliary power source on line, or to
properly shut down the protected
equipment
Computer Fan A computer fan is any fan inside a
computer case used for cooling purposes,
and may refer to fans that draw cooler air
into the case from the outside, expel
warm air from inside, or move air across a
heatsink to cool a particular component.
The use of fans to cool a computer is an
example of active cooling.
Laptop/Notebook cooler A laptop/notebook cooler, cooler pad or
chill mat is an accessory for laptop
computers that helps reduce their
operating temperature. Normally used
when the laptop's fan device is unable to
sufficiently cool the laptop, a cooling pad
may house active or passive cooling
 methods and rests beneath the laptop.
Active coolers move air or liquid to direct
heat away from the laptop quickly, while
passive methods may rely on thermally
conductive materials or increasing
passive airflow.
TV Tuner or TV Video A TV tuner card is a computer component
Capture that allows television signals to be
received by a computer. Most TV tuners
also function as video capture cards,
allowing them to record television
programs onto a hard disk.
SUPPORT HARDWARE
Lesson 2 covered the basic hardware that makes up a computer. There are,
however, additional components needed to support safe computer operation.
In this lesson, we look at several devices that protect and enhance the value
of a computer.
After this lesson, you will be able to
 Identify additional support hardware for a computer
 Understand the functions of some of the add-on hardware
Estimated lesson time: 5 minutes
In addition to the devices that support a computer's data-processing functions,
there are others that enhance its operation and performance. The following
table lists some of these devices.
Device Description
Power supply
Converts a local power source (typically
110 volts AC in the United States) to 3.3,
5, or 12 volts DC. Most power supplies
also perform some basic line conditioning
and surge-protection functions.
Surge suppressor
Used to prevent large power spikes (for
instance, lightning) from damaging a
computer.
Uninterruptible power supply. Acts as
UPS both a surge suppresser (to prevent high-
power spikes) and a power leveler to
provide the computer with a constant
source of power. Can even provide power
during a power failure or interruption
(although the duration depends on the
UPS and the computer's power
consumption) so that the user can safely
save data before shutting down.
Case The box that houses most of the system
must provide an environment that
minimizes electrical interference to other
electronic devices in the area. It should
provide a proper heat level for safe
operation and bays and connections for
drives, circuit boards, and I/O devices.
Don't let the term support hardware lead you to underestimate the importance
of these components. How important are roads to commerce, or water to a
city? Without a reliable power source, modern PCs would not exist. The
internal power supply keeps a clean current running to the system.
LO.1 Plan and prepare for task to be taken/undertaken
PRACTICE: Instruction
Create a group at least 3 members. Study Common competency,
Module 1 Perform Computer Operations pages 1 to 40. After 2 hours prepare
for group presentation. Each group discusses what they have study or learned.
Be sure to include or emphasize the following during presentation “The name,
types, classes, purpose or characteristics of each computer parts.”
Note: Group presentation but individual evaluation. Remember that
the remarks shall be competent and not yet competent. Those remark
competent shall be move on next project or module, and those remarks not
yet competent shall be again review the lesson for evaluation again.
DURATION: 4 HRS.
JOB SHEET # 1
DEMONSTRATION: Configure the parts of computer hardware below, give
the exact location in its components (you can draw or label its components/
peripherals, and equipment)
 NOTE:
Safety first!
Observed 5s in all time.

1 2
SELF CHECK # 1
Unit of competency: Perform Computer Operations
3 4
Competency standards COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II
Satisfact
ory
Answer the following computer hardware’s you know response
YES
NO

 
6 7 8
_____________ _____________ ____________ ______________

 

___________________ ____________ _____________ _____________

5 9 12 11

 

