Joseph

Joseph-Building a PC

There were two main parts to this project:

• Research the parts of a computer and what they do
• Choose the specific parts of a computer to buy and put together

Parts of a Computer

Motherboard:

• PCI Slots: (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Where the graphics card and other such extras are connected.
• Memory Slots: Where you place the RAM.
• Back Panel Connector:

Contains many different connections to the computer such as USB Ports

• Firewire: Extra efficient connection to the motherboard
• CPU Socket: Where the processor is placed
• Main Power Connector: Where the power supply is plugged in.

File:Https://ist94.wikispaces.com/file/view/motherboard.jpg

CPU:Central Processing Unit

• Computational engine: Does all the algorithms required to run a computer

Underside of the CPU contains hundreds of pins

• Socket types:
  • LGA: (Land grid array) has many different pins that make contact with the underside of the CPU
  • PGA: (Pin grid array) Has sockets that the underside of the CPU is inserted into

RAM(Random Access Memory)

data is temporarily stored while in use by the processor

Information is more readily processed with increasing amounts of ram for instant access

All memory on RAM is erased when the computer is powered down

Graphics card

Takes information from the CPU and displays that in the pixels of the monitor

A graphics card contains

• RAM: temporarily stores information for graphics
• graphics processing unit (GPU): like a CPU, does all the complex calculations to produce an image
• a BIOS chip (input/output): stores basic settings

Power Supply

The power supply does exactly what the name suggests: it supplies power to all the components in the computer

Actual wattage of the power supply varies and how much power you need depends on the parts you get

Memory: Hard drives and Solid state drives

Computer’s main memory

Where information is stored long term

Hard drive: Circular disk that spins as a laser reads information off of it

Solid state drive: no moving parts, more reliable, faster at accessing data and it uses less power.