COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER

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TABLE OF CONTENT
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Processor
Chapter 3: Motherboard
Chapter 4: RAM
Chapter 5: Hard Disk
Chapter 6: Card
Chapter 7: Peripherals
Chapter 8: Case and Power Supply

INTRODUCTION
Your PC (Personal Computer) is a system, consisting of lots of components. Some of those
components, like Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and all your other programs,
are software. That is why we say Software are programs that enhances the functionality of your
computer system. While the electrical, mechanical and physical component parts of the computer that
you can actually see and touch are hardware.
HARDWARE
The hardware are the electrical, mechanical and physical component parts of computer itself including
the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and related microchips and micro-circuitry, keyboards, monitors,
case and drives (hard, CD, DVD, floppy, optical, tape, etc...).
Other extra parts called peripheral components or devices include mouse, printers, modems,
scanners, digital cameras and cards (sound, colour, video) etc...
The devices which are Necessary to assemble a computer:
 Motherboard
 Processor
 Memory
 Hard Drive
 Video Card (if motherboard didn't come with it)
 Sound Card (if motherboard didn't come with it)
 Modem and/or Network Card
 Floppy Drive
 CD-Rom
 Keyboard and Mouse
 Case And Power Supply
 Monitor

PROCESSOR
The Central Processing Unit, Which is often referred to as the “Processor” is the brain of the computer.
The chip that performs the majority of calculations and instructions needed to make your computer
run. Without this chip, no other function of the PC is possible. The processor is attached to the
motherboard (Processor slot).
THE SPEED OF THE CPU
The computer's speed or clock rate is integral to its overall design. The computers clock rate is the
frequency at which it can execute a set of instructions. Computer clock rates are measured in
Megahertz (million of clock ticks per second).
There are two types of speeds that should be considered when evaluating the system performance:
Internal clock speed – Is the speed at which the processor can obtain information within itself, like
with internal cache and registers. (Pentium III 800 MHz. the 800 MHz is the internal clock speed)
External clock speed – Is the speed at which the CPU communicates with components outside itself.

SOME COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE PROCESSORS:
 Pentium I-IV
 Celeron
 Athlon
 Duron
 Cyrix C3
 Itanium (64 bit)
 Opteron (64 bit)
HOW TO CHOOSE A CPU
When you are choosing one CPU always consider your computing needs when selecting a CPU. If
you want to do simple word processing or general computer tasks, go for the budget or low end
processors. If you are more into gaming or do CPU intensive work like video editing, go for a mid-
range or high-end processor.

MOTHERBOARD
Chapter 3.1: Motherboard
Chapter 3.2: How to Choose a Motherboard
MOTHERBOARD
The motherboard is the main circuit board inside your PC. Every components at some point
communicates through the motherboard, either by directly plugging into it or by communicating
through one of the motherboards ports.
The motherboard is one big communication highway. Its purpose inside your PC is to provide a
platform for all the other components and peripherals to talk to each other.

Modern motherboards come with the following features:
 Processor slot: Processor slot is used for processor.
 Memory banks: Memory banks are used for RAM modules.
 AGP slot: AGP slots are used for graphics accelerators.
 PCI slots: PCI slots are used to provide connectivity for PCI cards such as modems and sound
cards.
 IDE: IDE are used to connect and control IDE devices such as hard drives and CD-ROM drives.
 USB ports: USB ports are used to connect USB devices.
These are just some of the features that a motherboard may have as standard, some motherboards
come with integrated components such as a sound card, graphics card, modem, NIC (Network
Interface Card) and more.
TYPES OF MOTHERBOARDS
The type of motherboards depends on the CPU it was designed for. You can therefore categories
motherboards by which socket type they have. e.g. Socket A, Socket 478 etc.

