What do you, dear reader, know about the computer? Of course, the completeness and depth of your answer will depend on many factors. Some of you will involuntarily turn to the superficial knowledge from the school curriculum obtained in computer science lessons. Yes, and it is unlikely that the average user thought about what is hidden under the protective cover of the system unit. As a rule, housewife’s knowledge is based on a visual understanding of the subject of our discussion: an iron or plastic box, monitor, keyboard and mouse. And one should agree with this, since the objectivity of such an opinion really characterizes a PC with a standard configuration in general terms. However, the components of a computer are more than the simplicity and limitation of the visible body parts of the system unit and some peripheral devices connected to it . Reading promises to be fascinating, and the material of the article is guaranteed to be the starting point for your curiosity.
The main components of the computer: what the housewife sees
It would not be desirable, but we simply cannot do without computer terminology. So be prepared to get acquainted with some specialized words. By the way, this will save you a lot of time in the future. Now we turn directly to the fascinating theory and consider as an introductory list the basic configuration of a stationary PC.
- System unit - the case in which the hardware of the computer is located.
- Monitor - a device for displaying graphic and symbolic information.
- Keyboard is a keyboard means of controlling a computer through which data and commands are entered.
- The mouse is a manual manipulator that converts mechanical movements into a control signal.
Design features of computing devices
Mentioned components of a computer are integral elements of desktop modifications. Laptops, tablets and handheld electronic devices are portable type of computing equipment. Such devices have a compact body. All basic hardware components are combined into a single device, as a result of which the maximum practicality of the device is achieved. The indisputable advantage of laptop computers is operational autonomy and mobility when using. There is another type of computer technology - monoblocks. This type of computing device is a cross between desktop and mobile systems. The miniature hardware borrowed from laptops and the stationary “attachment” to the workplace of traditional PCs separate this type of technology into a separately presented type of computing device.
Components of a computer system unit
Inside the protective case are the components of the system , which ultimately is the hardware configuration of the PC. The main component of a computer is considered to be the device’s motherboard, since this element is a kind of backbone of an electronic system, on which, in addition to the required components - a central processor and RAM slots - additional expansion modules can be installed. A special place in the system unit is reserved for the information storage device - a hard disk. Components such as the cooling system and power supply are also located inside the PC case. However, portable devices receive power from external power supply devices. As a rule, a personal computer is equipped with an optical drive for reading and writing data. The main interface panel is displayed outside.
Important parts of the computer: the processor is the “heart” of the PC
This chip performs the function of a data center. Without a CPU, the computer simply will not work. CPU power is characterized by a clock frequency, which is measured in MHz. However, the final indicator of processor performance depends on the level of technology used. When performing multi-threaded operations (the work of two or more simultaneously used applications), CPUs having a multi-core structure architecture have an absolute advantage. This technical part of the computer - the processor - consists of a kernel and its associated components: input / output bus and address bus. The data processing speed between the indicated components of the CPU is expressed in bit depth. The higher the aforementioned indicator, the greater the throughput of the CPU bus.
RAM: high-speed assistant CPU
This is a volatile component of the system, which is a kind of intermediary between the central processor and the hard drive. However, data exchange can occur directly between the CPU and RAM of the computer. The RAM module is installed in a special bank slot on the motherboard. The speed of the OS depends on the amount of RAM, which is measured in units of information (MB), as well as the throughput of the device’s system bus. Today, there are several types of such memory:
- Outdated type of RAM - SIMM and DIMM.
- The most common types of RAM are DDR, DDR2, DDR3.
- A new type of RAM is DDR4.
As you understand, the components of a computer must conform to some single standard. When purchasing an additional memory module, you need to know exactly what type of RAM your motherboard supports.
Hard disk: "iron" memory
Unlike RAM, the data recorded on the HDD can be stored for a long time. The work of the hard drive is based on the principle of changing the magnetic field near the recording head. A drive of this type is a mechanical device, the efficiency of which depends on its inherent characteristics:
- Nominal capacity - the amount of data that can be stored on the HDD.