____________ _________ ____________ ____________ ___________

10
 
INSTRUCTIONS:
____________ __________ ___________ ___________ __________
1. Trainer would assign a workstation for this lab.
2. Prepare the following materials and equipment: Computer
The trainee’s underpinning knowledge was: Satisfactory  Not
Table/no chair, Monitor, System Unit, Keyboard, Mouse,
Satisfactory 
Printer, Web camera, Speaker/Headset, 2 pcs. Power
Cord, AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator), and extension Feedback to candidate:
wire.
3. Connect all the computer parts/peripherals in their proper The trainee’s overall performance was: Satisfactory  Not
places or location. Satisfactory 
4. Let the trainer check your work for evaluation.
Trainees signature: Date:
 Trainee’s signature: Date: Comparison LCD

COMPUTER HARDWARE CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
1. MONITOR
A monitor is a visual display
of information, using text
and graphics. It converts
analog signal to digital
signal to transmit
information so that monitor
can understand.
Pros:
 Very compact and light
 Low power consumption
 No geometric distortion
 Little or no flicker depending on backlight technology
 Not affected by screen burn-in
 No high voltage or other hazards present during repair/service
 More reliable than CRTs
 Can be made in almost any size or shape
No theoretical resolution limit Limited viewing angle, causing color, saturation,
contrast and brightness to

The portion of the monitor  Vary, even within the intended viewing angle, by variations in posture.
that displays the information  Bleeding and uneven backlighting in some monitors, causing
is called the screen. Like a brightness distortion, especially toward the edges.
television screen, a  Slow response times, which cause smearing and ghosting artifacts.
computer screen can show still or moving pictures. Modern LCDs have response times of 8 ms or less.
 Only one native resolution. Displaying resolutions either requires a
There are two basic types of monitors: CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors video scaler, lowering perceptual quality, or display at 1:1 pixel
and LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors. Both types produce sharp images, mapping, in which images will be physically too large or won't fill the
but LCD monitors have the advantage of being much thinner and lighter. CRT whole screen.
monitors, however, are generally more affordable.  Dead pixels may occur either during manufacturing or through use.
 In a constant on situation, thermalization may occur, which is when
Comparison CRT only part of the screen has overheated and therefore looks discolored
Pros: compared to the rest of the screen.
 Not all LCD displays are designed to allow easy replacement of the
 High dynamic range (up to around 15,000:1),[2] excellent color, wide backlight
gamut and low black level.  Cannot be used with light guns/pens
 Can display natively in almost any resolution and refresh rate
 No input lag
 Sub-millisecond response times
 Near zero color, saturation, contrast or brightness distortion. Excellent
viewing angle.
 Usually much cheaper than LCD or Plasma screens.
 Allows the use of light guns/pens
 Large size and weight, especially for bigger screens (a 20-inch unit
weighs about 50 lb (23 kg)) CRT Monitor LCD Monitor Projector
 High power consumption
Major manufacturers
IBM
AOC
 Apple Inc. up desk space. Can have overheating problems if the internal case
Asus design is poor.
BenQ  Mini-Tower - Great for more desk space as it can be floor standing.
Dell Advantages - Cheap to buy, loads of room for expansion.
Eizo Disadvantages - Having it on the floor can make problems getting to
the drives and cables that are too short.
Gateway
Hewlett-Packard  Midi-Tower - Great for more desk space as it can be floor standing.
HannStar Display Corporation Advantages - Cheap to buy, loads of room for expansion.
Iiyama Corporation Disadvantages - Having it on the floor can make problems getting to
Kogan Technologies the drives and cables that are too short.
LG  Maxi-Tower - Great for more desk space as it can be floor standing.
NEC Advantages - Cheap to buy, loads of room for expansion.
Samsung Disadvantages - Having it on the floor can make problems getting to
Sony the drives and cables that are too short.
Toshiba
There are two basic common types for Computer Casing or chassis:
Tyco Electronics
ViewSonic  Tower Case – it is designed to stand vertically that will lessen the
space being occupied. It comes in three basic sizes: full, midi and
2. CASE + PSU mini.
A computer case is what contains the entire computer's components,
 Desktop Case – it is designed horizontally which are usually used
there will be space for drives, add-in cards and the motherboard. In addition
for office or home PCs. It comes in two basic sizes: standard and
to this, space for the Power Supply Unit (PSU). Depending on the size of
slimline.
motherboard that you have and the need for space in your computer there
are a variety of computer case sizes to accomodate the computer's
STANDARD COMPUTER BOX LAYOUT
components.

