Basic Computer Components

Photo above by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash

The CPU

CPU is a term that stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU plays a very pivotal role in the operation of a computer. It serves the main unit in a computer for processing requests. It is always receiving information known simply as input. The info is then processed and given back as some form of output to the user whether its through an application or displayed directly to the screen.

Inside the CPU itself is at least one processor which is the actually piece that is performing all the tasks that is requested of it. Today it is common to see CPUs with 2 and 4 processing cores inside though there are some with more. The different processing cores allow the computer to handle multiple tasks at once.

RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile type of memory used in computers meaning that the memory is lost once the computer is powered off. As seen above RAM today is stored on a long thin chip that connects to the motherboard. Most today DIMMs ( Dual-inline memory modules).

There are also two main types of RAM being Dynamic RAM and Static RAM. Dynamic RAM is more commonly used because it is cheaper than its counter part. It in order to operate has to constantly rewrite any data currently saved on it every few milliseconds. SRAM does not have to go through this process of constant refreshing. Its used for cache data often and because its not constantly refreshing it is much faster than DRAM.

Hard Drives

The Hard Disk Drive is what stores all the information on your computer. The data itself is stored on a disk inside the case. This disk spins at a high RPM allowing for the access to information anywhere along the disk upon request. Being that the information is stored using magnetism, it allows it to stay there even after the computer has been powered off.

Monitor

The monitor is a piece of that allows the user to interact with the computer, with the help of the keyboard and mouse as well. Previously monitors were made using CRT displays which were a bit big and clunky therefore, occupied rather large amounts of space. More modern monitors use a variety of displays whether its LED LCD or OLED. These are all flat screen type displays thought and allow the user to have much more space to put to use.

Sources

techterms.com/definition/ram
techterms.com/definition/cpu
techterms.com/definition/harddrive
techterms.com/definition/monitor