I know how to build a computer – Umm, what is the CPU?
Have you ever been in a conversation involving terms like CPU, motherboard, or PC component? We’d like to venture a guess that the conversation was probably about building your own computer. You may have been feeling a bit overwhelmed with the terminology, especially for those of you who just want to turn on the computer. us and just have it to work– knowing What Y why works may mean very little to you. Lack of knowledge in some areas, especially technical areas, doesn’t mean you should feel foolish. We have everybody been there at some point. However, some fundamental knowledge is useful.
When shopping for a computer, you’d benefit from asking what you need. Are you going to use your computer mainly for graphic design? Or maintaining a customer database for the small business you’ve always wanted? Maybe you are interested in games. Chances are you use it for all of these things and more, or maybe you’re not the only user. So, we’ve created a quick guide (remember Cliff Notes?) for the basic computer user, or for those of you looking to get your hands on one.
Let’s start with the computer components, which we’re pretty sure you all know more or less about: the monitor, the hard drives and CD-ROM drives, the computer case, the RAM (memory), the USB reader , the keyboard and the mouse. Some of the lesser known components are: the motherboard, the CPU, and the video card. Later we will review some optional components of the computer, such as the sound card, the LAN card, and the CD and DVD burner.
The monitor is probably the most expensive component. These days you can get a 17- or 19-inch LCD monitor, although you can still find the old CRT monitors (the ones that look like TV screens), which are much cheaper than LCDs, but can take up a lot more space on your desk. . The hard drive is very important, so you may want to buy one of the more well-known brands, such as Western Digital, Seagate, or Maxtor. In our experience, companies that produce more popular brands sometimes have better customer service procedures, in case you have a problem with the product. Since software packages usually come in CD format, it is desirable that you have a CD drive as floppy disks are no more. Also, your CD drive must have a speed of at least 24X, otherwise it could become very slow. Anything less is not recommended, as this will likely result in hitting your computer and gracing it with various insults while you wait, which is what some Geeks On Site customers claim to have done. You probably also want to get a CD or DVD burner as it has pretty much become a must-have feature nowadays!
The computer case is, in simple words, the “physical address” of your computer. This hardware is where most of the components are. Another important part of your computer is memory, or RAM (Random Access Memory). This part determines the speed of your computer and how fast you can run multiple applications at the same time. Depending on what you will be using your computer for, Geeks On Site recommends that you have 4 GB of memory in your computer. Finally, two of the most well-known components are the keyboard and the mouse. You can find these components in different variations, wireless or classic, and you won’t pay a fortune for them.
Now, let’s visit the components that are not so visible and therefore perhaps not so well known to the novice computer user. One of the most essential components is the motherboard, which is located inside the computer case. It is also one of the largest components; and has the function of uniting all the separate components. We’ll talk more about the motherboard later, in the second part of this series. With that said, for now we will simply mention what to look for when purchasing this component. Since it is an integral part of your computer, you need to consider a few factors, such as supported CPU and RAM, bus speed, and built-in sound/video/LAN. We have broken down each element and will explain what it is and how it works.
- The CPU (or more commonly known as the processor) is a part of your computer’s brain, and as such, you really need to know which one to choose. Most people end up with an Intel (Pentium) or AMD (Athlon); There’s a lot more we can say about processors, and we’ll go into more detail in the next installment of this series, but in a nutshell, your CPU allows you to run software.
- Sound, video, and LAN cards are usually included on your computer’s motherboard. The importance of the sound card depends on whether or not it will run multimedia applications. However, if you use your computer primarily for work, you may not care as much as a gamer. the video card IT IS important to everyone, so if it’s not already on the motherboard, Geeks On Site suggests you add it, since the video card displays images on your monitor, and who knows, and you might want to take a little break of the job and add 3D. graphics to your family photos or play some cool online games.
We hope this article has enlightened you. Our goal was to give our readers a quick lesson in computer parts and lingo, so that when you’re at the store trying to buy one, or at the repair shop trying to get the computer you fixed, you’ll feel more confident. comfortable.
Stay tuned for our next article where we continue to discuss the parts of a computer and explore more things you need to know to build a computer that suits your needs.
