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What’s Inside Your Computer?
These days almost everyone has a computer and we rely on them heavily for all our day to day
activities. But what exactly is inside that magical box and how does it all work? It seems like
witchcraft and magic, but it’s actually much simpler than you think.
This article takes a look at the basic components inside your computer. We’ll show you what they
look like, and briefly explain how they work.
Motherboard...........................................................................................................................................2
Central Processing Unit (CPU).................................................................................................................3
Memory (RAM) .......................................................................................................................................4
Hard Drive ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Optical Drive............................................................................................................................................ 6
Video Card............................................................................................................................................... 7
Sound Card..............................................................................................................................................8
Network Card..........................................................................................................................................9
Power Supply ........................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................11
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Motherboard
What does it do?
A motherboard by itself is useless, but it is essential to make any computer work. The motherboard
is what all the components of your computer plug into. It provides power to all the different parts
and lets them communicate with each other.
What does ‘on-board’ mean?
Some motherboards have components built into them. This means you don’t need as many
additional parts in your computer, as the motherboard has them already. These components are
referred to as ‘on-board’ and most commonly include sound, network, and video functionality.
What does it look like?
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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
What does it do?
The CPU or Central Processing Unit is the brains of your computer. In a basic sense it is like a
calculator, it does the maths and is the real powerhouse of your computer.
What do the numbers mean?
CPUs are measured using Gigahertz (GHz), the higher the GHz the more powerful your CPU.
What about dual-core and quad-core?
Dual core is like having two CPUs in your computer instead of just one. This opens up a range of
possibilities for getting tasks done. You can split the load between the two cores so they each do
half the work (and you get twice the speed) and you can easily do much more at once.
Naturally if dual core is like having two CPUs then quad core is like having four. So far manufacturers
have managed to produce CPUs with up to six cores, which make for an incredibly powerful
computer.
What does it look like?
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Memory (RAM)
What does it do?
Memory or RAM (Random Access Memory) is what your computer uses to temporarily store data
while your CPU processes it. Think of it like a desk, if you want to read or work on a document you
need to have it out on your desk. The bigger your desk, the more documents you can have out at any
given time.
What do the numbers mean?
Memory is measured in Megabytes (MB) or Gigabytes (GB), 1GB is the same as 1000MB. The more
Gigabytes you have, the bigger your desk and the more you can have open at once. Increasing the
amount of memory in your computer will make it perform better.
What does it look like?
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Hard Drive
What does it do?
If memory is like a desk, then a hard drive is like a filing cabinet. It stores all your files, pictures,
movies, music, programs etc.
Inside a hard drive is much the same as a record player. There is a hard disk that spins and a tiny
needle that reads the data, just like a record player only a lot smaller and faster!
What do the numbers mean?
Hard drives, like memory, are measured in Gigabytes (GB) and in some cases Terabytes (TB), 1TB is
the same as 1000GB!
Manufacturers make hard drives up to 2TB in size. However this doesn’t mean that you are limited
to only 2TB of data, as your computer is usually capable of having more than one hard drive in it. If
you fill a hard drive in your computer, you can either upgrade to a larger one, or simply add more
drives.
What does it look like?
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Optical Drive
What does it do?
The optical drive is where you insert disks into your computer. Although all optical drives look the
same, they do not all perform the same tasks. Older optical drives can read and write CDs but only
read DVDs. New optical drives can read and write both CDs and DVDs.
Some new high-end optical drives can also read and in some rare cases write new and fancy Blu-ray
disks.
What does it look like?
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Video Card
What does it do?
The video card is what processes the graphics and display you see on your monitor. It converts the
data in your computer, to pictures on your screen.
The sockets on your video card line up with the back of your computer, so you can plug your monitor
directly into the video card. The video card then processes the information from you computer
through to what you see on screen.
Having a powerful video card allows you to edit photos and videos, use graphic design programs,
and of course play video games!
What does it look like?
