Component Overview

Your computer is made up of several parts that all work together in harmony. Your motherboard is the backbone of your computer. Pretty much everything plugs into it and it instructs all the different components on what to do. Memory is something that you hear about frequently on computer advertisements, and is not to be confused with storage space. Memory, more specifically RAM, is like your short term memory. But in contrast, the hard drive is the permanent storage. When you save your work it is stored on the hard drive for retrieval at a later date. The processor is frequently the most expensive and most looked at component of the computer next to RAM. It does all the calculations and logic operations and is frequently an important factor in the speed of your computer. The graphics processor, a special type of processor, is designed specifically for graphics intensive applications such as games or 3D modeling. It is frequently a special add on card, although can also be built into the motherboard. Fans are an important factor in the longevity of your computer system. The hotter your components run the shorter their life. All of these components and a few others are housed inside a case and connected to peripherals, such as the monitor and keyboard, so that we can interact with the components of the computer and tell them what to do.

Together these components work together to create the experience that you associate with a computer. When you build a computer, each component is purchased separately and assembled. Compatibility between components is important, and that is why researching thoroughly before you purchase your parts is important.

• Motherboard – coordinates all interactions between the components. A hub so to speak.
• Power Supply – converts the power in the wall into a form usable by the computer
• Hard Drive – stores information for long periods of time
• Processor –runs calculations and logic operations. Does the grunt work when you “run” a program
• RAM – a temporary storage for what you are working on at the moment
• Graphics Processor – a special type of processor specifically for graphics
• Computer Case – houses all the components of your computer
• Expansion Card – this is a card that attaches to the motherboard and expands capabilities of the computer. A graphics card is a type of expansion card.