Note: This material is provided for educational purposes only. Consult with a computer expert at MyCuredComputer for professional assistance and the best intended outcome.
A computer is a machine that does myriads of tasks. The computer has quickly become an essential part of our daily life and routine activities. Computers come in different sizes and specifications depending on the user’s need. Two main types of computers are portable and desktop.
But how does a computer work? One way to better understand this is by knowing its different hardware and software components and their respective functions. Let us go ahead and take a look.
Hardware
- Case. This is where all parts reside. A desktop PC it comes in different sizes like micro tower, mini tower, mid tower, and full tower.
- Power Supply (PSU Power Supply Unit). This component supplies power to the rest of the computer parts. It comes with different wattage options to supply power to all devices in a computer.
- Motherboard. It acts as the backbone of a computer unit. This is where all components of the computer are connected.
- Processor (CPU or Central Processing Unit). It acts as the brain of a computer wherein it processes and performs commands and instructs the rest of the components to work their functions.
- Memory (RAM or Random Access Memory). It stores recently opened data, so that the CPU can easily access it. There are different types of RAM such as: SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM), RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM), DDR RAM (Double Data Rate RAM)
- Video Card. This is what sends graphics to the monitor. Most video cards are built into the motherboard; however those that are into multimedia and games generally chose to upgrade their video cards to accommodate their graphic demands.
- Sound Card. This is what sends sound to the speakers or accepts sound from the microphone.
- Hard Disk Drive. This is where software programs, files, music, documents, pictures, and videos are stored.
- Optical Drives. A device that uses a laser to read and/or write CDs and DVDs.
- Monitor. The computer screen that displays information, images, and characters generated and processed by the computer.
- Keyboard. Used to type commands into the computer.
- Mouse. A pointing device which allows computer users to perform different commands and operations. It generally consists of a left and right button that is used in different functions. It also can come with a scroll that is used in moving the page inside a window up, down, left and right.
- Speaker. Used to produce sounds from the computer.
Software
- Operating System. This is the main software that manages both applications and hardware of a computer.
- Word Processor. The application used in creating and typing documents
- Spreadsheets. It is used in working with financial data or anything related to numbers and used in creating graphs, and tables.
- Database. Used to store collection of data for organization purposes, easy access, and software programs.
- Presentation. Used to create moving or still graphics slides, formatted in a way that it can create a comprehensive layout of information.
- Communication Software. Generally tools that are used in receiving and sharing information from one computer to another. Some communication software uses the internet in communicating and sharing information with other computers.
- Internet browsers. Software that allows you to access websites and search/browse the web.
A computer generally consists of both hardware and software for it to work properly. This is only a basic overview of personal computer components.