Things to consider are desk space, cooling, room for expansion and
cost. With these things in mind you should have no problem selecting the
correct case for your needs.

Listed below are the cases with the advantages and disadvantages of each,
most cases cost more the larger they get however very small cases are
normally more expensive than the bigger ones!

 Mini - Ideal for people who need a PC in a very small space, for the
Micro ATX motherboards. Advantages - Look cool, saves loads of
space, added features. Disadvantages - Cost, little/no room for
expansion, problems of overheating with fast processors.
 Slimline - Ideal for people who want a desktop computer, but dont
want a huge box on their desk. Advantages - Look cool, saves loads
1. COMPUTER MOUSE
of space, added features. Disadvantages - Cost, little/no room for
expansion.
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting
 Desktop - Cheap case solution for a PC. Advantages - Cheap to two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse
buy, loads of room for expansion. Disadvantages - They are big, take consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more
buttons. (Although traditionally a button is typically round or square, modern
mice have spring-loaded regions of their top surface that operate switches
when pressed down lightly.) It sometimes features other elements, such as
"wheels", which allow the user to perform various system-dependent
operations, or extra buttons or features that can add more control or
dimensional input. The mouse's motion typically translates into the motion of
a cursor on a display, which allows for fine control of a graphical user interface.
OPTICAL DISK DRIVE
CD-ROM Drive
Short for Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory, a type of optical disk capable
of storing large amounts of data -- up to 1GB, although the most common size
is 650MB (megabytes). A single CD-ROM has the storage capacity of
700 floppy disks, enough memory to store about 300,000text pages.

Connectivity and communication protocols
CD-ROMs are stamped by the vendor, and once stamped, they cannot be
erased and filled with new data. To read a CD, you need a CD-ROM player.
CD-ROMs are particularly well-suited to information that requires large storage
capacity. This includes large software applications that support color,graphics,
sound, and especially video.

DVD ROM DRIVE

A new type of read-only compact disc that can hold a minimum of 4.7GB
(gigabytes), enough for a full-length movie.
Wireless Mouse / Serial interface type Optical USB Interface Type Optical The DVD-ROM specification supports disks with capacities of from
PS2 Interface Type Battery Operated TrackBall Mouse 4.7GB to 17GB and access rates of 600 KBps to 1.3 MBps. One of the best
features of DVD-ROM drives is that they are backward-compatible with CD-
ROMs. This means that DVD-ROM players can play old CD-ROMs, CD-I
2. COMPUTER KEYBOARD disks, and video CDs, as well as new DVD-ROMs. Newer DVD players can
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an also read CD-R disks.
arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic
switches. Following the decline of punch cards and paper tape, interaction Sequential: DVD-R, +R, -RW, +RW or ROM
via teletype-style keyboards became the main input device for computers. This group of DVD’s are intended for the hi-tech graphics, video for movies
Despite the development of alternative input devices, such as and audio for music. They provide better quality for graphics and
the mouse,touchscreen, pen devices, character recognition and voice sound along with higher capacity of4.7GB.
recognition, the keyboard remains the most commonly used and most versatile Writable: One Time
device used for direct (human) input into computers.  DVD-R
o Can only be written with -R type drives.
Connectivity and communication protocols o Can be read with -R or +R type drives.
 DVD+R
o 2 hours of video in SP mode or 4 hours in EP mode
o Can only be written with +R type drives.
o Can be read with -R or +R type drives.
Writable: Re-writable up to 1000 Times
 DVD-RW
o Contains protection technology that prevents copying
of CSS-protected discs.
o Can only be written with -R type drives.
Wireless Mouse / USB Interface Type Optical PS2 Interface Type o Can be read with -R or +R type drives.
 DVD+RW
o Can hold 2 hours of MPEG2.
o Can only be written with +R type drives.
o Can be read with -R or +R type drives.
Read Only Figure 5.2: An AGP Video Card
 DVD-ROM
o Can only be used for reading.
o Movies you buy or rent are usually DVD-ROM.

