Computer

Components and
ICT
Syllabus Ref: section 1, specific obj. 1, 3, 4,
9
 We have probably all grown accustomed to the term IT
which is an acronym for Information Technology which is a
broad term covering many computer related fields such as
hardware technologies, programming, networking,
infrastructure, etc.

Concept of According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, IT is “the

technology involving the development, maintenance, and
use of computer systems, software, and networks for the

IT and ICT processing and distribution of data.”

We are probably less accustomed to the term ICT which is an

acronym for Information and Communication Technology.
This term includes all the previous areas covered by IT but it
also includes communication aspect of IT including
telecommunications, wireless and mobile technologies.
 As we saw before, ICT covers a broad range of computer
related fields. Computer Science on the other hand,
focuses on the workings of computers itself and on the
programs that work on these computers. So, there is a
large focus on computer programming, algorithms and

ICT and software development.

Computer
Science
ICT on the other hand, would look at how these programs
may be applied to businesses and society.
Computer being used for Coding
 ICT or Information and Communication
Technology is the major focus for schools,
businesses and countries in general. Many world
leaders recognize that ICTs can aid their countries
to get ahead economically and socially.

The world of
ICT In addition to covering computer hardware,
software and networking technologies. It covers
cellular technologies, radio, television, satellite
and other transmission and communication
systems. In this course we are going to cover
many aspects of modern ICT as it evolves in this
the 21st century.
 Everyday we interact with various ICTs when
we are at home or even at school. At school
for example, you may have your class in the
computer lab and the teacher may have asked
you to complete a research project.

ICT and You In this single instance you have interacted

with a desktop computer, an Internet router,
the Internet, various websites, Microsoft
PowerPoint and even Microsoft Word. So at
least six different ICTs were used in this single
assignment.
 Businesses, companies and organizations also rely heavily on
Information and Communication Technologies for their daily
work.

ICTs are used a lot in the following: schools, universities,

ICT in Daily banks, hospitals, doctors’ offices, research institutes, car
manufacturing plants, food industries, oil and gas production,
Life the film industry and ecommerce businesses, just to name a
few.

The ICT industry is ever expanding and it is quickly being

included in nearly every type of modern business and
organization.
Computers
in Home
Office
What is a Computer?
• According to most professionals: A computer is an
electronic device, operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory unit, that
can accept data (input), process the data
arithmetically and logically, produce results
(output) and store the results for future use.
• In short, a computer does three things: Input >
Process > Output
• Therefore, desktops, laptops, smart phones, tablets
and car brain boxes are all computers.
Computerized
Devices
 Computers are composed of two major components,
hardware and software.

Hardware is the tangible part of the computer. In other

Hardware and words, the parts of the computer that you can touch. For
example, monitors, speakers, keyboards, mice and hard
Software drives are all hardware devices.

Software is the intangible part of the computer such as

programs and associated data and information. In other
words, the parts of the computer that you cannot touch. For
example, Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux, Microsoft Office,
Adobe Acrobat Reader and FIFA are all software.
 • Computer hardware or the physical parts of
the computer consists of the parts that are
inside the computer called Internal
components and the parts that are outside
of the computer are External components.
Computer • The main Internal hardware components
Internal and are: CPU, RAM, ROM, Motherboard or
Mainboard, Hard Drive, Fans, Expansion
External cards and Secondary storage drives.
Hardware • The main External hardware components
are: mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer,
speaker, microphone and other external
input, output and storage devices.
Components of Computer
 Input
Processing
Output
Storage (IPOS)
Cycle
 Generally, an Input Device is used to place data into a
computer system. Examples are the keyboard,
mouse, microphone, webcam, etc. More information
Computer in the Input Devices notes section.
Components: After the data is put into the computer and it is
Input and processed by the microprocessor of the computer, it
goes to some output device so that we can receive
Output devices the processed data, better known as Information.

An Output Devices is one that is used to obtain

information from a computer system. Examples are
the monitor, speaker, printer, headphones, etc. More
information in the Output Devices notes section.
 • Many people confuse the CPU of the computer with the System Unit
or Tower. The CPU is the Central Processing Unit, better known as the
Microprocessor.
• This Central Processing Unit, is a small piece of silicon called a micro
chip. This chip or semiconductor device , performs all the processing
of instructions within the computer system.

Computer • The CPU consists of two major parts: the CU or Control Unit and ALU
or Arithmetic Logic Unit.

Components: • Control Unit (CU): Controls and coordinates all the various parts of
the processor.

