Hardware is the physical items that make up your computer. Items such as the Monitor (Screen), Speakers, Printer, mouse, scanner, and the computer itself are all part of the hardware.
What are the most important components in my system?
Computer systems can have many different components depending on what you are doing with them. But there are three specific parts that really make a system what it is. These parts are the Processor, RAM, and hard drive. These three components determine the overall performance of a system.
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is also called the Processor. This is what processes the information. As you use software, say a typewriting program, your system must watch what you are doing and then process the information. This is sometimes referred to as Input / Output. You put the information in, then it returns the information to you on the screen.
The RAM is the Memory of the Computer. This is where all data is held while it is being processed. The more RAM you have the more "elbowroom" the Processor has to work with. The amount of Memory you have also determines how many programs you can run simultaneously. The programs open on the desktop are called task. After you place your typewriter, calculator, Rolodex, and an encyclopedia on the desktop, the computer may not have enough memory left to start another task.
The Hard drive is your storage. It is like a File Cabinet that holds all your programs and all the files you create. Not to confuse, but the hard drive can also act like virtual memory. When the RAM is full, programs may then start using the Hard drive as temporary Memory.
Could you give me a few examples of these three major components?
Sure, lets start with the Processor. The larger the processor the more things it can be processing at the same time. Let’s say two people work at an office. One can do three things at once, and the other can only do one thing at a time. The first person processes her work faster than the second person. Thus the faster the processor, the quicker it can get the work done.
This also brings up the idea of stamina. Programs come in all sizes. Some take a lot of power to make them work. You might think of a trailer (the program) being pulled by a car. A car with a larger motor has more stamina, and will probably get to the top of the hill; to where a car with a smaller motor may not make it up the hill. Here is a chart that give a processor to engine ratio (this is only an analogy).
One final example to pull them all together: Think of the Processor as a Train Station. All information/data must go through the station. The RAM is the rail road tracks and the trains are the programs. When a train is on the track, that means a program is running. If a program is not running, it is stored in a large warehouse. This warehouse is the Hard Drive. This is also where all your Data is stored.
Tell me about
the other components in my system.
Many of the components you have in your system are flat electronic boards that are specialized to each component that plugs into your system. These boards are called cards. For example, you have a video card that tells the monitor what to display. You have a sound card that tells the speakers what noise to make. You have a modem that allows you to dial the Internet. For most everything that connects to the back of your system, there is a corresponding component inside the system. All the cards plug into one main board called the Mother Board. In addition, the Processor and all the Drives plug into the Mother Board. Click here for Illustration.
Where are all these wires going to in the back of my computer case?
Many of the cards you have inside your computer stick out the backside of the computer case. Each card has a port (plug in) that is unique to a specific cable. Some ports have 9 pins or pin holes some have 15 pins or pin holes, and some go all the way to 25 pins or pin holes. About the only item in your system that may be confusing is the Sound card. This may have several "head phone" size jacks for speakers, microphone etc. Newer systems usually have some type of labeling system to tell you where things go. However, the size and shape of the port should be a good indication as to where everything is plugged in.