A computer system consists of internal and external components that perform different functions and communicate with each other. There are three main categories for computer systems based on hardware. The basic build is suitable for personal computing or office use, accommodating smaller and less advanced equipment. The stylish and fast build can be used for programming, low-end gaming, media purposes, and office tasks. The gaming or media build requires high-quality equipment to run the latest games or develop high-definition visual or audio media. These high-end machines offer a lot of customization options. Plain computer cases are ideal for cost-effective builds in offices and homes where space efficiency is important. Cooling and hardware expansion are not prioritized in these cases as they are designed for basic functions like early gaming, web surfing, and document processing. Many pre-built co
...mputer systems today come with this type of case which offers limited customization options while focusing on space efficiency. Assembling such a case can be challenging due to its specific design structure because it is not intended for extensive upgrades but rather pre-built in a compact manner. Gaming computer cases are specifically designed to provide space for additional cooling fans and hardware components.They are designed for high-performance gaming builds that require top-of-the-line hardware componentsThese cases can accommodate large heat-sinks, extra hard disk drive slots, and multiple optical drive slots. Their spacious interiors allow for up to six graphics cards and extended ATX motherboards with tall expansion cards. To prevent overheating, optimal airflow is prioritized in these cases through the use of case fans and at least one internal fan to extract hot air and bring in cool air from
outside. This effectively keeps the processor, cards, and power supply unit cool.
When it comes to motherboard features, it's important to properly connect ports. The AS/2 mouse port should be connected to the upper port (green) of the motherboard while the AS/2 keyboard port should be connected to the lower port (purple). The VGA port is used for connecting external display devices like monitors or LCD displays. The DVD-D port supports connection with compatible monitors based on the DVD-D specification. The HIDE port stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface and provides an all-digital audio/video connection for HIDE audio/video devices. HIDE Technology supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1080p; however, supported resolutions may vary depending on the specific monitor being used.
The Display Port serves as a digital display interface that connects computers and monitors as well as PC and home theatre systems. Finally, there are USB 3.0 ports that are compatible with various USB devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, and flash drives.To utilize the USB 3.0 ports, it is essential to install the USB 3.0 driver provided on the Driver CD. The USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet LAN port possess their own specifications and can also be utilized for various USB devices like keyboards, mice, printers, and flash drives.
A motherboard consists of BIOS (Basic Input/output System), a simple software that activates when the computer is turned on. It enables connection of other components such as RAM, processor, graphics card, expansion cards, drives, ports, and peripherals onto a single board to facilitate communication between them.
Motherboards are designed according to the type of processor they can accommodate. There are diverse types and sizes of motherboards available for different computer systems;
however, their main purpose remains connecting components and facilitating communication.
For desktop computers specifically, there exist multiple types of motherboards including Socket A motherboards designed for MAD processors with a CPU socket housing 462 pins in a pin grid array format. The average bus speed for these particular socket A motherboards ranges from mezzo to mezzo.
There are various types of processors and corresponding motherboards available. One category is the Echelon processor tier or commonly referred to as socket A motherboards which possess 370 pins and slower bus speeds compared to MAD socket motherboards. The bus speeds for socket A boards range from much to mezzo.
Another category includes the socket 378 motherboard specifically created for Pentium 4 processors.Socket T Motherboards, also known as LGA 775 motherboards, have 378 pins in PAGAN and slightly higher bus speeds compared to socket A boards. These motherboards are compatible with Intel Core 2 Duo and Quad processors and also support older processors like Echelon D and Pentium D. The bus speed for Socket T motherboards ranges from mezzo to mezzo.
On the other hand, the Socket 939 motherboard is designed for AMD processors with a slower bus speed ranging from mezzo to MOOCH. It has 939 pins. Introduced in 2009, AM3 motherboards are specifically designed for AMD processors and follow a pin grid array layout. These boards have an increased number of pins at 941 and a wider range of bus speeds from mezzo to3200MHz.
The H socket or LGA1156 is suitable for various Intel processors including B and15 whether they are dual-core, tri-core or quad-core. Motherboard sizes vary depending on computer systems and PC builds. Larger boards tend to be pricier due
to having more expansion card slots available. Different sizes such as Baby AT are still used with some Pentium machines but may have issues with processor socket and RAM interfering with expansion cards, limiting their size and number.The ATX board was created to address various issues and offers improved I/O support and easier installation compared to Baby AT boards. It also relocates the processor further away from the expansion slots, reducing limitations on cards and minimizing component overheating risks. The Mini-ATX board is similar in design to standard ATX but slightly smaller, allowing it to fit into smaller cases while sacrificing multiple expansion card usage. However, MicroVAX boards are more of a trend than a practical choice as they can fit into different machines but have limitations on expansion card slots, especially for high-end media applications. On the other hand, Falcate motherboards are used for new and interesting designs of LCD personal computers and desktop PCs.