Connectivity and communication protocols

The oldest style for video cards that I will discuss is PCI. You can see a PCI
video card in Figure 5.3.

Figure 5.3: A PCI Video Card

DVD ROM Drive / IDE Type DVD ROM Drive / SATA Type

3. VIDEO CARD
There are three main types of video card commonly in use.
 PCI Express
 AGP
 PCI

PCI Express is the most current, and fastest, of the video cards. If possible,
you will likely want to install a PCI express video card. Figure 5.1 shows a
You should not use a PCI card as your primary video display card. PCI cards
PCI Express video card.
are to slow to play any of the more advanced video games, or to show video.
Besides, the price difference between PCI and AGI/PCI-Express is minimal.
Figure 5.1: A PCI Express Video Card
What is a good option for PCI cards is using them in conjunction with an AGP
or PCI-Express video card. This allows you to have a second display. This will
be covered in the next section. Now I am going to show you how to install the
video card.

Before PCI express the most common type of video card was the AGP card.
AGP cards still give great performance. If you have only one video card in your
system you will want to make sure it is either AGP or PCI Express. Figure 5.2
shows an AGP video card.
1. PRINTERS
A printer is an output device that produces text and graphics on
paper.
Major types of printer
Printers can be divided into two main groups, impact printer and non-impact
printer. Impact printer produces text and images when tiny wire pins on print
head strike the ink ribbon by physically contacting the paper. Non-impact
printer produces text and graphics on paper without actually striking the paper.
Printers can also be categorized based on the print method or print
technology. The most popular ones are inkjet printer, laser printer, dot-
matrix printer and thermal printer. Among these, only dot-matrix printer is
impact printer and the others are non-impact printers.

Some printers are named because they are designed for specific functions,
such as photo printers, portable printers and all-in-one / multifunction
4. SPEAKER
printers. Photo printers and portable printers usually use inkjet print method
Speakers are used to play sound. They may be
whereas multifunction printers may use inkjet or laser print method.
built into the system unit or connected with cables.
Speakers allow you to listen to music and hear
sound effects from your computer.
Inkjet Printer Dot-Matrix Laser Printer
Major computer speaker companies

The base of a Harman Kardon speaker.

Altec Lansing
Bose Corporation
Creative Labs
Cyber Acoustics
2. SCANNER Dell
 A device for examining, reading, or monitoring something, in Edifier
particular.
General Electric
 A machine that examines the body through the use of radiation,
ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging, as a diagnostic aid Harman Kardon
Hewlett-Packard
JBL
Klipsch
Logitech

5. HARD DISK DRIVE

3. POWER SUPPLY UNIT
A power supply unit (PSU) supplies DC power to the other components in a
computer. It converts general-purpose alternating current (AC) electric power
from the mains (110V to 120V at 60Hz [115V nominal] in North America, parts
of South America, Japan, and Taiwan; 220V to 240V at 50Hz [230V nominal]
in most of the rest of the world) to low-voltage (for a desktop computer: 12V,
5V, 5VSB, 3V3, -5V, and -12V) direct current (DC) power for the internal
components of the computer. Some power supplies have a switch to select
either 230 V or 115 V. Other models are able to accept any voltage and
frequency between those limits and some models only operate from one of the
two mains supply standards.
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile, random access digital data storage
device. Main storages devices on computer that store data, files, software on
computer. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a
protective enclosure. Data ismagnetically read from and written to the platter
by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the platters.
A hard disk drive normally has one head per platter with all heads mounted on
common rack. The hard disk spins the disk as 3600, 5400, and up to 7200 or
even more RPM (rotation per minute).
Basic Hard drive components: 3. SATA or Serial ATA.

 Disk platters
 Read/ write
head
 Spindle motor
 Head actuator
mechanism
 Logic board STORAGE DEVICES
 Cable and
connectors
 Configuration
items

The platters, spindle motor,

heads and head actuator
mechanism are contained in a sealed chambers called the Head Disk
Assembly (HDA), usually treated as a single components and is rarely opened.
Other parts external to HDA such as the logic board, cover, and other
configuration items can be disassembled from the drive.

