The system block contains data. Guides: What is inside the system unit and how does it work? The main components of the system unit

The main devices of the computer "live" in the system unit. These include: motherboard, processor, video card, RAM, HDD. But outside of it, usually on the table, no less important computer devices also “live”. Such as: monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers, printer.

In this article, we will look at What does computer consist of what these devices look like, what function they perform and where they are located.

System unit.

In the first category, we will analyze those devices, or they are also called components that “hide” in the system unit. They are the most important for his work. By the way, you can immediately look into the system unit. It is not difficult. It is enough to unscrew the two screws on the back system block and move the cover aside, and then we will see a view of the most important computer devices, in order, which we will now consider.

The motherboard is printed circuit board, which is designed to connect the main components of the computer. Some of them, for example, a processor or a video card, are installed directly on the motherboard into the socket provided for this purpose. And the other part of the components, for example, a hard drive or a power supply, is connected to the motherboard using special cables.

The processor is a microchip and at the same time the "brain" of the computer. Why? Because he is responsible for the execution of all operations. How better processor the faster it will perform these very operations, respectively, the computer will work faster. The processor of course affects the speed of the computer, and even very strongly, but from your hard drive, video card and RAM will also depend on the speed of the PC. So the most powerful processor does not guarantee a high speed of the computer if the other components have long been outdated.

3. Video card.

A video card, or otherwise a graphics card, is designed to display images on a monitor screen. It is also installed in the motherboard, in a special connector PSI-Express. Less commonly, a video card can be built into the motherboard itself, but its power is most often enough only for office applications and browsing the Internet.

RAM is such a rectangular bar, similar to a cartridge from old game consoles. It is intended for temporary data storage. For example, it stores the clipboard. We copied some text on the site, and immediately it got into the RAM. Information about running programs, computer hibernation and other temporary data is stored in RAM. A feature of the RAM is that the data from it is completely deleted after the computer is turned off.

A hard drive, unlike RAM, is designed for long-term storage of files. In another way it is called Winchester. It stores data on special plates. Also recently there has been a proliferation SSD drive And.

Their features include high speed, but there is immediately a minus - they are expensive. A 64 GB SSD drive will cost you the same price as a 750 GB hard drive. Imagine how much an SSD for several hundred gigabytes will cost. Wo, woo! But do not be upset, you can buy a 64 GB SSD drive and use it as a system drive, that is, install Windows on it. They say that the speed of work increases several times. The system starts very quickly, programs fly. I'm planning to switch to an SSD and keep my regular files on a traditional hard drive.

A disk drive is needed to work with disks. Although it is already much less frequently used, it still does not hurt on desktop computers. At a minimum, a drive will come in handy for installing the system.

6. Cooling systems.

The cooling system is the fans that cool the components. Usually three or more coolers are installed. Be sure to have one on the processor, one on the video card, and one on the power supply, and then on request. If something is warm, then it is desirable to cool. Fans are also installed hard disks and in the body itself. If the cooler in the case is installed on the front panel, then it takes heat, and the coolers installed on the rear compartment supply cold air to the system.

The sound card outputs sound to the speakers. It is usually built into the motherboard. But it happens that it either breaks down, and therefore it is bought separately, or initially the quality of the standard PC owner is not satisfied and he buys another sound system. In general, the sound card also has the right to be in this list of PC devices.

The power supply is needed in order for all the above computer devices to work. It provides all components with the necessary amount of electricity.

8. Housing

And so that the motherboard, processor, video card, RAM, a hard drive, a floppy drive, a sound card, a power supply, and perhaps some additional components had to be put somewhere, we need a case. There, everything is neatly installed, twisted, connected and begins daily life, from switching on to switching off. The required temperature is maintained in the case, and everything is protected from damage.

As a result, we get a full-fledged system unit, with all the most important computer devices that are needed for its operation.

Peripherals.

Well, in order to fully start working on a computer, and not look at the “buzzing” system unit, we need Peripherals. These include those computer components that are outside the system unit.

The monitor itself is needed to see what we are working with. The video card sends the image to the monitor. They are connected to each other with a VGA or HDMI cable.

The keyboard is designed to enter information, well, of course, what kind of work without a full-fledged keyboard. Type text, play games, surf the Internet, and everywhere you need a keyboard.

