Personal Computers Explained

While you do not need to know about all the parts of your computer in detail, having some idea of the function that the major parts perform will help you when you are trying to fix a problem with the computer or when you are trying to upgrade it.

1. The Console or Tower: The console is the main big computer box. It will contain different lights and buttons as well as color-coded receptacles into which you can plug in the other parts of your computer system. This box contains all the essential electronic equipment that your computer system needs to function.

Let us now take a quick look at some of the major components of a PC tower.

• Central Processing Unit (CPU) – This is also referred to as the ‘brain’ of the computer. It is a microprocessor chip that essentially manages the entire functioning of the computer system.

• Memory – This is a kind of storage device that holds data required for processing – it needs to be very fast and is connected directly to the CPU. Of course, depending on the kind of function they perform, one can find different kinds of memory. The Random-access memory (RAM) is used to store the temporary data that the computer is currently working with. The more the RAM, the more data the CPU can access – obviously, this means the system works faster. On the other hand, the Read-only memory (ROM) is a type of permanent storage used by the computer to store important data that never changes. You can also find the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS), which is a kind of ROM but used exclusively by the computer to establish communication when the computer gets powered on for the first time.

You may also hear terms like virtual memory or cache memory. Cache memory is an extremely fast kind of RAM that also connects directly to the CPU and is used to store data that is frequently used. Virtual memory on the other hand is just a temporary storage area created on the hard disk to swap data in and out of the RAM to facilitate the working of the system.

• Hard Disk – This is the main permanent storage in the computer system and is typically of fairly large storage capacity.

• Sound Card – The sound card is what helps the computer to play or record audio files. It converts analog signals into digital data and back.

• Graphics Card – The graphics card helps the computer convert image data into a format that can be displayed on the monitor. 

• Motherboard – As the name indicates, this is the main circuit board. Almost all the important components of the computer get connected to the motherboard. For example, the CPU and main memory are always found on the motherboard. Other components may be connected directly to the motherboard or else, they can be connected to the system through expansion slots.

• Power Supply – This is an electrical transformer used to regulate the supply of electricity to the system.

• Fans and Cooling Systems – When a computer system is working, various components have a role to perform and they could generate heat during their functioning. Fans and cooling systems make sure that the computer does not get overheated.

• Removable Storage - Removable storage devices allow you to easily transfer data from the computer to the device and vice versa. Earlier CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMS would be used for this purpose–even now most computers come equipped with CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives. However, in recent times, USB drives that can be plugged into one of the USB ports have become very popular. Even the smallest of such devices can offer nearly the same storage capacity as DVD-ROMs.
• Internet Connection - You can connect to the Internet through various means. A cable modem allows you to connect to the Internet through the cable system that you use for your TV. A DSL modem on the other hand is a high-speed connection that connects through a dedicated telephone line.

2. The Monitor: The monitor is the screen that looks very much like a TV screen. Your computer system will display all information, including the input and output on the monitor.

3. The Keyboard: This is the panel on which you type out the information you want to send to your system. This one of the main ways in which you can feed input to your computer.

4. The Mouse: The computer mouse is a small device that you can use to work with various objects on the screen.

5. Speakers: With computers becoming more and more like complete entertainment systems, you can play music or movies on your computer and hear the sound through speakers. Speakers can either be built into the monitor or the console or you can have a set of external speakers.
 
6. Printer: You can print the output from a computer through the printer. This is also called a hard copy. 

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