PC Hardware

Primary PC Components

In this tutorial, we focus on the computer's infrastructure. We begin with the centerpiece of the computer, the motherboard, also known as the mainboard. The motherboard is the key member of the hardware infrastructure. It is a large circuit board that serves as a home for the CPU and all its associated chips, including the chip set and RAM, and connects them to the rest of the physical elements and components of the computer.

Lesson 1: Computer Cases

In earlier lessons, we provided an overview of the computer. In this tutorial, we focus on the computer's infrastructure. We begin with the centerpiece of the computer, the motherboard, also known as the mainboard. The motherboard is the key member of the hardware infrastructure. It is a large circuit board that serves as a home for the CPU and all its associated chips, including the chip set and RAM, and connects them to the rest of the physical elements and components of the computer.


The case, or chassis, which is usually made of metal, holds all the primary electronics of the personal computer (PC) and often all the drives as well.

After this lesson you will be able to:
  • Identify the primary types of PC cases.
  • Explain how the case helps to protect the PC and surrounding devices from electromagnetic interference.

Estimated lesson time: 5 minutes


Before You Begin

Although this tutorial can be studied independently, it is suggested that you review the preceding tutorials, which discuss microprocessors, basic input/output, and how power gets to the system, before reading this material.