The name of the system unit of the computer. Computer device. What is inside the PC system unit. Graphics chip onboard

Hello everyone. Osipov Alexander is in touch. Today we will talk about the main components of a personal computer.

The device of the computer for the entire time of their existence has practically not undergone any changes. We all also hide the main components of the computer in the case. Only the computer components themselves change, but not their purpose. They are becoming more technologically advanced, more reliable, more spacious and faster. New types of connectors for devices and methods of connecting them are invented and pretended to be.

In this article I will tell you and clearly show you the device modern computer... Although the topic is rather hackneyed, to say the least, I also really wanted to speak out on this topic, since many people do not know, or have an erroneous idea of ​​what a system unit, processor, video card, etc.

Some call the system unit a processor, others confuse HDD with RAM. This ignorance is very successfully used by unscrupulous sellers. computer shops... After all, if you cannot distinguish one computer device, it is easy to deceive you from another. So first we will conduct a small computer educational program.

A computer system unit is a computer case with components installed inside it, and nothing else. I say this to those who call the system unit of a computer a processor or something else.

Outwardly, many devices are indistinguishable despite their different performance characteristics ( RAM, processor, hard disk, etc.). They can differ significantly, both in price and in performance. Look very carefully in the warranty card what you buy, how much it costs and always compare with what is installed in the computer you are purchasing (ask the manager to display the characteristics of the computer's internal devices on the monitor).

To understand whether you are being deceived or not, you need to learn how to understand and choose the right computer devices and components that you need.

Moving on to short description necessary computer devices for its full operation.

(in computer slang it can be called a system unit, a case) - a device whose main purpose is to protect the main components of a computer from external influences and mechanical damage, it is most convenient to place and maintain the required temperature for their uninterrupted and long-term operation.

It also allows shielding electromagnetic radiation.

There are many modifications of computer cases, differing in size and material of manufacture. You can read more about computer cases in the article.

Motherboard (system) board

(motherboard, mainboard, MB, slang for mother, mother, motherboard). It is also called motherboard, since it is she who unites and organizes the work of all nodes of the computer. It is into it that we insert the central processor, RAM, video card. Its connectors are connected hard drives, optical drives and various peripherals.

To control and monitor the operation of all devices, the motherboard provides many different chipsets, microcircuits and controllers.

The choice of the motherboard model determines which type and from which manufacturer (Intel, AMD) the processor will be in your computer.

Also, when choosing a motherboard, pay attention to the type of memory used in it (DDR2, DDR3) and the type of connector (AGP, PCI-E) for a video card (if necessary).

If you buy additional devices that connect internally system unit(sound card, video card, modem, TV-tuner), then carefully see if you have free places and whether the connectors on the motherboard fit the hardware you choose.

When upgrading or buying a new computer, first of all, decide on the type and model of the processor, then choose for it motherboard and only then the rest of the necessary devices suitable for your motherboard.

Central CPU

(CPU from English central processing unit, CPU, CPU central processing unit). It is an integrated circuit that executes machine instructions. main part hardware computer. It is the processor that processes the lion's share of the data with which We load the computer.

The performance of the computer as a whole depends very much on the speed of the central processor.

Today, CPU performance is determined by the clock speed and the number of cores. There are other processor parameters that affect its performance, but I will describe them in a separate article.

There are now two major manufacturers leading the microprocessor market for both desktop and laptop computers. These are Intel and AMD corporations.

RAM

RAM(Random Access Memory; in computer slang - memory, RAM).

It is a non-volatile chipset that temporarily stores data and commands that are sequentially used by the central processor to perform specified operations.
Usually, RAM contains the necessary data for the operation of the operating system and the running processes of various programs.

The volume and speed of RAM depends on the number of tasks that a computer can simultaneously perform and the speed of their execution.

Hard disk (hard drive, HDD)

HDD or a hard disk drive (HDD from hard disk drive, hard drive) is a random access storage device based on the principle of magnetic data recording.

Today, it is the main storage device for all stationary computers and many laptop models.

This segment of the market remained motionless for a long time. Only the amount of stored information on the hard disk grew, but not the speed of its operation.

Nowadays, SSDs (solid-state drives) hard drives based on flash memory are replacing the HDD. Their speed of work is several times higher, but the price still bites.

Hard drive capacity is measured in Gigabytes or Terabytes.

The larger the volume hard disk, the more you can store various data on your computer.

The hard disk drive is the bottleneck in the speed of a modern computer.

Video card (graphics accelerator)

(graphics accelerator, video accelerator, video adapter, graphics card or card) is a special electronic device that processes and converts the incoming data for further display on the monitor screen.

All modern video cards have their own graphics processor (it allows you to seriously unload the central processor), which, depending on the architecture, is capable of processing graphic information in 2D or 3D modes at one speed or another.

Video cards are divided into external(faster) and embedded(as a separate chip) to the motherboard (slower).

For modern 3D games, a sufficiently powerful external video card is required, and to work in office applications, watching movies or simple games, the built-in video adapter is enough.
Recently, processors with an integrated graphics core have begun to appear. What this gives, I will tell you in one of the articles.

