Computer Hardware Components for Desktop

MOTHERBOARD The Motherboard or also known as Main board MOBO (abbreviation) MB (abbreviation) System Board Logic Board

-is a piece of Computer Hardware that can be thought of as the “BACKBONE” of the PC. -meaning it serves to connect all of the parts of a computer together. Namely the CPU, Memory, Hard Drives, Optical Drives, Video Card, Sound Card and other ports and expansion cards.

Here are some Popular Motherboard Manufacturers: ASUS AOpen Intel ABIT MSI Gigabyte Biostar

These are the 4 types of Mother Boards: XT Motherboards -XT stands for “Extended Technology”, this are all old motherboard. Examples of this are for Pentium-I, Pentium MMX, Pentium-II and Pentium-II Processors

AT Motherboards -AT stands for “Advanced Technology”. Example of this is Pentium-III Processors

Baby AT Motherboards -The baby AT Motherboards has the combination of XT and AT. Example of this are: Pentium-III and Pentium-IV

ATX Motherboards -ATX stands for “Advanced Technology Extended”. -all latest motherboards are called as ATX motherboards. Example of this are: Pentium-IV, Dual Core, Core 2 Duo, Quad Core, i3, i5 and i7 Processors.

All of these latest processors are good for gaming but the kind of video card must need to be considered for its requirements. Too choose motherboards for gaming are optional in terms.  

RAM (Random Access Memory) Ram or Random access memory is the best known form of “Computer Memory” RAM is considered “random access” because you can access any memory cell directly if and only if “you know the row and column that intersect at that cell”.

Take note of this: Then what is a SAM? -SAM is the opposite of RAM -(SAM) stands for “Serial Access Memory”. -Sam stores data as a series of memory cells that can only be accessed “sequentially” like a cassette tape . It is different from RAM because RAM can be accessed in any order.

2 types of RAM: SD RAM -SD RAM stands for “Synchronize Dynamic Random Access Memory” . -SD RAM memory module has two Notches. This was used in Pentium-III and Pentium-III

DDR RAM -DDR RAM stands for “Double Data Rate Random Access Memory”. -DDR RAM memory module has a single Notch. -DDR RAM is twice the fast of SD RAM. Present DDR RAMs are 3 types: DDR-1 DDR-2 DDR-3 DDR-4 is in designing stage.

DDR RAM are used in Pentium-IV, Pentium-Celtran, Dual Core, Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 and Core 2 Quad.

HDD (Hard Disc Drive) What is an HDD? Take for HDD: -HDD stands for “Hard Disk Drive”. -The HDD is the main and usually the largest data storage device in a computer. Take for HDD: -The Hard Drive is sometimes referred to as the “C Drive” due to the fact the Microsoft Windows designates the “C” drive letter to the primary partition in a computer by default. Some computers have multiple drive letters (C, D, E) representing areas across one or more hard drives.

These are some Popular HDD Manufacturers: Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi.

CD/DVD - ROM Optical Disc Drive   Optical Disc Drive -Optical Disc Drive is also known as Optical Drive, ODD (abbreviation), CD Drive, DVD Drive, BD Drive, Disc Drive. Used as a medium for reading files, installation and burning.

IDE/SATA Cables IDE/SATA Cables   IDE/SATA Cables -IDE stands for Integrated Drive Electronics -is a standard type of connection for storage devices in a PC. -this refers to the types of cables and ports used to connect some Hard Drives and Optical Drives to each other and to the Mother Board.

Serial ATA (SATA) -SATA stands for “Serial Advanced Technology Attachment” -SATA is a popular IDE implementations, similar to IDE

Fact: SATA replaces PATA or “Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment” as the IDE standard of choice for connecting storage devices inside of a computer. It transmits data over twice as fast as an PATA.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) What is a CPU? -CPU or Central Processing Unit is the one responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer’s Hardware and Software. -CPU is considered as the “Brain” of the Computer.

CPU is also known as: Processor Computer Processor Micro Processor Central Processor The Brain of the Computer

Some Facts: -Not all processors have pins in their bottom side, but the ones that do have are very sensitive cause they could easily bent. -Motherboards usually supports a certain range of CPU types, so always check your motherboard manufacturer for consideration of compatibility. Intel and AMD are popular manufacturers of CPU.

Peripheral Cables Peripheral Cables -this are different kinds of cable connecting an electronic equipment to the CPU of the Computer. Different kinds of Peripheral Cables Fire Wire 400- used for camcorders and external PC drives; also works (but is rarely used) for networking.

Fire Wire 800- used for Hard Disks and other PC drives; USB- attaching basic, slow peripherals; charging gadgets

USB- attaching basic, slow peripherals; charging gadgets

USB 2.0- External Drivers, cameras, mobile phones, other gadgets.

SATA- internal hard drives, Blu-ray and DVD burners, and other disks.

 eSATA- external hard drives, Blu-ray and DVD burners, and other disks, DVRs often support an eSATA drive for more storage space.

 ATA (aka Parallel ATA or PATA) -used for internal floppy drives, CD-ROM Drives, and other disks.

PS/2- used for keyboards, mice, and other input devices.

Floppy Drive Cable Floppy Drive Cable -is a ribbon cable similar to IDE found in PC computers that allows one or more floppy disk drivers to be connected to a computer.

Video Card -a Video Cad is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor, TV, projector.

Facts: -Each Motherboard supports only a limited range of video card, so always check its respective manufacturer. -Some Modern Computers does not have Video Card but instead their motherboards have built in Video Card on it for business and home purposes. Advance Graphics and Gaming Purposes are optional with the user.

Audio Sound Card Audio Sound Card Facts: -or also known as audio card, audio adapter, sound adapter. -is an expansion card that allows the computer to send audio information to an audio device like speakers or head phones. Facts: Similar to video cards some motherboards have built in sound card inside to economize.  

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