Computer hardware is what makes your PC a machine. Whether you’re planning an upgrade or simply want to know what goes into a system, understanding these pieces can help you decipher company buzzwords and eBay/Craigslist ad hype from the cold, hard facts.
The motherboard is like the pipes and powerlines under a city connecting everything together; it transfers data, delivers power, and serves as a standardized foundation for each component.
Motherboard
The Motherboard is the backbone of your computer system. The motherboard takes the power from your computer’s power supply and distributes it to the other components of your computer.
It has space for memory modules, also known as RAM, which helps your computer store and retrieve information quickly. The Motherboard also has a socket for the central processing unit (CPU), which processes data and instructions from your computer.
The Motherboard includes a BIOS chip that works with the CPU to get your computer up and running. It also includes expansion slots, which allow you to add additional hardware to your computer.
Processor
The processor is the brain behind all the calculations and tasks that make computers tick. Also known as the microprocessor, it’s usually found on a motherboard or in a separate chip. It handles all general computing functions and coordinates tasks done by other components such as memory, video, disk storage, and more.
CPUs come in different types based on the needs of users. Some are built to handle everyday computing while others can perform more demanding tasks like pro gaming and video editing. There are also processors with multiple cores that work independently to improve performance.
Memory
A computer’s main memory consists of silicon chips that store and retrieve information very quickly. It’s a bit like the temporary memory you have in your brain. Computers use it to help process the information they’re working on, and it can feed data to a processor faster than storage devices (like hard drives or solid-state drives) can.
The speed of system RAM is rated in megahertz (MHz). It’s important to buy the fastest and widest memory possible for your system, as it can boost performance significantly.
Graphics Card
GPUs are the brains that create the visuals we see on our computer screens. They can be either discrete or integrated. Integrated GPUs are built into the motherboard and cannot be replaced or upgraded. They are used in most laptops and are also found in some desktop PCs.
The GPU performs complex mathematical and geometric calculations needed for 3D rendering. It turns the information sent from the CPU into a pixelated image on your monitor and sends it back to the CPU for display. Technologies such as SLI and Crossfire allow multiple GPUs to process images simultaneously, increasing processing power. Multiple GPUs are also used on supercomputers to accelerate video,[79] on workstations for VFX and 3D rendering,[80] and in AI to expedite training.
Hard Drive
Hard drives store your digital data, including documents, music, pictures, videos and programs. They are available in a wide range of sizes and storage capacities from a few gigabytes to several terabytes.
They use a read/write head to magnetically record data on platters, organized as tracks and sectors. A small arm holds the head, and it can move from the hub to the edge of the disk as fast as 50 times per second.
A physical failure of the drive can result from a variety of factors, such as wear and tear or a hard impact. Logical failure can result from malware and viruses, human error, or corrupted files.
Sound Card
A sound card is one of the most important components that your PC uses for audio processing. It takes over the specialized job of parsing digital signals into quality audio, from music to the exploding gunfire in your video games.
The card contains a digital-to-analog converter and an analog-to-digital converter, along with chips that lessen the load on your computer’s CPU. It also includes a preamp to boost and control the signal levels. It installs in a dedicated slot on the motherboard or in a USB adapter. Most cards come with a driver and other low-level software that makes it work properly with your operating system.
Network Interface Card
A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a circuit board that helps computers connect to the internet. It is commonly found as a built-in style in most modern motherboards, but server network cards can also be inserted into expansion slots.
The NIC contains an Ethernet port where an RJ-45 cable can be connected, which allows the computer to communicate with other network devices. The NIC can also include LED indicators to display its connection and activity status.
Depending on the type of NIC, it may support different network media and network protocols. For example, some NICs are compatible with twisted copper cabling while others support wireless Ethernet networks using electromagnetic waves.