COMPONENTS OF

COMPUTER
Components of a computer system are the primary elements which
make the functioning of an electronic device smooth and faster. There
are five basic components which include:
1. Input Unit
2. Output Unit
3. Memory Unit
4. Control Unit
5. Arithmetical and Logical Unit
 Input Unit

• A computer will only respond when a command is given to the

device. These commands can be given using the input unit or
the input devices.
• For example: Using a keyboard we can type things on a
Notepad and the computer processes the entered data and then
displays the output of the same of the screen.
• The data entered can be in the form of numbers, alphabet,
images, etc. We enter the information using an input device,
the processing units convert it into computer understandable
languages and then the final output is received by a human-
understandable language.
 Output Unit
• When we command a computer to perform a task, it reverts for the
action performed and gives us a result. This result is called output.
There are various output devices connected to the computer. The
most basic of which is a monitor. Whatever we write using a
keyboard or click using a mouse, is all displayed on the monitor.

• Thus, the output unit gives us the final result once the entire
processing is done within the mechanism of a device.

• For example: when we visit an ATM, we enter our details like

language, pin, amount to be withdrawn, etc. and then the final
money which the cash dispenser releases is our outcome. In this
case, the cash dispenser acts as an output unit.
 Memory Unit

• When we enter the data into the computer using an input device, the
entered information immediately gets saved in the memory unit of
the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Because of the presence of some
existing programming, the Memory Unit transmits the data further
to the other parts of the CPU.

• Similarly, when the output of our command is processed by the

computer, it is saved in the memory unit before giving the output to
the user.
 Control Unit

• This is the core unit which manages the entire functioning of the
computer device. It is one of the most essential components of the
computer system.
 Arithmetic & Logical Unit

• As the name suggests, all the mathematical calculations or

arithmetic operations are performed in the Arithmetic and Logical
Unit of the CPU.

• It can also perform actions like a comparison of data and decision-

making actions. The ALU comprises circuits using which addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division and other numerical based
calculations can be performed.
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The Central Processing Unit is the core of any computer devices. It

comprises three major components of the computer which have been
discussed above:

• Memory Unit
• Control Unit
• Arithmetic and Logical Unit
• All these three units are elements of CPU and together help in the
efficient working and processing of data. It is also known as the
“Brain of Computer” and no action can be conducted by a device
without the execution and permission of the Central Processing
Unit.
Components of Computer
Questions and Answers
 Q1
MU, ALU and CU are all part of the ________.
1. Storage Memory
2. Central Processing Unit
3. Input Devices
4. Output Unit
5. None of the Above
Q 1. MU, ALU and CU are all part of the ________.
1. Storage Memory
2. Central Processing Unit
3. Input Devices
4. Output Unit
5. None of the Above
 Q2
________ is the main memory of the computer
1. Random Access Memory
2. Read Only Memory
3. Internal Hard Drive
4. DVD
5. Computer has no main memory, it keeps erasing the storage memory
automatically
 Q2
________ is the main memory of the computer
1. Random Access Memory
2. Read Only Memory
3. Internal Hard Drive
4. DVD
5. Computer has no main memory, it keeps erasing the storage memory
automatically
 Q3
• What is the full form of GUI?
1. Graphic User Interface
2. Games User Interface
3. Graphic Unified Interface
4. Graphic Unit Interface
5. None of the above
 Q3
• What is the full form of GUI?
1. Graphic User Interface
2. Games User Interface
3. Graphic Unified Interface
4. Graphic Unit Interface
5. None of the above
 Q4
• A computer comprises how many types of memory?
1. One
2. Four
3. Three
4. Two
5. Eight
 Q4
• A computer comprises how many types of memory?
1. One
2. Four
3. Three
4. Two
5. Eight

Solution: A computer comprises two types of memory. One is Random Access Memory
(RAM) and the other is Read Only Memory (ROM)
 Q5
• Which of the following are the physical parts of a computer?
1. Software
2. Operating System
3. Software Applications
4. Hardware
5. None of the above
 Q5
• Which of the following are the physical parts of a computer?
1. Software
2. Operating System
3. Software Applications
4. Hardware
5. None of the above
Processing devices
• A computer is an electronic device which processes the raw data
given by the user and outputs the information. Data is input into the
computer, and after processing, it is converted into the output or the
final information. The processing of this data is done using various
processing devices like CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU
(Graphics Processing Unit), MotherBoard, Microprocessor,
Sound Card, and Network Card.
 What is IPO Cycle?

