COMPUTER AND IT COMPONENTS

Computers, in simple words, are machines that perform a set of functions according to
their users’ directions. Going by this definition, several electronic devices, from laptops
to calculators, are computers.
A computer comprises of some basic elements. These include hardware, software,
programmes, data and connectivity. No computer can function in the absence of these
elements. Apart from these elements, a computer system comprises of three basic
components. These components are responsible for making computers actually function.
Let’s take a look at them in detail.
 Computer Systems
We are all aware of what computers are and their immense importance in our daily lives.
It is an electronic device that not only stores data but also processes and manipulates data
to carry out functions. Upon receiving valid instructions, a computer can perform a
variety of operations.
What allows us to perform such tasks on the computer is a computer system. A computer
system is the sum total of all the components (hardware and software) that makes up a
fully functional computer.
 Elements of a Computer System
There are six main elements that make up a computer system. They all interact with each
other and perform the task at hand. Let us take a look at all of them.
1] Hardware
These are all the physical aspects of a computer system. They are tangible, i.e. you can
see and touch them. Hardware components are the electronic or mechanical instruments,
like keyboard, monitor, printer etc. They help the users interface with the software, and
also display the result of the tasks being performed.
Hardware can actually be of four types, depending on which function they perform. The
four types of hardware are,
 Input Hardware: For users to input data into the computer system. Examples:
Keyboard, mouse, Scanner
 Output Hardware: To translate and display the result of the data processing =.
Example: Monitor Screen, Printer etc.
  Processing and Memory Hardware: Where data and information are processed
and manipulated to perform the task at hand. It is also the workspace of the
computer, where it temporarily stores data. Examples: Central Processing Unit
(CPU), Read Only Memory (RAM)
 Secondary Storage Hardware: Where the computer system stores data
permanently. Example: Harddisk, Pendrive etc.
2] Software
Software is nothing but a set of programmes (computer instructions), which helps the
user to do a set of specific tasks. It helps the user interact with the computer system with
the help of hardware. Software, as you can imagine, is the intangible aspect of the
computer system.
Basically, there are six main types of software, which are as follows,
 Operating System: These specialized programmes allow
the communication between software and hardware. The operating systems run all
the other computer programmes, and even regulate the startup process of the
computer. Examples: Windows XP, Macintosh etc.
 Application Software: These are designed to perform a specific task or a bunch of
tasks. They can be user-designed (specific to the user’s needs) or readymade
application software. Example: PowerPoint, Tally etc.
 Utility Software: Like operating systems, it is a system software. It helps maintain
and protect the computer system. For example, Anti-virus software is a utility
software.
 Language Processors: Software that interprets computer language and translates it
into machine language It also checks for errors in language syntax and fixes the
problems.
 System Software: This types of software control the hardware, the reading of the
data and other such internal functions.
 Connectivity Software: The special software that facilitates the connection
between the computer system and the server. This allows the computer to share
information and communicate with each other.
3] People
The people interacting with the computer system are also an element of it. We call this
element the Live ware. They are the ultimate “users” of the computer systems. There are
three types of people that interact with the system, namely
  Programmers: Professionals who write the computer programs that allow users to
interact with the computer. They must have technical knowledge of computers
and computer languages
 System Analyst: They mainly design data processing systems, and solve
problems that arise in data processing
 End-Users: Also known as operators, they are the people who interact with the
computer system.
4] Procedures
These are a set of instructions, written in code, to instruct a computer on how to perform
a task, run a software, do calculations etc. There are three types of procedures in a
computer They are,
 Hardware-Oriented Procedure: Instructs the hardware components of the
system, ensures they work smoothly
 Software Oriented Procedure: Provides instructions to launch and run software
programs
 Internal Procedures: Directs the flow of information and sequences the data
5] Data
Data is essentially the raw facts and figures that we input in the computer. The data gets
processed via the computer system and becomes information, which is processed and
organized data. Information can then be used for decision-making purposes.
The measurement of data is done in terms of “bytes”. One kilobyte (KB) is
approximately 1000 bytes, 1 megabyte (MB) is 1 million bytes and finally, 1 gigabyte
(GB) is approximately 1 billion bytes.
6] Connectivity
This is when the computers are linked to a network. It facilitates sharing of information,
files, and other facilities. Computers can connect to a network via LAN cables,
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, satellites etc. The internet is the most obvious example of connectivity
in a computer system.
Solved Question for You
Q: A famous computerized accounting software, Tally, is which of the following?
a. Operating System
b. Application Software
c. Utility Software
d. None of the above
Ans: The correct answer is B. It handles accounting, inventory
management, tax calculations and other such important functions.

