SYSTEM UNIT

What is system unit?

Box-like case that contains computers electronic components Sometimes called the chassis

SYSTEM UNIT
System unit

System unit

System unit System unit

Figure 1 Examples of System Unit

Inside view of system unit

Front layer of a system unit

Input/Output port (I/O port)

Functions of the main components of a system unit Components Functions Input/Output A port is the point at which a port peripheral attaches to a system unit so that the peripheral can send data to or (I/O port) receive information from the computer. Power button To start on computer Motherboard Main circuit board of the system unit, which has some electronic components attached to it and others built into it.

Components Functions Power Convert standard electrical power into Supply the form that computer can use. If a power supply is not providing the necessary power, the computer will not function properly. DVD-ROM A device that reads DVD-ROM, also can read audio CDs, CDROMSs, CDdrive Rs and CD-RWs. CD-ROM A device that reads audio CDs, CDdrive ROMs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs.

Components Functions Reset button instructing the computer to go through the process of shutting down, which would clear memory and reset devices to their initialized state. DVD/CD-RW It is a combination drive that reads DVD and CD media, it also drive writes to CD-RW media. This drive also allows watching a DVD or burn a CD.

Components Functions A high-capacity disk drive that reads Zip drive from and writes on a Zip disk Floppy drive A device that reads from and writes on a floppy disk Hard disk Type of storage device that contains drive one or more inflexible, circular platters that store data, instructions and information. Also called a hard disk.

M O T H E R B O A R D

The components on the motherboard

Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Also called a processor The electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions
RAM is volatile ~ the programs and data in RAM are lost when the computer is powered off.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

Permanently stored inside the computer. ROM is non-volatile ~ It holds the programs and data when the computer is powered off. Pre-recorded, stored by the manufacturer; once it is done, it cannot be changed. All the contents in ROM can be accessed and read but cannot be changed.

Expansion Slot
The sockets where the circuit boards or the adapter cards can be inserted into the motherboard.

Exercise

Answer All Questions

1. Label the system unit below with the words given.

2. Mark T for True and F for False

1. The

processor (CPU) interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer. ( ) time. (

2. Computers

can use only one processor at a )

3. ROM

is the main circuit board of the system unit. ( ) slot is a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card. ( )
is non-volatile ( )

4. Expansion

5. RAM

6.

The most important chip on the main circuit board is the microprocessor chip. ( )
I/O port is the point at which a peripheral attaches to a system unit so that the peripheral can send data to or receive information from the computer. ( )

7.

8.

Reset button is to start on computer.

9.

A device that reads from and writes on a floppy disk is called hard disk drives. (

10.

Power supply convert standard electrical power into the form that computer can use. ( )