3.3 - Internal Components

The most important part of any modern computer system that controls the other parts of the computer.

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Random Access Memory (RAM)

• Motherboard

• Power Supply

The main memory of a computer that can be quickly accessed by the CPU and where the computer stores data and instructions that it is actively using.

• Random Access Memory (RAM)

• Motherboard

• Power Supply

• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A large, flat computer component that connects the important components of the computer, such as the CPU, RAM, and the BIOS chip. It also has power and other communications connections.

• Motherboard

• Power Supply

• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

• Network Interface Card (NIC)

A unit that supplies electricity to the motherboard and other computer components.

• Power Supply

• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

• Network Interface Card (NIC)

• Cooling System

An additional computer processor that provides graphics processing, providing better performance by relieving the CPU of this duty.

• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

• Network Interface Card (NIC)

• Cooling System

• Electrostatic Discharge

A component, sometimes built into and sometimes plugged into the motherboard, that provides network connectivity.

• Network Interface Card (NIC)

• Cooling System

• Electrostatic Discharge

• The Fetch-Execute Cycle

Heat sinks and fans that keep computer components, especially the CPU, from overheating.

• Cooling System

• Electrostatic Discharge

• The Fetch-Execute Cycle

• x86 Processors

An event in which two objects with different charge levels come together resulting in an electrostatic shock.

• Electrostatic Discharge

• The Fetch-Execute Cycle

• x86 Processors

• Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) Processors

A three step cycle (fetch, decode, and execute) that processors use to execute instructions.

• The Fetch-Execute Cycle

• x86 Processors

• Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) Processors

• Expansion Card

A family of processors manufactured by Intel and AMD that use a common instruction set, or list of commands, that the processor can execute.

• x86 Processors

• Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) Processors

• Expansion Card

• Heat Sink