Computer hardware is the physical components that make up a computing system. Software, on the other hand, consists of computer programs that enable these components to perform functions and process data.
The CPU’s memory hierarchy stores code and data it actively uses, organized for speed of access and predicted reuse. The top of this hierarchy are registers, while cache memory is faster than main memory.
Motherboard
Motherboard (also known as the mainboard or system board, and lovingly referred to as mobo) is the central hub of your PC that interconnects all other components. It holds them all together like a Lego baseplate and gives them life by routing power from the power supply to each component.
The motherboard communicates with the CPU and other hardware through a chipset, which functions as digital glue to connect the different parts of the computer. The chipset must be compatible with the CPU generation to work properly.
Various motherboard standards are available in the market today, including standard ATX, microATX, mITX and the popular mini-ITX for small form factor PCs. Each has its unique features and benefits depending on the type of PC you’re building or upgrading.
Processor
The brain behind every computer, the processor (abbreviated CPU) performs the complex calculations that turn input into output. This happens billions of times per second, depending on the processor’s clock speed. The CPU’s cores, or processing units, handle basic tasks like arithmetic operations and logic, while the control unit decodes instructions from memory and directs data flow between the CPU and other components. Modern Intel and AMD processors have multiple cores that can multitask, enabling more performance in everyday computing or professional video editing and gaming.
A processor contains small, high-speed memory called registers that temporarily hold data and instructions. An internal bus connects the CPU to main memory and other hardware, traditionally coordinated by a northbridge chip that links the CPU with fast peripherals like PCI and storage ports, and a southbridge that handles communication with slower I/O devices.
Memory
Random access memory (RAM) temporarily holds data that the CPU actively uses, enabling faster program execution. [54] It is volatile, meaning that its contents are lost when the system loses power. Initially RAM was implemented as static random-access memory (SRAM), but since 2000 the majority of desktop PCs use dynamic random-access memory modules (DRAM).
In addition to main RAM, some processors contain built-in cache memory, which improves performance by prefetching data into areas of the chip that are most likely to be needed, thus reducing the amount of data that must be transferred from main memory.
The motherboard contains slots into which the RAM modules can be inserted; modern systems typically use double-data-rate DDR SDRAM modules. The latest motherboards support “multi-channel” operation, operating most efficiently when fitted with identical sets of DIMMs installed in matching pairs or quartets.
Graphics Card
A graphics card is a piece of hardware that processes images and video on your computer. It is also known as a GPU (graphics processing unit). Graphics cards are crucial for gaming and other visual-intensive activities. They offload graphics processing from the CPU, resulting in faster performance and higher-quality visuals.
A high-end graphics card is capable of rendering advanced 3D images for games. It can also handle sophisticated image processing techniques such as ray tracing and AI-assisted resolution scaling.
Most graphics cards come in the form of a printed circuit board that slips into an expansion slot on your motherboard. However, some have dedicated enclosures and can be connected via a cable to your computer. They require a compatible motherboard and power supply with sufficient peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slots and power connectors.
Chipset
Located on the motherboard, the chipset allows components like the memory and graphics card to communicate with each other. The chipset also determines how many high-speed USB devices or PCI-Express slots a motherboard can support. Until recently, chipsets were divided into two separate chips: the northbridge connected the CPU to high speed devices like RAM and graphics cards, while the southbridge handled lower-speed peripherals such as hard drives and USB ports. Today, however, integrated chipsets are commonplace.
While most consumers buying pre-built systems don’t need to worry about the chipset, those building custom computers or planning future upgrades should pay attention to the specs. For example, some chipsets allow for overclocking while others do not. In addition, different chipsets are designed for specific CPU families.