In this article I will be talking about all the components that make up a computer, it

takes a lot of components to make a computer run smoothly and these consist of a
CPU (Central processing unit), GPU (Graphics processing unit), the different memory
devices in a computer, different display devices, how sound is used on a computer
and what component is needed, game storage, connectivity, power source and
interfaces.
Motherboard: the Motherboard is a main circuit board that is the foundation of a
computer. Its located at the bottom of the computer case. Its connected to all of
the computer components and allows them to communicate and work together. It
powers the CPU, RAM and all other hardware components.

[1] [2] A CPU is known as a Central processing unit, this is the hardware within a
computer that carries out instructions for a computer program to perform tasks.
CPU's have changed over the years they are made stronger so they can carry out
tasks faster than the older CPU'S. Computers can have more than 1 CPU, This is
known as multiprocessing. The majority of modern computers and laptops use
Multiprocessing. Such as duel-core processors or quad-core, these are where
Multiple Processors are held on a single chip. These chips are called integrated
circuits.
Intel 4004: was a 4-bit CPU released by Intel in 1971, it was 1 of the 4 processing
chips constituting the MCS-4 chip-set, which included the 4001 ROM, 4002 RAM, and
4003 Shift Register. With these components small computers could be built.
Intel 8086: is a 16-bit processor designed by Intel in 1976. The Intel 8088, released
in 1979, was a slightly modified chip with an external 8-bit data bus. The 8086 gave
rise to the 86-bit, which turned out to be Intels most successful line of processors.
Modern computers today use Intel core i3, i5 or i7, some of these cores have 8

Processing units.

[3] GPU: also known as the graphics processing unit, its a specialized circuit
designed to alter memory to accelerate the creation of images. GPU's are used in
mobile phones, personal computers, and game consoles. Modern GPUs are very
good at manipulating computer graphics. GPUs are put on a video card, or placed
on the motherboard. The most popular types of GPU is made by NVidia.
NVidia made the worlds 1st GPU in 1999, this was the GeForce 256. It was a single
chip processor that had rendering engines that could process a minimum of 10

million polygons per second.

Memory:

[4]RAM: RAM stands for Random access memory, its a form

of memory storage. RAM allows fast access to small amounts of data, allowing
maximum efficiently. RAM is a volatile source of memory, this means that all data
stored in your RAM will be removed after your computer is shuts down. This means
you will have fresh RAM when you next turn on your computer. The RAM modules
are placed onto RAM sticks known as DIMMs, these are placed into a slot in the
motherboard.

ROM: ROM stand for Read-only memory, this is a type of built

in memory, the memory in ROM can only be read. ROM is mostly used for film ware
updates. An example of ROM is a cartridge used with game consoles, it allows you
to run multiple games on 1 system. The ROM is held in the BIOS connected to the
motherboard.

HDD: HDD stands for hard disk drive, the hard

drive is the computers main storage device that permanently stores all data on the
computer. Most computer hard drives are in an internal drive bay at the front of the
computer and connect to the motherboard using either an ATA, SCSI or SATA cable
and power cable.

SSD: SSD stands for Solid-State Drive/Disk, SSD is a

drive that uses non-volatile memory as a means of storing and accessing data.
Unlike any other storage device an SSD has no moving part, which gives it

advantages such as accessing stored information faster, produces no noise, more

reliable and consumes less power that the HDD.
FLASH: This is most likely a USB device, this device stores a small amount of data
that can be transported from one computer to another. They usually store small
amounts of data, enough to store school work.

[5][6]DISPLAY: A display device is and output device

that takes in information from the graphics card and outputs them as pixels on a
screen. Some display devices have touchscreen features, such as mobile screens
and some computer monitors. This is useful in some ways for computers as you will
not have to spend money on buying a mouse. This also allows for people to interact
with their computer. There are different types of display technology such as LCD
(liquid crystal display televisions) these are uses on some hand held consoles such
as the Nintendo DS. LEDs (Light emitting diode) this is what most modern screens
use because it has the highest quality visually.

