Computer Systems Servicing NC II: Parts of System Unit and their Functions

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the components and functions of the computer system unit as described in the Grade 11 Computer Systems Servicing NC II module.

System Unit

The box-like case that contains the electronic components of a computer including the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and other components.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of a microcomputer, sometimes called the system board or main board, which contains connectors for attaching additional boards.

Power Supply Unit

The device that supplies power to a personal computer and regulates the voltage to eliminate spikes and surges common in most electrical systems.

Hard Disk Drive

The computer's main storage device used to store all data on the computer permanently.

SATA

Standing for Serial ATA, it is one of the two types of HDD and ODD according to its connector.

EIDE

Standing for Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics, it is a standard interface used to connect EIDE type of drives such as HDD, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

Optical Disk Drive

A type of drive that allows a user to retrieve, edit and delete the content from optical disks such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray disks.

RAM

Standing for Random Access Memory, it is memory that stores data temporarily until the machine is working and allows data to be accessed randomly.

CPU

Standing for Central Processing Unit and known as the brain of the computer, it is responsible for processing arithmetic & logical operations and running the operating system.

CPU Cooling System

Also known as CPU Fan & Heatsink, it is designed to reduce the ambient temperature from the CPU to keep the computer in running condition.

EIDE Cable

A cable used as a standard interface to connect EIDE type of Drives such as Hard Disk Drive (HDD), CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

SATA Cable

A cable used to connect SATA type Drives such as HDD, Optical Drives and Solid State Drives (SSD).

Video Card

Also known as a graphics card, it is used to generate and display the output images to a computer monitor.

VGA Cable

A data cable used to connect a monitor to a system unit to display data.

HDMI Cable

Definition: One of the cables, alongside VGA and DVI, used to connect a video card to a monitor.

DVI Cable

One of the cables used to connect a video card to a computer monitor.

NIC

Standing for Network Interface Card and also known as a LAN Card, it is used to connect computers to a network using network cables.

Wireless NIC

A Network Interface Card used to connect computers to a network using radio frequency and capable of establishing a wireless network.

Sound Card

Also known as Audio Card Adapter, it provides input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under the control of computer programs.