Eliot Hunter (ID: 16002495) Assignment A Unit 02 Computer Systems
Unit 02 Hardware Components
Processors
A processor is a small chip that resides in computer systems and other electronic devices. Its basic
job is to receive input and provide output. However, this isn’t as simple as it sounds because a
processor can handle billions of calculations per second. The processor is more commonly known as
Central Processing Unit or CPU for short. The processor of a computer will handle the system
instructions such as processing mouse movements and clicks, keyboard input and running
applications. Many desktops will use either a processor from AMD or Intel depending on what the
user wants. Both Intel and AMD use the X86 processor architecture. Laptops and tablets can also use
AMD or Intel processors, however, products developed by Apple and Qualcomm will use their own
processors. Such as the iPhone 7 has the A10 fusion Quad Core Processor that is developed by apple.
Modern Processors often include multiple processing cores. They work together to process
instructions and while these cores are confined in one physical chip, they are all individual. If a
Processor has two cores, they are called dual-core and processors with four cores are called quad-
core. Some workstations that are high-end will include multiple processors with multiple cores, this is
because of a massive amount of work flow. Some machines can have eight, twelve or even more
processors inside.
Motherboard
A motherboard is the most essential parts of a computer system. It holds together many of the
crucial components of a computer, including the central processing unit and the RAM, and
connectors for input and output devices. The base of the motherboard contains a very firm sheet of
non-conductive material, typically a rigid plastic. Thin layers of copper or aluminium foil, referred to
as traces, are printed onto this sheet. These traces are very narrow and form the circuits between
the various components. In addition to circuits, a motherboard contains several sockets and slots to
connect the other components. A motherboard has a processor socket so the processor is directly
soldered onto this socket, and since the CPU will generate a huge amount of heat, heat sink fans will
be needed to mount onto the motherboard. A power connector will be needed to distribute power
to the CPU and other components. Commonly, here are 4 slots for the system’s main memory which
is DRAM chips. A chip forms an interface between the CPU, the main memory, and other
components. And many types of motherboards, this is referred to as the Northbridge. This chip also
contains a large heat sink.
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, Eliot Hunter (ID: 16002495) Assignment A Unit 02 Computer Systems
BIOS
BIOS is an integral part of your computer and comes with it when you bring it home. (In contrast, the
operating system can either be pre-installed by the manufacturer or vendor or installed by the user.)
BIOS is a program that is made accessible to the microprocessor on an erasable programmable read-
only memory (EPROM) chip. When you turn on your computer, the microprocessor passes control to
the BIOS program, which is always located at the same place on EPROM. When the BIOS boots up
your computer, it first determines whether all the attachments are in place like they should be and
are operational. Then the BIOS will load the operating system of the computer into your Random-
Access Memory from the HDD/SD.
Power Supply
A power supply is a hardware component that supplies power to an electrical device. It receives
power from an electrical outlet ad converts the current from AC (alternating current) to DC direct
current), which is what the computer requires. It also regulates the voltage to an adequate amount,
which allows the computer to run smoothly without overheating. The power supply an integral part
of any computer and must function correctly for the rest of the components to work.
You can locate the power supply on a system unit by simply finding the input where the power cord
is plugged in. Without opening your computer, this is typically the only part of the power supply you
will see. If you were to remove the power supply, it would look like a metal box with a fan inside and
some cables attached to it.
2|Page
Unit 02 Hardware Components
Processors
A processor is a small chip that resides in computer systems and other electronic devices. Its basic
job is to receive input and provide output. However, this isn’t as simple as it sounds because a
processor can handle billions of calculations per second. The processor is more commonly known as
Central Processing Unit or CPU for short. The processor of a computer will handle the system
instructions such as processing mouse movements and clicks, keyboard input and running
applications. Many desktops will use either a processor from AMD or Intel depending on what the
user wants. Both Intel and AMD use the X86 processor architecture. Laptops and tablets can also use
AMD or Intel processors, however, products developed by Apple and Qualcomm will use their own
processors. Such as the iPhone 7 has the A10 fusion Quad Core Processor that is developed by apple.
Modern Processors often include multiple processing cores. They work together to process
instructions and while these cores are confined in one physical chip, they are all individual. If a
Processor has two cores, they are called dual-core and processors with four cores are called quad-
core. Some workstations that are high-end will include multiple processors with multiple cores, this is
because of a massive amount of work flow. Some machines can have eight, twelve or even more
processors inside.
Motherboard
A motherboard is the most essential parts of a computer system. It holds together many of the
crucial components of a computer, including the central processing unit and the RAM, and
connectors for input and output devices. The base of the motherboard contains a very firm sheet of
non-conductive material, typically a rigid plastic. Thin layers of copper or aluminium foil, referred to
as traces, are printed onto this sheet. These traces are very narrow and form the circuits between
the various components. In addition to circuits, a motherboard contains several sockets and slots to
connect the other components. A motherboard has a processor socket so the processor is directly
soldered onto this socket, and since the CPU will generate a huge amount of heat, heat sink fans will
be needed to mount onto the motherboard. A power connector will be needed to distribute power
to the CPU and other components. Commonly, here are 4 slots for the system’s main memory which
is DRAM chips. A chip forms an interface between the CPU, the main memory, and other
components. And many types of motherboards, this is referred to as the Northbridge. This chip also
contains a large heat sink.
1|Page
, Eliot Hunter (ID: 16002495) Assignment A Unit 02 Computer Systems
BIOS
BIOS is an integral part of your computer and comes with it when you bring it home. (In contrast, the
operating system can either be pre-installed by the manufacturer or vendor or installed by the user.)
BIOS is a program that is made accessible to the microprocessor on an erasable programmable read-
only memory (EPROM) chip. When you turn on your computer, the microprocessor passes control to
the BIOS program, which is always located at the same place on EPROM. When the BIOS boots up
your computer, it first determines whether all the attachments are in place like they should be and
are operational. Then the BIOS will load the operating system of the computer into your Random-
Access Memory from the HDD/SD.
Power Supply
A power supply is a hardware component that supplies power to an electrical device. It receives
power from an electrical outlet ad converts the current from AC (alternating current) to DC direct
current), which is what the computer requires. It also regulates the voltage to an adequate amount,
which allows the computer to run smoothly without overheating. The power supply an integral part
of any computer and must function correctly for the rest of the components to work.
You can locate the power supply on a system unit by simply finding the input where the power cord
is plugged in. Without opening your computer, this is typically the only part of the power supply you
will see. If you were to remove the power supply, it would look like a metal box with a fan inside and
some cables attached to it.
2|Page