3. Mouse.

The mouse is needed to control the cursor on the screen. Move it in different directions, click, open files and folders, call various functions and much more. Just like without a keyboard, without a mouse, nowhere.

4. Speakers.

Speakers are needed mainly for listening to music, watching movies and playing games. Who else today uses columns more than ordinary users reproduce them daily in these tasks.

A printer and a scanner are needed to print and scan documents and everything that is needed in the field of printing. Or an MFP multifunction device. It will be useful to all those who often print, scan, make photocopies and do many other tasks with this device.

In this article, we only briefly reviewed the main computer devices, and in others, links to which you see below, we will take a closer look at all the most popular peripheral devices, as well as components that are part of the system unit, that is, components.

Enjoy reading!

There are a huge number of incorrect terms that beginners try to call a computer - this is a processor, a case, an iron box located under the desktop. It's hard to say where these erroneous names come from, but they're incredibly tenacious. And sometimes, even after clarification, they continue to be used by a person. Indeed, psychology is a subtle science. We hope that this article will once again remind you that using the correct terms not only means respect for the interlocutor, but also allows you to choose a good computer system unit when buying or assembling yourself.

Definition

If you turn to the encyclopedia, then you can read the following there: the computer system unit is a case that houses all the main components of the computer system, including the power supply. It can be made of metal (steel, aluminum), polymers, as well as wood and even glass. In other words, the case alone cannot be called a "computer system unit", as well as components assembled "on the knees" are also not. In the same way, wheels without a cab cannot be called a machine.

How to build a computer yourself

The purchase of a computer system is a whole event, because the future convenience of working with programs depends on the correct selection of components. For example, a person who wants to transcode video and audio streams, but at the same time buys a budget central processor, will have to spend hours waiting for the operation to complete.

The opposite is also true: if the main tasks solved on a computer are typing and printing, then powerful components are not only useless, but also undesirable, since their acquisition is associated with excessive financial costs, as well as more tangible electricity. Thus, before you buy, you need to decide on the range of tasks that will be solved on it most of the time.

Components

We have already mentioned the main components that make up a computer. These include:

Motherboard. It is one of the main parts, since it is to its connectors that all other components are connected. It is its characteristics that determine which components can be used in the assembled computing system.

This large chip does all the math. Therefore, the performance of the entire system as a whole depends to a large extent on the performance of this element. The entire range can be conditionally divided into three groups: budget, characterized by low cost, relatively low speed, sufficient for office tasks and a low level of power consumption; universal; top ones, which use the principle of "performance at any cost".

RAM. Without this module, the operation of the system is impossible. Modern solutions use DDR3 boards. When choosing, you can use the principle "the larger the volume, the better."

Storage device. Most often it is a hard drive, although they are now being abandoned in favor of SSD solutions.

Video card. Used to display an image on the screen. It can be presented as a separate device, and also built into the processor or chipset.

Power supply unit.

To access the main components of the system system unit; components of the block (many users have never seen it), you will need to remove its cover. But at the same time, you should be very careful and do not forget about the safety rules that must be observed when working with any electrical appliances. In addition, you need to consider that the computer is most likely the most expensive electronic device in the home or office, and therefore, damage to the internal components of the system unit can be a big nuisance.

When opening the cover of the system unit, you must clearly imagine what is inside it. The system unit contains the motherboard, which houses the processor chip, chipset system logic, called a chipset (chipset), RAM modules, connectors for connecting expansion cards for external devices, and buses that connect all these components. Since hard drives and CD-ROM drives are located in the system unit in personal computers, they are often mistakenly considered part of the system unit, although, strictly speaking, they do not belong to it.

Fig.5

Motherboard. The motherboard (also called the main or motherboard) is the most important part of any personal computer. Motherboard The primary task of the motherboard is to coordinate the operation of the system board of all internal components of a personal computer. The main element of the system board is the system logic chipset - the chipset. chipset All the characteristics of the motherboard depend on its capabilities: the type of processor to be installed, the memory modules used, the data transfer rate, the types of connected external devices, etc. On the motherboard (Fig. 1.6) there is also a BIOS chip (BasicInput / OutputSystem - base system I / O), which, when the personal computer is turned on, performs a test in order to check whether its components work normally and how the operating system is loaded. Chipset market leaders are companies such as ALi, VIA, Intel, SiS, ATI and nVIDIA.