CPU • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs all the logical and arithmetic
operations within the CPU
• Examples of CPUs are Intel and AMD processors.
• Motherboards need to have compatible sockets for the various types
of CPUs.
• The Instruction or Word size of the CPU, is the size of the instruction
that the CPU processes at a time e.g. 32 bit or 64 bit instructions.
 Computer Components: Some popular CPU Specifications

WORD OR
INSTRUCTION
CPU BRAND MODEL CLOCK SPEED SOCKET CORES SIZE

Intel Core i3-10100F 3.60GHz FCLGA1200 4 64 bit

Intel Core i5-11400F 2.60GHz FCLGA1200 6 64 bit

Intel Core i7-11700KF 3.60GHz FCLGA1200 8 64 bit

Intel Core i9-12900KF 3.20GHz FCLGA1700 16 64 bit

AMD Ryzen 5 5600 3.5 GHz AM4 6 64 bit

AMD Ryzen 7 5700G 3.8 GHz AM4 8 64 bit

AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 3.7 GHz AM4 12 64 bit

Underside of
Computer
CPU
Computer Components: Primary or Main
Memory
• The Memory of the computer system is used to store data and
instructions to be used by the CPU. Generally, memory consists of an
array of silicon chips. There are several types of memory within the
computer system.
• The main memory of a computer consists of RAM and ROM.
• RAM is a temporary and ROM is a more permanent form of storage.
Computer
Components: RAM
• Temporary storage area for program data and instructions while
being processed by the CPU.
• Advantage:
• The CPU can access the data and program instructions
quickly.
• Disadvantage:
• RAM is volatile which means that when the power is turned
off on the computer system, all the data and instructions
within RAM is lost.
• Computer mainboards use specific types of RAM which fit into
specific RAM slots for example: DDR3, DDR4 or DDR5 RAM are
popular types of RAM.
Computer Components: Some popular RAM Specifications
Computer
RAM
 • This type of memory holds data and program instructions
permanently for use by the computer system.
• When you first turn on your computer, the programs
required to load the operating system, such as Windows on
your computer, comes from the ROM.
• The ROM is an acronym for Read Only Memory.
Computer • ROM is a permanent or non-volatile form of main memory.

Components: • Advantage:
• The CPU can access the data and program instructions

ROM quickly.
• ROM is non-volatile, so that the data or instructions
contained within it, is not lost when the power is
turned off on the computer system.
• Disadvantage:
• Data and instructions cannot be easily changed.
 PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory): Data or
instructions are permanently embedded by the manufacturer
and can never be changed. This type of device is also known
as an OTP or a One Time Programmable device.
Computer
Components: EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory):
Data and instructions embedded onto the chip can be erased
Types of ROM and re-programmed by exposure to strong UV light.

EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only

Memory): Data and instructions embedded onto the chip can
be erased and re-programmed by exposure to electricity.
ROM Chips
 • This type of storage holds programs and data for
extended periods (non-volatile) within or external to the
computer system.
• The hard drive of the computer is the main backing
Computer storage device. Some other storage devices are flash
drives, CDs, DVDs and SD cards.
Components: • Hard drives are connected to the computer’s mainboard
via a hardware interface. The most popular interfaces
Backing or are IDE (Integrated Drive electronics), SATA (Serial
Advanced Technology Attachment), PCIe (Peripheral
Secondary Component Interconnect Express) and NVMe (Non-
Volatile Memory Express) interfaces.
Storage • Note that PCIe sockets transfer more than 25 times more
data than their SATA equivalent.
• More information in the Secondary storage notes
section.
 Brand Model Capacity Speed Type Interface
Computer (Revolutions
per minute)
Components: Transcend TS256GMTS400S 250 GB 7200 RPM HDD SATA
Some popular
Secondary Western
Digital
SN850 1 TB 7200 RPM HDD SATA

Storage Samsung 980 1 TB Not applicable SSD NVMe

Specifications
Corsair Force MP600 1 TB Not applicable SSD NVMe
Magnetic
Hard Drive
 Computer Desktop • HP Elite 800G1 Desktop Computer Package - Intel Quad
Specification Core i5 3.3GHz, 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD 2TB HDD, Windows
10 Pro, Dual 19 inch Monitors, Keyboard, Mouse
example 1

Brand CPU RAM/Memory Storage Operating Peripherals

System
HP Intel 16GB RAM 240GB SSD Windows Dual 19 inch
Quad and 2TB 10 Pro Monitors,
Core i5 HDD Keyboard,
3.3GHz Mouse
Computer Desktop • Dell OptiPlex Computer Desktop PC, Intel Core i5 3rd Gen
Specification example 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, 2TB HDD, MTG, 22 Inch LED Monitor,
2 RGB Keyboard and Mouse, WiFi, Windows 10 Pro

Operating
Brand CPU RAM/Memory Storage Peripherals
System

Dell Intel Core i5 16GB RAM 2TB HDD Windows 10 RGB Keyboard
3rd Gen 3.2 Pro and Mouse, WiFi,
GHz Windows 10
Desktop
computers
Computer Laptop • 2021 ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop, 15.6” 144Hz FHD IPS
Display, 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11800H (up to 4.60Ghz),
Specification GeForce RTX 3050, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB PCIe NVMe
example SSD, Backlit KB, Windows 10

Brand CPU RAM/Memory Storage Operating Peripherals

System
ASUS 11th Gen 32GB DDR4 1TB PCIe Windows 10 Backlit KB
Intel Core RAM NVMe Pro
i7-11800H SSD
(up to
4.60Ghz)
Laptop computers