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Discover the importance of recognizing main computer parts, from CPU to power supply. Essential for digital media professionals to make informed decisions when purchasing or upgrading equipment. Learn about components like motherboard, hard drive, RAM, and more.
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Computer Hardware The Basics
Why is this important? • To be able to recognize each of the main parts of a computer • As a professional in digital media it is essential that you understand the equipment you are working with on a daily basis • When you purchase or upgrade your computer you can make an informed intelligent decision.
CPU • Central Processing Unit)--The chip in a computer that has primary responsibility for interpreting commands and running programs.
Motherboard • The main circuit board of a computer.
Hard drive • A device used for storing large amounts of data for a computer that persist while the computer is turned off
CD ROM • Compact Disc Read Only Memory. A data storage system using CDs as the medium on which electronic data is etched and read by a laser beam.
RAM • random-access memory: the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on.
Heat sink • A heat sink is an object that absorbs and dissipates heat from another object using thermal contact (either direct or radiant). Heat sinks are used in a wide range of applications wherever efficient heat dissipation is required
Ribbon Cable • A type of cable in the computer that connects the drives to the motherboard. Flat with one wire on the edge colored in red.
Serial ATA Cable • The next generation connector is replacing the ribbon cable. • The new transfer rate is 300 MB/s versus 133 MB/s • Does not have pins that can be bent and only connects one way. • Increase airflow in the machine • Connects Hard drives and CD/DVD ROMS
Power Supply • (PSU) is the component that supplies power to a computer. More specifically, a power supply is typically designed to convert 100-120 V (North America and Japan) or 220-240 V (Europe) AC power from the mains to usable low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer.
Video Card • a piece of hardware installed into a personal computer to allow it to send video signals to an external output device such as a monitor or projector
USB Port • Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serialbus standard to interface devices to a host computer. USB was designed to allow many peripherals to be connected using a single standardized interface socket.
Firewire Port • The IEEE 1394 interface is a serial businterface standard for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer, frequently used by personal computers
LAN Port or Network Interface • This port enables your computer to be connected to a network. • This is also the port that plugs into your cable modem.