Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is often referred to as the brain of the computer, located on the motherboard. It is responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands issued by the software and connected hardware. Found in all modern electronic devices, the CPU consists of two main components:
- Control Unit (CU): This component is responsible for fetching instructions from memory, decoding them, and executing them.
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): This component handles both arithmetic and logical operations, ensuring accurate processing.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random Access Memory (RAM) serves as the temporary storage unit in a computer. Information stored in RAM is lost once the computer is turned off. This type of memory is installed on the motherboard, which can accommodate one or more memory chips. There are two primary types of RAM: Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Static RAM (SRAM). DRAM is commonly used in personal computers due to its lower cost compared to SRAM, but it requires constant refreshing of the data stored within it.
CMOS Battery
The CMOS battery plays a critical role in preserving information stored in RAM even after the computer is powered off. It retains basic configuration settings of the computer, allowing these settings to be retrieved without the need for reconfiguration. These settings may include:
- Types of floppy and hard disk drives.
- Information pertaining to the CPU.
- Amount of RAM installed.
- Date and time settings of the computer.
Note: The power of the CMOS battery is minimal because CMOS memory requires very little energy.
Cache Memory
Cache Memory is a type of temporary storage that holds information retrieved from RAM, making it readily available for the CPU. This storage is temporary and frequently accessed, reducing the average time taken for data to travel from RAM to the CPU. Cache memory is characterized by its high speed, enabling synchronization with the CPU’s speed. Although it is smaller in size, it is more expensive than RAM and exists in four levels: L1, L2, L3, and L4.
BIOS Memory
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is a program stored on a ROM chip; thus, the settings of this program remain saved even when the computer is powered down. The BIOS software is installed by the manufacturer on all computers and operates independently of the computer’s operating system.
Expansion Slots
Expansion Slots are connectors found on the motherboard that accommodate expansion cards, which enhance the functionality of the computer. These cards may include graphics cards, sound cards, or network cards. The motherboard comes equipped with a specific number of expansion slots, located on the back of the computer case. They come in various types, including PCI, AGP, ISA, and EISA, with PCIe being the most commonly used in modern devices.
Chipsets
Chipsets are integrated circuits that function as managers for the flow of data and instructions between the CPU and external devices. The efficiency of the CPU’s performance heavily relies on the quality of the chipsets present on the motherboard. It is crucial for the chipsets to be compatible with the CPU for optimal system operation. Chipsets typically consist of two parts: the Northbridge and the Southbridge.