Unit 2 — Components

It worker suffering data loss
This unit discusses hardware components, the "building blocks" of modern computers.
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Vocabulary Builder Activity

Students will learn the following key terms and phrases:

Basic input output system Chipset Coprocessor Graphics card Graphics Processing Unit Microprocessor Motherboard Network interface card Peripheral Component Interconnect Peripheral Component Interconnect Express Power supply Serial ATA Sound card Specification Universal Serial Bus
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Reading Activity: Computer Hardware Components

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Due to convergence, the traditional categories we divide computing into are blurring. But for practical reasons, IT professionals can still divide hardware into two main classes: components and peripherals. Components are primarily core internal devices of a computer which help define what type a computer is, what it is capable of doing, and how well it is capable of doing it. Nothing affects the…
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Multiple Choice Activity

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Listening Comprehension Activity

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Speaking Practice Activity

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Speccing a low-end chipset is not a good way to save money when building a new PC.
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The processor, RAM, and PCI cards plug directly into the motherboard.
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Many older microprocessors included a coprocessor to speed up floating-point calculations.
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Writing Practice Activity

Improve your formal and informal writing skills with guided essay questions and professional correction.

  • What components are in your computer right now? Make a list of them. If you can't take your computer apart, look up the model number on the Web.
  • If you could upgrade any three components inside your computer, which ones would you replace and why?
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Writing Activity