Hardware

Objective #1: Explain the architecture of a personal computer.

• A personal computer is built around its central processing unit (CPU). Within the CPU, a computer has a chip (i.e. integrated circuit) such as a Pentium III. Within this chip there are millions of transistors that route the electricity and perform mathematical computations. In addition to the CPU, a computer has primary and secondary storage. Primary storage is another name for random-access memory (RAM), which we often simply call "memory". Secondary storage is typically a computer's hard disk (i.e. hard drive). The storage of bits and bytes is magnetic. The CPU, the memory, and other peripheral devices are connected by a set of electrical lines called a bus. Physically, these parts are part of or connect to the computer's motherboard.
• In this picture the whole component represents a motherboard. The CPU fits into the area marked "Processor Socket". The primary storage (RAM) refers to the memory cards that fit into the slots marked "Memory".