PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM | ESSENTIAL PARTS

 PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

By: Yusuf Basirat Bolanle 

Topic Outline

1.  Introduction to the parts of a computer system

2.  Essential functional parts of a computer system:

-  The Keyboard

-  The Mouse

-  The CPU

-  The Motherboard and

-  The Monitor

 

3.Other important but not essential parts of a computer 

system:

-  The printer

-  The scanner

-  The speaker

-  The microphone

-  The headsets

-  The webcam and

-  The UPS

4.  Brief explanation on each of the parts

●

Introduction to the Parts of a computer system

A computer system  consists of  different parts. These parts have their different functions to perform. There are some parts which are essential to a computer system, likewise there sre some which are not so essential but added value to a functional computer system.

For the purpose of today lesson, we shall discuss the essential parts of a computer system only

1.  The Keyboard

2.  The Mouse

3.  The CPU

4.  The Motherboard and

5.  The Monitor

 

Other important but not essential functional parts of a computer are:

1.  The printer

2.  The scanner

3.  The speaker

4.  The microphone

5.  The headsets

6.  The webcam and

7.  The UPS

Now, lest us briefly explain the essential parts of a computer system. 

1.      The Keyboard

The first one out of the parts of a computer system is The Keyboard. The Keyboard is an input device used to type data and characters into the computer by pressing its buttons or keys. It is the primary device used to enter text into the computer. A keyboard typically contains keys for individual letters, numbers and special characters, as well as keys for specific functions.

The keyboard is an important part of any desktop computer. It lets you communicate with your personal computer.

Parts and diagram of a keyboard

There are five major parts of a keyboard. They are the following:

1.  The Functional keys -The functional keys are located at the top buttons of the keyboard. They consist of   (F1, F12) and so on. 

 

2.  The number or numerical keys – They are the part of the keyboard which comprises of  numbers only. 

 

3.  The Alpha-Numerical Keys: it is the part of the keyboard which consists of both alphabets and numbers together

 

4.  The Cursor movement keys –The cursor movement key is also known as arrow keys. They are the up, down, left-right  arrow keys on the lower part of the keyboard. They are the four cardinal arrows used in moving the pointer around the screen.

 

5.  The Control keys – They are on the upper right corner of the keyboard. They are the insert, home, page up keys and their opposites

 

However, The keyboard can be used to perform the following tasks

-  Typing of documents

-  Accessing menus on the computer

-  Playing different types of games and

-  Performing a variety of other tasks.

 

2.     The mouse

The second part of a computer system is The mouse. A mouse is a computer device that is used in controlling the movement of the pointer or cursor on the screen.  As you move the mouse, the pointer on the display screen moves in the same direction with the movement of the mouse. A mouse lets you control your computer's performance and tell your
computer what to do.

 

The following are the major uses of the mouse:

1.It is used to drag data and files and dropping it elsewhere

2. It is also used for scrolling applications and windows or a 

         web page on the computer

3.It is used to copy and select text

4.  It is used to point to an object on the screen

5.   It is used for graphics drawing and copying

 

 

3.    The CPU  (Central Processing Unit)

The third part of The computer is The CPU. CPU is an abbreviation for (Central Processing Unit). It is the part of a computer that is responsible for processing the data that is fed into the computer through the keyboard or other input devices.it is commonly referred to as the "brain" of a computer.

It is an important part of a computer because it sends signals to other parts of the computer and controls them just as how a brain controls the entire body. 

 

Functions of a CPU

1.   It is referring to as a computer brain therefore carries out all the important functions of a computer.

2.   It receives instructions from the hardware and software and produces output from them.

3.  It stores all important programs like operating systems and application software

4.It helps in storing data and other instructions given to a computer

5.  CPU also helps Input and output devices to communicate with each other.

6.  It is the controller of all the other parts of a computer

The CPU Consists of the following parts

A.  The Memory Unit

B.  The Control unit and

C.  Arithmetic and logical unit (ALU)

A.  Memory or storage unit

The Memory or storage is responsible for storing data and instructions and results it is also known as internal storage unit or main memory of a computer. . It also gives information to other parts of the computer when needed. Its functions are:

- to store the results of the processed data in the computer and

- to store all the data and instructions given to computer for processing

B.  Control Unit

The following are the functions of a control unit:

 1- It controls all the units of the computer but cannot store

      data or process it

2- It works with devices like output and input so as to transfer data or  requests from the storage

3-It is responsible for collection of instructions from the memory and interprets them.

4-  It controls the transfer of data and instructions among other units of a computer.

 

C.  ALU (Arithmetic Logical Unit)

ALU means Arithmetic and Local Unit. It is responsible for performing calculation and arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and other logical operations

4.  The Motherboard

The motherboard is the fourth part of a computer system. Motherboard connect all other parts of a computer together.  It  connects the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound card, and other ports through the cables.

 

Its functions are as follows:

1. It supports a single type of CPU and few types of memories. Video cards, hard disks, sound cards have to be compatible with the motherboard to function properly.

2-It varies greatly in supporting various types of components. 

3-Its cases, and power supplies must be compatible to work properly together.

 

5.  The Monitor

Monitor is the fifth part of a computer system. The monitor allows us to see the data that is typed into the computer through its screen. It allows everyone to interact directly with the computer and running their programs as they wish.

Monitors  looks like a televisions as every activities doing on the computer are always shown on it with clear pictures.

Your computer's monitor lets you see what you're doing. Even if you have everything needed to start your computer, you can't do anything without the monitor.  it enables you to view your computer's desktop and see what you're working on.

 The following are the types of a computer monitor

 

1.  CRT: Stands for Cathode Ray Tube. They are those types that are built by using a fluorescent screen and Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), which made them heavy and large in size

 

2.  LCD: Stands for Liquid Crystal Display. They are the modern flat screen monitor of computer. They are made up by using flat-panel display technology. They are very flat and occupy little or small space compare to CTR

 

 

Continue with the Non Essential Parts of a Computer System Here

 www.obatutor.com