Fig.6

There are several more leading motherboard manufacturers: AUSTeK, ABit, Gigabyte, FIX, DFI, EliteGroup, Chaintech, Soltek, SuperMicro.

CPU. This is a special processor-integrated microcircuit located on the motherboard, which performs all the basic computational and control-related operations: adds, subtracts, multiplies, divides the numbers stored in the computer's memory. The processor operates under software control, converting input information into output. Transformations are carried out by a system of commands, the sequence of which is specified by the program for solving the corresponding problem. It is the programs that tell the processor the necessary sequence of operations.

The main processor parameters of processors are its operating frequency, core type and production technology, frequency system bus, form factor, cache size. The high operating frequency of the processor and system bus necessitates the use of a cooling system. As a rule, personal computers use an air cooling system consisting of a metal heatsink (installed directly on the processor case) and a fan. It is by the presence of a fan and a heatsink that you can determine where the processor chip is located. To date, almost the entire market for processors for personal computers is controlled by Intel and AMD. The processors they produce (Fig. 1.7) differ in both parameters and price, and are aimed at different user groups.

Fig.7(a)

Fig.7(b)

So, Intel produces three main models: Xeon - for powerful server systems, Pentium - for high-performance personal computers, Celeron - for desktop computers. To equip expensive personal computers and graphics stations, AMD releases Athlon processors, and for home personal computers, the Duron processor.

RAM. RAM modules are designed for temporary storage of commands and data. Random access memory, or RAM (RandomAccessMemory - random access memory), memory; the main memory is used by programs to write and read information. Programs are loaded into random access memory and all the data necessary for the computer is entered. It should be remembered that the data in RAM, as well as the program with which you are working, will be lost after turning off the computer if you do not write them to a floppy disk or hard disk. Currently, computers are mainly equipped with SIMM (SingleIn-lineMemoryModule) and DIMM (DualIn-lineMemoryModule) memory modules ranging from 32 to 512 MB. In addition, modern computers can also use the so-called RIMM modules (RambusInterfaceMemoryModule - a memory module with a Rambus interface), the throughput of which is two to three times higher than that of a DIMM module. Both modules are designed to be installed in special connectors (slots) on motherboards that support DirectRambus channels. There can be several such connectors, for example, two or four, depending on the model of the motherboard and the bit width of the system bus.

The amount of computer memory is a very important parameter that affects the operation of all programs. It is measured in megabytes (MB) on most computers and in gigabytes (GB) on high end systems. Modern versions of Windows require at least 128 MB of RAM to function properly. The main manufacturers of memory modules are Samsung, Kingston, Micron and JetRam.

Expansion buses and connectors. Expansion buses are designed to connect the external components of a computer system to its internal components. To connect the various components of a computer, lines of wires, called buses, are used, through which electrical signals are transmitted. Tires are divided into groups according to the actions they perform. For each bus group, there are certain rules of operation and technical requirements for electrical signals.

Modern personal computer motherboards provide support for a large number expansion buses, each of which corresponds to a connector of a certain design. Some of these connectors are displayed on the rear wall of the system unit (see Fig. 1.4) and are used to connect external devices such as a printer, mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.

Hard Disk Drives. A hard disk drive (HardDiskDrive, HDD), hard disk drives or a hard drive, is a device designed for long-term storage of a large amount of information and combines the storage medium itself and the recording / reading device in one housing. For the user, the amount of data that can be written to a hard magnetic disk and the speed of such a drive are of great importance. The amount of hard disk memory is usually several tens of gigabytes. An equally important indicator that determines how long it takes to transfer read or write data is the data exchange rate.

Currently, there are two types of hard disk drives that are most widely used.

• ATA hard disk drives. They are often referred to as IDE drives. The functioning of these devices is based on a modernized RLL recording method, based on the use of a variable number of sectors for each track (usually their number ranges from 32 to 45). The control circuit (controller) is inside the drive and can be configured by the manufacturer to specific device.
• SCSI hard disk drives. These drives are more expensive than IDE drives. They are used, as a rule, if necessary, to integrate more than four hard drives.

You can install up to four ATA drives and up to seven SCSI drives on a single computer. The leading manufacturers of magnetic disk drives are Seagate, WesternDigital, Quantum, Maxtor.