The Type of motherboard you buy is very important, as it will need to house your CPU, and they are
not interchangeable. When buying a motherboard, it will always tell you what socket type it has.
HOW TO CHOOSE A MOTHERBOARD
As everything you have on the PC at some point needs the motherboard, you need to consider these
components when buying a motherboard. For example, if you have a lot of devices with a PCI
interface that you wish to use, there is little point buying a motherboard that only offers you 3 PCI
slots. Like wise with memory, you have to make sure that there are enough slots for the amount of
memory you have or wish to have.
The motherboard also needs the correct type of interface for your Memory, Graphics card, Hard disks
and other items as well. You will find that most motherboards offer everything you need however it
needs checking on when buying. It’s especially important to pay detail to your motherboard if you
want to use older components, which a new motherboard may or may not support.
The major difference between motherboards that support the same CPU is the model of the chipset
(more on the chipset later). Different chipsets offer different performance and different features in
terms of memory support, AGP port speed, Multiplier numbers, Bus speeds and much more.
When you are choosing one motherboard you have to consider:
WHAT'S YOUR PROCESSOR?
First and most important thing to consider when buying your motherboard - what CPU or processor
are you using? Motherboards are made differently, not all motherboards will support all CPUs.
What CPU you select will determine the type of motherboard you get. For example, if you want to
use an Intel Pentium 4 CPU, the motherboard you select must be able to support that brand and
model of CPU.
The motherboards are also designed to support specific speeds for a CPU, so make sure it can
support the speed of the processor as well.

CHOOSE YOUR CHIPSET
What is a chipset? Well, chipsets are the main controllers on the motherboard - they allow the CPU
to interface with the various components and expansion cards installed.
When choosing your chipset, always bear in mind the type of memory supported by the
motherboard. Make sure that the board supports the type and amount of RAM you need. Generally,
choosing a chipset that supports high speed memory will allow your system to perform better.
WHAT IS A MOTHERBOARD CHIPSET?
A motherboard chipset controls all the data that flows through the data channels (buses) of the
motherboard. The primary function of the motherboard chipset is to direct this data to the correct
area's of the motherboard, and therefore the correct components.
EXPANSIONS SLOTS AND CONNECTORS
If you intend to various peripherals to the computer, then the number and type of expansion slots
and connectors is important. By default, most motherboards these days have USB 2.0 ports
incorporated into their design.
If you intend to buy expansion cards, make sure the board comes with an ample number of PCI
slots.
OTHER FEATURES
These days, most motherboards have a whole host of extra features loaded into them. These can
include things such as on-board VGA, audio, a RAID controller, Modem or Network Card.

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RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is the basic working memory of your
computer system. A computer used RAM to hold volatile (Temporary)
instructions and data needed for processing. Volatile simply means that it
is not permanent, which means anything written to RAM will be loses if the
machine loses power or if it's turned off.
Another key point about RAM is that data stored init can be accessed much more quickly than data
retrieved from the hard disk. Theoretically data retrieved from RAM is accessed 100 to 300 times
faster then the same information from a hard disk, optical drive, or a floppy.
Memory is measured in bytes, so you'll often encounter the terms megabyte (MB) and gigabyte (GB)
in describing RAM sizes (a megabyte is a million bytes; a gigabyte, a billion). RAM is something that
you do not want to skimp on. You can choose a slower processor, but with RAM you want as much
as you can get.
TYPES OF RAM:
1. SDRAM
2. DDR
3. DDR2
4. DDR3

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1. SDRAM
Almost all systems used to ship with 3.3 volt,
168-pin SDRAM DIMMs. SDRAM is not an
extension of older EDO DRAM but a new type
of DRAM altogether. SDRAM started out
running at 66 MHz, while older fast page mode
DRAM and EDO max out at 50 MHz. SDRAM
is able to scale to 133 MHz (PC133) officially, and unofficially up to 180MHz or higher. As processors
get faster, new generations of memory such as DDR and RDRAM are required to get proper
performance.
2. DDR MEMORY (184-PIN DIMMS)
These were introduced in 2002 to replace the earlier SDRAM format. To use this type of memory you
need a 184-pin socket for the module to fit into.
DDR Memory is available in different speeds of
PC2100, PC2700, PC3200 (DDR400), and
PC4000 (DDR500). The modules can be used singly or how desired however you cannot mix different
speeds together.
3. DDR2 Memory (240-pin DIMMS).
This format builds on the technology of DDR.
This standard has more pins and its main
developments are the ability to run faster whilst
consuming less power.
To use DDR2 memory you need a 240-pin
socket for the module to slot on your