Optical drive (CD, DVD-RW)

- mechanical device controlled electronic circuit and is designed to read, write or erase information using a laser of various lengths from optical media (CD) such as: CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, BD-R , BD-RW.
It can work with both single and multi-layer 12cm or 8cm discs.

Computer power supply (PSU) Is a very important element of a computer system. It is responsible for the stability and quality of power supplied to your other devices in the system unit.
The reliability and safety of information on hard drives, as well as the continued existence of the remaining components, in the event of a power failure in the network.

Since the network uses alternating current, and the computer requires constant current, the main task of the power supply unit is its transformation (rectification).

The main characteristics of the power supply are:

• Power (measured in watts)

• Efficiency (Coefficient of Performance)

• Built-in surge protection systems

• Cooling

• Dimensions (edit)

Also when choosing computer unit power supply should be addressed to the manufacturer. Brand or non-name.

Here you choose, as they say, "wallet", but right choice obvious.

(audio card, "sound card", sound card) - additional or built-in equipment that allows you to reproduce sound using acoustic systems (speakers), as well as to process and record it using special software.

At the time of the advent of multimedia computers, sound cards were separate expansion cards inserted into a special slot.

Modern sound cards exist both external and built into the motherboard.
External audio cards are a much more functional device for processing and outputting high-quality sound compared to built-in sound cards.

Floppy disk drive (FDD)

It makes no sense to consider a floppy disk drive for reading soft magnetic disks, since it is outdated, although many still use it.

Flash drives came to replace him, and in place of FDD, in computer case you can insert other necessary devices, such as a Card reader (a device for reading various memory cards) or something else.
There are devices on sale that combine FDD and Card reader. There are also USB floppy drives.

Cooling system

A high-quality and properly organized cooling system for the "hottest" components and the system unit as a whole will prevent many glitches and breakdowns of your computer. From the article you will learn about all the intricacies and nuances of such an important element used in the construction of cooling systems as a computer fan.

I hope this article will help you in solving the issues and tasks that you face.

For each of the devices described here, there will be a separate article with a detailed analysis of all the nuances. From correct purchase to installation in a computer and setup. Goodbye everyone.

What do you, dear reader, know about a computer? Of course, the completeness and depth of your answer will depend on many factors. Some of you will unwittingly turn to superficial knowledge from the school curriculum, gained in computer science lessons. And it is unlikely that an ordinary user thought about what is hidden under the protective casing of the system unit. As a rule, the knowledge of a housewife is based on a visual understanding of the subject of our discussion: an iron or plastic box, a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. And it is worth agreeing with this, since the objectivity of such an opinion really characterizes the PC standard configuration in outline. However, the constituent parts of a computer are more than the simplicity and limitation of the visible body parts of the system unit and some of those connected to it. Reading promises to be fascinating, and the article material is guaranteed to become a starting point for your curiosity.

The main components of a computer: what a housewife sees

As much as we would like it, but we simply cannot do without computer terminology. So be prepared to familiarize yourself with some specialized words. By the way, this will significantly save you time in the future. Now let's get straight to the fun theory and take a basic desktop PC configuration as an introductory list.

• System unit - a case that contains the hardware of a computer.
• Monitor is a device for displaying graphic and symbolic information.
• Keyboard is a keyboard control tool for a computer, through which data and commands are entered.
• A mouse is a manual manipulator that converts mechanical movements into a control signal.

Design features of computing devices

The mentioned components of the computer are integral elements of desktop modifications. Laptops, tablets and pocket electronic devices belong to the portable type of computing technology. Such devices have a compact body. All basic hardware components are combined into a single device, as a result of which the maximum usability of the device is achieved. An undeniable advantage laptop computers is the operational autonomy and mobility in use. There is another type of computer equipment - monoblocks. This type of computing device is a cross between desktop and mobile systems... The miniature hardware borrowed from laptops and stationary "attachment" to the workplace of traditional PCs separate this type of technology into a separately presented type of computing devices.

Inside the protective case are located what is ultimately the hardware configuration of the PC. The main part of the computer is considered to be the motherboard of the device, since this element is a kind of backbone of the electronic system, on which, in addition to the mandatory components - the central processor and RAM strips, additional expansion modules can be installed. A special place in the system unit is reserved for an information storage device - a hard disk. Computer components such as the cooling system and power supply are also located inside the PC case. However, portable devices are powered by external power supplies. Usually, Personal Computer equipped with an optical drive for reading and writing data. The main interface panel is brought out.

Important parts of the computer: the processor is the "heart" of the PC

This microcircuit performs the function of a computing center. Without CPU computer just won't work. The CPU power is characterized by the clock frequency, which is measured in MHz. At the same time, the final indicator of processor performance depends on the level of the applied technology. When performing multi-threaded operations (the work of two or more simultaneously used applications), CPUs with a multi-core architecture have an undeniable advantage. This technical part of a computer - a processor - consists of a core and associated components: an input / output bus and an address bus. The processing speed between the specified CPU components is expressed in bits. The higher the mentioned figure, the more CPU bus.

