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