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motherboard. DDR2 Memory is available in many different speeds including PC2-3200 (DDR2400),
PC2-4200 (DDR2533), and PC2-5300 (DDR-667).
The modules can be used singly or you can install different speeds of DDR2 memory together if your
motherboard supports the faster speed however faster modules will perform at the lower speed.
This may be worth considering if you want to run Dual-Channel memory where you must use the
same speed and ideally matching pairs to ensure compatibility.
4. DDR3 MEMORY (240-PINS)
This is the latest memory standard (2008
onwards) taking over from the
previous DDR and DDR2 standards. Although
DDR3 comes with 240-pins the same as DDR2 the notch is in a different place so people can not
install the wrong type.
DDR3 is not backward compatible with DDR2 in addition to the notch the voltage runs at a lower 1.5V
than DDR2 1.8V. DDR3 memory will not fit into a standard DDR2 DIMM socket or an earlier DDR
memory socket.
To use DDR3 memory, your system motherboard must have 240-pin DIMM slots and a DDR3-
enabled chipset.

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HARD DISK
The hard disk (or hard drive) is the
permanent storage area of your computer.
It stores information whether the computer
is on or off. A hard drive is a mass storage
device found in all PCs (with some
exclusions) that is used to store
permanent data such as the operating
system, programs and user files.
The data on hard drives can be erased
and/or overwritten, the hard drive is
classed as a non-volatile storage device
which means it doesn't require a constant
power supply in order to retain the information stored on it (unlike RAM).
Inside every hard drive are small round disk-like objects made of either an aluminum/alloy or a
glass/ceramic composite, these are called platters, each platter is coated with a special magnetic
coating enabling them to store data magnetically. Hovering above these platters are read/write heads
that transfer data to and from the platters.
Hard drives come with many different storage capacities, hard drive capacity is measured in bytes,
with common capacities being stated in MB (Megabytes) and GB (Gigabytes).

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HARD DRIVE RPM SPEEDS
You will often see hard drives advertised as being capable of a certain RPM (Revolutions Per Minute),
this figure (as the name suggests) refers to how many times the spindle makes a complete 360? Turn
in any single minute.
RPM values range from about 5,400RPM to 12,000RPM and above.
HOW TO CHOOSE A HARD DRIVE
When you are choosing one Hard Drive you have to consider:
ATA and SCSI
In the hard drive world, there are two data access standards, ATA and SCSI (pronounced 'Scar-Zee').
Most of normal hard drives we're used to rely on the PATA standard. Some newer hard drives use
the SATA standard.
SATA allows transfer speeds of up to 150 MBs while PATA gives up to 133 MBs. However, to use
SATA, you'll need a Serial ATA controller, a SATA drive and a SATA power cable. The speed
difference between PATA and SATA is also not significant unless you have a high-end SATA drive.
The SCSI standard is a very fast hard drive standard used for professional computer systems which
demand extremely fast data access. SCSI drives provide an access time of about 9.5ms - which I feel
is really not needed for average home use.
DISK SPACE VS. PRICE
An important factor to consider is the disk space versus price ratio. When you look at the 30 GB, 40
GB and 80 GBPATA hard drives, you'll find they are very close in price. For the average home user,
however, 40 GB to 80 GB of disk space is plenty.
DRIVE SPEED
If data access speed is important to you, you can go for faster SATA drives or SCSI drives. But
remember that these drives come at a price premium and may not be necessary for average home
use.

