Everything starts in this system unit.
In, this system unit or chassis , is where the motherboard is installed in a normal computer.
The system unit is actually a case that stores and protects the motherboard, hard drive, memory and other electronic components.
Going back to our topic:
The motherboard is a circuit board ( the main circuit board ) of the computer it holds many components of the system and provide connectors to other peripherals that is other hardware that makes up the computer.
In my educational syllabus, we learn only 3 components which are very basic and are crucial in the functions of the motherboard. These are known as the slots which holds the processor, the memory specifically RAM (random access memory ) because the ROM is already preinstalled on the motherboard.
There are however, more than just these 3 slots that is provided in the motherboard circuit.
Let's just say the processor slot holds the processor and the processor functions to process the basic instructions that operates the computer.
There are 2 units that is carried out by the processor which are the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic logic unit (ALU).
The control unit (CU) functions to direct and coordinate most of the operations in the computer, while the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) performs arithmetic operations such as the operation of addition, subtraction, division and multiplication and it also performs logic operations such as comparing 2 pieces of data to see if they are equal or decide if the condition of a data is true or false.
The processor carries out these function in a never ending cycle from the time that we turn on the computer to the shutting down of the computer, it carries out the function in 4 stages of the cycle known as Fetch, Decode, Execute and Store.
- Fetch
- Fetch is the process of taking the instruction or data from the memory.
2. Decode
- The processor will then translate the instructions into signals that the computer can execute.
3. Execute
- In the executing process, the processor will execute the commands from the instructions.
- This process is where the deciding process happens, It means that instructions are executed through either using ALU or CU or even both.
4. Store
- The results is shown on the screen of the computer or the other output device, they are then stored.
Next, is the memory, there is of course 2 types of memory as mentioned above. Memory functions to store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor and store the results of processing the data.
The memory store 3 basic categories of items namely.
- The operating system and other system software
- Application programs
- Processed data (information).
As we know the ROM and RAM are 2 categories of memory that are distinct in terms of its function and how it works. The similarities are that both are memory and that they are placed on the motherboard, but as to where they are or how they were placed can be referred in the picture above. Obviously as stated ROM (Read Only Memory) is already on the circuit of the motherboard. The RAM however is situated on the memory slots. There are a few slots in which we can place our RAM. The RAM is also known as a volatile memory. A volatile memory is a memory that loses its content once the computer is shut down completely. This means that RAM only stores the results or other information temporarily. Well, technically that's the rule of the game but with the expansion of technology, we can now back up our search or the works we did in the computer, those are technically in the OS of our device and computers. The RAM is also known as the main memory as to where most of our results are stored, the trick is that we have not realize as to where the data goes and yes it was not stored permanently and as a user we are automatically trained to save the results of data and other information into the storage, which is another story waiting to be told. Simplifying this, the RAM holds data or programs that are currently being used by the processor.
The ROM ( Read Only Memory ), is already on the motherboard as stated, it is a volatile memory that means that it does not lose its content once the computer was turned off. ROM stores the information or the data permanently. As the given name, ROM cannot be modified as the content is mostly instructions and permanent data such as the instructions of the start up of the computers and other programs in the computers which are crucial for the computer.
The storage is where all the data, instructions and the information are kept for future use. The keyword storage is ( future use ). It might not look as important as it really does but like I said, it's probably because I've just talked about the memory and that it stores all the results, you know so what?!, well the FUTURE USE word makes a world of difference in this topic. The storage keeps the results and information permanently. So, these informations and processed data are all kept in as storage media such as the CDs, pendrives or our memory card.
In the adapter card slots, we have the adapter cards. The adapter cards is what enhances the functions of the system unit and provides the connectors for other peripherals. These adapter cards is also called the expansion cards. There are many types of adapter cards such as MIDI card which allows us to connect musical instruments to our computer, network card which provides network connections to the computer and the network, the video card or commonly known as the graphic card which is connected to the monitor and sound card which are connected to the speaker or the microphone. There are others that is USB card, modem card, Firewire card used to connects to high-speed printers and video camera to the system unit, TV tuner.
There are other components too apart from these 3 components such as the power supply, the chipset, hard disk and many more.
THANK YOU for reading.
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