CPU
The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is a piece of hardware that carries out the instructions of a computer program. It performs the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of a computer system. The CPU is like the brains of the computer goes through the CPU.
The CPU is sometimes also referred to as the central processor unit, or processor for short. When we start to look at the various components of a CPU and how they function, remember that this is all about speed. When we use a computer, we want the instructions to be carried out very fast. As the instructions become more complicated (for example, creating a 3D animation or editing a video file), we demand more from the CPU. Thus, the technological advances we have seen in processor technology have largely been driven by the need for speed. Typical specifications: |
MOTHERBOARD
A motherboard holds together many of the crucial components of a computer, including the central processing unit (CPU), memory and connectors for input and output devices. In addition to circuits, a motherboard contains a number of sockets and slots to connect the other components.
The motherboard is a sheet of plastic that holds all the circuitry to connect the various components of a computer system. Learn how the motherboard functions to make all the other components work together. |
RAM
The random-access memory (RAM) is temporary memory to store instructions when the computer is on. Once you shut the machine down, the RAM is completely cleared out. RAM storage is common at eight, ten or twelve gigabytes.
Many people assume that adding RAM memory makes a PC significantly faster, and in some cases it does. On older systems with 2GB of RAM or less, adding RAM reduces the need for Windows to rely on “virtual memory” and does make the computer faster. Virtual memory makes it possible, for example, to have several heavyweight applications running at once, even if they won’t fit simultaneously in RAM. This rule is much less applicable today than it was a decade ago. Today, a new PC will come with multiple gigabytes of RAM, so Windows relies much less on virtual memory.
The question is: how much memory do you need to achieve peak performance without wasting money? During multi-apps test – which opens several major applications at once – the test system’s total RAM usage never topped 4GB. This means Windows didn’t need to fall back on virtual memory at any point. As such, installing more RAM would yield only a modest speed boost.
If your work is unusually demanding – such as processing 4K video files, or working with very large databases – you may well need more memory than this. However, the overall difference between a 4GB system and an 8GB one was only 3%.
Many people assume that adding RAM memory makes a PC significantly faster, and in some cases it does. On older systems with 2GB of RAM or less, adding RAM reduces the need for Windows to rely on “virtual memory” and does make the computer faster. Virtual memory makes it possible, for example, to have several heavyweight applications running at once, even if they won’t fit simultaneously in RAM. This rule is much less applicable today than it was a decade ago. Today, a new PC will come with multiple gigabytes of RAM, so Windows relies much less on virtual memory.
The question is: how much memory do you need to achieve peak performance without wasting money? During multi-apps test – which opens several major applications at once – the test system’s total RAM usage never topped 4GB. This means Windows didn’t need to fall back on virtual memory at any point. As such, installing more RAM would yield only a modest speed boost.
If your work is unusually demanding – such as processing 4K video files, or working with very large databases – you may well need more memory than this. However, the overall difference between a 4GB system and an 8GB one was only 3%.