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Title / Demonstrate an understanding of hardware components for personal computers
Level / 5 / Credits / 7
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the characteristics and relationships of personal computer hardware components; compare and select personal computer hardware components; and test personal computer components for problems.
Classification / Computing > Computer Support
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Range
Hardware components include – central processor, bus, memory, input and output devices, storage devices, power supply.
2Definition
Industry recommended procedure refers to a procedure used and recommended by an organisation involved in the computer industry. For testing, this may include but is not limited to the use of – industry recommended software diagnostic tool(s), burn-in testing, dummy load testing, test card(s).
3The assessment context for this unit standard must be suitable to meet the criteria for level 5 in the NZQF Level Descriptors, which are available by searching for “level descriptors” at
4Legislation and guidelines relevant to this unit standard may include but are not limited to the:
ACC5637 Guidelines for Using Computers - preventing and managing discomfort, pain and injury. Accident Compensation Corporation: Department of Labour 2010;
Copyright Act 1994;
Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008;
Privacy Act 1993;
and any subsequent amendments.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the characteristics and relationships of personal computer hardware components.
Evidence requirements
1.1The purpose of each component is described in terms of its functions.
1.2The technology of each component is described in terms of its operating principles.
1.3The relationships between components are described in terms of their interaction.
Outcome 2
Compare and select personal computer hardware components.
Evidence requirements
2.1Personal computer hardware components are compared according to their specifications.
2.2Performance issues are explained in terms of the relationship between performance and system use.
2.3Selection of personal computer hardware components for a given situation is justified by comparisons of available options.
Outcome 3
Test personal computer components for problems.
Evidence requirements
3.1Tests are completed according to an industry recommended procedure.
3.2Problems identified as a result of testing are reported and/or components replaced according to an industry recommended procedure.
Replacement information / This unit standard and unit standards 6870, 6871, and 6872 were replaced by unit standard 29810.This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 8 July 1996 / 31 December 2013
Revision / 2 / 28 November 2000 / 31 December 2013
Review / 3 / 19 March 2010 / 31 December 2015
Rollover and Revision / 4 / 19 September 2013 / 31 December 2019
Review / 5 / 19 January 2017 / 31 December 2019
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0011
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
NZQA National Qualifications ServicesSSB Code 130301 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut