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