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