Embedded Files
Do you need help? Before asking Dr. Pollina ➔
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
The 'brain' of the computer, performing over 100 million basic calculations per second
Good cpu's have frequency speeds higher than 3GigaHertz (3GHz)
GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT (GPU)
Renders images and videos to be displayed on your screen with pixels
Ideally, you want to push visuals at 4k resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate
POWER SUPPLY UNIT (PSU)
Takes electricity from a standard wall outlet and diverts it to different components of the computer
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
Holds data that the CPU and GPU process
Usually 8-32 GigaBytes (8GB-32GB)
Think of it like short-term memory
STORAGE
Holds program files and documents
Usually 1TeraByte (1TB)
(1024x bigger than 1GB)
Long-term memory
COOLING SYSTEMS
Consists of a CPU cooler, GPU cooler, and case fans
Keeps the CPU and GPU colder to run better
(hot = bad)
Newer systems use liquid cooling to pull away heat faster than just fans
OPERATING SYSTEM (OS)
Software that everything 'runs' on
Windows / MacOS / Linux
Windows and MacOS are usually preinstalled on computers or laptops
Linux: you build yourself, but it's yours! (also very difficult)
KEYBOARD & MOUSE
Input devices to control the computer
You should be familiar with keyboards and shortcuts by now
A computer mouse uses:
LEFT CLICK (selecting)
RIGHT CLICK (opens a menu)
and the SCROLL WHEEL (scrolling and zoom)
PERIPHERALS
Everything else that you use to interact with the computer
Monitors, speakers, microphones, webcams, headphones, controllers, etc.
Usually connects with a Universal Serial Bus (USB)
Put all the parts together in a case and you have a Personal Computer (PC)
or buy an iMac...you can't upgrade your parts though 👎
Report abuse