- Random access time - performing a positioning operation on an arbitrary section of disk space.
- Central spindle rotation speed - the parameter is measured by the number of revolutions per minute.
- Buffer size - intermediate memory, which is calculated in MB.
- Data transfer rate - the ability of a device to read a certain amount of information per second. Serial access to a certain (meaning external and internal zones) disk part of a personal computer is taken into account.
An upgrade of a PC, compact computing device and service equipment is often associated with increasing the speed of the operating system. And the SSDs that have recently appeared are the best way to solve the speed problems of any computer technology. However, the relatively small amount of disk space at the high price of an SSD device for many users is, to put it mildly, an unacceptable solution.
Video card: visual representation
What are the components of a computer responsible for graphics? The answer to this question is quite simple. First of all, this is a video card, then - the central processor, and only after that - PC RAM. It is worth noting that graphics cards are discrete and integrated. Therefore, it is necessary to consider in more detail the issue of the difference of this kind of equipment.
Built-in graphics chip in the motherboard
As a rule, computers of the lowest price category are equipped with integrated video controllers. As you know, such chips do not have special performance. However, to solve office problems, view multimedia material and even launch a non-resource-intensive gaming application, this option is quite acceptable. Please note: the video adapter built into the chipset physically cannot be considered a separate configuration item.
Discrete type of graphics card
Today it is the most effective method to increase the graphics capabilities of a PC. This graphic module is inserted into a special PCI-expansion slot of the motherboard. Through the interface connector, which is located on the video card itself and displayed outside the system unit, a monitor is connected. The amount of video memory and the bandwidth of its buses, as well as the core frequency, texture and pixel fill rate are the main indicators of the graphic performance of the negotiated PC component. Now, if someone asks you: “List the components of a computer,” you should consider that a discrete graphics card , unlike an integrated graphics chip, is a separately presented module.
PC configuration: enhanced functionality and upgrades
After you have learned or refreshed the previously received information about what is inside the PC system unit, let's touch on the question of what an upgrade is and how it relates to the topic of the article.
So, the additional parts of the computer are not only peripheral devices: printers, scanners, web cameras, etc., connected to some interface connector or connected wirelessly to a PC, but also some components of the system that are commonly called basic. For example, a user can always add operational resources to his computer by installing additional RAM modules in free bank slots of the system board. Inveterate gamers often put on their computers two powerful video cards. Audio capabilities can be greatly expanded by connecting a sophisticated sound adapter. Network and DVB-cards, various readers and TV tuners, as well as a host of other equipment - all this can become elements of modernization, that is, a PC upgrade. The only limitation for the flight of user imagination may be an insufficient level of manufacturability of the motherboard.
Before you finish
Now you will not be taken by surprise if you are asked: "List the components of the computer." Nevertheless, for completeness of knowledge about the PC device, there is something else to figure out. Indeed, in the previous paragraphs, only a brief mention was made of the computer's communication capabilities. Meanwhile, the PC motherboard is equipped with various interface connectors, among which the main ones can be distinguished:
- PS / 2 - for connecting a mouse and keyboard.
- USB is a universal port for connecting to peripheral devices.
- VGA - connector for the monitor.
- RJ45 - for connecting a network connector.
Today, modern computer technology is equipped with various wireless modules. Developers give PC new communication features. Manufacturers are introducing revolutionary technologies that seemed fantastic yesterday. Electronics is rapidly expanding the boundaries of its influence. However, the process of human thinking will always be the basis for computer technology. Since the way a person thinks, no one and nothing in the world can think.
Technical Epilogue
You can safely assume that now you know what the parts of the computer are called. However, the information presented is just a drop from the ocean of information on the topic discussed, since to tell about the device of the computer in general terms means to say nothing! Therefore, as mentioned earlier, it is necessary to show curiosity and approach the issue of studying a computer device more seriously. Be sure that such knowledge will make you much richer. After all, the future is at the computer!