Major Internal Parts of a Computer

Front

What is the motherboard?

Back

The main circuit board where all components connect and communicate.

Front

What does the CPU do?

Back

The 'brain' of the computer, responsible for processing instructions.

Front

What is the function of the Power Supply Unit (PSU)?

Back

Converts electrical power from the outlet into usable power for the computer’s components.

Front

What is Random Access Memory (RAM)?

Back

Temporary memory used to store data while programs are running.

Front

What are Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drive (SSD)?

Back

Permanent storage for files, applications, and the operating system.

Front

What does an Optical Drive do?

Back

Reads/writes data from optical discs (less common today).

Front

What is the purpose of a Cooling System?

Back

Maintains safe operating temperatures for the CPU, GPU, and other components.

Front

What does the Graphics Card (GPU) do?

Back

Handles rendering of images, video, and graphics (may be integrated into the CPU or separate).

Front

What are Expansion Cards?

Back

Add extra features and capabilities (e.g., sound card, network card).

Front

What is the function of the CMOS Battery?

Back

Powers the BIOS/UEFI settings, maintaining date and hardware configuration.