Your Computer and Its Parts

A computer is a machine that does myriads of tasks. The computer has quickly become an essential part of our daily life and routine activities. Computers come in different sizes and can be built depending on the user’s need. Two main types of computers are portable and desktop. But how does a computer work? One way to better understand this is by knowing its different hardware and software components and what they do. This is a BASIC overview, as computers have much more hardware and software than people know.

Hardware 1. Case. This is where all the parts are. A desktop PC comes in different sizes like micro tower, mini tower, mid tower, and full tower. 2. Power Supply (PSU Power Supply Unit). This part supplies power to the rest of the computer parts. It comes with different wattage options to supply power to all the parts in a computer. 3. Motherboard. It acts as the backbone of a computer unit. This is where all components of the computer are connected. 4. Processor (CPU or Central Processing Unit). It is the brain of the computer. It processes and performs commands and tells the rest of the parts to work their functions. 5. Memory (RAM or Random Access Memory). It stores recently opened data, so that the CPU can easily access it. There are different types of RAM such as: SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM), RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM), DDR RAM (Double Data Rate RAM) 6. Video Card. This is what sends graphics to the monitor. Most video cards are built into the motherboard. However, people who like to play games to deal in multimedia usually choose a video card with higher graphic quality to suit their needs. 7. Sound Card. This is what sends sound to the speakers or brings sound from the microphone. 8. Hard Disk Drive. This is where software programs, files, music, documents, pictures, and videos are stored. 9. Optical Drives. A device that uses a laser to read and/or write CDs and DVDs. 10. Monitor. The computer screen that displays information, images, and characters generated and processed by the computer. 11. Keyboard. Used to type commands into the computer. 12. Mouse. A device which allows computer users to perform different commands and operations. It generally consists of a left and right button that is used in different functions. It also can come with a scroll that is used in moving the page inside a window up, down, left and right, as well as multiple other click buttons-usually used by gamers and multimedia users. 13. Speaker. Used to produce sounds from the computer. Software 1. Operating System. This is the main software that manages both applications and hardware of a computer. 2. Word Processor. The application used in creating and typing documents. 3. Database. Used to store collection of data for organization, easy access, and software programs. 4. Presentation. Used to create slide shows, used to provide a clear, comprehensive idea or project. 5. Communication Software. Generally tools that are used in receiving and sharing information from one computer to another. Some communication software uses the internet in communicating and sharing information with other computers. 6. Internet browsers. Software that allows you to access websites and search/browse the web, such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer. A computer generally consists of both hardware and software for it to work properly. This is only a BASIC overview of personal computer components. Computers are such impressive machines, with loads of parts and pieces necessary to run.