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Computer Hardware. The Basics. Overview. Why is this important?. To be able to recognize each of the main parts of a computer As a professional in digital media it is essential that you understand the equipment you are working with on a daily basis
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Computer Hardware The Basics
Why is this important? • To be able to recognize each of the main parts of a computer • As a professional in digital media it is essential that you understand the equipment you are working with on a daily basis • When you purchase or upgrade your computer you can make an informed intelligent decision.
CPU • Central Processing Unit)--The chip in a computer that has primary responsibility for interpreting commands and running programs.
Motherboard • The main circuit board of a computer.
Hard drive • A device used for storing large amounts of data for a computer that persist while the computer is turned off
CD ROM • Compact Disc Read Only Memory. A data storage system using CDs as the medium on which electronic data is etched and read by a laser beam.
RAM • random-access memory: the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on.
Heat sink • A heat sink is an object that absorbs and dissipates heat from another object using thermal contact (either direct or radiant). Heat sinks are used in a wide range of applications wherever efficient heat dissipation is required
Ribbon Cable • A type of cable in the computer that connects the drives to the motherboard. Flat with one wire on the edge colored in red.
Serial ATA Cable • The next generation connector is replacing the ribbon cable. • The new transfer rate is 300 MB/s versus 133 MB/s • Does not have pins that can be bent and only connects one way. • Increase airflow in the machine • Connects Hard drives and CD/DVD ROMS
Power Supply • (PSU) is the component that supplies power to a computer. More specifically, a power supply is typically designed to convert 100-120 V (North America and Japan) or 220-240 V (Europe) AC power from the mains to usable low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer.
Video Card • a piece of hardware installed into a personal computer to allow it to send video signals to an external output device such as a monitor or projector
USB Port • Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serialbus standard to interface devices to a host computer. USB was designed to allow many peripherals to be connected using a single standardized interface socket.
Firewire Port • The IEEE 1394 interface is a serial businterface standard for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer, frequently used by personal computers
LAN Port or Network Interface • This port enables your computer to be connected to a network. • This is also the port that plugs into your cable modem.