[7]SOUND:
Sound card is referred to as a sound board or an audio card. A sound card is an
expansion card or Integrated circuit that provides a computer with the ability to
produce sounds that can be heard by the user either over speakers or headphones.
The sound card is connected to an expansion slot inside your computer and has
external slots to plug in speakers and other devices. The sound card is considered a
peripheral, although the computer doesnt need a sound card to work. But almost

every computer today has a sound card. A sound card has multiple audio jacks, they
are color coded. This is normally located at the back of the computer.
Digital out (white or yellow) used for surround sound or speakers.
Sound in or line in (blue) connection for external audio sources e.g. tape recorder,
CD player.
Microphone (pink) the connection for a microphone or head headphones.
Sound out or line out (green) the primary sound connection for your speakers or
headphones.
MIDI or Joystick (pin connector) used with earlier sound cards to connect to MIDI
keyboard or Joystick.
Uses of a computer sound card:

Games
Audio CDs and listening to music
Watch movies
Audio conferencing
Educational software
Record dictations
Voice recognition

[8]Connection:
A Wireless network interface card is used to connect to a radio based computer
network rather than a wire based network connection. A WNIC (Wireless network
interface card) is essential for wireless setups. This card uses an antenna to
communicate through microwaves. There are other ways to connect to the
internet, such as portable WNICs that are on USB looking devices that can plug
into the back of your computer. To connect to the internet you also need an

internet provider, this is usually supplied by your home telephone line, the most
popular being Virgin Media in the UK. You will need to have a wireless internet
box connected to your house, this then allows your WNIC to connect to the
internet wirelessly. Also you can connect to the internet wired, using an Ethernet
cable connecting from the internet box into the computer Ethernet port.

Game storage:
Games are stored on SSD cards as well as downloadable disks, these will be
placed into the disk tray of your computer and you will be allowed to download
the game that will then be stored onto your computer. You can also have games
stored on online marketing programs such as Steam, this allows you to buy
games and keep them in a game library that gives you easy access to games.

[9]Power source:
The power source is known as a Power supply unit (PSU) this converts the
alternating current (AC) line from your home power to the direct current (DC)
needed by your computer. This is the most important component of a computer
because without it you wouldnt be able to power your computer at all. The
power supply is visible from the back of most systems because it contains the
power cord.

Interfaces
Mouse: The mouse is one of the main Interfaces for a computer because without
it, you will find it very hard to roam your computer and press on programs,
unless you are using touchscreen. Mouse are one of the more accurate devices
used for gaming, it gives your precise accuracy, as well as being able to change
the speed you scroll with. Mouses can be wireless or wired, you have to plug a
wired mouse into your computer using a USB port. You connect a wireless mouse
by a wireless adapter USB.
Touch pad: A touch pad is the same thing as a mouse apart from being found on
a laptop, you use your fingers to scroll your mouse on the surface of the laptop,

you have two buttons connected to the touch pad to click. Touch pads are not as
liked as mouses because there isnt as much control.
Keyboard: The keyboard is just as important as the mouse because without it
you wouldnt be able to search the web, play games or use programs like Word.
These are connected wired or wirelessly just like the mouse. You connect the
keyboard though USB.
Controllers: You can use controllers to play games, most commonly used for
Shooters. These are connected using a USB device, and are only used for games.
You have less control than a mouse but a controller is more preferred than a
mouse because of comfort purpose.
(10) HCI: HCI stands for human computer interaction, and it is the uses and
interactions between a computer and the user. It is used a lot in social media
sites such as Facebook, you have to use HCI to post a status on Facebook or
Twitter. HCI can be any interaction between the computer and the user, such as
opening a google browser or opening notepad. There is voice interaction with
computers that allow the user to navigate around the computer. For example if
you ask a computer to search for something on google using voice command, it
will search for it. Another HCI is touchscreen, this allows the user to interact with
different types of games and computer layouts, touchscreen games would
involve dragging items and finding hidden items. Last of all Gestalt user
interface (GUI) allows the user to use their movements in real life to effect what
happens on the computer, such as eye toy for the Playstation 2. You would have
to physically move around to play a game. This type of interaction allows people
to play games and stay healthy, this is why the Nintendo Wii was a big hit.
Conclusion:
Computer parts are always being updated because everyone want a better and
faster computer, also as other consoles and hand held devices are advancing in
technology, computers need to not get outdated and keep up with the
technology.

Bibliography

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_4004
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_processing_unit
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid-crystal_display
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card
[8] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_network_interface_controller
[9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply_unit_(computer)
[10] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93computer_interaction
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