There are many fancy add-ons for
computers, but the basic components of the computer are simple and universal.
If 1 of these main components is missing, it’s not a computer.
The 4 essentials of every computer
system are: a motherboard, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and a hard
drive. These components are installed in a case to which are attached a
monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. That’s your basic computer.
Mother WHAT?
The motherboard ("mobo"
for short) is the foundation. Everything attaches to the mobo -- the CPU,
memory, hard drive, monitor, mouse, keyboard, add-on cards, even additional
peripherals like printers, scanners, and speakers. The motherboard is like the
nervous system and skeleton of the human body -- it provides support for the
internal components and also passes information between the computer parts.
CPU
If the motherboard is the nervous
system, then the CPU is the brain. Most of the mathematical manipulations that
make computers operate are done by the CPU. Other components may also have
their own processors, but their results still have to be passed through the
CPU.
The speed of the computer is
usually measured by the speed of the CPU. Even though other factors also affect
overall speed, the CPU rating is generally seen as the single most important
measure of performance.
Modern CPUs are usually rated
between 2.0 GHz and 3.0 GHz, although each passing month will see increasing
performance. This measurement refer to the number of calculations the processor
can make in 1 second. The higher the number, the faster (better) the computer.
CPUs generate a lot of heat doing
this work, so they need a heat sink and fan to keep them from overheating. Heat
is a major enemy of the computer and directly affects its life span.
Computer Memory
RAM (Random Access Memory) is the
part of the computer that stores information the computer needs while it is
operating. It is Random Access because the computer can get the data in any
order, not necessarily the order in which it is stored. Generally speaking, the
more RAM the better. 512 to 1024 megabytes is common for memory.
The most common type of RAM these
days is DDR-SDRAM, which stands for double-data-rate synchronous dynamic random
access memory. We already know what the RAM part means. DDR means that the data
is accessed twice as fast as ordinary RAM.
The latest type of RAM is DDR2. It
offers even faster access rates and is quickly becoming the standard for
computer memory.
Hard Drive
All the data contained in RAM is
lost when the computer is turned off, so there has to be a place to store it
permanently. This is what the hard disk is for.
It holds the computer’s operating
system. An operating system like Windows uses around 4 gigabytes of hard drive
space. The extra space is used to install computer programs and to store your
personal data.
80 gigabyte hard drives are common,
but 400 GB units are available. Furthermore, you can install more than 1 in a
computer case for added security and convenience.
Peripherals
All you need to complete the basic
computer system is a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Accessories like a printer or
scanner are useful for office work, and gamers will probably want to add
speakers and joystick controls.
So there you have it. The basic
computer needs just 7 major components. For the best performance, these
components must integrate well. The motherboard is the most important component
for determining the type and specification of the other parts. Choosing an
appropriate mobo for your computer needs is the first step and may require a
quick call to your local geek.
Soon YOU will be considered the
local geek!
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