Proface

It is easy to get confused when you are researching computers. Many newcomers get frustrated and it seems like the salesman at the local big box electronic store is speaking a foreign language. Many terms and words apply to the computer industry that does not apply to any other aspect of living. What is software? What is hardware? What is the CPU? ROM? RAM? Let's take a moment to look at some examples of computer hardware.

Computer hardware is just that, the "hard" surfaces you can touch. Hardware is what the computer is made of. Software is the programs running on the hardware that tell your computer what to do when you use the computer to balance your checkbook, look at email or surf the internet. Examples of computer hardware include:(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

There are many fancy add-ons for computers, but the basic components of the computer are simple and universal. If 1 of these main components is missing, it's not a computer.

The 4 essentials of every computer system are: a motherboard, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and a hard drive. These components are installed in a case to which are attached a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. That's your basic computer.

Mother WHAT?

The motherboard ("mobo" for short) is the foundation. Everything attaches to the mobo -- the CPU, memory, hard drive, monitor, mouse, keyboard, add-on cards, even additional peripherals like printers, scanners, and speakers. The motherboard is like the nervous system and skeleton of the human body -- it provides support for the internal components and also passes information between the computer parts.

CPU

If the motherboard is the nervous system, then the CPU is the brain. Most of the mathematical manipulations that make computers operate are done by the CPU. Other components may also have their own processors, but their results still have to be passed through the CPU.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

For those who prefer to design and build their own computers from scratch, the internal features that comprise the system's operating power are but one of the considerations that go into the design and planning process. The casing is another of the important computer components that cannot be overlooked. Not only does it cover your CPU, motherboard, and other essential elements - it also provides protection and aesthetics for what would otherwise be an open collection of sensitive parts.

There are a wide variety of cases available to house your computer components, most of which are based on the industry's ATX standard for size and layout for housing motherboards. Since all of your computer components will be housed within the casing, it can easily be considered the backbone of your computer system. When choosing a case, there are some important considerations you need to make.(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});



buy computer parts