1. Parts of the Computer

2. Parts of a computer
Some of the main components that make a computer work:
Housing
Motherboard
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Hard Drive
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Operating System

3. Housing
The part that holds all the ”computer bits” together – it’s literally the big plastic case!
Note: the housing doesn’t include the keyboard, monitor or mouse in a Desktop PC.

4. Motherboard
Just like a real-life mother, the motherboard keeps all parts of the (computer) family together
The motherboard is the board which all the other parts of the computer connect to. Every other part of the computer connects directly to the motherboard.
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5. Central Processing Unit
The “brains” of the computer
Also known as the processor
The job of the CPU is to interpret the code it receives from the other computer components, making it usable to your operating system.

6. Hard Drive Sometimes called the Hard Disk
This is the part of the computer that stores all your information (pictures, documents, videos etc)
Hard drive capacity is measured in megabytes (or these days, even terrabytes!)

7. Random Access Memory (RAM)
Is the part of your computer that is used as “instant memory”
The RAM is in action when you’re opening up a program
If you run lots of programs at a time, you may need more RAM to cope!

8. Operating System Software, not hardware!
The operating is a large, powerful program which controls and manages all the hardware (and software) parts that make up the computer
All computers and devices have operating systems
E.g. Microsoft Windows, MacOS, iOS

9. The Human Computer
Parts of the computer can also be thought of like parts that make up the human body…
Housing (skin): holds everything together!
Motherboard (skeleton): everything connects to it!
Central Processing Unit (CPU) (brain): processes instructions!
Hard Drive (your memory): stores things!
Random Access Memory (RAM) (muscle): executes instructions!
Operating System (personality): intangible, different devices (people) can have different operating systems!