Computer literacy Program…Computer Hardware & Software
Chapter-2
Computer Hardware
&
Software
10
, Computer literacy Program…Computer Hardware & Software
COMPUTER HARD WARE AND SOFTWARE
Hardware is the physical parts of a computer system that you can see and touch. Besides
the main box of the computer (system Unit), hardware also includes input devices, such as
the keyboard and mouse, and output devices like the monitor and printer
Computer hardware is divides into three main parts
System unit
Input devices
Output devices
SYSTEM UNIT
System unit is a box that contains different electronic component of computer system. It is also
called chassis. It protects internal component from damage. It is made of plastic or metal to
protect the component inside it. Common component of system unit is
1. Mother board
2. Processor/ CPU / microprocessor
3. Memory
4. Adapter cards
5. Ports
6. Drive bays
7. Power supply
11
, Computer literacy Program…Computer Hardware & Software
Mother Board
Mother board is also called system board. Mother board is the most important circuit
board in the system unit. Mother board contains different chips.
Microprocessor/Processor/CPU
CPU stands for central processing unit. Microprocessor is the brain of the computer.
CPU is located on motherboard. CPU carries out most of the work of the computer.
Data comes from ram and the other components of the computer to CPU, then it start
processing after processing it send data to the ram. Data may be of
many forms.
CPU consists of two main units.
ALU (arithmetic logic unit)
CU (control unit)
Arithmetic logic unit
ALU is the part of CPU. Actual executions of the instruction take place in this part. All
arithmetic and logical operations are performed in ALU. It has two parts.
Arithmetic unit: Arithmetic unit of ALU performs basic arithmetic functions such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division.
Logic Unit: Logic unit of ALU performs logical operations like comparing two data items to find
which data item is <, >, = etc.
Control Unit
Control unit is an important component of CPU. Control unit controls all activities of
computer system. It is also called supervisor of the computer.
Register
Register is a small and high speed memory inside the Microprocessor. It is used to store
temporary results or data
Adapter Card
Expansion slot is a socket that is mounted on the mother board t insert circuit board. A circuit
board is identified by different term like Expansion card, Add-in Add-on etc.
Some cards contain built-in features or device like Modem and Graphic card. Some cards are
attached outside the system
There are main four types of adapter cards
Sound card / Audio card
Video Card/ Graphic Card
NIC /LAN card
Modem card
12
Chapter-2
Computer Hardware
&
Software
10
, Computer literacy Program…Computer Hardware & Software
COMPUTER HARD WARE AND SOFTWARE
Hardware is the physical parts of a computer system that you can see and touch. Besides
the main box of the computer (system Unit), hardware also includes input devices, such as
the keyboard and mouse, and output devices like the monitor and printer
Computer hardware is divides into three main parts
System unit
Input devices
Output devices
SYSTEM UNIT
System unit is a box that contains different electronic component of computer system. It is also
called chassis. It protects internal component from damage. It is made of plastic or metal to
protect the component inside it. Common component of system unit is
1. Mother board
2. Processor/ CPU / microprocessor
3. Memory
4. Adapter cards
5. Ports
6. Drive bays
7. Power supply
11
, Computer literacy Program…Computer Hardware & Software
Mother Board
Mother board is also called system board. Mother board is the most important circuit
board in the system unit. Mother board contains different chips.
Microprocessor/Processor/CPU
CPU stands for central processing unit. Microprocessor is the brain of the computer.
CPU is located on motherboard. CPU carries out most of the work of the computer.
Data comes from ram and the other components of the computer to CPU, then it start
processing after processing it send data to the ram. Data may be of
many forms.
CPU consists of two main units.
ALU (arithmetic logic unit)
CU (control unit)
Arithmetic logic unit
ALU is the part of CPU. Actual executions of the instruction take place in this part. All
arithmetic and logical operations are performed in ALU. It has two parts.
Arithmetic unit: Arithmetic unit of ALU performs basic arithmetic functions such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication and division.
Logic Unit: Logic unit of ALU performs logical operations like comparing two data items to find
which data item is <, >, = etc.
Control Unit
Control unit is an important component of CPU. Control unit controls all activities of
computer system. It is also called supervisor of the computer.
Register
Register is a small and high speed memory inside the Microprocessor. It is used to store
temporary results or data
Adapter Card
Expansion slot is a socket that is mounted on the mother board t insert circuit board. A circuit
board is identified by different term like Expansion card, Add-in Add-on etc.
Some cards contain built-in features or device like Modem and Graphic card. Some cards are
attached outside the system
There are main four types of adapter cards
Sound card / Audio card
Video Card/ Graphic Card
NIC /LAN card
Modem card
12