Components of a Computer System

Every computer system has the following three basic components:
1. Input unit
2. Central processing unit
3. Output unit

While there are other components as well, these three are primarily responsible for
making a computer function. They must work in complete synergy because that will
ensure smooth overall functioning. Hence, we can even call them building blocks of a
computer system.
Input Unit
These components help users enter data and commands into a computer system. Data can
be in the form of numbers, words, actions, commands, etc. The main function of input
devices is to direct commands and data into computers. Computers then use their CPU to
process this data and produce output.
For example, a laptop’s keyboard is an input unit that enters numbers and characters.
Similarly, even a mouse can be an input unit for entering directions and commands. Other
examples include barcode readers, Magnetic Ink Character Readers (MICR), Optical
Character Readers (OCR), etc.
Another example of input devices is touch-screens. Users can simply touch these screens
without using any other device to enter commands. From smartphones to ATM machines,
these input devices are becoming very popular these days.
Browse more Topics under Application of Computers in Accounting
 Meaning and Elements of Computer System
 Evolution and Features of Computerized Accounting Systems
  Capabilities of Computer System and Limitations of Computer Systems
 Management Information Systems and Accounting Information System
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
After receiving data and commands from users, a computer system now has to process it
according to the instructions provided. Here, it has to rely on a component called the
central processing unit. The CPU further uses these three elements:
a) Memory Unit
Once a user enters data using input devices, the computer system stores this data in its
memory unit. This data will now remain here until other components of CPU process it.
The memory unit uses a set of pre-programmed instructions to further transmit this data
to other parts of the CPU.
b) Arithmetic and Logic Unit
This part of the CPU performs arithmetic operations. It does basic mathematical
calculations like addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, etc. Further, it can even
perform logical functions like the comparison of data.
c) Control Unit
This unit is the backbone of computers. It is responsible for coordinating tasks between
all components of a computer system. The control unit collects data from input units and
sends it to processing units depending on its nature. Finally, it also further transmits
processed data to output units for users.
Output Unit
The third and final component of a computer system is the output unit. After processing
of data, it is converted into a format which humans can understand. After conversion, the
output units display this data to users. Examples of output devices include monitors,
screens, printers and speakers. Thus, output units basically reproduce the data formatted
by the computer for users’ benefit.
Solved Questions for You
Question: Fill in the correct words in these sentences.
a. There are _____ components in a computer system.
b. Mathematical and logical functions are carried out by the _____.
c. _____ is the backbone of a computer system.
 d. Barcode scanners are examples of _____ unit.
e. Storage of data happens in the ______ component.
Answers:
a. Three
b. Arithmetic and Logic Unit
c. Control unit
d. Input
e. Central Processing Unit

Parts of A Computer and Their Functions (All Components)

Table of Contents
 Full list of basic computer parts and what they do
 1. The computer case or system unit
 1. List of computer case sizes (known as form factor):
 2. Motherboard
 3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 4. Random Access Memory (RAM)
 5. Graphics Card or Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
 6. Sound Card
 7. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
 8. Solid State Drive (SSD)
 9. Power Supply Unit (PSU)
 10. Monitor or Visual Display Unit (VDU)
 11. Keyboard
 12. Mouse
 Common peripheral components for computers
 Printer
  Scanner
 Computer Speakers
 Parts of a computer and their functions in PDF format
 Conclusion

