One of the biggest problems with which we have in-depth knowledge of an extremely technical subject is that what seems everyday to us may sound like it came from another planet to the rest of the people. That is why we have thought of a guide so that you can get to know the different components of a computer, so that you can get a general idea of how they work.
All components of a computer are based on the same architecture
When we talk about architecture we refer to the organization and interaction of the different elements in a system. Just as the parts of a car or any other machine only work as such, if they are organized in a specific way, when we talk about a computer it is exactly the same. And it is that aside from the fact that a computer today does not use mechanical elements, but electronics, this is still a machine and an evolution of the already disappeared mechanical calculators of the early twentieth century.
The architecture used by all home computers today is called the Von Neumann architecture, which consists of a central processor that we also know as a CPU, RAM, and a series of peripherals. Which can be internal and included in the same circuitry of the computer or inside the box or be totally external. Let’s see, therefore, a summary of the most basic.
What are the components of a computer?
In general, components are considered to be all those that go inside the PC case and are not connected externally. So while the keyboard, mouse, and even the monitor are essential to PC use, they’re generally not considered components of a computer and are listed in the peripherals section. Although it should be noted that in many categorizations both are placed together, we believe that it is much better to separate the internal components of a computer from its external peripherals. So some components like the graphics card, for example, you are also going to see them as peripherals. Since these connect to one of the expansion ports that are found both internally and externally on the computer.
So in short, in the same way that the RAM and the processor are connected to their corresponding sockets inside the computer for its operation and interaction with the rest.
The processor or CPU
It is the central piece of the computer, hence it is called the central processing unit and its job is to run the programs continuously and manage interaction with peripherals and other computer components. But what is a program? It is a list of things to do or instructions that the processor itself executes and that are encoded in binary format. Each instruction contains the action and the data on which it is applied and we have to take into account that all the programs that we execute in our computer are nothing more than a set of ones and zeros that are executed in the CPU.
Just like a fuel engine, it follows a series of times or steps to convert gasoline or diesel into power to move the engine. In the case of CPUs, these for each instruction that they have to process follow a series of basic steps that they carry out with each instruction of the program that they are executing. This is called the Fetch-decode-execute cycle. Regardless of the processor we are talking about, it happens in all of them without reference.
Thus, the CPU is a machine in itself that is responsible for executing what we call a program, which is a list of things to do encoded in binary, which the processor itself understands and is used to solve a specific problem in that same moment.
the graphics card
Its job is to free the processor from having to display and calculate the graphics on the screen or monitor. Today they use their own type of processor that we call GPU and that in complexity is almost as powerful as a central processor. So much so that today part of the programs are not executed on the processor, but on the GPU of the graphics card.
This brings with it its own RAM memory and we can find it in the form of an expansion card or within the processor itself. In that case it is called integrated or iGPU and it does not have its own memory, but rather shares it with the processor. In the market we can find a wide range of graphics cards with various power levels and designed to work at different resolutions.
RAM memory
Computer programs have a particularity, they do not work randomly, but often have conditions and jumps. This means that at any time they can tell the processor to jump to a previous or random line of code due to a specific condition. Therefore, access to data stored in memory must not only be accessed sequentially and in order, but also randomly.
This is where the RAM comes in, which temporarily stores and while the computer is on, all programs and data with which the processor has to execute. It is, therefore, one of the most fundamental computer components. And in PC we cannot find them surrounding the CPU with which they have direct communication, either in the form of DIMM modules or as circuits soldered to the same board.
Motherboard
This is the board on which all the components of the computer are connected, whether they are memories, expansion cards, the processor itself and even the power supply. So it is the general hub of the computer and on which the rest of the components are mounted.
Its job is therefore the intercommunication between the different components that are connected to it, as well as the distribution of their energy that comes from the power supply. Due to the fact that new processors and technologies are appearing, the motherboards are renewed along with the processors and RAM memories and evolve over time with them.
The storage
Since RAM can’t hold data when it’s turned off, it needs a media to store it for later retrieval when it’s turned on again, so storage is an essential component of a computer. Since without it, when we turn it off, we would lose all our work. That is why a computer has various ways of storing information in perpetuity.
Currently, the most used storage media as components of a computer are hard drives and solid state drives. In some computers you usually see external disk reading units. Today in the luck of MicroSD slots, although rather in the latter case the cards with which they interact are considered peripherals rather than components as they are external. In the same way, despite the fact that they are also considered storage, all those external units are not considered components of a computer, for what we have mentioned before. They do not connect to the internal connections or ports of the computer.
the power supply
It is surely the most essential of all, since without the power supply (also called PSU) or transformers that are responsible for converting the electricity that comes from the outlet, or from the battery if we use a laptop, we would not be able to use our computer.
There are many types and sizes, from very small ones with a few tens of watts of power and used in very light laptops to internal power supplies that can range from 500W to 2000W. or more.
Other computer components integrated on the motherboard
Due to the evolution of technology, there are many elements that have been integrated into the motherboard itself. A few years ago, having any of these elements required expansion cards. They can be found on the market, but they are already intended for extensions or to obtain better performance at a given time. The components integrated in the motherboards are the following:
- Sound card
- Network card
- USB ports
- video outputs
- Thunderbolt Posts
