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