The Main Parts of a Computer

The Main Parts of a Computer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It is also known as a brain of the computer. It carries out instructions and computer programs and performs all the basic arithmetical and logical operations. CPU is installed in the motherboard on a specific area known as CPU socket.

NOTE: The terms "CPU" and "processor" are often used interchangeably. Some technical diagrams even label individual processors as CPUs. While this verbiage is not incorrect, it is more accurate (and less confusing) to describe each processing unit as a CPU, while each processor within a CPU is a processing core.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is also called “direct access memory”. Random access means that each individual byte in entire memory can be access directly. RAM is used to store data and instructions temporarily. A program must be loaded into RAM before execution.

RAM is volatile memory. It means that its contents are lost when the power is turned off. RAM is read/write memory. CPU can read data from RAM and write data to RAM. It is used to store data and instruction while it is being executed. RAM is also called main memory or primary storage.

RAM is of two types −

• Static RAM (SRAM)

• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Hard Drive

Hard disk drives have been the dominant type of storage since the early days of computers. A hard disk drive consists of a rigid disc made with non-magnetic material, which is coated with a thin layer of magnetic material. Data is stored by magnetizing this thin film. The disk spins at a high speed and a magnetic head mounted on a moving arm is used to read and write data. A typical hard disk drive operates at a speed of 7,200 rpm (rotations per minute), so you will often see this number as part of the technical specifications of a computer. The spinning of the disk is also the source of the humming noise of a computer, although most modern hard disk drives are fairly quiet.

In general, hard disk drives are very robust and can be used for many years without problems. However, hard disk drives can fail and one of the most common reasons is a head crash. This occurs when the magnetic head scratches the magnetic film. This typically happens as a result of a physical shock, like dropping a computer while it's on. When your hard drives experience mechanical failure you can often hear a grinding or scratching sound. Such a crash results in data loss since the magnetic film gets damaged. It is, therefore, always a good idea to have a backup copy of the important files on your hard drive.

Motherboard

The motherboard (sometimes called the mainboard) is the main circuit board inside a personal computer. Other vital system components like the central processing unit (CPU) and random access memory (RAM) modules are connected directly to the motherboard via slots or sockets designed specifically for those components. The motherboard will also provide a number of expansion slots designed to accommodate add-on cards such as video graphics adapter (VGA) cards and network interface cards (NICs).

Various other connectors and ports are built in to the motherboard to enable the connection of both internal secondary storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives, and peripheral (external) devices such as a mouse, keyboard and printer. There are also sockets to allow the motherboard to be connected to a suitable power supply unit (PSU). The motherboard is effectively a backplane that connects together all of the devices that make up a computer system. It also supplies power to many of those devices.

Graphics Card

A graphics card is a type of display adapter or video card installed within most computing devices to display graphical data with high clarity, color, definition and overall appearance. A graphics card provides high-quality visual display by processing and executing graphical data using advanced graphical techniques, features and functions.

A graphics card is also known as a graphics adapter, graphics controller, graphics accelerator card or graphics board.

A graphics card is primarily designed to remove the graphical processing tasks from the processor or RAM. It includes a dedicated graphical processing unit (GPU) and a dedicated RAM that help it to process graphical data quickly. Like most processors, a graphics card also has a dedicated heat sink to keep the heat out of the GPU. A graphics card enables the display of 3-D images, image rasterization, higher pixel ration, a broader range of colors and more. Moreover, a graphics card includes various expansion ports such as AGP, HDMI, TV and multiple monitor connectivity. A graphics card can be integrated within the motherboard or be added on as an extension card