Computers and the Internet are a wonderful addition to our lives. I spend a large portion of my life, interacting and collaborating with people all over the world, through the use of my computer system that has access to the Internet. Computers benefit or can benefit everyone and anyone, in some way or another. However, the more I talk to people that use their computer systems, the more I notice that many do not understand how their systems work. Many seem to be confused when I mention the different parts of a computer system. So, I decided to write this easy-to-understand guise that will familiarize you with main components of the PC, Personal Computer. If you are thinking about buying a PC or just bought one for the first time, this article will be very, very helpful to you.

Non-Physical Parts of Your PC (Software)

Computer Software

Computer software is a compilation of structured, written instructions that are executed by the physical components of your personal system. Physical components of your PC do not understand human language, so those instructions are written by highly trained computer programmers, using languages (set of commands) that your personal computer does understand.

If you have just bought your personal computer, it probably came with Windows XP. Windows XP is an example of computer software, also called a computer program. It falls under the software category of Operating System (OS). Operating system gives you the ability to control and use your personal computer. Windows XP is probably one of the most complicated software ever created. Windows XP is an operating system with a visual user interface. For example, you are reading this article through an Internet Browser. To get to this browser, you most likely clicked your mouse on an Icon (small image that represents a program or a file). If you look on top of your Internet browser (another example of a computer software/program), you will see menus that you can click on and expand. All these features are part of the visual user interface of Windows XP. There are other operating systems that do not have visual user interface; examples would be DOS or UNIX. In those systems, you cannot click on anything. To perform any activity, you actually have to type commands, and that means you have to memorize those commands.Other examples of computer software are word processors (to create various documents), email clients (to create/receive electronic mail), video/audio players, and many others. If not for computer software, personal computer would be absolutely useless to a casual user. With your personal computer and different computer programs that you can purchase even at your local department store, you can create music, draw paintings, organize your personal or business finances, and do anything else you can imagine. The possibilities are endless!

Physical Parts of Your PC (Hardware)

As I mentioned above, computer programs are nothing more but written instructions. Now, you will actually find out how are those instructions are brought to live, for you to see and hear.

CPU

CPU (Central Processing Unit), also called a Possessor, is the brain of your computer. It is involved with every activity you do on your PC. CPU is the very component that understands computer programs. It takes your input from your Keyboard or Mouse, while you are using a particular computer program, and gives you desired results, in return. Without a functional CPU, PC becomes completely non-functional. Although CPU is such an important component of a PC, it is very small in size and usually fits on the palm of your hand.

RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory), most people refer to it simply as Computer Memory. Think of RAM as you think of your office/computer table. Just like the surface of your table, RAM holds things for you to read, see, or hear. For example, right now, you are reading my article. RAM is partially responsible for holding this article up for you to see and read. I say partially because everything you do with your computer requires the effort of several components. For instance, CPU had to tell the RAM that you wanted to see this article. Also, while I was typing this article, RAM held everything I typed. RAM only holds information while your computer is on. If computer is off, everything gets lost. This is where the Hard Drive comes in and saves the day.

Hard Drive

Think of Hard Drive as file cabinets of your office/computer table. Hard Drive stores everything (software and files) that you are not using right now. When you want to use any software, CPU finds that software on your Hard Drive and puts it into RAM for your use. Hard Drive is one of the slowest components of your PC, because it consists of several disks that rotate. Because of friction, heat, vibration, and other physical factors, there are certain limitations to how fast the disks in Hard Drive are able to rotate.

Video Card

While RAM holds things you need to read, see, and hear, Video Card, takes the things you need to see and turns them into visual images. After that, Video Card takes those images and sends them to your computer monitor, where you see the final results. Video Card also has its own RAM. However, don’t be confused between the RAM of your PC and the RAM of your Video Card. The RAM in your Video Card is only responsible for holding visual data and delivering them into your computer monitor.

Sound Card

Sound card is the component that takes sound files and puts it out to you, through computer speakers or personal headphones.

Modem

Modem is a device that connects your PC to the Internet. If you have Broadband (high-internet connection) from your cable or telephone company, your modem, most likely, is a rectangular box that is connected to your PC. If you use an internet connection where your PC has to dial a phone number every time you want to connect to the Internet (Dialup connection), your modem, most likely, is located inside of your PC.

NIC

NIC (Network Interface Card) is also called Network Adaptor. Most new PCs come equipped with NIC. NIC is used to take information from your PC to your Broadband Modem. Think of NIC as your mouth and ears. Think of your Broadband Modem as your telephone handset. If you are using a Dialup, NIC is not part of your Internet connection. Another use for NIC is when you are trying to share a printer or another PC related device between two or more computers.

Motherboard

Motherboard is also known as system board or a main board. It is the largest component of a computer system. It physically holds or physically connects all the interior and exterior components of your computer system. Motherboard is the circuit board that is located on one of the sides of the interior of a typical PC.

So, let’s review:

Software

• Computer programs let’s you interact with the computer hardware and achieve results
• Through computer programs, you can see, hear, create, save, and share your results with others

Hardware

• You use computer programs
• Computer programs take your commands through Keyboard or a Mouse
• Computer programs use the special language to communicate with CPU
• CPU executes what needs to be done and supplies results
• RAM stores those results and holds them for you while you evaluate those results
• You can see results through the Video Card and computer monitor
• You can hear results through a Sound Card and computer speakers or headphones
• You can save those results by putting them onto a Hard Drive
• You get on the Internet through the Modem
• If your Modem is Broadband; it is connected through a NIC of your PC
• Motherboard holds major components and connects all

Next time someone will talk the “computer talk”, you will know exactly what they are referring to and impress them with your knowledge!