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A personal computer, also known as a PC, is comprised of a multitude of physical components in computer hardware which can be installed on an operating system (OS). In order to perform the user’s desired operations, the OS must have a multitude of software applications. A PC may come in a variety of forms, but a typical one usually consists of a desktop or case that contains certain components like a motherboard.
The main part that is inside the case is the motherboard, which is a big rectangular board that has integrated circuitry and connects other parts of the computer like the disk drives (hard disk, DVD, CD, or others), the RAM, the CPU and other peripherals that are connected to the expansion slots or port. The direct attachments of the motherboard are:
- The Random Access Memory, also referred to as RAM, which stores residing parts of the existing running operating system and processes that are running such as waiting for I/O channels, using input/output I/O channels or using CPU, or application parts.
- The Central Processing Unit, also referred to as the CPU, performs the majority of calculations which allow a computer to operate and is sometimes called the computers “brain.” This usually is cooled by a fan and heat sink.
- The chip set intercedes communication that is between the central processing unit and other parts of the system which may include the main memory.
- The BIOS includes power management and firmware.
- The Internal Buses connect the central processing unit to several internet parts and also to expansion cards for sound and graphics.
- Ports get support for external peripherals by what is known as External Bus Controllers. Ports may be able to be based on expansion cards which are connected to the motherboard or directly managed by a controller called south bridge I/O.
