Whats inside of a computer ?

What is inside my computer and how do these parts work to make it do what it does?

This can and is a fairly involved process but in this Blog it will try to be explained as simply put as it can. Now, for the most part every computer, laptop or system has basic parts inside that remain the same. What separates them is really how the manufacture sets them up.

The main parts are:

• Power Supply

System board, main board or mother board

• Video card
• Processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• Memory
• CMOS Battery
• Fan(s)
• Hard drive
• Ethernet port
• USB
• Phone/Modem

Now to see what each of these parts does. The power supply is just that, a power supply. It will convert the power from the wall outlet to what the varied parts need inside the computer as the computer can’t use the normal amount of power coming from the wall.

Next in line is the processor. This is the main part of the computer. It takes and processes the information into what we need or what we want the computer to do. It will take the information and make it into something that at times is understandable. It will take the varied commands from us the user; process that information into the command we ask it to do.

Next is the memory. The memory inside our computer helps the Processor or CPU with our daily use. Memory is sort of like a dam inside our computer. It holds and buffers the information that as a user is used the most. The memory will hold our most used commands and help the processor or CPU use that. Like almost everything, bigger at times is better, and if the system can hold or use large amounts of memory it will help in the long run with the use of the system.

CMOS is the part of the system board that remembers how the computer starts and runs as well as the time and date of your system and what is used to start with, like the hard drive or CD.  This is a part that normally is never seen by the normal user and could be considered one of the most critical. If this starts to go bad, it can cause numerous errors on start up.

Next in line is the fan(s). While this may not seem very important, they are. With the large systems we have now a computer system generates a lot of heat. The motherboard, processor and memory need to be kept cool at all times. This is why a laptop cooling fan is recommended for a laptop. It can depend on how it is made but a system can have multiple fans inside of the computer. Normally it will have one for the power supply, one for the processor and one for the system itself. Most are quite and will normally never be heard in daily use. If the system gets to hot, it can cause the system to shut down to protect it from harm.

The hard drive is where all the information is kept. Like the operating system, files and more. Again, these come in multiple sizes and styles. What size is needed or used is really up to the user. If the user only needs to check emails or basic things, a smaller hard drive will work. However, if you use or have large files, larger hard drive one or multiple ones are better.

Ethernet port is simply put where you plug the cable in for your internet. Most are fairly simple things that rarely go bad but are needed for the internet use. The speed is normally the same for all systems and will not change much. Although internet speeds are changing, it won’t affect your system. One quick note on Ethernet or internet ports. In a storm this is another way lightning can strike your system besides the power supply.

USB ports are what are needed for various external devices such as external hard drives, printers, scanners and more. Most USB ports can handle over 100 devices through each port. If they are used or not are up to the user of the system on how or if they are used.

Last is one that is changing is the phone or modem port. Laptops no longer come with these installed as hardly anyone uses them for internet use as they once did. They have been replaced with the internet or Ethernet ports. Some desktops systems still have them for a Fax or back up way to get into the internet. You can also, like the internet, video card and other parts, install one as well. This is also another way lightning can enter your system in a storm.

I hope this answers some of your questions. And as always, you can contact us to ask more questions if you need to. We are here to help you any way we can.

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