Tutorial on Computer Architecture

Understanding the roles different parts of your computer play will help you better understand the whole.

Even if you've been using computers for a long time, you may have no idea what each part of your computer is called or their primary functions. The structure of your computer will vary depending on your manufacturer, the age of your computer and whether you have a laptop or a desktop, but certain components are common to the architecture of all computers. Understanding the purpose these serve will help you better understand the operation of your computer as a whole.

Instructions

1. Identify the separate components of your computer system if you have a desktop computer. Note, for example, that while your monitor -- the piece of equipment that contains your screen -- is the primary part of the computer that you pay attention to, it doesn't do the computing. Locate the tower or CPU (central processing unit), which is the part of your system that is actually the "computer," by finding your on/off switch. Peripherals such as the "mouse" and "keyboard" help you use the computer, but they have only limited computer characteristics within them.

2. Differentiate between your computer's "hard drive" and any "optical drives" it contains. As its name suggests, a "hard" drive is the permanent storage area of your computer and is located wholly within your computer's body, be it desktop or laptop. Optical drives, on the other hand, include CD and DVD drives and have trays that extend to receive external media. Like an eye, from which the term "optical" comes, optical drives serve to read external information, although newer variants can write as well.

3. Keep in mind the key difference between two similar-looking "chip" structures within your computer's body: the processor and the RAM, or random access memory. While your processor regulates the overall speed and function of your computer, the RAM controls the speed at which applications have access to the processor's capability. In other words, if you have a fast processor but only a little bit of RAM, your applications will not be able to gain access to your processor.

4. Be aware of the computer's "motherboard," which is a structural circuit board that houses many of the computer's electrical components. As is the case with the RAM, processor and hard drive, the motherboard is a wholly internal structure.

5. Place your ear close to your computer and listen for any whirring or buzzing sounds. Underneath the spot where the sounds are loudest lie fans, which cool the innards of your system from the strenuous, consistent operation they undergo. If you ever feel your computer's CPU (or, if you use a laptop, its bottom) and notice it's too hot to touch for longer than a few seconds, call a computer repair specialist and ask him to make sure your fans are working.

References

• Metafysica: Basic Structure of a Digital Computer

Resources

• Alpha Computer: Understanding Your Computer's Parts