INFORMÁTICA: Componentes físicos del ordenador

Computers are everywhere, and vary in specification, brands, sizes, shaped, and prices.
However, there is one common characteristic among all computer systems.

The essentials of every computer system are a motherboard, a Central Processing Unit
(CPU), memory and a hard drive. These 4 components are installed in a computer case
to which are attached a monitor and a keyboard and a mouse. This makes up the basic
computer.

Motherboard

The motherboard (sometimes called the mobo) provides the foundation for the rest of
the computer components. Everything is attached to the motherboard -- the CPU, the
memory, the monitor, the mouse, the keyboard, add-on cards, and extra peripherals like
printers, scanners, and speakers. We could say that the motherboard is like the nervous
system and skeleton of the human body -- it provides support for the internal
components and also passes information between all the computer parts.

CPU

If the motherboard is the nervous system, the CPU is the brain. Most of the
mathematical manipulations that make computers operate are done by the CPU. Other
components may also have their own processors, but the results still have to be passed
through the CPU.

The speed of the computer is usually measured by the speed of the CPU. Even though
there are other factors affecting speed, the CPU rating is usually seen the single most
important measure of performance.

Modern CPUs are usually rated between 2.0 GHz and 3.0 GHz, although you see some
models in the 3.5 GHz range. These numbers refer to the number of calculations the
processor can make in one second, so obviously the higher the number the faster the
computer.

CPUs generate a lot of heat, so they need a heat sink and fan to prevent them from
overheating.

Memory

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the part of the computer that stores information
while the computer is operating. It is Random Access because the computer can get the
stored data in any order, rather than synchronously. Generally speaking, the more RAM
the better. 2 to 3 gigabytes is fairly common for memory.

The latest type of RAM is DDR3. It offers even faster access rates that DDR and is
quickly becoming the standard for computer memory.

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 INFORMÁTICA: Componentes físicos del ordenador

Hard Drive

Since the data contained in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off, there has to be
a place to store it permanently. This is what the hard disk is for. It also contains all our
personal work as well as the operating system. An operating system like Windows uses
around 10 gigabytes of hard drive space, and the extra space can be used to install
computer programs and to store personal data.

Five hundred gigabyte hard drives are the most common, but they are available at up to
1 TB, and several hard drives can be installed in one case.

All that is needed to complete the basic computer system is a monitor, keyboard and
mouse. Accessories like a printer or scanner can be useful for office work, and gamers
will probably want to add speakers and joystick controls.

So there you have it. The basic computer is composed of just 7 major components. To
get the best performance these components must integrate well. The motherboard is the
most important component for determining the type and specification of the other parts
so choosing an appropriate one for your computer needs is very important.

In summary, when you buy a computer, the most important factors in your decision
should be getting a big RAM ( 2 GB At least), and getting a fast CPU processor.

Graphic Card

A board that plugs into a personal computer to give it display capabilities. Modern
video adapters contain memory, so that the computer's RAM is not used for storing
displays. In addition, most adapters have their own graphics coprocessor for performing
graphics calculations. These adapters are often called graphics accelerators.

DVD-R

(DVD+Read Write) A rewritable (re-recordable) DVD disc for both movies and data
from the DVD+RW Alliance. DVD+RW media can be read on DVD-Video players and
computer DVD-ROM drives. Using phase change technology, the first DVD+RW discs
held 3GB per side, but were later increased to the industry standard 4.7GB. A double
sided disc holds 8.5 GB.

In practice, the term "DVD" refers to all DVD formats. The phrase "rewrite the data on
the DVD" really means "rewrite the data on the DVD+RW or DVD-RW."

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 INFORMÁTICA: Componentes físicos del ordenador

Keyboard & Mouse

A set of input keys on a terminal or computer. It includes the standard typewriter keys,
several specialized keys.

A mouse is the most popular pointing device. It was called a "mouse" because it more
or less resembled one, with the cord being the tail. Although key commands can often
substitute, graphical interfaces (GUIs) are designed for pointing devices.

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