2. The power supply has to be the most important and essential
component of the computer, because it provides the other
components with electricity. They power the computer by
converting AC current into DC current. The power comes
from an outlet and then the voltages are converted.

3. The Motherboard is the main circuit board and is the home of
many major components such as the CPU, RAM, NIC and
many more. They also connect each component together.
The size, shape and layout of the Motherboard is called a
‘form factor’. They also contain electrical buses. The
motherboard is different depending on whether
it is a computer or laptop.

4. The Central Processing Unit, or CPU, is usually referred to
as the ‘brain’ of the computer, as most of the calculations and
processing occurs here. It can carry out very basic
instructions such as going to other parts of the programme or
application, and various numerical operations such as
comparing numbers and adding and subtracting the, by using
an instruction list.

5. RAM is the abbreviated term for Random Access Memory. It
stores data for a short period of time. It is also volatile, which
means that if the computer is turned off, the data is lost. DRAM
and SRAM are two types of RAM. DRAM stands for Dynamic
Random Access Memory, is more common and much cheaper to
produce. SRAM is much faster as it does not need to be
refreshed, however, it is not as common, due to the fact that it is
more expensive to produce.

6. ROM is the abbreviated term for Read Only Memory. This means that if
data is stored on the ROM, it stays on it, however, it is a read only copy.
Unlike the RAM, the ROM is non-volatile, which basically means that
when the computer is turned off, the data is still saved onto it. The
booting programme of a computer is usually saved onto the ROM. There
is another type of ROM, called PROM, which stands for Programmable
Read Only Memory. You have to put to data onto it by using a PROM
programmer.

7. The Network Interface Card, or NIC, provides the user and
computer with network access. It is a card that can be
inserted into the Motherboard of a computer or laptop. It
connects the computer to Local Area Network, or LAN.
Through the use of a NIC, a MAC address is assigned to the
computer. The card can also be wireless.

8. Just like the ROM and RAM, the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is
used for storage, however, it is more permanent. It has a
metal disk, or sometimes, multiple metal disks, which is
covered in a magnetic material. Just like ROM, it is non-
volatile. The work or data does not delete or is removed
when there is no power to the computer. It is usually viewed
as C-Drive.

9. The monitor displays the content on the computer and makes it
available for the viewer. In more modern computers that are
produced, the screen is usually liquid crystal display, which are
also known as LCD monitors. They are a lot bigger, wider and
present a much clearer image to the viewer. The screens in older
computers are made from cathode ray tube. As technology
keeps on developing, touch screen computers are coming more
into fashion.
Turned into…

10. Peripherals are extra devices that can be connected to the computer. They
can be either be input (keyboard, mouse, microphone) or output devices
(monitor, speakers, printer). They can be connected by ports and cables, such
as USB, parallel and serial ports.
Keyboards and mice are examples of input devices, and they can be
connected using USB ports in the back of the computer tower.
Speakers and printers are examples of output devices. Older speakers can be
connected using an audio cable plugged into the pink socket, located at the
back of the computer tower. Newer speakers can be plugged in using USB
ports. Printers can be connected by serial, parallel, FireWire or USB
ports, although parallel cables aren’t used as much.