Table of Contents |
Simply put: a system is a combination of parts that work together to achieve a goal. Based on this definition, we can easily see how a computer fits the description of what a system is. All computers have a way to accept user input and receive instructions from users, a way of delivering data back to the user, a central processing unit, basic hardware, and software.
After a computer receives data from an input device, the data must be processed before it is sent to an output device such as a monitor. In a computer, a data processing device is any device that is responsible for the storage and retrieval of data. Listed below are the data processing devices located in a computer.
| Data Processing Devices | Description |
|---|---|
| Central Processing Unit (CPU) | Most computing devices have a similar architecture. The core of this architecture is the central processing unit (CPU). The CPU can be thought of as the “brains” of the device. The CPU carries out the commands sent to it by the software and returns results to be acted upon. |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | The graphics processing unit or GPU is essentially what generates the image(s) on the monitor. It is located internally and typically connects directly to the motherboard. The GPU is more widely referred to as a “video card.” |
| Motherboard | The motherboard is the main circuit board on the computer. The CPU, memory, and storage components, among other things, all connect into the motherboard. Motherboards come in different shapes and sizes, depending upon how compact or expandable the computer is designed to be. Most modern motherboards have many integrated components, such as video and sound processing, which used to require separate components. |
| Network Interface Card (NIC) | Commonly referred to as an ethernet card, the network interface card (NIC) is an expansion card that provides a computer with the ability to connect to a network. Most newer model computers have their network interface card built into the motherboard. |
| Sound Card | The sound card is an expansion card that produces sound through the speakers or headphone. The sound card is also sometimes referred to as the audio card. Sound cards are included with every computer system; however, they are not required by the computer to operate. |
In a computer, data storage is handled by several components. Generally, a data storage component is any hardware that can store information temporarily or permanently. Data storage devices are classified as either primary storage or secondary storage. Primary storage refers to internal storage, such as random access memory (RAM). Secondary storage is not readily accessible by the computer and can be internal or external, such as a hard drive or flash drive. Listed below are the data storage components located in a computer.
| Data Storage Components | Description |
|---|---|
| Hard Disk | Most of today’s personal computers use a hard disk for long-term data storage. A hard disk is where data is stored when the computer is turned off and where it is retrieved from when the computer is turned on. Maximum capacity is currently around 22TB. |
| Solid-State Drives (SSD) | The solid-state drive (SSD) performs the same function as a hard disk: long-term storage. Instead of spinning disks, the SSD uses flash memory, which is much faster. Solid-state drives are currently quite a bit more expensive than hard disks. However, the use of flash memory instead of disks makes them much lighter and faster than hard disks. Maximum capacity is currently around 100TB. |
| Flash Drives | Around the turn of the century, a new portable storage technology was being developed: the USB flash drive. This device attaches to the universal serial bus (USB) connector, which became standard on all personal computers beginning in the late 1990s. Maximum capacity is currently around 256GB. |
| Random-Access Memory (RAM) | When a computer starts up, it begins to load information from the hard disk into its working memory. This working memory, called random-access memory (RAM), can transfer data much faster than the hard disk. Any program that you are running on the computer is loaded into RAM for processing. In order for a computer to work effectively, some minimal amount of RAM must be installed. In most cases, adding more RAM will allow the computer to run faster. Another characteristic of RAM is that it is “volatile.” This means that it can store data as long as it is receiving power. When the computer is turned off, any data stored in RAM is lost. |
| Optical Disc | An optical disc is a form of removable storage media that stores data on the surface of the disc. Compact Disc (CD) and Digital Video Disc (DVD) are examples of optical discs. Maximum capacity is currently 900MB for CDs and 50GB for DVDs. |
All computers accept input from the keyboard or mouse (or other designated input device), process it, and output it to a monitor (or other designated output device). An input device is any hardware component that sends data into a computer. An output device is any hardware component that sends data out of a computer.
Below are the common input and output devices utilized by most computer systems.
Source: Derived from Chapters 2 and 3 of “Information Systems for Business and Beyond” by David T. Bourgeois. Some sections removed for brevity. https://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Information%20Systems%20for%20Business%20and%20Beyond/Textbook.html
