Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1.6
A Compaq card containing a Pentium chip.
just above and to the right of the CPU chip. These lines actually are
wires, and the combination of lines represents one or more busses.
Finally, the many round objects are electrical components known as
capacitors, used to store electrical charges.
Turning from the basic hardware to the makeup of an overall
computer, consider Figure 1.7. As this figure shows, the largest parts
of a computer involve a structural framework to hold the various
components. For example, one section may hold a disk or CD unit.
Another section provides several slots, often connected by a bus, for
cards holding the CPU or main memory. (In some cases, more mem
ory can be added just by plugging another card into a free slot.) A
third section holds an electrical transformer, so that electricity com
ing from a wall plug can be converted into the form needed by the
components (typically lowvoltage DC rather than highvoltage AC
current). Laptop computers also will contain one or more batteries
to provide electrical power even if the computer is not plugged in.
Looking specifically at Figure 1.7, first note that space typically
separates the various components. Not only does this allow servic
ing of components, but also allows air to circulate. With electricity
being used throughout the machine, heat is generated. Dissipation of