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Chapter 6.1: Video Card
Chapter 6.2: Sound Card
Chapter 6.3: Modem Card
Chapter 6.4: Network Card
VIDEO CARD
VGA Card is the one
sending the monitor signal
to the monitor.
A computer video card is
placed in the motherboard,
where it transfers video
signals through a cable to
your monitor. The video
card can either be built into
the motherboard or be a separate card that is placed in either the AGP or PCI-Express Slot.
The computer graphics cards major job in a computer is to convert graphic patterns into signals for
the monitor's screen. However in recent times as the graphics card has become more advanced it
has taken some of the jobs previously assigned with the CPU and through a graphics pipeline adds
2D and 3D effects and it also adds textures.

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HOW TO CHOOSE A VIDEO CARD
The VGA Card price will change on:
1. VGA Card Processor
2. VGA Card Ram capacity
3. Ram type of VGA Card
When you are choosing one Video Card you have to consider:
The best way to see what video card to buy is to consider how you're using your computer now.
There are several categories:
Server
If you're using your computer as a mail server, FTP server, print server, or even a game server, you
definitely do not need a high-end video card. What you need is a simple, no-frills low-end video
card.
Simple Applications
Say you're using the PC for simple applications only, for example, word processing, email or web
surfing. Again, you do not need the best video card out there. A cheap and decent one will do the
trick.
Complex Applications
If you need to perform more complex tasks like 3D computer aided design or video editing, it will
make more sense to go for a heavy duty card. Screen resolution and image quality tend to be
important factors for this type of work. Look for a video card whose processor which supports a high
screen resolution, with ample graphics memory.
General Games
If you'll only play simple games like Minesweeper, Reverse or Backgammon, then my advice is to
save your money and just get a simple video card. No need for the latest 3D graphics gizmo.

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SOUND CARD
The sound card is an essential
component in the PC, since it translates
digital signals into analog audio for your
listening pleasure. Well, that's true, if you
want to play games or run multimedia
applications in your PC. Otherwise, it may not be necessary, especially in business environments.
Sound card ports

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A computer sound card is used by a computer for music, sounds during applications and
entertainment (TV, movies and games). A typical sound card usually has four ports. The largest port
is the Midi/Game port, which is used for connecting a joystick or gaming controller to. The other three
ports look similar and are generally green, pink and blue.
Underneath each port will be a small engraving of what each port does. The pink port is for a
microphone which can record sound to the computer. The green port is line out and this is where the
speakers are connected to produce sound from the computer. The blue port is line in and this is for
connecting a CD-player or cassette tape to the computer.
Remember a sound card by itself is not enough to hear sound. You will still need to purchase some
computer speakers or a headphone set. If you want to make use of the microphone feature then
you will need to buy a computer microphone and you should then be able to record sound to your
computer.
How to Choose a Sound Card
When you are choosing one Sound Card you have to consider:
 First thing to consider here is your intended usage of the sound card. If all you want is basic
sound support and not spectacular 3D surround sound, I'd say go buy a cheap, simple card
or even rely on your motherboard's on-board sound.
 If you want great surround sound and better speaker connectivity options, then you'll want to
consider a dedicated sound card.

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MODEM CARD
A device that translates data from your PC into a form
that can be sent to other computers over regular phone
lines. The modem also receives signals from other
computers and converts it into something your
computer can understand. A modem is the device most
home computers use to connect to the Internet.
A Modem converts digital information into sound so that it may be transmitted over telephone lines.
When the modem hears this sound on the other end it converts the sound back into digital
information.
There are two types of modems:
 INTERNAL
 EXTERNAL
External modems are slightly more expensive than internal modems and are housed in an external
box or enclosure. External modems require a socket on the computer or port (usually the serial port
on the back of your computer.) The serial port is also called a COM port, com for communications.
Network Card
A network interface card, more commonly referred to as a
NIC, is a device that allows computers to be joined together
in a LAN, or local area network. Networked computers
communicate with each other using a given protocol or
agreed-upon language for transmitting data packets between
the different machines, known as nodes.
The network interface card acts as the liaison for the
machine to both send and receive data on the LAN.
The most common language or protocol for LANs is Ethernet,
sometimes referred to as IEEE 802.3. A lesser-used protocol