In a desktop PC, the power supply unit is responsible for drawing power from the mains and distributing it to different components. Typically located at the rear and bottom of the PC, its main function is to convert mains AC current into low-voltage DC current which is safer and more efficient for system components. It is important to be aware of the wattage claims of different power supplies as inadequate power can result in improper or non-functioning components. The total wattage is determined by all the rails of the power supply unit. Effective management of the power supply unit is also crucial.
Computer power supplies come with different voltage options for various components. These include +v, +3.V, +BBS (standby), and -v.
The +v voltage powers processors, graphics cards, hard drive motors, fans, and most parts of the motherboard. Another +v voltage powers hard drives and optical drives (excluding their motors) as well as some internal fans. Additionally, another +v voltage powers RAM on the motherboard and on-board processing RAM on the CPU. Lastly, the +BBS voltage powers USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, chipset circuits, and AS/2 ports.
The processor acts as the brain of a computer system like a cell nucleus. Composed mainly of semiconductor silicon microprocessor chips, despite its small size and light weight it contains millions of electrical components. CPUs have processing units that interpret and execute instructions from software while performing calculations and comparisons using referenced data.
Although CPUs may appear autonomous, every decision is logically and mathematically calculated to determine if an inputted statement is true or false. The CPU utilizes data from both the installed RAM memory on the computer's motherboard and its own on-board RAM along with inputted data from devices or software.
There are different types of processors available for computers systems with Intel being a leading brand for desktop PCs. MAD competes with Intel processors.
The modern Intel processors for desktop PCs come in various options. One option is the Intel B, which has 1-4 Cores and offers fast application handling, good visuals, and good performance. Another option is the Intel 15, also with 1-4 Cores but provides very fast application handling, great visuals and sound, as well as excellent performance. The Intel 17 is another choice with 4-8 Cores and Digital Hexachord capability. It offers multitasking capabilities along with incredible multimedia performance. Additionally, it has great on-board graphic and sound media
accelerators that result in fantastic overall performance.
Each Intel design has different socket varieties to fit different motherboards. For example, the Intel 17 can use ALGA 1156 socket Sandy Bridge or ALGA 1 1 55 socket Ivy Bridge.
RAM serves as temporary data storage for a computer system and can speed up processes like opening ongoing applications such as Microsoft Office Word by saving them to RAM for faster access compared to reading them from the Hard Disk Drive (HDD). RAM is a dynamic memory that erases and resets when power is off or data is no longer needed.
The advancements in faster processors from both Intel and AMD have rendered slower speed Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) modules obsolete. Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), also known as DDR2 SDRAM, has double the data transfer rate of SDRAM and operates at higher speeds by transferring data on both rising and falling edges of a clock cycle. DDR2 SDRAM requires 184 pins and a lower voltage of 2.5 volts compared to SDRAM.Despite the increased latency for users, DDR2 SDRAM with multiple channels and increased throughput remains a faster overall choice. There are two types of RAM modules available: DIMM RAM modules and RIMM RAM modules. RIMM RAMs are smaller in size but more expensive compared to DIMM RAMs. For efficient data speeds, RIMM RAMs need to be installed in pairs with matching size and speed. On the other hand, DIMM RAMs offer more stability, larger capacity, and lower cost. Although it's not necessary to install DIMM RAM modules in pairs, doing so can still improve performance speedwise. DRAM modules come in either RIM or DIM variations with a 64-bit interface.
If used in a motherboard supporting dual channel data configurations, installing paired RAM modules will result in faster data transfer speeds.RIM DIMs have 184 pins and operate at 2.5 volts.On the other hand,DIMs have a 16-bit interface which allows them to run at higher speeds but they may be less stable overall.In summary, there are various sizes of RAM modules available.
The optical drive is utilized for reading information from discs such as music, films, and games.However,the use of optical drives has become less common due to the rise of online media access and storage.These drives can also burn and rip information from other discs but usually require software.Different brands of optical drives have their own specifications.Samsung is a leading brand for desktop PCsThe HDD, also known as a mass storage device, is available in various brands that offer different data transfer speeds and storage capacities. Unlike RAM, which only stores temporary data, the HDD retains information even when the power is turned off. It acts as a connection between the processor and motherboard and functions as an interface managed by the HDD controller, which handles commands from the processor.
Below is a table displaying the capacity of different types of data obtained from www.Busty.com:
| Capacity | Diagrammatic (Hours) | Digital Photos (Files) | Digital Videos DVD Quality (Movies) | HDD Videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 320 KGB | up to 5,000 | up to 100,000 | up to 320 | up to 80 |