• The full form of the IPO cycle is the Input-Processing-Output

Cycle. In an IPO Cycle, data is imputed to the computers as input, the
processing devices process the data, and the output is produced.

• We can learn this using a simple example of a mango shake. In this,

mango and milk are taken as input and processed in a mixer, and a
mango shake is obtained as an output. This completes one IPO Cycle.

• The IPO Cycle is the series of events which allow the computer to
perform its work.
• What are the Processing Devices of the
Computer?
There are certain processing devices like-

• CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• GPU (Graphic Processing Unit)
• Motherboard
• Sound Card
• Network Card
• Microprocessor
 1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
1. CPU or central processing unit is
the main processing unit
2. It determines the performance
of the computer (processor
speed)
3. Can be said a BRAIN of computer
4. Currently Pentium Chip
(Processor) are most popular
 2. Graphic Processing Unit (GPU)
A GPU is a computer-integrated chip
which helps the computer to render
graphics and images by performing very
fast mathematical calculations. It can be
used for both personal and professional
computing necessities. GPU can render
2D and 3D images, videos and
animations.
 3.Motherboard
1. CPU
2. RAM
3. BIOS
4. Cooling system
5. PCI (Peripheral
Component
Interconnect)Slots
 RAM
1. One of most important part
of computer
2. Random Access Memory
RAM stores information
temporarily
3. More RAM in the computer
more faster computer
works
4. RAM is in the form of a chip
and different vendors have
developed the RAM of
different capacities

Motherboard Parts
 BIOS
1. BIOS: Basic
Input/Output system is
a set of instructions in
ROM
2. Used to start most
basic services of
computer system
3. Computer have more
than one BIOS

Motherboard Parts
 Cooling system
1. A cooling mechanism
prevent damage to
computer from heat
2. Contains fans
3. The CPU, Computer
case, power supply,
some Hard disk, some
adapter cards need
cooling

Motherboard Parts
 PCI (Peripheral Component
Interconnect) slots
1. Slot is the space
provided on
motherboard used to
increase functionality
of computer
2. There are RAM slots,
AGP (Accelerated
Graphics Port) slots
and expansion slots.

Motherboard Parts
 4.Sound Card
• A Sound Card is a type of
hardware installed on the
motherboards and enables
the computers to deliver the
audio input and output
facilities. Nowadays, these
sound cards are in-built into
the motherboards.
 5.Network Card
• A Network Card is also a type
of hardware embedded on the
motherboard which enables the
computers to connect to the
computer network, usually
with LAN. Most of the
motherboards nowadays have
already embedded network
cards in them, like sound
cards. The network card helps
the computer exchange data
using a network.
 6.Microprocessor
• A microprocessor is known as
the heart of the computer
system. A microprocessor is a
single integrated circuit inside
the computer. All the
arithmetic and logical
functions are performed by the
microprocessors.
 Points to Remember

• The microprocessor is known as the “Heart” of the computer.

• Processing devices process information input by the input devices.
• The processed information is transferred to the output devices like
monitor, speaker etc.
• Sound cards enable audio’s input and output capabilities in a
computer.
• Network Card helps in connecting a computer to a computer
network.
Memory Devices
 INPUT DEVICES
Keyboard
Mouse
Scanner
Joystick
Microphone
Light Pen
Etc.
1. Keyboard: The keyboard helps in inputting the data to
the computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional
typewriter, although there are some additional keys provided for
performing some additional functions.
1. The keyboard is used
to type something or
input information to
the computer.
2. Connects to the
system via cable or
wireless connections
3. There are different
designs and models
available
 2. Mouse: Mouse is most popular Pointing device. It is a
very famous cursor-control device. It is a small palm size box with a
round ball at its base which senses the movement of mouse and sends
corresponding signals to CPU on pressing the buttons.
1. Most common input
device used to give
instructions to
computer
2. Connectivity via cable
or wireless media
3. Types: Track Ball,
Optical mouse, IR
mouse, Radio wave
mouse
 3. Scanner: Scanner is an input device, which works more
like a photocopy machine. It is used when some information is
available on a paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disc of
the computer for further manipulation.
1. Scanners allow you to
transfer pictures and
photographs to your
computer
2. Used to scan the
images and pictures
3. Using software you can
convert printed
documents into the
text that you can use
in the word processor
4. Joystick: Joystick is also a pointing device, which is used to
move cursor position on a monitor screen. It is a stick having a
spherical ball at its both lower and upper ends. The lower spherical ball
moves in a socket. The joystick can be moved in all four directions.