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is Token Ring. When building a LAN, a network interface card must be installed in each computer on
the network and all NICs in the network must be of the same architecture. For example, all must either
be Ethernet cards, Token Ring cards, or an alternate technology.
An Ethernet network interface card is installed in an available slot inside the computer. The NIC
assigns a unique address called a MAC (media access control) to the machine. The MACs on the
network are used to direct traffic between the computers. The back plate of the network interface card
features a port that looks similar to a phone jack, but is slightly larger. This port accommodates an
Ethernet cable, which resembles a thicker version of a standard telephone line. Ethernet cable must
run from each network interface card to a central hub or switch. The hub or switch acts like a relay,
passing information between computers using the MAC addresses and allowing resources like
printers and scanners to be shared along with data.
A network interface card does not have to be hard wired with physical cable. Wireless Ethernet cards
are installed like their wired counterparts, but rather than a port for an Ethernet cable, the card features
a small antenna. The card communicates with the central wireless switch or hub via radio waves.
Wireless LANs may have some restrictions depending on the material the building is made from. For
example, lead in walls can block signals between the network interface card and hub or switch.
When buying components for a LAN, make sure the NICs and hub or switch have the same
capabilities. The entire network must be either wired or wireless, so a wireless network interface card
cannot talk to a wired switch or hub. In addition, newer versions of hardware will likely support more
features and/or greater speeds than older versions. Make sure your central switch or hub can utilize
the highest capabilities of the network interface card under consideration.

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PERIPHERALS
Chapter 7.1: Keyboard and Mouse
Chapter 7.2: Floppy Drive and CD-Rom
Chapter 7.3: Monitor
These two input devices are obviously needed, otherwise you can't interact with the computer system.
These components are fairly standard stuff and can be purchased at pretty cheap prices.
KEYBOARDS
The keyboard is the main input device for
most computers. There are many sets of keys
on a typical “windows” keyboard. On the left
side of the keyboard are regular
alphanumeric and punctuation keys similar to
those on a typewriter. These are used to input
textual information to the PC.
A numeric keypad on the right is similar to
that of an adding machine or calculator. Keys that are used for cursor control and navigation are
located in the middle. Keys that are used for special functions are located along the top of the
keyboard and along the bottom section of the alphanumeric keys.
Keyboards are mainly divided into two types
1. Multimedia keyboard.
2. Ordinary Keyboard.

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Areas of keyboard
The keyboard has five areas:
1. The alphabetical keys or the typing keys A – Z
2. The function keys F1 – F12
3. The computer keys (Alt, Ctrl, Esc, Window, print Sc, etc)
4. The dedicated cursor keys (, , , , page up, page down, home, end, insert
etc.)
5. Numeric keypad (containing Arabic numerals and cursor keys)
MOUSE
Mouse is another input device used in computer.
Mouse is a device that controls the movement of the
cursor or pointer on a display screen.
A mouse is a small object you can roll along a hard,
flat surface. Its name is derived from its shape, which
looks a bit like a mouse, its connecting wire that one
can imagine to be the mouse's tail, and the fact that
one must make it scurry along a surface. As you move
the mouse, the pointer on the display screen moves in the same direction.
Mouse contain at least one button and sometimes as many as three, which have different functions
depending on what program is running. Some newer mouse also includes a scroll wheel for scrolling
through long documents.

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FLOPPY DRIVE
A 3.5” square holding a flexible magnetic disc that holds
information or data. You need a floppy drive to read the
floppy. A floppy disk can hold only 1.44 megabytes, but it
is portable and allows you to make copies of your files.
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM drive used to be an 'optional extra' in
computers - it is no longer so. Most software packages
come in CD format, so you must have a CD-ROM drive to
read them. Typically, CD-ROM drives today need to be at
least 24X speed to keep up with the newer software
applications out there.
A CD drive connects to the computer motherboard through two types of cables. The older and more
common connection is through the IDE Ribbon cable . Recently SATA (Serial ATA) drives have been
produced and will gradually become more common. The benefits of having SATA cables is that they
are smaller and the transfer rate is higher.
Floppy drives were the main source of data transfer and files were small enough to fit on them.
However, today even CD drives are getting out of date and are fast being replaced by the DVD ROM
and DVD RW Drives.