Hard drive comes with TWO Basic sizes:

 Hard disk drive 3.5” in size USB Drive Floppy Disk Hard Disk Drive Other Storage Devices
 Laptop Hard drive 2.5” in size

Types of Hard disk Drive / Communication Interfaces

Three of the most common and widely used hard drive types are:
1. IDE

2. SCSI
MOTHERBOARD FIC Inc.
In personal computers, Manufacturer of a number of different motherboards. Note: This site does not
a motherboard is the view well outside of Internet Explorer.
central printed circuit GigaByte Technology
board (PCB) in many Manufacturer of a wide variety of motherboards.
Intel
modern computers and
The Company most known for its CPUs also develops a line of motherboards
holds many of the crucial based upon its own chipsets and CPUs.
components of the IWILL
system, providing Manufacturer that started out developing SCSI controller cards that has
connectors for other expanded into the PC motherboard market.
peripherals. The MSI Inc.
motherboard is Developer of a wide range of well prices motherboards which still contain
sometimes alternatively excellent features.
known as Shuttle Computer Group
the mainboard,system Manufacturer of a wide variety of motherboards including the small form
factor X PC line.
board, or,
Soltek USA
on Apple computers, One of the newest motherboard manufacturers on the market that recently
the logic board.[1] It is began produce small form factor products.
also sometimes casually Tyan Computer
shortened to mobo.[2] Manufacturer well known for their multiple processor motherboards.

- CENTRAL PROCESSING
MOTHERBOARD MANUFACTURERS UNIT
ABIT Ltd. The central processing
Motherboard manufacturer specializing in motherboards for the overclocking unit (CPU) is the portion of
and performance market. acomputer system that carries
AOpen out the instructions of
A division of Acer Corporation that sells primarily to the OEM market. They acomputer program, and is the
even make a computer motherboard which has a vaccuum tube on it. primary element carrying out
ASUSTek the functions of the computer or other processing
One of the oldest and most respected motherboard manufacturers on the device. The central processing unit carries out each instruction of the
market. program in sequence, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and
input/output operations of the system. This term has been in use in the
Chaintech computer industry at least since the early 1960s.[1] The form, design and
Chaintech is one of the newer entries in the US performance implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest
motherboard market. examples, but their fundamental operation remains much the same.
DFI
Maker of a wide variety of ATX and microATX design PC motherboards.
ECS Elitegroup
Maker of a wide range of PC motherboards that has recently started selling
to the performance market.
EPoX Computer
A relatively new motherboard manufacturer that has many high performance
motherboard options.
CPU Images:
5. LGA
LGA stands for Land Grid Array. If you look at
the image, you can see there are no pins.
Instead it is an array of pads that is built on the
CPU's surface.
At the installation the CPU is sat on the
socket's pins where they are fixed to the
motherboard and contact with the circuits.
The LGA form offer a clock frequency higher
than the PGA caused by its larger contact
point. Maybe it is the reason why Intel decided
to go back to this form that was used long ago.

CPU socket Types:

 PGA

 PGA stands for Pin Grid Array. As on the
image, the CPU's circuits are integrated inside
a ceramic layer with an array of pins on the
surface.
 At the installation the pins are inserted in the
socket's holes making contact with the
motherboard's circuits.
 There are other form variants and they have
their own technology. I will not discuss them PGA CPU Form
here, because I think it is not important until you
are a complete savvy. But still, here are the
variants names I know it exist.