1. Another input device

used to play games
2. Available in many
shapes
5. Microphone: Microphone is an input device to
input sound that is then stored in digital form. The microphone is
used for various applications like adding sound to a multimedia
presentation or for mixing music

1. Used to give audio

input
2. Important in video
conferencing
 6. Light Pen: Light pen is a pointing device, which is
similar to a pen. It is used to select a displayed menu item or draw
pictures on the monitor screen. It consists of a photocell and an
optical system placed in a small tube.

1. When light pen's tip is

moved over the monitor
screen and pen button is
pressed,
2. Its photocell sensing
element, detects the screen
location and sends the
corresponding signal to the
CPU.
 7. Digitizer: Digitizer is an input device, which converts
analog information into a digital form. Digitizer can convert a
signal from the television camera into a series of numbers that
could be stored in a computer.

1. They can be used by the

computer to create a picture
of whatever the camera had
been pointed at.
2. Digitizer is also known as
Tablet or Graphics Tablet
because it converts graphics
and pictorial data into
binary inputs.
 8. Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR): MICR input
device is generally used in banks because of a large number of cheques
to be processed everyday. The bank's code number and cheque number
are printed on the cheques with a special type of ink that contains
particles of magnetic material that are machine readable.

1. The reading process is

called Magnetic Ink
Character Recognition
(MICR)..
2. The main advantage of
MICR is that it is fast and
less error prone.
 9. Optical Character Reader (OCR): OCR is an input
device used to read a printed text.

1. OCR scans text optically

character by character,
converts them into a
machine readable code and
stores the text on the
system memory.
 10. Bar Code Readers: Bar Code Reader is a device used for
reading bar coded data (data in form of light and dark lines). Bar coded
data is generally used in labelling goods, numbering the books, etc. It
may be a hand-held scanner or may be embedded in a stationary scanner.

1. Bar Code Reader scans a bar

code image, converts it into
an alphanumeric value,
which is then fed to the
computer to which bar code
reader is connected.
11. Optical Mark Reader (OMR)OMR is a special type
of optical scanner used to recognize the type of mark made by pen or
pencil.

1. It is used where one

out of a few
alternatives is to be
selected and marked.
It is specially used for
checking the answer
sheets of examinations
having multiple choice
questions.
 Storage devices
primary storage
1. RAM

Secondary storage
1. HDD
2. Floppy disk
3. Solid storage devices
 1. Hard Disk Drive
1. Hard Disk Drive HDD is
a mechanism to run
disks
2. HD is a fixed media
storage device
3. Data stored
magnetically
4. Mostly internal but
some are external
 2. Floppy
1. Floppy disks stores
data magnetically
2. Disk covered by means
of plastic coat
3. Older storage device
having less storage
capacity
 3. Solid storage Device
1. Used as external
storage device
2. Works faster than disks
3. Data stores electrically
and having USB
 Output Devices

Monitor
Speakers
Printer
Projector
 1. Monitor
1. monitor is used to
display the information
on the screen.
2. Monitors come in
many sizes and shapes,
monochrome or full
colors
3. Today most computers
use LCD
 2. Speakers

1. Speaker is the audio

output device
2. Used to listen songs
and other audio media
 3. Printer
1. Printer takes the
information from the
PC and transfers it to
the paper of different
sizes
2. There are three basic
types of a printer such
as dot matrix, inkjet
and laser
 Other Peripheral Devices

Modems
Digital Camera
Sound Card
Biometric Devices
Digital Pad
 1. Modem
1. Modem is used for
modulation and
demodulation of data
2. convert data analog to
digital and digital to analog
3. Can be internal and
external
4. Modems are measured by
the speed which is called
baud rate. The typical baud
rate is 56Kb
 2. Digital Camera
1. Device used to take
digital photographs
2. Images stores on the
memory chip of
camera
3. Used in video
conferencing
 3. Sound card
1. Sound cards produce
the sound like music
and voice
2. The older cards were
8, 16 and then 32 bits
3. allow output device to
produce audio