The basic makeup of a computer hasn’t changed much over the years. It still consists of components that perform similar overall functions – the motherboard is the central hub, the processor follows instructions, RAM stores data for quick access, and hard drives store long term information.
A monitor displays the results of a task, while a keyboard and mouse help us input tasks. A power supply provides electricity to all of the other components, and a graphics card handles image rendering.
Motherboard
The motherboard coordinates and directs data flow between crucial hardware components such as the processor, RAM (random access memory), and storage drives. It also ensures optimal distribution of electrical current between these different parts of the system.
Most modern motherboards feature expansion slots for connecting performance-critical hardware like GPUs and storage drives. They also come with connectivity ports that enable you to connect monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, and more.
The power connector plugs into a standard ATX or BTX socket and supplies the motherboard with electricity. In case of a power outage, the CMOS battery provides backup power. Motherboards also have a variety of data buses for communication between the CPU and other components. These busses help to speed up the overall computer function.
Processor
Computers are powered by the processor, which acts as a brain that tells all other hardware components what to do. It solves all the complex algorithms and programming that make your computer run.
A typical processor has four key functions: fetch, decode, execute and write back. Fetch reads instructions from program memory in the system RAM and converts them to binary signals that control other parts of the CPU. Decode interprets the binary signals to determine what each instruction means.
Execute then takes each instruction and executes it in the order they are received. Some computers have multiple processors, which work independently to handle different tasks simultaneously. Also called cores, they allow the CPU to perform tasks more quickly and efficiently. This can speed up response times when using programs and browsing the web.
RAM
RAM is where the data your computer uses while you’re working gets stored. This memory is wiped when you turn off your computer, but the information stored in non-volatile system storage devices like HDDs and SSDs will retain data even without power.
RAM is made of tiny capacitors that store an electrical charge and translate it into data bits. When your computer’s CPU needs the data, it’s retrieved from RAM at much faster rates than it would be from storage devices. RAM comes in two varieties: SRAM and DRAM, each with their own unique features and functions. SRAM is a little more expensive than DRAM and has lower capacity, but it doesn’t require that its capacitors be continually recharged. Also, SRAM is able to transmit data twice during each pulse of the system clock, which makes it very fast.
Hard Drive
The hard drive is the non-volatile data storage device in your computer. Unlike RAM, it can retain your files and programs when the computer is turned off.
It contains one or more disc-like objects called platters inside an air-sealed enclosure. A read/write arm moves rapidly over the platters, which store the information using an electrical charge. The platters are divided into organizational elements called tracks and sectors. Each sector has thousands of subdivisions that can all accept an electric charge.
The digital signal processor (DSP) in the hard disk drive decodes these analog voltages to form logical data blocks. A block typically consists of 512 bytes, although some space is reserved for error-detecting and correction data and spacing.
Graphics Card
Graphics cards convert electrical power into the data needed for displaying images and video on your computer screen. They also help improve the performance of your CPU and other hardware components by accelerating real-time 3D graphics processing.
The GPU combines binary data into a wire frame of straight lines and then rasterizes (fills in) each pixel, applying color, texture and lighting. This process occurs about 60 to 120 times per second in fast-paced games.
The graphics card’s memory is limited compared to system memory (RAM), limiting its ability to access large amounts of data quickly. It can also require specialized programming frameworks and software to fully utilize its capabilities.