Whether you’re an IT pro or just a responsible PC user, understanding computer hardware is essential. This includes the motherboard, which connects and allows communication between other components like RAM and storage drives.
The CPU solves the complex algorithms that make your programs and applications work, while the video card handles visual processing. The hard disk drive stores data on physical discs, while the newer solid-state drives use chips.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the hub that holds the other components of your computer in place. Everything connects to the motherboard in one way or another, from USB ports to the central processing unit and more.
It provides and distributes electricity optimally, meaning the components get exactly what they need and nothing more. That’s why the motherboard is a necessity for every computer.
Like a backbone, nervous system and circulatory system all-in-one, or for a geekier analogy, the black lion from Voltron, the motherboard holds all the pieces of your computer together. It takes input from a mouse and keyboard, processes that information and sends out signals for the rest of the hardware to follow. It also handles memory, hard drives and other peripherals. Motherboards come in different forms, but all provide the same basic functionality.
CPU
The brain of your computer is the central processing unit (CPU), a tiny but mighty chip that interprets and executes all those complicated algorithms and programs to make your laptop or desktop computer work. CPUs are also found in other modern devices, like smartphones or smart washing machines.
A CPU has billions of transistors that perform complex calculations. Each instruction that the CPU executes gets processed by a specialized circuit called an arithmetic logic unit (ALU).
The ALU uses inputs like the data word to be operated on, status information from previous operations, and code from the control unit to decide what operation to perform. A CPU’s speed and power significantly impact the performance of your computer. A fast CPU enables you to surf the web faster and run software programs more quickly.
Graphics Card
The graphics card adds power to a computer’s basic graphics processing capabilities, allowing it to handle on-screen video and animation smoothly. It also works in tandem with the central processor unit to process graphics-heavy computational tasks, like gaming and video editing.
Most PCs ship with integrated graphics cards, which are built into the motherboard. Dedicated graphics cards, on the other hand, connect to the motherboard via an expansion slot. Dedicated graphics cards are usually much faster than their integrated counterparts.
Whether you’re shopping for a new desktop or laptop, look for a graphics card with at least 4 gigabytes of video random access memory (VRAM). This should be enough to play most games at high settings. The amount of VRAM you need will depend on the resolution and graphical details you prefer.
Hard Drive
An internal hard disk drive is the main storage device that holds applications, files and other data. It is often the largest component in a PC, providing users with gigabytes and even terabytes of space to store their files.
HDDs use magnetic polarities on spinning discs, called platters, to store information. When the computer wants to read a file, it asks the hard drive’s controller for the platter location and the position of its reading arm. The controller then interprets the polarities as binary data – 0s and 1s that tell the read/write head to move to that location.
Most modern hard drives have a form factor that is smaller than the original 3.5-inch version, making them more compact in size. They are also capable of storing more data than earlier versions, with current storage capacities in the terabyte range.
Memory
A random-access memory (RAM) device keeps important currently-used data and codes on standby, loading them instantly when programs are opened. It’s like a high-speed workbench for the CPU, helping your PC multitask and handle demanding applications.
Other hardware components include storage devices that install and save files, such as hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). They store data in nonvolatile, permanent memory banks, which keep files safely stored even when you turn off your computer.
Peripherals are external devices that connect to the computer using USB ports or other inputs. Examples include printers, external disk drives, USB flash drives, and memory cards, which allow users to transfer information between devices. Some peripherals also support auxiliary functions, such as the heat sink that draws heat away from internal components to regulate their temperature.