Component Profiles
Each part of the computer has an important role to play in the complete computer system. Knowing what each component does individually and the part it plays in the computer system is important when undertaking any kind of repair or upgrade.
Profile: Case
The case is the usually plastic or metal housing that contains the computer's main parts such as the motherboard, hard drive, video card and more.
The case is the usually plastic or metal housing that contains the computer's main parts such as the motherboard, hard drive, video card and more.
Profile: Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is often called the "brains" behind the computer. It is responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer's hardware and software.
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is often called the "brains" behind the computer. It is responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer's hardware and software.
Profile: Floppy Disk Drive
The floppy disk drive reads data from and writes data to a small disk. The most common type is the 3.5" drive followed by the completely obsolete 5.25" drive, among other sizes.
The floppy disk drive reads data from and writes data to a small disk. The most common type is the 3.5" drive followed by the completely obsolete 5.25" drive, among other sizes.
Profile: Hard Disk Drive
The hard disk drive is the main, and usually largest, data storage device in a computer. The operating system, software titles and most other files are stored in this device.
The hard disk drive is the main, and usually largest, data storage device in a computer. The operating system, software titles and most other files are stored in this device.
Profile: Keyboard
The keyboard is an input device designed to enter text, characters and other commands into the computer.
The keyboard is an input device designed to enter text, characters and other commands into the computer.
Profile: Monitor
The monitor displays the video and graphics information generated by the computer through the video card. Monitors are very similar to televisions but display information in much higher quality.
The monitor displays the video and graphics information generated by the computer through the video card. Monitors are very similar to televisions but display information in much higher quality.
Profile: Motherboard
The motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer. It provides a way to for all of the various parts of the system to communicate with the CPU and with each other.
The motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer. It provides a way to for all of the various parts of the system to communicate with the CPU and with each other.
Profile: Mouse
The mouse is an input device designed to manipulate objects on the computer screen.
The mouse is an input device designed to manipulate objects on the computer screen.
Profile: Optical Disc Drive
An optical disc drive is any storage device that uses light and optical discs to store or retrieve information. Common types include CD and DVD drives.
An optical disc drive is any storage device that uses light and optical discs to store or retrieve information. Common types include CD and DVD drives.
Profile: Power Supply
The power supply's job is to convert the power provided from the outlet into useable power for the many parts inside the computer case.
The power supply's job is to convert the power provided from the outlet into useable power for the many parts inside the computer case.
Profile: Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random Access Memory (RAM) is the "working memory" in a computer. Additional RAM allows a computer to work with more information at the same time which can have a dramatic effect on total system performance.
Random Access Memory (RAM) is the "working memory" in a computer. Additional RAM allows a computer to work with more information at the same time which can have a dramatic effect on total system performance.
Profile: Sound Card
The sound card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send audio information to any compatible audio device such as a set of speakers.
The sound card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send audio information to any compatible audio device such as a set of speakers.
Profile: Video Card
The video card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor or projector.
The video card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor or projector.
What is a UPS?
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is primarily used to provide a backup power source to the parts in the computer case, the monitor, and any other device plugged in to the UPS.
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is primarily used to provide a backup power source to the parts in the computer case, the monitor, and any other device plugged in to the UPS.