Chapter No: 04 Inside System Unit 15 November 2025

4.1 Computer Casing / System Unit

i. Difference between CPU and System Unit

• CPU (Central Processing Unit):

It is the brain of the computer. It performs all calculations, decisions, and processing tasks.

• System Unit:
It is the case/box that holds the CPU and all the other internal components.
So, the CPU is a part inside the system unit, not the whole box.

ii. Identify the Computer Casing and its Types

The computer casing is the outer box. It protects parts and keeps them organized.

Types:

1. Tower Casing – tall, placed on the floor.

2. Desktop Casing – flat, placed on a table.

iii. Explore the System Unit

Inside the system unit, many important components work together:

1. Power Supply

Provides electricity to all computer parts. It converts AC (wall power) into DC (computer power).

2. Motherboard

The main circuit board.

All parts—CPU, memory, ports, cards—are connected to it.

3. BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

A special program stored on the motherboard.

It wakes up the computer when you turn it on and checks if all hardware is working.

4. Expansion Slots (AGP, PCI, PCI Express)

These are long slots on the motherboard where you can attach extra cards like:

• Graphics card

• Sound card

• Network card

5. Ribbon Cables
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Flat cables used to connect drives (older systems):

• IDE cables

• SATA cables (newer systems)

• FDD cable (for floppy drive)

6. Memory Slot

Small sockets on the motherboard where RAM sticks are installed.

7. Cooling System

Includes:

• Fans

• Heat sink
These keep the CPU and other parts cool.

8. Port

A place where devices are connected:

• USB

• HDMI

• Keyboard

• Mouse

• etc.

9. Disk Controller

Controls how data is read/written from hard disks and SSDs.

10. Buses

Pathways that carry data inside the computer from one component to another.

4.2 Ports and Slots on the Motherboard

i. Describe the following Ports

1. Serial Port

Older type of port used for mouse, modem, etc. Slow speed.

2. USB Port
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Universal port. Used for:

• Pen drives

• Keyboard

• Mouse

• Printers

• Cameras

Very fast and most commonly used today.

3. Parallel Port

Used to connect old printers. It transfers data in parallel lines.

4. FireWire Port

Used for fast data transfer, mostly in video cameras and multimedia devices.

5. PS/2 Port

Round port used for old keyboard and mouse connections.

ii. Expansion Cards

These are additional cards added to the motherboard to increase features:

1. Sound Card

Improves audio quality. Used for speakers, microphones, headphones.

2. Modem Card

Used for dial-up internet connection (older technology).

3. Video Card (Graphics Card)

Controls the display. Important for:

• Gaming

• Video editing

• High-quality graphics

4. Network Card

Allows the computer to connect to:

• Internet
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• LAN (local network)

Wired or wireless.

iii. Memory Chips

Different types of RAM modules:

1. SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module)

Older type of RAM with contacts on one side.

2. DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module)

Modern type of RAM with contacts on both sides. Faster than SIMM.

3. SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)

RAM that works in sync with the computer’s clock speed.

4. DDR (Double Data Rate)

Faster version of SDRAM.

Transfers data twice per cycle.
Versions include DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, DDR5.

50 SLO Questions with Answers (Unit 4 – Inside System Unit)

A. Computer Casing / System Unit (4.1)

1. Differentiate between CPU and System Unit

1. Q: What is the CPU?

A: The CPU is the main processing unit that performs calculations and decisions.

2. Q: What is the system unit?

A: It is the main computer box containing all hardware components.

3. Q: How is the CPU different from the system unit?

A: CPU is a single chip; the system unit is the whole casing including all components.

4. Q: Which part performs all processing?

A: CPU.

5. Q: What does the system unit contain?

A: CPU, motherboard, RAM, power supply, drives, and ports.

6. Q: Is the CPU inside the system unit?

A: Yes.
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7. Q: Why is the CPU called the brain of the computer?

A: Because it controls all operations and makes decisions.

8. Q: What does the system unit protect?

A: Internal computer hardware components.

2. Identify Computer Casing and Its Types

9. Q: What is computer casing?

A: The outer box that houses and protects internal hardware.

10. Q: Name two types of casing.

A: Tower casing and Desktop casing.

11. Q: What is a tower casing?

A: A tall casing usually placed on the floor.

12. Q: What is a desktop casing?

A: A flat casing usually placed on a table.

13. Q: Which casing is placed on the floor?

A: Tower casing.

14. Q: Which casing is flat?

A: Desktop casing.

3. Explore the System Unit

15. Q: What does the power supply do?

A: Provides electricity to all computer parts.

16. Q: What is the motherboard?

A: The main circuit board that connects all components.

17. Q: What does BIOS stand for?

A: Basic Input Output System.

18. Q: What is BIOS used for?

A: To start the computer and check hardware during booting.

19. Q: What are expansion slots?

A: Sockets for adding extra cards like graphics or network cards.

20. Q: Name two types of expansion slots.

A: PCI and PCI Express.

21. Q: What is a ribbon cable?

A: A flat cable used to connect drives.
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22. Q: What is a SATA cable used for?

A: Connecting hard drives and SSDs.

23. Q: What is a memory slot?

A: A socket on the motherboard for RAM chips.

24. Q: What is placed in memory slots?

A: RAM.

25. Q: What is the purpose of the cooling system?

A: To keep the CPU and system cool.

26. Q: Name two cooling components.

A: Fan and heat sink.

27. Q: What is a port?

A: A connection point for external devices.

28. Q: Give an example of a port.

A: USB port.

29. Q: What does a disk controller do?

A: Controls data transfer between the computer and drives.

30. Q: What are buses?

A: Pathways that transfer data inside the computer.

B. Ports and Slots on the Motherboard (4.2)

1. Ports

31. Q: What is a serial port?

A: An older slow port used for mice and modems.

32. Q: What is a USB port?

A: A fast universal port for connecting many devices.

33. Q: Name a device that connects through USB.

A: Flash drive.

34. Q: What is a parallel port?

A: A port used for connecting old printers.

35. Q: Which device used the parallel port?

A: Printer.

36. Q: What is a FireWire port?

A: A port used for high-speed video and multimedia devices.

37. Q: What is a PS/2 port?

A: A round port for keyboard and mouse.
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38. Q: Which devices connect to PS/2 ports?

A: Keyboard and mouse.

2. Expansion Cards

39. Q: What is an expansion card?

A: A card added to the motherboard to increase features.

40. Q: What does a sound card do?

A: Provides better audio input/output.

41. Q: What is a modem card used for?

A: Dial-up internet connection.

42. Q: What does a video card do?

A: Controls display and graphics.

43. Q: What is a network card?

A: A card that connects a computer to a network or internet.

44. Q: Why do we use a network card?

A: For network communication and internet access.

3. Memory Chips

45. Q: What is SIMM?

A: A memory module with contacts on one side.

46. Q: What is DIMM?

A: A memory module with contacts on both sides.

47. Q: How is DIMM different from SIMM?

A: DIMM is faster and has dual contacts.

48. Q: What is SDRAM?

A: RAM that works in sync with the system clock.

49. Q: What does DDR stand for?

A: Double Data Rate.

50. Q: Why is DDR faster than SDRAM?

A: Because it transfers data twice per clock cycle.