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CD-RW
CD writer is used to write CD. It can also used as
a CD drive. CD can be able to write with different
formats. By using CD writer we can able to write
with different speeds. There are different types of
writers are available in the market with different
writing speeds.
On a CD drive there is usually some numbers with
a x symbol after it. This stands for times, for
example common speeds are 4x, 8x, 16x, 18x,
24x, 32x, 40x and 52x. CD RW drives have
speeds like 24x-10x-40x or 52x-32x-52x.
How to Choose a CD-RW
When you are choosing one CD-RW you have to consider:
Drive Speed
For CD writers, you should generally look for a 40X record speed or faster. If you buy anything that is
slower, it will definitely waste a lot of time when you're burning CDs.
MONITOR
Monitor is the display device. Many times per
second, the video card sends signals out to the
monitor. The information video card sends controls
which dots are lit up and how bright they are, which
determines the picture you see.

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Color monitors can display anywhere from 16 to over 1 million different colors. Color monitors are
sometimes called RGB monitors because they accept three separate signals -- red, green, and blue.
The resolution of a monitor indicates how densely packed the pixels are. In general, the more pixels
(often expressed in dots per inch), the sharper the image. Most modern monitors can display 1024
by 768 pixels, the SVGA standard. Some high-end models can display 1280 by 1024, or even 1600
by 1200.
How to Choose a Monitor
If you're a graphics professional, you may prefer a CRT monitor because they are said to show more
realistic colors. However, the latest high-end LCDs can also give equal color quality.
If you with text most of the time, a LCD is a good choice because the various pixels that you find on
a LCD will have nicely defined edges. This gives sharp and focus letters on the screen.

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CASE AND POWER SUPPLY
Chapter 8.1: Case
Chapter 8.2: How to Choose a Case
Chapter 8.3: Power Supply
COMPUTER CASE
The computer case is your computer's
housing. You need this to store your
components, the largest of which is your
motherboard.
TYPES OF CASE
MINI TOWER :
Advantages: Excellent size which can be placed on top
of below of a computer desk.
Disadvantages: While this case does offer upgradeability
it can be filled up much faster then the Mid-Sized tower.
Recommendations: Great PC for end-users and small
businesses.

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MID-SIZE TOWER:
Advantages: Excellent case which can fit
below and on top of your computer desk.
Plenty of expandability for new devices for
businesses, end-users, and advanced
users. One of the most used computer
cases found today.
Disadvantages: None
FULL-SIZE TOWER
Advantages: Excellent computer for upgradeability.
Excellent case for a server machine.
Disadvantages: Cost is going to be a lot more then
a standard case. Generally A large case which
cannot be placed on top or beneath a desk.
Recommendations: This case is an excellent choice
for all users and businesses.

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DESKTOP
Advantages: Excellent desk computer.
Great use of desk space when monitor is
placed on top of the computer.
Disadvantages: With some types of
desktop cases can be very difficult to
upgrade. Does not really work on the floor.
Recommendations: We recommend that this type of case be purchased by advanced users or
users who plan to have a stand alone machine as a server.
HOW TO CHOOSE A CASE
Choosing a computer case can be difficult if you don't know what you are looking for. The range of
computer cases is huge and bigger, then it’s ever been. So how do you find one that suits you? This
guide will explain how to choose a computer case that suits your needs.
What's your budget?
The first step in choosing a computer case is working out how much you are willing to spend on a
case. If you would like to save money then don't spend a fortune on your case.
However, if you do buy a decent case then it will be unnecessary to upgrade for a long time. I would
say that your case should cost about 5%-10% of your entire budget. So if you are willing to spend
N100,000 on your computer, then spend from N5,000 - N10,000 on your case.
What's your needs
The second step in choosing a computer case is making sure that it has enough room to house all
your components. If you have two CD drives then get a case that has room for the three drives. Put

