Computer hardware is the durable and tough internal components that make up computers. It’s important for responsible desktop and laptop users to understand computer hardware to prevent future problems like malfunctioning components, costly repairs, and downtime.
The motherboard is the heart of your computer. It controls the CPU’s operations and provides expansion slots that connect hardware devices.
Motherboard
Think of the motherboard as the skeleton of a computer. It doesn’t do much on its own, but without it, other hardware can’t function. It gives power to each component and ensures that the electric current is distributed optimally.
The motherboard also has ports that connect to peripherals like mice, keyboards, speakers, and printers. These connections are controlled by software to keep data flowing correctly.
The motherboard relays information between the CPU and other components through a wired connection called the Data Bus. This connection is 64- or 32-bit, and the speed of it determines how fast a system can run.
Processor
The processor (also known as a CPU) is the brain of your computer, telling other components like disk drives and screens what to do. There are different kinds of processors for different tasks, from basic ones to those that require more processing power for heavy-duty jobs.
There are four primary functions of the CPU: fetch, decode, execute and write back. Fetch reads instructions from program memory, decodes them into a binary form and sends them to other parts of the CPU. These include the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), registers, and cache memory. The ALU carries out basic arithmetic and logical operations, while the registers store data and instructions. The cache stores copies of data from main memory that are used frequently.
Graphics Card
A graphics card, also known as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), is specialized hardware designed to accelerate the creation and rendering of images, videos and animations on your computer’s screen. GPUs work differently from the CPU, excelling at parallel processing and performing calculations specifically tailored to graphical tasks.
It processes the data sent to it to determine shapes, sizes and attributes of the objects being rendered. It then renders these objects using different techniques like shading, texturing and artificial lighting to create the final image that appears on your monitor.
It stores the result of its calculations in a pool of video memory called VRAM. The VRAM capacity varies from one card to the other, and is usually indicated by a letter after the model number.
RAM
RAM is your computer’s short-term memory. It stores information that your processor can access quickly, whereas data stored on long-term storage devices like HDDs and SSDs loses its power when the system is shut down.
RAM uses small capacitors and transistors that store an electrical charge corresponding to each piece of data. The more information that gets stored in RAM, the faster a PC can operate.
RAM comes in the form of soldered-on modules that stick to a motherboard or removable DIMMs that slot into a machine’s motherboard. Most PCs with fast-processing needs use four to 16GB of RAM. If you want to speed up your computer’s performance, you can optimize RAM by clearing wasteful clutter.
Hard Drives
Hard drives store the footage, project files, and other data related to video production. They can be built directly into a computer or externally connected via USB, Thunderbolt, and Firewire.
The technology behind hard drives hasn’t changed much in the past 50 years: a smooth platter coated with magnetic particles spins at high speeds while an armature with a read/write head writes and erases data. Modern drives can hold up to 20TB of data.
The speed at which a hard drive serves data to the CPU depends on its capacity and speed of rotation, as well as its seek time. A slower drive will take longer to retrieve a file.
PSU
The power supply unit (PSU) converts domestic alternating current (ac) electricity into various regulated low voltage direct current (dc) outputs required by computer components. It consists of a metal box that houses the on/off switch and power-cord receptacle, and often has built-in cooling fans to dissipate heat.
If your PC randomly crashes or shuts down, it could be a sign of an insufficient power supply. Inadequate power can cause unstable components, which may result in frequent blue screen of death (BSoD) errors.
An efficient PSU uses less energy and generates less heat, which can improve the longevity of your computer’s components. It also helps you save on electricity bills.