The Basics of PC Hardware

PC hardware is the parts inside a computer that turn data into electric signals. These signals are then processed by the processor to complete a task.

While today’s PC parts are better labeled and cheaper than ever, their basic makeup remains the same. The motherboard is the central hub, a chip that connects everything to it; the processor follows instructions; and RAM holds data for quick access.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all of the other parts in your computer. It also provides and distributes the power for optimal performance. It takes the power from a wall plug and converts it to electrical current that can run the different components of your system.

Motherboards also contain slots that hold the memory modules that store data and instructions for the CPU to process. They also have connectors for external storage devices like hard drives and solid-state drives, as well as USB ports for connectivity.

Some of the more modern versions of motherboards also include front panel connectors for hooking up the computer’s front switches and indicator LEDs. They come in a variety of sizes including BTX, ATX, Mini-ATX, Micro-ATX, LPX, and NLX.

Processor

The processor is the brain of a computer, telling everything from the GPU to your screen and disk drives what to do. Different processors are designed for different purposes and performance levels, with some able to handle demanding tasks like video editing or gaming better than others.

The CPU’s key elements include the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and the floating point unit. The ALU performs basic and advanced arithmetic and logic operations, sending the results to registers and cache memories for storage.

Cache is a small, fast memory that stores copies of data frequently used by the CPU, reducing the number of times it has to access main memory and improving performance. The CPU also has a system clock, which sends pulses of electricity to the ALU at regular intervals.

Memory

Memory is where a computer stores instructions and data while it’s running. It is volatile, meaning the contents are lost when power is turned off. The more memory a computer has, the more multitasking it can do at once.

Cache memory is special high speed RAM (memory) that the processor uses to reduce wait times for moving data into and out of main memory. This is also known as Level 2 and level 3 cache.

Ports are sockets on the motherboard that allow cables to be plugged in without opening the system unit. Serial ports transmit one bit of data at a time, parallel ports transmit eight bits at a time and USB ports are much faster. The “system clock” generates electrical pulses that the hardware components need to work.

Graphics Card

More than any other hardware component, the graphics card (GPU) has a huge impact on how well your computer can run games and other visual computing tasks. It takes data from your CPU, processes it, and then renders the results on your monitor or other display devices.

Like an art department, your GPU transforms your CPU’s pixel data into a beautiful picture. The faster it can do this, the better your computer will perform.

Graphics cards can come in the form of a standalone chip that slips into an expansion slot on your motherboard, or they can be integrated into your processor. Discrete graphics cards are typically much faster than integrated ones because they have their own memory. Integrated GPUs use system RAM, which can reduce performance.

Hard Drive

All of the files, pictures, music and apps that you install on your computer are stored on a hard drive. They do nothing, though, until you access them. The hard drive is like a giant file cabinet.

Data is inputted into a computer as a series of ones and zeros, which are magnetised by the read/write heads of an HDD. Each tiny portion of a hard disk platter houses a bit, and when the head passes over a certain area, it will detect the magnetisation as a one or a zero.

The spin speed of an HDD is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), and the higher the RPM, the faster your computer can find the file you are looking for. However, this is being surpassed by newer technology such as SSDs.