Full list of basic computer parts and what they do

1. The computer case or system unit

This is the component that holds all of the parts to make up the computer system.
It is usually designed in such a manner to make fitting a motherboard, wiring, and drives
as easy as possible. Some are designed so well that it is easy to make everything look tidy
and presentable.
Cases come in all different sizes and shapes to accommodate various types of computer
components and satisfy the consumer’s needs.
Design elements can vary from plain to highly elaborate. You can get a plain grey
desktop case or one with colored lighting everywhere to make it look spectacular.
Computer cases rely on computer fans inside them to create proper airflow to keep all the
internals cool and working reliably.
A computer case, like most things, varies in quality. You can get them made from cheap
metals or good quality materials that provide you with a sturdy design.
List of computer case sizes (known as form factor):
 Very small form factor: Supports Mini ITX motherboards
 Small form factor: Supports micro ATX motherboards.
 Standard form factor: Supports standard ATX motherboards.
 Larger form factors: Supports ATX and XL-ATX motherboards.
2. Motherboard

The motherboard is the main board that is screwed directly inside the computer case. All
other cards and everything else plugs directly into the motherboard, hence its name.
The CPU, RAM, drives, power supply, and more are connected to it.
Its function involves integrating all the physical components to communicate and operate
together.
A good motherboard offers a wide amount of connectivity options. It also has the least
amount of bottlenecks possible.
This allows all the components to operate efficiently and to fulfill their maximum
potential as they were designed to do.
Obviously, as the physical size is reduced, it begins to limit connectivity options and
functionality.
Motherboards come in the following sizes:

Motherboard Dimensions

Pico-ITX 3.9 inch x 2.9 inch | 100mm x 72mm

Nano-ITX 4.7 inch x 4.7 inch | 120mm x 120mm

Mini-ITX 6.7 inch x 6.7 inch | 170mm x 170mm

Micro-ATX 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch | 244mm x 244mm

Standard-ATX 12 inch x 9.6 inch | 305mm x 244mm

XL-ATX EVGA: 13.5 inch x 10.3 inch | 343mm x 262mm

Gigabyte: 13.58 inch x 10.31 inch | 345mm x 262mm
 Motherboard Dimensions

Micro-Star: 13.6 inch x 10.4 inch | 345mm x 264mm

3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU or central processing unit is basically like the brain of computer systems. It
processes all the information on a computational level.
It takes all the processes from the RAM and processes them to perform the tasks required
by the computer system.
The central processing unit is usually seated in a socket that utilizes a lever or a latch
with a hinged plate with a cut-out in the center to secure the CPU onto the motherboard.
It has many copper pads underneath it for the socket contacts to push up against them to
make electrical contact.
There are other ways CPUs can be attached to the motherboard.
Here are some common examples:
 ZIF (Zero Insertion Force): Although this is a more desirable socket, they are
mostly found on older computer motherboards. A lever-operated mechanism to
clamp the pins of the processor.
 PGA (Pin Grid Array): It is also a ZIF socket but has a different pin pitch and
contains a different pin count.
 LGA (Land Grid Array): More commonly found on motherboards today. A
levered hinged plate with a center cut-out clamps down on the processor.
 BGA (Ball Grid Array): The CPU is soldered directly onto the motherboard.
This makes it a non-user-swappable component. It is susceptible to bad
connectivity.
A processor generates a decent amount of heat, especially when it is working under high
loads.
It will run even hotter when it is set to a higher clock speed to make it run faster. This is
called overclocking.
This is why a heatsink and fan assembly are required to draw the heat away from the
central processing unit and distribute it to thin sheets or fins of metal for the fan to cool
down.
There are so many different types of computer processors. The top manufacturers of
processors are Intel, AMD, and NVidia.
4. Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM is a data storage device that can provide fast read and write access. RAM is volatile
memory, meaning it loses all the stored data when power is lost.
The RAM keeps data ready for the CPU to process. The RAM speed is a big contributor
to the overall speed of a computer system.
It plugs directly into a long slot that has contacts on either side of the slot.
It, too, has a clock speed, just like a processor. So, it can also be overclocked to deliver
increased performance beyond the intended specification.
Certain RAM modules are sold with a heat spreader. It helps dissipate the heat from the
individual memory ICs, keeping them cooler.
RAM has evolved like any other component. RAM used on the motherboard often uses
DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory)
type memory.
RAM Amount always comes in powers of 2, so you will always see numbers like 16GB,
32GB, or 64GB of RAM, to mention some examples of memory units.
5. Graphics Card or Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
A graphics card is an output device that processes the data from the motherboard and
sends the appropriate information to the computer’s screen for display.
You can connect monitors to it using HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA connectors.
It can also be referred to as a video or display card.
A video card takes the burden of all the video processing from the main CPU. This gives
a computer a big boost in performance.
Because of the large processing requirements for a gaming GPU, fans are almost a given.
A video card plugs into a PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slot
on the motherboard. It is a serial expansion bus slot capable of high bandwidth in two
directions.
A graphics card has a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), the main part of a computer
system that requires cooling.
A GPU is slower than a CPU but is designed to deal with mathematical operations
required for video rendering.
The card’s memory amount varies depending on the manufacturer’s design.
Video cards use GDDR (Graphics Double Data Rate) SDRAM, which is specially
designed to optimize graphics performance.
GDDR is built to handle a higher bandwidth compared to plain DDR ram.
6. Sound Card

