Building a Computer - Components

Author: XEN
Filed Under Hardware |

Computer users are getting more and more involved in computer hardware and try to build their own computer piece by piece. Most advanced computer users have already built or at least updated their own computer and others want to do it in the future.

All those integrated circuits inside might get you dizzy but the computer is actually split into pieces(components), like a puzzle. The motherboard is the main component and is necessary in all computer configurations, the computer cannot function without a motherboard.

The motherboard has slots for all other components: CPU, memory modules, hard disk, cd/dvd drives, floppy disk, sound card, video card and power supply. Let’s go through all components one by one:

1. CPU - The CPU or “Central Processing Unit” is the most important element in the computer. The CPU interprets instructions and processes data contained in computer programs.

2.  Memory Modules (RAM) - the memory modules come in standard sizes: 128, 256, 512 and 1024 MB. Most modern motherboards support at least 3 memory modules. The RAM or “Random Access Memory” is a a storage medium that stores program data until computer reset or shutdown.

3. Hard Disk - the hard disk is a permanent storage medium that can keep hundreds of GB of data.  You cannot store data without a hard disk. You can run a RAM-stored operating system without a hard disk but you will not be able to keep any data across multiple sessions. The hard disk is a required component in all configurations

4. Last but not least, Video and Audio cards, are not necessary, the computer will run without them but you will not hear anything in your speakers without an audio card, and Games and Graphic/Modeling programs will not work without 3D acceleration.

5. You will also need a computer case, there are 2 main standards for computer cases: ATX and Mini ATX, the first is a  “tower” case and second is a scaled version of the ATX, the Mini ATX cannot house all motherboards, so be careful that your motherboard fits in the computer case before you buy it.

One thing you should now before building your own PC is that all components have different versions and frequencies. Consult the motherboard manual to see what components are available for your configuration. That’s why the motherboard is the most important component, the motherboard limits the upgrade capabilities of your computer system.

Tags: Computer, Computer Components, Computer Parts, Hardware

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