PORTS AND PC COMPONENTS
VGA PORTS
Found in many computers, projectors, video cards and High Definition TVs
The main interface between computers and older CRT monitors
The modern LCD and LED monitors support VGA ports but the picture quality is reduced
VGA carries analogue video signals up to a resolution of 648X480.
SERIAL PORT
Used for external modems and older computer mouse
Two versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model
Data travels at 115 kilobits per second
Parallel port
Used for scanners and printers
Also called printer port
25 pin model
IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
It can connect all kinds of external USB devices such as external hard disk, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.
It was introduced in 1997.
Most of the computers provide two USB ports as minimum.
Data travels at 12 megabits per seconds.
USB compliant devices can get power from a USB port.
Firewire Ports
Transfers large amount of data at very fast speed.
Connects camcorders and video equipment to the computer.
Data travels at 400 to 800 megabits per seconds.
Invented by Apple.
It has three variants: 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and 9-Pin FireWire 800 connector.
Ethernet Port
Connects to a network and high speed Internet.
Connects the network cable to a computer.
This port resides on an Ethernet Card.
Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds depending upon the network bandwidth.
CPU
Memory or Storage Unit
FUNCTIONS
It stores all the data and the instructions required for processing.
It stores intermediate results of processing.
It stores the final results of processing before these results are released to an output device.
All inputs and outputs are transmitted through the main memory.
Control Unit
FUNCTIONS
It is responsible for controlling the transfer of data and instructions among other units of a computer.
It manages and coordinates all the units of the computer.
It obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them, and directs the operation of the computer.
It communicates with Input/Output devices for transfer of data or results from storage.
It does not process or store data.
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
Arithmetic Section
Logic Section
Perform arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Perform logic operations such as comparing, selecting, matching, and merging of data.
Graphic Card
Type of display adapter or video card installed within most computing devices to display graphical data with high clarity, color, definition and overall appearance
Provides high-quality visual display by processing and executing graphical data using advanced graphical techniques, features and functions.
Known as a graphics adapter, graphics controller, graphics accelerator card or graphics board
Hard Drives
Non-volatile memory hardware device that permanently stores and retrieves data on a computer.
A hard drive is a secondary storage device that consists of one or more platters to which data is written using a magnetic head, all inside of an air-sealed casing
All computers have a hard drive installed in them, which is used to store files for the operating system, software programs, and a user's personal files.
A computer cannot function without a hard drive installed, as it requires one to function properly.
Optical Drives
An optical drive is a type of computer disk drive that reads and writes data from optical disks through laser beaming technology.
This type of drive allows a user to retrieve, edit and delete the content from optical disks such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray disks. Optical drives are among the most common computer components.
An optical drive may also be known as an optical disk drive (ODD).