Sunday, May 31, 2009

Computer Hardware Parts

The Motherboards
The principal part of a cheap computer is the motherboard; like many other things, motherboards have different manufacturers. Brand-name manufacturers of computer hardware parts don’t want users swapping their motherboard for other manufacturer’s motherboards.
If you have a brand-name computer you may be required to purchase a new motherboard from the same manufacturer.
with a lot of information regarding the choice of a new motherboard, The motherboards guide is the place to start shopping.
Computer Processor Guide
First microprocessor (INTEL 4004) was invented in 1971. The processor (CPU: for Computer Processing unit) is the brain of the computer, it is the microprocessor that carries out all calculations and carries out the data management for the computer.
Two principal manufacturers of computer hardware parts are present on the market: INTEL and AMD. click on the computer processor guide to compare them and view some useful information on how the processor works.
The Hard Drive guide
Hard drives are computer hardware parts being used to store the data in a permanent way. It is where all your software like Ms Office and other programs are stored. Nowadays hard drive does not cost a lot.
Contrary to the random access memory (RAM), the data in the hard drive is not erased each time the computer is restart. This is why one speaks sometimes about mass memory to indicate the hard drive.
The Memory RAM: cheap computers RAM
RAM: Random Access Memory
All the programs in the computer are running in a special place called RAM. It is the main memory of the system, i.e. it is about a space making it possible to store in a temporary way the data during the execution of a program because the time required to read and write the information into the hard disk is to slow for today’s programs and CPUs.
More RAM you have on your computer more programs you can load at the same time and especially more quickly they will be executed. When the RAM memory is saturated, the data are then stored on the hard disk (one speaks then about memory swap or virtual memory). However, the hard disk is much slower than the RAM. The access time of the hard disk is approximately 8.5 milliseconds (10-3 s) whereas for the RAM it is about 10 nanoseconds (10-9 s).
Types of memory RAM
SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module): they are printed circuits of which only one of the faces has memory chips.

DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module) are 64 bits memories, which explain why it is not necessary to pair them. DIMM memory have memory chips on both sides of the printed circuit and also have 84 connectors on each side, which equips them with a total of 168 pins.

Note: Information stored in RAM memory is erased each time the computer is reboot. It is important to save your work very often if you do not want to lose data in the event of unexpected freezing of the computer or power failure. I recommend you to buy a
The floppy drive
Floppy disk drives (FDD) are computer hardware parts primary mean of adding data to a computer until the CD-rom became popular. In fact, FDDs have been a key component of most personal computers for more than 20 years.
Basically, a floppy disk drive reads and writes data to a small, circular piece of metal-coated plastic similar to audio cassette tape. To protect it from dust and physical damage, disks are packaged in a plastic case.
Graphic card
Graphic cards, sometimes called video card, are computer hardware parts charged to send the graphic data to the monitor.
The best graphic card is the AGP but your motherboard must be equipped with an AGP expansion slot. Powerful graphic card is important for graphic designers and people who like to play game on their computer because they provide good resolution. The AGP is not necessary for everyday tasks.
Sound card
Sound cards are computer hardware parts that allow you to listen to music on your computer. Unless you need a sound card for special use, a good sound blaster card should suit you well.