Super Cyber Cafe , Computer Sales & Services

14/11/2012

Central Processing Unit
The main components of a computer consist of four parts. They are processors, memory, input and output device and storage device. Processors do all the calculation to process the command provided by human operators. When we talk about the CPU, we actually mean the processor. The memory of a computer holds all important data including the commands we give to it.

RAM And ROM
Computer memory can be permanent or unstable. There are two types of memory such as RAM and ROM. In the RAM, data is stored permanently while Ram holds data for the time being. If the computer loses electricity power then the data stored into the RAM will be erased instantly. The command we give to the computer is usually hold into the RAM. This is why we have to provide the command again if the electricity is gone and the computer turns off.

Hard Disk
To hold the data permanently on computer, it needs an external memory which is basically the hard disk. It is the storage device that can hold millions of data used when necessary. When a data from hard disk is needed, it is loaded into the RAM for few moments to run the operation. Hard disk is placed in a secured place like the CPU.

CD And Floppy Discs
Hard disk cannot be removed from the CPU, but some storage device can be separated from the computer when they are not in use. Such storage devices are floppy disk and CDs found in every computer. When we need to use them, we put the CDs and Floppy disks into the drive and after use we can take them off. If these storage devices are kept in a safe place then they can be used for many years.

Input And Output Devices
The last hardware component to be discussed is the input and output devices. Input devices can be touch pads, keyboards, mouse, touch screen etc. We provide information to the computer using the input devices. Then they process result via output devices like computer screen, printers etc.

Computer hardware is vulnerable to dusts and other harmful instances. They should be kept out of magnetic fields and should be cleaned regularly.

A more detailed and easier explanation is included in the Computer Basics Ebook.

31/10/2012

10/10/2012

1) Screw holes for mounting the motherboard in the case. You may have to move the brass plugs on the case around in order to get them to line up with the motherboard’s screw holes.

2) Socket where the processor (CPU) gets plugged in

3) Screw holes where the CPU’s Heat sink attaches to motherboard

4) Empty slots where the RAM gets plugged in

5) The four empty SATA slots where the hard drive, DVD burner, and the case’s front e-sata port attach to the motherboard

6) IDE slot where an IDE hard drive or DVD burner would get attached to the motherboard. I didn’t use this.

7) IDE slot for attaching a floppy drive to the motherboard (I can’t believe they still put these slots on motherboards!). I, of course, didn’t use this.

8) Slots for attaching the USB ports on the front of the computer case; the USB ports at the back of the computer do not need to be attached as they are built into the motherboard. The case itself will come with the cables to attach to these slots.

9) The slot for attaching the audio output and input (headphones and Mic) jacks on the front of the computer case. The case itself will come with the cables to attach to these slots.

10) The CMOS battery that the motherboard uses to remember the BIOS settings (including the date and time). You can ignore this. People who over-clock their processors sometimes have to reset their BIOS by unplugging this battery.

11) Slot where the power supply plugs into the motherboard; this is how the motherboard gets its electricity.

12) Another slot where the power supply plugs into the motherboard; I believe this delivers electricity to the processor.

13) Slot where the heat sink fan gets plugged into the motherboard. You can also plug the heat sink fan directly into the power supply or into a fan controller that is plugged into the power supply.

14) A place for a case fan to be plugged into the motherboard. The motherboard can then control the speed at which the case fan spins. Some motherboards allow you to adjust this speed manually. You can also plug a case fan directly into the power supply or into a fan controller that is plugged into the power supply.

15) PCI-E slot for plugging in a video card

16) Two PCI slots for plugging in extra PCI cards (wireless cards, fire-wire ports, TV cards, etc.)

18) Front panel connections. This is where the little lights on the front of the case get plugged in. These are the lights that turn on when the computer is on and that blink when the hard drive is working. Very fancy. (The first time I built a computer I found plugging in these lights in to be the scariest and most confusing part. If I had understood what I was actually plugging in, I wouldn’t have been so worried.)

19) The north-bridge heat sink (I think). The chip under this block controls the motherboard’s on-board video. It gets hot. When you buy a motherboard, you want to make sure that this heat sink does not have any fans on it and that your CPU’s heat sink is not going to bump into it.

20) The south-bridge heat sink (I think). There’s another chip under here. I’m really not sure what it does.

21) A COM port. I really don’t know what you would plug in here. Just ignore it.

10/10/2012

First Look: MSI XPower X58 Big Bang Motherboard

10/10/2012

First Look: MSI XPower X58 Big Bang Motherboard