Match the word or word combination with its definition. Part 1. INSIDE THE COMPUTER

UNIT 4. HARDWARE

Part 1. INSIDE THE COMPUTER

It's hardware that makes a machine fast. It's software that makes a fast machine slow.

Craig Bruce

LEAD IN

Examine the picture below. What can you tell about each component? What are their functions?

Match some hardware components with their functions. Witch component is the most important? Which of the components is the most expensive to replace?

1) computer case a) allows the use of audio components for multimedia applications
2) Power Supply Unit b) connects the other parts of the computer
3) motherboard c) controls output to a display screen
4) Random –Access Memory d) houses most of the components
5) Central Processing Unit e) converts alternating current (AC) electric power to low-voltage DC power for the internal components
6) sound card f) handles the reading, writing, and storage of data on the hard disk
7) video card g) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function
8) hard drive disk h) a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot of a computer motherboard or backplane to add functionality to a computer system
9) expansion card i) stores the code and data that are being actively accessed by the CPU.

§READING and VOCABULARY

Study the following words in the box. Make sure you know them. Try to explain each notion.

to distinguish circuit board cord volatile
embedded firmware to attach standby mode
to execute bus distinction removable
CD – compact disc
DVD – digital video/versatile disk
ATX – advanced technology extended

Read the text and translate it into Ukrainian.

Internal Computer Hardware

Computer Hardware is the physical part of a computer, as distinguished from the computer software that executes or runs on the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, while software and data are modified frequently.

When you think of the term computer hardware you probably think of the guts inside your personal. However, computer hardware does not specifically refer to personal computers. Instead, it is all types of computer systems. Computer hardware is in embedded systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, CD players, DVD players, and many more devices.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the body or mainframe of the computer, through which all other components interface. It is the central circuit board making up a complex electronic system. A motherboard provides the electrical connections by which the other components of the system communicate. The mother board includes many components such as: central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), firmware, and internal and external buses.

Central Processing Unit

The Central Processing Unit (CPU; sometimes just called processor) is a machine that can execute computer programs. It is sometimes referred to as the brain of the computer. The motherboard and circuitry need to have power. There is a power box included with your system unit, and you'll see a cord coming out of the back of your computer for that. The central processing unit, or the brains of the computer, sits on the motherboard and does actually have its own cooling fan. The processors now are so fast they need to be cooled down. All the instructions you give the computer - like a click of a mouse - go through the CPU, which processes in billions of cycles per second. Commonly installed processors have quad-cores, or four separate processors in one component.

Random Access Memory

Random access memory (RAM) is fast-access memory that is cleared when the computer is power-down. RAM attaches directly to the motherboard, and is used to store programs that are currently running. RAM is a set of integrated circuits that allow the stored data to be accessed in any order (why it is called random). There are many different types of RAM. Distinctions between these different types include: writable vs. read-only, static vs. dynamic, volatile vs. non-volatile, etc.

Power Supply

The power supply as its name might suggest is the device that supplies power to all the components in the computer. Its case holds a transformer, voltage control, and (usually) a cooling fan. The power supply converts about 100-120 volts of AC power to low-voltage DC power for the internal components to use. The most common computer power supplies are built to conform with the ATX form factor. This enables different power supplies to be interchangeable with different components inside the computer. ATX power supplies also are designed to turn on and off using a signal from the motherboard, and provide support for modern functions such as standby mode.

Removable Media Devices

If you are putting something in your computer and taking it out is most likely a form of removable media. There are many different removable media devices. The most popular are probably CD and DVD drives which almost every computer these days has at least one of. There are some new disc drives such as Blu-ray which can hold a much larger amount of information than normal CDs or DVDs. One type of removable media which is not popular anymore is floppy disk.

3. Answer the following questions:

1. What is computer hardware?

2. What are the main computer components?

3. How do computer components communicate with each other?

4. What is RAM? What are the types of RAM?

5. Why do the most computer power supplies should conform with the ATX factor?

Match the word or word combination with its definition.

mainframe a) a distinct set of conductors carrying data and control signals within a computer system, to which pieces of equipment may be connected in parallel
bus b) permanent software programmed into a read-only memory
circuit board c) retaining data only as long as there is a power supply connected
read-only memory d) design and build as an integral part of a system or device
volatile e) a thin rigid board containing an electric circuit
firmware f) the central processing unit and primary memory of a computer
embedded g) a storage device that holds data permanently and cannot in normal circumstances be altered by the programmer

5. Find in the text English equivalents to these words and word combinations:

Постійно змінюються; вбудовані системи; центральна плата; складна електронна система; електричні зв’язки; центральний процесор; оперативна пам'ять; вбудовані програми; дріт; чотирьох-ядерний; встановлюється безпосередньо на материнську плату; інтегральна схема; енерго залежний; контроль напруги; змінний струм; прямий струм.