Week 2 - Major Internal Components of a Computer

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What is inside your Computer Cabinet??

Motherboard:  Your motherboard is the most important part of your computer.  This is because it is the piece that ALL of the components connect to.  Without it, it would be just a box full of spare parts.  Its a circuit board that allows the components to talk or communicate with each other.  The motherboard has specific "ports" or plugs on the inside and outside that allow for different pieces to be connected.  Outside connections include an Ethernet port, mouse, speaker, or mic port, the power cord, and USB ports, for example.  The inside ports are explained with each piece of equipment below.  Also attached to the motherboard are expansion slots to add video cards and RAM slots used to attach the memory sticks.  (Image Source: https://www.houkconsulting.com/2017/03/standard-computer-components/)

Power Supply:  This device is what supplies power to all of the internal components of your computer.  If you are using a laptop, then this supplies power to a battery to charge it before it supplies power to the internal components.  Based on the number of components and the plan of use for this computer, would determine the amount of power needed that is supplied internally. (Image Source: https://www.houkconsulting.com/2017/03/standard-computer-components/)

Central Processing Unit (CPU):  The CPU is basically the "brain" of the computer.  It allows the computer to process all of the functions that the computer trying to carry out.  There are different speeds and brands such as Intel and AMD.  This small component does a lot and produces a lot of heat.  The CPU is usually covered by a heat sink and fan that help to dissipate the heat away from the component so that it can function properly and not melt.  This has to be kept dust free and should be inspected often.  (Image Source: https://www.houkconsulting.com/2017/03/standard-computer-components/)

Hard Drive:  This device is the primary source to store all of your programming and files.  It comes in many forms (e.g., Blu-ray, CD-ROM, DVD, floppy drive, hard drive, and SSD) and is where the memory pulls the information needed to process and calculate what it needs to do.  Most standard drives are a spinning disk that has an arm that moves back and forth, reading and writing information quickly.  Even though these drives are getting faster and faster all the time, the SSD or Solid State Drive is the newest and fastest on the market.  It allows for the data to be stored like a flash drive without any spinning parts.  It is also the most expensive to use.   (Image Source: https://www.houkconsulting.com/2017/03/standard-computer-components/)