1. PPGA stands for Plastic Grid Array

2. FCPGA stands for Flip-Chip Pin Grid Array
3. CPGA stands for Ceramic Pin Grid Array
4. OPGA stands for Organic Pin Grid Array

 Socket 478 - for older Pentium and Celeron processors

 Socket 754 - for AMD Sempron and some AMD Athlon processors
 Socket 939 - for newer and faster AMD Athlon processors
 Socket AM2 - for the newest AMD Athlon processors
 Socket A - for older AMD Athlon processors
SELF CHECK # 2 COMPUTER MEMORY THEORY
Unit of competency: Perform Computer Operations
Lesson 3 covered the basic hardware that makes up a computer. There are,
Competency standards COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II however, additional components needed to support safe computer operation.
Satisfactor In this lesson, we look at several devices that protect and enhance the value
y response of a computer.
Answer the following computer hardware’s you know YES
NO After this lesson, you will be able to
Identify the types of computer RAM (Memory)
Understand the functions of memory

  Estimated lesson time: 30 minutes

_____________ ______________ _____________ _________ In addition to the devices that support a computer's data-processing
functions, there are others that enhance its operation and performance.

RAM
 
RAM or Random Access Memory is the memory used by the computer while
it is in operation, this memory is described as volitile as it is wiped clean when
___________ ____________ ______________ ______________
the computer is shutdown. Again the more RAM that you have installed in your
computer the faster the computer will operate.

  There are various types of RAM, they vary becuase of the increasing in
processor speeds and the need for the RAM to keep up. You can get RAM
__________ ____________ ____________ ___________ _________ modules in various sizes i.e. their logical sizes, the amount of data they can
hold. This range from 1MB, 2MB, 4MB, 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB,
256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB. Nowadays you will normally only find RAM in sizes
of 128MB or above.
 
SIMM or DIMM?
__________ __________ _________ __________ _________
The two main types of RAM are:
1. SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module)
2. DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module)
  all modern computers use the DIMM type of RAM.

__________ _________ ____________ ___________
The trainee’s underpinning knowledge was:
Satisfactory 
There are 4 main types of RAM listed below and then within these there are
____________
even more types under each of these main types. The traditional RAM type is
DRAM (dynamic RAM). The other type is SRAM (static RAM). SRAM
Satisfactory  Not continues to remember its content, while DRAM must be refreshed every few
milli seconds. DRAM consists of micro capacitors, while SRAM consists of
off/on switches. Therefore, SRAM can respond much faster than DRAM.
SRAM can be made with a rise time as short as 4 ns. It is used in different
versions in L2 cache RAM (for example pipe line BURST Cache SRAM).
DRAM
 Different RAM Types and its uses
Currently, there are at least four types: The type of RAM doesn't matter nearly as
FPM (Fast Page Mode) much as how much of it you've got, but using
ECC (Error Correcting Code) plain old SDRAM memory today will slow you
EDO (Extended Data Output) down. There are three main types of RAM:
SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) SDRAM, DDR and Rambus DRAM.
SO-DIMM memory (Laptop Memory
SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)
SO-DIMM three types (Laptop Memory): Almost all systems used to ship with 3.3 volt,
168-pin SDRAM DIMMs. SDRAM is not an
There are three types of SO-DIMM memory, which build on each other's extension of older EDO DRAM but a new type
capacities. of DRAM altogether. SDRAM started out
running at 66 MHz, while older fast page mode
- SDRAM stands for synchronous dynamic DRAM and EDO max out at 50 MHz. SDRAM
random access memory. This type of is able to scale to 133 MHz (PC133) officially,
memory syncs itself up with your computer's and unofficially up to 180MHz or higher. As
processor, allowing smooth access. With the processors get faster, new generations of
advances of technology, most newer laptops memory such as DDR and RDRAM are
no longer use SDRAM. required to get proper performance.
- DDR SDRAM is SDRAM with a double data
rate. This means it's twice as fast as standard DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM) DDR basically doubles the rate of data
SDRAM, and it's one of the two most transfer of standard SDRAM by transferring data on the up and down tick of a
common types of memory found in modern clock cycle. DDR memory operating at 333MHz actually operates at 166MHz
laptops as of August 2009. * 2 (aka PC333 / PC2700) or 133MHz*2 (PC266 / PC2100). DDR is a 2.5 volt
- DDR2 SDRAM is yet another upgrade to the technology that uses 184 pins in its DIMMs. It is incompatible with SDRAM
original SDRAM concept. A big advantage of this type of memory is physically, but uses a similar parallel bus, making it easier to implement than
that it draws less power than its predecessors, thus creating less drain RDRAM, which is a different technology.
on your laptop.
Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) Despite it's higher price, Intel has given RDRAM
Most Common DRAM used in PC’s are: Synchronous Dynamic RAM it's blessing for the consumer market, and it will be the sole choice of memory
(SDRAM) for Intel's Pentium 4. RDRAM is a serial memory technology that arrived in
1. Single Data Rate (SDR) SDRAM is a synchronous form of DRAM. three flavors, PC600, PC700, and PC800. PC800 RDRAM has double the
2. Double data rate (DDR) SDRAM was a maximum throughput of old PC100 SDRAM, but a higher latency. RDRAM
later development of SDRAM, used in PC designs with multiple channels, such as those in Pentium 4 motherboards, are
memory from 2000 onwards. DDR2 currently at the top of the heap in memory throughput, especially when paired
SDRAM is a minor enhancement on with PC1066 RDRAM memory.
DDR-SDRAM that mainly affords higher
clock speeds and somewhat deeper DIMMs vs. RIMMs DRAM comes in two major form factors: DIMMs and
pipelining. RIMMS. DIMMs are 64-bit components, but if used in a motherboard with a
dual-channel configuration (like with an Nvidia nForce chipset) you must pair
them to get maximum performance. So far there aren't many DDR chipset that
use dual-channels. Typically, if you want to add 512 MB of DIMM memory to
your machine, you just pop in a 512 MB DIMM if you've got an available slot.
DIMMs for SDRAM and DDR are different, and not physically compatible.
SDRAM DIMMs have 168-pins and run at 3.3 volts, while DDR DIMMs have
184-pins and run at 2.5 volts.
RIMMs use only a 16-bit interface but run at higher speeds than DDR. To get
maximum performance, Intel RDRAM chipsets require the use of RIMMs in
pairs over a dual-channel 32-bit interface. You have to plan more when
upgrading and purchasing RDRAM.

