Here we list all the parts of the "box" of the computer, which is usually called CPU (In other countries it can mean processor or Central Unit Processor). Let's say it's the most important part of any computer, that's where the data is stored, where the calculations are made and where everything else connects.
Microprocessor (Also called CPU)
Microprocessor
The processor join to the motherboard and RAM is one of the essential pieces for a computer. It is usually a small square of silicon with many pins coated with gold that receives instructions, processes them and sends orders. Each processor has predefined instructions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, displacement ... etc. It has a small cache memory, which has very little capacity but is ultra fast. Maybe you could compare a processor with a factory, receive raw material and return finished product. Learn more about the processor here
The RAM is an intermediate memory that stores the data and intermediate instructions. Save for example a Word document while we edit it in the Office. It is the second fastest memory of the computer, after the cache memory. All the data that is saved there is erased when we turn off the device, unlike for example the hard disk. In the last years this memory has gone from having 256Kb to 16Gb. On the servers you can even find 64GB or 128GB of DDR3 ECC RAM. Learn more about RAM here..
The hard disk is another of the essential components of our computer system. It is usually an internal part of any computer, although in recent years the external format has become popular, basically the technology is the same. The "Hard Drive" by features is much slower than RAM, however it has much more capacity. Currently since 2015 you can easily find units of 4Tb-6Tb, the most common and economic is to have 1-2Tb. It is also the component that radically changes technology. Magnetic technology gradually gives way to the "solid" or "chemistry like SSD or Solid State Drive. Discover more about hard drives here..
A solid-state drive (SSD) is a new generation of storage device used in computers. SSDs replace traditional mechanical hard disks by using flash-based memory, which is significantly faster. Older hard-disk storage technologies run slower, which often makes your computer run slower than it should. SSDs speed up computers significantly due to their low read-access times and fast throughputs. Here’s all you need to know.
Optical readers were very popular in the past. Basically they are the ones that read all these DVD, CD or BluRay discs. Right now with the Internet very developed in many countries the disc reader is almost in disuse. Any information you can now download from the Internet or you can take it on a USB stick. Learn all about the CD player here.
The video card is the part of our computer that sends the video signal to our monitor or television. By itself it is practically a small computer since on the board it has a processor, RAM, BIOS, power inputs ... etc. They are essential for people who seek above all to play or edit video or 3D. If you want to know more, here we have written about the video cards, For more information click here..
Motherboard
Motherboard
This component, sometimes underrated, is as important as the processor. The motherboard synchronizes the operation of ALL the parts of a computer, 99% of the devices are connected there. If we compare the processor with a factory, the motherboard could be compared with the network of roads that surround it. It is a component that is manufactured thinking of a certain family of processors and with standards in mind. In fact the first thing we should choose when setting up a computer is the motherboard and then go looking if it supports certain devices or standards. For example how many video cards can we connect, if it has 2 or 1 network cards, if it supports ECC RAM (special memory for servers) ... etc. Discover more here.
RAM (Random access memory)
The RAM is an intermediate memory that stores the data and intermediate instructions. Save for example a Word document while we edit it in the Office. It is the second fastest memory of the computer, after the cache memory. All the data that is saved there is erased when we turn off the device, unlike for example the hard disk. In the last years this memory has gone from having 256Kb to 16Gb. On the servers you can even find 64GB or 128GB of DDR3 ECC RAM. Learn more about RAM here..Hard Drive
The hard disk is another of the essential components of our computer system. It is usually an internal part of any computer, although in recent years the external format has become popular, basically the technology is the same. The "Hard Drive" by features is much slower than RAM, however it has much more capacity. Currently since 2015 you can easily find units of 4Tb-6Tb, the most common and economic is to have 1-2Tb. It is also the component that radically changes technology. Magnetic technology gradually gives way to the "solid" or "chemistry like SSD or Solid State Drive. Discover more about hard drives here..Solid State Drive (SSD)
A solid-state drive (SSD) is a new generation of storage device used in computers. SSDs replace traditional mechanical hard disks by using flash-based memory, which is significantly faster. Older hard-disk storage technologies run slower, which often makes your computer run slower than it should. SSDs speed up computers significantly due to their low read-access times and fast throughputs. Here’s all you need to know.
Optical readers
Optical readers were very popular in the past. Basically they are the ones that read all these DVD, CD or BluRay discs. Right now with the Internet very developed in many countries the disc reader is almost in disuse. Any information you can now download from the Internet or you can take it on a USB stick. Learn all about the CD player here.The Video Card
The video card is the part of our computer that sends the video signal to our monitor or television. By itself it is practically a small computer since on the board it has a processor, RAM, BIOS, power inputs ... etc. They are essential for people who seek above all to play or edit video or 3D. If you want to know more, here we have written about the video cards, For more information click here..Power supply
The power supply unit is the piece of hardware that converts the power provided from the outlet into usable power for the many parts inside the computer case.It converts the alternating current from your wall outlet into a continuous form of power called direct current that the computer components require. It also regulates overheating by controlling voltage, which might change automatically or manually depending on the power supply. For more information click here..
Watch the following video where we can see all the detailed parts:
Evaluable Activity
In the next session, we will open a computer and see all its components. You have to take notes and made a MS Word with the following informatión:
Evaluación:
1.- Pasos realizados al desarmar/armar el ordenador: 3 puntos máximo.
Bastante detallado - 3 puntos
Medianamente detallado - 2 puntos
Únicamente nombrados - 1 punto
2.- Nombre y definición de los componentes encontrados: 3 puntos máximo
Nombres y detalles completos - 3 puntos
Nombres y detalle completos pero no de todos los componentes - 2 puntos
Nombres d los componentes - 1 punto
3.- Inclusión de imágenes: 3 puntos máximo
Todos los componentes tienen imágenes - 3 puntos
La mitad de los componentes con imágenes - 2 puntos
Algunos componentes con imágenes - 1 punto
4.- Presentación y formato - 1 punto
- All steps you did
- Name of all components
- Short review off all components
Evaluación:
1.- Pasos realizados al desarmar/armar el ordenador: 3 puntos máximo.
Bastante detallado - 3 puntos
Medianamente detallado - 2 puntos
Únicamente nombrados - 1 punto
2.- Nombre y definición de los componentes encontrados: 3 puntos máximo
Nombres y detalles completos - 3 puntos
Nombres y detalle completos pero no de todos los componentes - 2 puntos
Nombres d los componentes - 1 punto
3.- Inclusión de imágenes: 3 puntos máximo
Todos los componentes tienen imágenes - 3 puntos
La mitad de los componentes con imágenes - 2 puntos
Algunos componentes con imágenes - 1 punto
4.- Presentación y formato - 1 punto