RAM: fast assistant CPU

It is a volatile component of the system, which is a kind of intermediary between the central processor and the hard disk. However, data exchange can also occur directly between the CPU and the computer's RAM. The RAM module is installed in a special bank-slot on the motherboard. From the amount of RAM, which is measured in units of information (MB), as well as throughput system bus device, the operating system performance depends. Today there are several types of such memory:

• The obsolete form of RAM is SIMM and DIMM.
• The most common types of RAM are DDR, DDR2, DDR3.
• New type of RAM - DDR4.

As you can imagine, the components of a computer must comply with a certain unified standard. When purchasing an additional one, you need to know exactly what type of RAM is supported by your motherboard.

Hard disk: "iron" memory

Unlike RAM, data written to HDD can be stored for a long time. The work of the hard drive is based on the principle of change magnetic field near the recording head. The drive of this type is a mechanical device, the efficiency of which depends on its inherent characteristics:

• Nominal capacity is the amount of data that can be stored on the HDD.
• Random access time - performing a positioning operation on an arbitrary portion of the disk space.
• Rotational speed of the central spindle - the parameter is measured by the number of revolutions per minute.
• The buffer size is intermediate memory, which is calculated in MB.
• Data transfer rate is the ability of a device to read a certain amount of information per second. Sequential access to a certain (meaning the outer and inner zones) of the disk part of the personal computer is taken into account.

Upgrading a PC, compact computing device and service equipment is often associated with increasing the speed of the operating system. And the solid-state drives that have appeared quite recently are the best way to solve the speed problems of any computer technology. However, the relatively small amount of disk space at the high price of an SSD device is, to put it mildly, an unacceptable solution for many users.

Graphics card: visual presentation

What parts of a computer are responsible for graphics? The answer to this question is pretty simple. First of all, it is the video card, then the central processor, and only after that, the PC's RAM. It is worth noting that graphics adapters are discrete and integrated. Therefore, you should consider in more detail the issue of the difference between this kind of equipment.

Graphics chip onboard

As a rule, computers of the lower price category are equipped with integrated video controllers. As you can imagine, such chips do not have special performance. However, to solve office tasks, viewing multimedia material and even launching a non-resource-intensive gaming application, this option is quite acceptable. Please note: the video adapter built into the chipset cannot physically be considered a stand-alone piece of equipment.

Discrete type of video cards

Today it is the most effective method improve the graphics capabilities of the PC. This graphics module is inserted into a special PCI expansion slot on the motherboard. A monitor is connected via an interface connector, which is located on the video card itself and is brought out to the outside of the system unit. The amount of video memory and the bandwidth of its buses, as well as the core frequency, texture and pixel fill rate are the main indicators of the graphics performance of the negotiated PC component. Now, if someone asks you: "List the components of the computer," you should take into account that, unlike an integrated graphics chip, this is a separately presented module.

PC configuration: functional expansion and modernization

After you have learned or refreshed the previously received information about what is inside the PC system unit, let's touch on the question of how and how it relates to the topic of the presented article.

So, additional parts of a computer are not only peripheral devices: printers, scanners, web cameras, etc., connected to any interface connector or connected by wireless technology from a PC, but also some components of the system, which are usually called basic. For example, a user can always add operational resources to his computer by installing additional RAM modules in the free bank-slots of the motherboard. Avid gamers often put two powerful video cards on their computers. Audio capabilities can be significantly expanded if you connect a fancy audio adapter. Network and DVB cards, various readers and TV tuners, as well as a host of other equipment - all this can become elements of modernization, that is, a PC upgrade. The only limitation for the flight of user imagination may be the insufficient level of manufacturability of the motherboard.

Before I finish

Now you will not be taken by surprise if you are asked: "List the components of the computer." Nevertheless, for completeness of knowledge about the device of the PC, there is still something to understand. Indeed, in the previous paragraphs, it was only casually mentioned about communication opportunities computer. Meanwhile, the PC motherboard is equipped with various interface connectors, among which the main ones can be distinguished:

• PS / 2 - for connecting a mouse and keyboard.
• USB is a universal port for connecting to peripheral devices.
• VGA - monitor connector.
• RJ45 - for connecting a network connector.

Today, the modern one is equipped with various wireless modules. Developers are giving PCs new communication properties. Manufacturers are introducing revolutionary technologies that seemed fantastic yesterday. Electronics is rapidly expanding the boundaries of its influence. However, the human thinking process will always be the basis for computer technology. Because the way a person thinks, no one and nothing in the world knows how to think.

Technical epilogue

You can confidently assume that now you know what the parts of the computer are called. However, the information provided is just a drop from the ocean of information on the topic at hand, since to tell about the computer device in general terms is to say nothing! Therefore, as mentioned earlier, it is necessary to show curiosity and approach the issue of studying the device of a computer more seriously. Rest assured, such knowledge will make you much richer. After all, the future belongs to the computer!