Types of Memory
Pretty much every new laptop on the market should use DDR3 memory now.
It is still possible to find some older netbooks or laptops on the market that use Kingston= Stable and warranty/RMA is fast
DDR2 but it is best to avoide them now. In addition to the type of memory
installed in the laptop, the speed of the memory can also make a difference in
the performance. When comparing laptops, be sure to check both of these
pieces of information to determine how they may impact performance.
There are two ways that the memory speeds can be designated. The first is
by the memory type and its clock rating, like DDR3 1066. The other method is
by listing the type along with the bandwidth. In the case the same DDR3
memory would be listed as PC3-8500 memory.
OCZ= Very good stick and 2nd. line after the above manufatures.
Below is a listing in order of fastest to slowest memory types in both
formats:
 DDR3 1600 / PC3-12800
 DDR3 1333 / PC3-10600
 DDR3 1066 / PC3-8500
 DDR2 800 / PC2-6400
 DDR3 800 / PC3-6400
 DDR2 667 / PC2-5300 or PC2-5400
 DDR2 533 / PC2-4200
 DDR2 400 / PC2-3200

BEST RAM Manufacturer

Mushkin = Excellent Performance and Durable

Crucial = Compatibility and Warranty

SELF CHECK # 3 TYPES OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Unit of competency: Perform Computer Operations
Lesson 4 covered the basic hardware that makes up a computer. There are,
Competency standards COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II however, additional components needed to support safe computer operation.
Satisfactory In this lesson, we look at several devices that protect and enhance the value
response of a computer.
Answer the following computer hardware’s you know YES After this lesson, you will be able to
NO  Enumerate the types of Computer Software
 General security, privacy legislation and copyright
Estimated lesson time: 15 minutes
  In addition to the devices that support a computer's data-processing functions,
there are others that enhance its operation and performance.

Major Types of Software

________________ ________________ _________________ Software is the means by which computer systems speak with computer users.
Software forms the heart of computer systems. What are the major types of
software? Read on to find out.
 