Most of the time, the sound chips built into the motherboard is used for audio output.
But, if you are a sound enthusiast or prefer high-quality audio output while playing a
game, you might be inclined to use a sound card.
Sound cards plug into a computer in multiple ways. It can be through USB, PCI slot, or
PCI Express x 1 slot.
External DACs have gained much more popularity and help deliver clearer and more
defined audio or high-definition sound output.
They connect up using an IO cable like a USB cable to your computer or laptop and
provide a line out for your speakers or headphones.
A sound processing chip on the card does all of the audio processing and is usually not a
very powerful processor.
A sound card can offer a wide range of connectivity with various audio equipment.
A few examples could be optical audio, a 1/4-inch jack, or RCA connectors.
7. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
A hard drive is still found in many PCs to this day. A mechanical drive’s purpose is to
store all your information for retrieval at any time.
Apart from storing information for your computer, it also functions as a boot drive to run
the operating system (OS) from it. You can install operating systems of many different
kinds depending on your needs.
An OS is a software program that’s installed, making a computer useable, like Microsoft
Windows, for example. The biggest vulnerability of a mechanical drive is its physically
fragile nature.
One bump the wrong way can destroy a whole drive. A mechanical hard drive contains
one or more platters that spin anywhere between 5200 to 10000 RPM (revolutions per
minute).
The read and write heads are spaced only about 0.002 (51 micro M) inches from the
platter.
This gives you an idea about the physical limitations of its fragile nature.
Small areas on the platter can be arranged to represent a 1 or a 0. It can be changed using
the drive head to alter the material to represent the correct value magnetically. This is
how to write data to the drive for storage.
There are various categories of hard drives made for various real-world applications.
Some examples include:
 General use for desktops or laptops.
 Gaming optimized for desktops or laptops.
 General high-capacity storage.
 NAS Devices.
 Servers.
  Video recording.
They can also be purchased as an external drive that usually connects to your computer
by USB cable.
An uninterruptible power supply is sometimes used to prevent data loss with mechanical
drives where a sudden power outage is experienced, or the power cord is accidentally
disconnected while the computer is running.
This allows proper shutdowns for desktop systems that have experienced sudden power
loss.
8. Solid State Drive (SSD)

An SSD is also a type of hard drive, but it doesn’t have any moving bits. It consists of a
bank of flash memory that can hold a reasonable amount of information.
While SSDs are increasing in size all the time, they aren’t cost-effective for storing large
amounts.
A mechanical drive has a cheaper gigabyte-to-dollar ratio.
However, the SSD is a high-performance drive. It’s fast and cannot be as easily damaged
by dropping it or taking a few bumps.
SSDs are available as 2.5-inch laptop encapsulated drives, and an M.2 SDD is the most
commonly used kind on the market.
That’s why I always recommend SSDs for portable-type computers where possible. In
our other article, you can read more about whether or not SSD’s are worth it.

9. Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A power supply unit mounts inside the computer case. It converts the AC mains supply
from the power cord from a wall socket and supplies the correct DC voltages to all the
components inside the computer.
A computer power supply supplies the following voltages:
 +3.3v: This voltage is supplied to the motherboard.
  +5V: This voltage is supplied to the motherboard and other computer hardware.
 +12V: This voltage is supplied to the motherboard and other components.
 -12V: This voltage is supplied to the motherboard.
It plays an important role in keeping a computer running reliably.
You get different wattage ratings for power supplies. The higher the wattage, the higher
the electrical current that can be made available to everything that needs it to function
properly.
The higher you go in Watts, the more the power supply will likely cost.
A power supply usually also comes with a cooling fan. This helps all the internal
components in your computer to stay cool when the power supply is subjected to bigger
loads.
You read more about a power supply and its lifespan if you want to know how long it
lasts.
10. Monitor or Visual Display Unit (VDU)
A monitor is an output device used to visualize the graphics information sent from the
computer’s GPU.
There are various types of monitors on the market. A LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlit
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitor is the most commonly used with a modern PC.
There are also various computer screen sizes with different aspect ratios. The aspect ratio
is simply the ratio between height and width.
For example, a 16:9 aspect ratio computer screen will have 16 parts wide to 9 parts in
height.
There are also curved computer monitors, but they are more expensive computer screens.
Monitors also have a fast response time to keep up with the high demands required to
eliminate delays with user input for gaming.
11. Keyboard
A keyboard is an input device that is one of the ways to communicate with a computer.
Typing a key from the keyboard sends a small portion of information to tell the computer
which key was pressed.
Once the computer receives input from the keyboard, it can use the keystrokes in digital
form to produce a specific task in any software that’s being used.
The computer system can use this information in many ways. An example could be a
command or a character that can be used in a document.
There are two main different types of keyboards. Mechanical and membrane types.
12. Mouse

A mouse is an input device that allows the user to move a pointer displayed on the
monitor and experience a more intuitive interaction with computer systems.
These days’ mice have more buttons than the common three and offer way more
functions than mice in the early days.
However, the three main buttons allow the user to select, grab, scroll and access extra
menus and options.
A computer mouse is a handy pointing device that can be wired or wireless. The latter
obviously requires batteries.
Optical mice of today allow for very accurate precision and smooth movement.
Common peripheral components for computers
Here are some common peripherals that connect to a computer and extend their
usefulness.
Printer
A printer can take an image sent by a computer and deliver it onto a sheet of paper.
It does this by using the information from the computer, and by either using toner or ink,
it deposits one of these in a controlled and accurate manner to form the image.
Scanner
A scanner can take anything on paper, and it functions by scanning it to produce a
replicated digital image for a computer to save.
This is also handy for saving physical photos you want to preserve.
Once the photo is stored digitally, it won’t decay as a physical photo does over time.
The flatbed scanner is the most commonly used today.
Many all-in-one devices, also known as multifunction devices, have printer and scanning
capabilities in one reasonably compact product.
Computer Speakers

Computer speakers can connect to the sound card at the rear of the computer.
Another way they can be connected is by a monitor that already has built-in speakers.
Generally, the sound quality is poor from a monitor’s speakers. That’s why most people
buy a set of computer speakers for their desks.
You can even connect up a 7.1 surround speaker system to certain sound cards for a
computer.
This can add a nicer experience to gaming, playing music, or watching a film.