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Sound Card
What does it do?
A sound card is like a video card, but instead of showing pictures, it converts data into sound that
can be played through your speakers.
The ports line up on the back of your computer, so you can plug your speakers into them. The sound
card then processes the information on your computer, through to what you are hearing out of the
speakers.
It also has a port for a microphone. This is so you can record music, or conversations, and the sound
card will process what you are saying into data that can be stored on your computer.
What does it look like?
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Network Card
What does it do?
The network card is what lets your computer talk with other computers that are connected to it.
They send and receive data through your network, or to and from your internet modem or router.
Like sound and video cards, the port is on the back of your computer so you can plug a network
cable into it.
Wireless network cards are becoming more and more popular these days. A wireless network card
does the same job as a normal network card, but instead of using a plug and network cable it uses an
antenna to wirelessly talk to other computers and devices.
What does it look like?
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Power Supply
What does it do?
The power supply transforms electricity that comes from your mains to the correct voltage for the
different components in your computer. The power supply connects to the motherboard as well as
the various components in your computer.
The more components you have in your computer, the more power it needs to be able to run. If you
upgrade your CPU or video card, or add more hard drives to your computer, your power supply may
also need to be upgraded to support the additional power requirements.
What does it look like?
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In Conclusion
Inside the box that is your computer there is a team of hardware components working together to
help complete your day to day activities.
Think of watching a music video on your computer, first the power supply sends power to all the
components in your computer. The hard drive then sends the music video file to RAM, and the CPU
calculates what needs to happen in order for you to watch and listen to the video. The CPU then
sends the graphics information to your video card, which displays the video on screen. It also sends
the audio information to your sound card, which plays the music through your speakers. The end
result is a video that you can see and hear.
That’s the basics of inside your computer! We hope this report has helped you understand the
different parts of your computer and how they work.
Thanks, and we look forward to learning more in our next article!
Who We Are Compulink is a retail computer store. We specialise in providing Computers, Laptops, Hardware, Network Equipment and Accessories. (If it
is part of a computer or plugs into a computer, then we'll have it.)
What we do We provide computers and related hardware and software. We also offer a range of services such as repairs, software installation, virus
removal, servicing, maintenance, and upgrades.
From parts through to complete, custom fabricated systems, we can provide a full range of IT products. We build all our computers from
scratch, and only when you order them. So each computer is customised to your individual needs.
We only provide products that meet our personal quality standards. (i.e. would we use it at home?)
What Other People Think About Us Bernadette:
"I feel like I've got the fastest computer in the world!
I'm a HR Consultant, so I use my computer for emails, and business documents along with listening to music and using trade me. It was
really slow to write up letters, and quite frankly, a real pain to get anything done.
The service was great and quicker than expected. You told me it would take about 10 minutes, but it felt like 2. You even cleaned it too, so
it’s fast AND it looks great.
It was cheaper than I thought, and the best thing is you didn't try to oversell me. You could have said I needed 4GB. But instead you said
we'd put in 2GB, and if it’s still not fast enough we can always put in more. You've given me exactly what I needed."
Bryan:
"Over the last 10 years I have purchased about 18 computers, a few scanners and more than a few printers from you for my own family
and the businesses I have and do work with.
Your attention to detail, willingness to deliver real service, not just talk about it, problem solve, and generally get things done have and will
continue to make dealing with you at Compulink a pleasure. My trust in you is well placed. You understand how things work and together
with Edward make an awesome team of competent young men offering a reliable and cost competitive service."
Cameron:
"I just wanted to thank you for your valuable assistance and guidance in purchasing my new PC last week. Your recommendation to take
the 64 Bit OS has indeed worked out well and everything I am installing seems to work fine so far, without the need to use XP
Compatibility mode.CoD4 is like seeing it all for the first time again, but better. :o) I have yet to fully load everything back on, but expect
MOH and Half Life to look just as sexy. Thanks again and keep up the good work."
