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Internal computer hardware - Coggle Diagram
Internal computer hardware
Motherboard
Printed circuit board found in all computer.
Allows the processor and other computer hardware to function and communicate with each other.
Act as a kind of "hub" that other computer devices connect to.
A typical MB consists of a sheet of non- conductive material, such as hard plastic. Thin layers of copper or aluminium are printed onto the sheet. These form the circuits between the various components.
In addition to circuits, a motherboard contains several sockets and slots to connect the other components.
RAM (Random access memory)
An internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications.
This memory can be written to and read from.
It is often referred to as a volatile or temporary memory bc its contents lost when power to computer is turned off.
RAM stored the data, files or part of the operating system currently in use.
ROM (Read- only memory)
A memory used to store information that needs to be permanent.
Often used to contain (e.g configuration data for a computer system)
These chips cannot be altered.
Main advantage: the information stored on the ROM chip is not lost even when power is turned off to the computer.
Often referred to non- volatile memories.
Internal hard disk drive/ solid state drive (HDD/SSD)
Hard disk drive are magnetic in nature and are one of the main methods for storing data, files (text, photos and music) & most of the application software.
More modern computers (and all tablets) use newer storage systems that made use of solid state drive technology and are replacing HDD in many cases. Functions same as HDD.
Sound card
An integrated circuit board that provides a computer with the ability to produce sounds.
Sounds can be heard either through speakers or headphones.
Allow user to record sound input from a microphone connected to the computer, and to manipulate sounds stored on disk.
Two methods to translate digital data into analogue signals (needed for speakers)
FM synthesis - mimics different musical instruments according to built- in formulas.
Wavetable synthesis- relies on recordings of actual instruments to produce sound.
Video card
Allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as monitor, television or projector.
It usually connects to the motherboard.
Video cards are usually made up of
a processing unit
memory unit (usually RAM)
a cooling mechanism (often in the form of a hear sink since these cards generate much heat)
connections to a display unit (e.g monitor)