103b bb 2012
In our demolition lab, the objective was to take apart a computer to have a visual of what is inside. After reviewing in class, the terminology used to describe various computer components, it was easy to recognize and name the different parts. My partner, Hester, and I were pretty successful in identifying the important elements inside of the computer and we took pictures of most components for documentation. Below are the images of the various components we identified with short details and descriptions of their purpose:
Contents
Lab Report for CSC103
What are we taking apart?
- Model: Optiplex GX270
- Make: Dell
Important Components:
- Processor
- RAM
- CD/DVD player
- Power supply
- Hard disk
- Motherboard
- Crystal
- Battery
Processor
Description: The processor, in this particular model, is located on the bottom-left corner of the bottom cover under a heat sink. Its purpose is to act as the brain of the computer and perform the operations of the system.
- Model: Pentium 04
- Make: Intel
- Model: Pentium 04
RAM
Description: The random access memory (RAM) is located on the motherboard and its purpose is to store the data of the computer.
- Make: Micron
- Memory: 512 MB
- Make: Micron
CD/DVD player
Description: The picture displayed below displays the CD/DVD player/burner. This component serves multiple purposes. It can play music and movies. It is located on the bottom-left corner of the top cover.
Power supply
Description: The picture displayed below displays the power supply. This component is what powers the entire system and allows for the computer to do all of its functions. Various cables, within the computer, are used to connect various components to one another; including, the power supply to the rest of the system.
- Output: 210 Watts
- Output: 210 Watts
Hard disk
Description: The picture displayed below displays the hard disk - where all of the digital information of the computer can be stored and retrieved. Inside of the hard disk is a very shiny plate that is connected to a small chip that moves quickly as data is being written or retrieved.
- Capacity: 40 GB
Motherboard
Description: The picture displayed below displays a portion of the motherboard. The motherboard is found in the middle of the bottom cover, to the left of the power supply. The various lines on the motherboard (not visible in this image) are wired connections between the various components on the motherboard.
Crystal
Description: The picture displayed below is what Hester, my lab partner, and I thought was the crystal. However, that is not the case. What is actually displayed is a light emitting diode (L.E.D.). The crystal on a computer has a metallic (shiny surface) coating and its purpose is to keep the frequency of the system.
Battery
Description: The picture displayed below displays the battery located on the motherboard. Its purpose is to power the internal clock of the computer.
References
Note - I did not have any references. However, below I have cited a few Wikipages to demonstrate that I can in fact reference correctly
- According to Wikipedia, a processor is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program.
- Captured on 2/21/12 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit.
- The definition of a Hard disk drive can also be found at Wikipedia
- The definition of a Random-access memory can also be found at Wikipedia
- The definition of a Crystal oscillator can also be found at Wikipedia