Software, by definition, is the collection of computer programs, procedures and
________________ ________________ ________________ documentation that performs different tasks on a computer system. The term
'software' was first used by John Tukey in 1958. At the very basic level,
computer software consists of a machine language that consists of groups of
binary values, which specify processor instructions. The processor instructions
change the state of computer hardware in a predefined sequence. Briefly,
 
computer software is the language in which a computer speaks.

There are different types of computer software. What are their major types?
____________________________ Programming Software: This is one of the most commonly known and
How do you choose ram for your desktop computer? popularly used forms of computer software. These software come in forms of
tools that assist a programmer in writing computer programs. Computer
  programs are sets of logical instructions that make a computer system perform
certain tasks. The tools that help the programmers in instructing a computer
How do you choose ram for your laptop computer? system include text editors, compilers and interpreters.
 
System Software: It helps in running the computer hardware and the
computer system. System software is a collection of operating systems; devise
The trainee’s underpinning knowledge was:
drivers, servers, windowing systems and utilities. System software helps an
Satisfactory  Not Satisfactory application programmer in abstracting away from hardware, memory and other
 internal complexities of a computer.

Application Software: It enables the end users to accomplish certain specific

tasks. Business software, databases and educational software are some forms
of application software. Different word processors, which are dedicated for
specialized tasks to be performed by the user, are other examples of
application software.
 The copyright infringement of software (often referred to as software piracy)
Apart from these three basic types of software, there are some other well- refers to several practices which involve the unauthorized copying of computer
known forms of computer software like inventory management software, ERP, software. Copyright infringement of this kind is extremely common. Most
utility software, accounting software and others. Take a look at some of them. countries have copyright laws which apply to software, but the degree of
enforcement varies.
Inventory Management Software: This type of software helps an
organization in tracking its goods and materials on the basis of quality as well SELF CHECK # 4
as quantity. Warehouse inventory management functions encompass the Trainee’s name:
internal warehouse movements and storage. Inventory software helps a
company in organizing inventory and optimizing the flow of goods in the Unit of competency: Perform Computer Operations
organization, thus leading to an improved customer service. Competency standards COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II
Satisfactory
Utility Software: Also known as service routine, utility software helps in the
Answer the following question given below response
management of computer hardware and application software. It performs a
small range of tasks. Disk defragmenters, systems utilities and virus scanners YES NO
are some of the typical examples of utility software. What is software?
 
Data Backup and Recovery Software: An ideal data backup and recovery
software provides functionalities beyond simple copying of data files. This
software often supports user needs of specifying what is to be backed up and What is Operating System software / System Software?
when. Backup and recovery software preserve the original organization of files
and allow an easy retrieval of the backed up data.  

This was an overview of the major types of software. Computer software are What is Application Software?
widely popular today and hence we cannot imagine a world of computers
without them. We would not have been able to use computers if not for the  
software. What is fascinating about the world of computers is that it has its own
languages, its ways of communication with our human world and human
What is Utility Software?
interaction with the computers is possible, thanks to computer software. I
wonder, if the word 'soft' in ‘software’ implies ‘soft-spokenness’, which is an
important quality of a pleasant communication.  

Software copyright What is Programming Software?

Software copyright is the relatively recent extension of copyright law
to machine-readable software. While many of the legal principles and policy
debates concerning software copyright have close parallels in other domains  
of copyright law, there are a number of distinctive issues that arise with
software. This article will primarily focus on topics peculiar to software.

Software copyright is commonly used by proprietary software companies to The trainee’s underpinning knowledge was:
prevent the unauthorized copying of their software. Open source licenses also Satisfactory  Not
rely on copyright law to enforce their terms. For instance, copyleft licenses Satisfactory 
impose a duty on licensees to share their modifications to the copylefted work
under some circumstances. No such duty would apply had the software in
question been in the public domain.
Activity 1

Familiarized the following computer components bellow. State the name of

each part includes the types and brand or manufacturer.