COMPONENTS OF DESKTOP PCs
As you know from our previous lessons, PCs can be obtained in desktop, laptop, notebook and other portable formats. They are used in all areas of society. Now let’s sum everything up and discuss the parts of typical desktop personal computers. As it is the most popular and common format of computers we use nowadays. All the components can be classified into three classes that will be described below. They are the following:
· Class 1 components are integral to the function of the computer;
· Class 2 components are storage media for non-volatile data;
· Class 3 components are called peripherals and allow humans to interface with computers.
Class 1 Components
There are 5 integral components to the function of the computer. They are CPU, case, memory, power supply connectors and RAM.
The CPU is known to be the 'brain' of the computer. It's a square ceramic package plugged into the motherboard. All instructions the computer will process are processed by the CPU. There are many "CPU architectures", each of which has its own characteristics and trade-offs. CPUs sometimes contain a small amount of static RAM (SRAM) called a cashe. Some processors have two or three levels of cache, containing as much as several megabytes of memory.
Case.During the 1980's and 1990's almost all cases were beige. Only a few ones were black. But computer case designers have realized that they could be as creative as they wanted to be. This has led to all sorts of modifications to the basic design of a computer case.
Power Supply Connectors.As newer standards come out, the types of connectors have changed. Many power supplies now come with special power connectors. These are smaller and can be removed and plugged in again without fear of data loss or electrical problems. The power supply also has an exhaust fan that is responsible for cooling the power supply.
The Motherboard (also called Mainboard or simply MB) is a large, thin, flat board (typically green) attached to the case. The Motherboard carries the CPU, the RAM, the chipset and the expansion slots, BIOS and CMOS battery. Most modern motherboards have onboard sound and LAN controller, some of them even have on-board graphics. The expansion slots (PCI, AGP, ISA, etc.) allow additional functions.
RAMis a memory that the microprocessor uses to store data during processing. This memory is volatile (loses its contents at power-down). RAM is needed because hard drives are too slow to operate with the speed of a microprocessor. There are different types of RAM.
Answer the following questions:
1. How many categories of computer component do you know? 2. What do you think about the main principle of classification of computer components? 3. What do you know about the 1st class? 4. What is the main function of CPU? 5. Why does power supply have an exhaust fan? 6. How does a motherboard look like? 7. What is the main function of RAM?
VOCABULARY EXERCISES
Exercise 1.Find English equivalents:
Оперативная память, постоянная (которую нельзя изменить) память, материнская плата, системный блок, временная память, выключение питания, слот расширения, терять данные, обеспечивать дополнительные функции, снижать энергопотребление.
Exercise 2.Match the following terms with thier explanations.
1. Core
2. Core Duo processor
3. Hyper Treading
a) The more powerful processor. Two cores increases the data flow into the processor and the command flow out of the processor doubling the processing power.
b) It is a technology that uses one core but adds a virtual processor to an additional thread (цепочка выполняемых задач) at the same time.
c) The place where the data is processed and turned into commands directed at the rest of the computer.
Exercise 3. Try to guess what kinds of computer components we speak about.
· Some may argue that this component is the most important part of a computer, because it provides computer with needed energy.
· It carries the CPU.
· This is a cover for almost all the components that are integral to the function of the computer.
· It is the so-called ‘brain’ of computer.
· It is the place where the data we are working with is stored for a while.
· Exercise IV. Guess whether the following statements are right or wrong. Try to explain your choice.
· All the MBs have LAN controller, onboard sound and graphics.
· The motherboard keeps an embedded RAM.
· When a software application is launched, the executable program is loaded from hard drive to the RAM.
· All the content you are working with will be lost at power-down.
Exercise 4.Discuss with your group-mates the following statements. Try to prove your point of view.
1. The power supply is one of the most important components, that’s why it is worth spending the money to get a good one.
2. The expansion slots (PCI, AGP, ISA, etc.) allow additional functions.
3. UPS can prevent your from the data loss at power-down.
LESSON XII
Exercise 1.Read the words and word combinations.
to supersed – заменять
transfer – передача; передавать
scratch – царапина
abrasion – механическое повреждение поверхности
to lead to – приводить к чему-либо
double sided – двусторонний
dual layer – двухслойный
Exercise 2.The following terms you should know.
fixed media – постоянные, встроенные носители информации
removable media – переносные, сменные носители
to pull from –извлекать, выталкивать (запись)
backup device – устройство (накопитель) для архивации, резервного копирования
drive – привод
to hold – содержать, вмещать
hard drive (HDD)- жесткий диск
read arm – рычаг устройства для считывания
coil – катушка, обмотка
to burn – записывать
pit – впадина
data density плотность записи информации (на носителе данных)
CD)writer/burner – CD-райтер, сидирайтер ( устройство для записи компакт-дисков )/ программатор компакт-дисков