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one at the top and one at the bottom leaving space in between for cooling. Do the same for your hard
drives and floppy drives. Also make sure that your motherboard can fit inside the case. Some cases
are smaller then others and some motherboards are bigger then others so make sure your
motherboard will fit.
Next make sure that there is at least one fan built into the case. I would recommend two fans at least
and if you are really worried about your equipment over-heating then get another fan.
I have a friend who is very worried about over-heating. He has about 6 fans inside his computer and
when he turns it on it sounds like an airplane taking off and all the lights in his house go dim.
So if you are prepared for a little more noise then its a good idea to get an extra fan to cool your
equipment down. However, don't get paranoid about fans, one or two should be fine and unless there
is no circulation your hardware should survive.
Computer Case Style
The last thing to do in choosing a computer case, is to choose what you want the case to look like.
Do you want a black or white case, a fancy or plain case? The range of computer cases on the market
is huge so select one that you like. If you would prefer a cheap computer case then choose a plain
one. Many computer cases come with extras at the front like USB and ports for a headset. These can
be very useful and are worth it for the extra money.
When you are choosing one Case you have to consider:
External Space
The first factor to consider is how much space your PC case is going to take up. Are you placing it on
a tight, crammed desk? Or on a large desk? If you have the space, tower PC cases are a good choice.
If you're short of space, you may wish to consider smaller mini PC cases which are getting more
popular these days.
Internal Space
Another factor to consider is how many components you wish to fit in your PC case. If you're a
computer nut like me, you'll want to fit in a good motherboard, CPU, a couple of hard drives, video

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card, LAN card, cooling fans, a CD-ROM drive and a DVD writer. That's a lot of components to be
cramming into a PC case! Again, a good choice would be a tower PC case. However, with so many
components, you have to watch out for overheating problems - make sure you deck out the system
with a couple of good fans.
Motherboard Support
Check that your motherboard can fit into the case! Some cases are flexible enough to support AT,
ATX and Baby-AT boards, but others only support one of these sizes. Even then, you need to be
careful - some cheaper 'ATX' cases don't really fit ATX motherboards. I remember buying a wonderful
ATX motherboard and it couldn't fit into my PC case! Imagine my frustration!
POWER SUPPLY
Most PC cases come with power supplies. With more and more components being fitted into a PC,
you will certainly need enough juice to power them.
Cooling
If you're a over clocker or have many system components, you'll need to ensure you've got enough
fans in that case to cool the system. Good PC cases allow multiple (4 or more) cooling fans to be
installed, ensuring good ventilation.
Looks
Just a few years back, PC cases were boring white boxes. These days, you can find a plethora of
colorful PC cases - if you're concerned about your PC's 'look'. Many PC enthusiasts I know go for
good looking PC cases that come in a variety of colors - red, black, green, blue and what not.

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Power Supply
A computer power supply is a compulsory unit to a computer. Without the power supply a computer
is useless as it is just a case full of metal and plastic. This page will explain the different power cables
and connectors and how they work inside your computer.
A power cable connects from the power point to
the power supply where it supply's the
motherboard and other components with power.
Often there is a power switch on the back which
can be switched off to stop the power current. If
this is not switched off and even though the
computer is off power will still be drawn out of the
power point (very small amount).
The most common power supply that we have in
our computers today are the ATX Power Supply. The AT Power Supply was found in many computers
a few years ago but this has become less common.
The graphic below shows each power cable and its name.

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The computer power supply is placed inside the computer case generally near the top of the case. It
is sometimes necessary to buy a mini power supply for some cases are so small that they need one.
Most computer cases when bought come with a power supply that is suited to its case. There are
usually power ports on the motherboard for the fans in the case but if not it is possible to buy an
adapter that will convert power from the 4-pin power cable to a fan power cable.

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