Basic Computer System Components

Central Processing Unit (CPU). The CPU, as the term implies, is the hardware platform, aka motherboard, containing the assemblage of circuits, resistors, switches, sockets, terminals, cables, chips, plugs, etc., that enable data processing to take place. At minimum, any CPUs being purchased after 2000 should have Pentium II or Pentium III compatibility, and should have an internal speed of 300 Mhz; 500 Mhz is preferable. Some sources distinguish between speed and processor chip capacity for laptop and desktop models, and it is true that high-speed laptop computers tend to be more expensive machines. However, when buying a computer it is imperative not to look at hardware per se but to look at it operationally: What do you want the computer to do f

. . .
us a database program plus a printer). As computer operating systems become ever more complex, ever more driven by graphics and sound, ever more asked to run multiple software programs all at once (multitasking), they require increasing amounts of RAM. RAM is embedded into circuit boards that fit into CPU slots designed for the purpose. CPUs may accommodate up to 512K of RAM. On this item, do not be guided by minimum standards listed on (say) Windows 95, 98, or XP, which call for something like 32K or 64K of RAM. Such notations are quite misleading. Windows as an operating system is a RAM hog. That means for timely operation a desktop computer fully equipped with Microsoft Office software and multimedia and Internet capability will require a minimum of 128K of RAM; 256K is better. Those figures are for desktops; laptops, which may not be required to multitask as much as desktop models, may max out RAM capacity at 128K. But with laptop RAM, as in the case of desktops, more is better. One final point about RAM: It is the single element of computer technology that has not reduced dramatically in price over the years. Do comparison shop, but do not be surprised if you spend about $1 per K of RAM. Auxiliary storage. Data storage is
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Computer Typically, RAM Auxiliary, Physical Components, Pentium III, Memory RAM, DSL ISDN, Microsoft Word, VGA SVGA, Warranty Opinion, RAM RAM, operating system, software programs, disk drives, data storage, front wall, sound cards, hard disk, cd-rom drive, circuit boards, disk drive, 35 floppy drive, multiple software programs, disk drive bay, run multiple software, drive cd-rom drive,
Approximate Word count = 2743
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Basic Computer System Components