Floppy disks (floppy disks). Floppy disk drives (FloppyDiskDrive, FDD) are the most floppy disk drives, old external devices of personal computers. They use floppy disks as a storage medium, which is a long-term (archive) memory of a personal computer. Data written to floppy disks is stored there indefinitely, and information in short-term memory (in random access memory) is lost when the computer is turned off. The drives are designed for floppy disks with a diameter of 3.5" and provide several levels of recording density (normal, double and high).

Before you can start working with a new floppy disk, it must be formatted. The computer writes information to the floppy disk that the operating system needs to navigate it.

CD drives. Compact discs (CompactDisc, CD) drives; compact discs are used to record digital information in computer formats. Standard CDs are discs 120 mm in diameter, 1.2 mm thick with a 15 mm diameter center hole. There are several technologies for writing information to CDs, and consequently, several types of discs.

CD-ROM discs (CD-ReadOnlyMemory - read-only memory) are intended only for a single recording of information, which is read optically using a laser beam. They can store up to 680 MB of digital data. CD-ROM drives are second in importance (after hard disk drives) among data storage devices. Most commercial software is currently released on this type of CD. Games, feature films, reference books, training programs, electronic encyclopedias are distributed in the form of CDs.

In addition to conventional CDs for one-time recording, there are CD-R drives (CD-Recordable - a recordable CD), which allow you to record (also once), and, if necessary, add information to free areas, as well as CD-RW drives. (CD-ReWritable - rewritable CD), designed for multiple recording and reading information. The main advantage of CD-RW over other types of discs is the possibility of multiple recording. Therefore, CD-RWs are gradually replacing all types of drives in personal computers for laser discs and become the main devices for reading, long-term storage and data transfer. In recent years, the production of CD-R drives has practically ceased, and they are all produced as universal CD-R/CD-RW. The highest quality devices are produced by Teak, ASUS and Samsung.

DVD-drives (DigitalVersatileDisk - Digital VersatileDisk) are now becoming more widespread, the main advantage of which is high capacity. The capacity of one DVD can be from 4.7 to 17 GB, depending on whether it is single or double sided, and single or double layer. Equally important is the fact that full-length movies can be recorded on DVD with picture and sound quality close to the level of professional studio video recordings. There are already devices on the market that support burning single-use (DVD-Recordable, DVD-R) and reusable (DVD-ReWritable, DVD-RW) discs of this type. However, such devices are still quite expensive, so we would not recommend rushing to purchase them. Moreover, a single standard for the recording format has not yet been adopted. DVD devices on the market allow you to play not only DVDs, but also ordinary CD-ROMs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs.

The main parameter of a CD-ROM drive is the data reading speed. For CD drives, it is defined as a multiple of 150 KB/s. The multiplicity of speeds is indicated by the numbers 2x, 4x, 8x, 10x, etc. For example, writing 40X means that the device is theoretically capable of reading data at a speed of 6000 KB / s. In fact, the reading speed is much lower than the maximum possible. The DVD drive's single data transfer rate is 1350 KB/s. Most modern DVD drives allow you to read information at sixteen times the speed. From a practical point of view, reliability of data reading and noise level are no less important parameters of disk drives.

video card. In addition to the monitor, the graphics subsystem of the computer includes a video card that processes graphic information and sends data to the monitor. All modern video cards have their own graphics processor and local video memory designed to store processed data. Modern video cards equipped with at least 32 MB of RAM. But to work with 3D graphics it is not enough to install a powerful video card - you need to have a fast processor and sufficient main memory.

To improve computer performance, Intel proposed to allocate a separate bus for video data transmission, called AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port - accelerated graphics port). This tire provides direct connection between graphics subsystem and RAM. The main video card manufacturers are ABIT, Matrox, ATI, ASUS, Gigabyte, Gainward and Inno3D.

Computer power supply. the main task the power supply unit consists in the power supply unit of the computer; the power supply unit converts the alternating mains voltage of 220–240 V into the direct voltage necessary for the functioning of the computer elements (12 V and 5 V). IN modern computers small-sized impulse blocks power supply, which are placed in boxes equipped with fans. There are two types of fans: constant speed and temperature controlled. Dust gradually accumulating in the fan must be removed by blowing and suction with a vacuum cleaner. Please note that computer power supplies are not designed to be repaired. When buying a computer, pay attention to the power of the power supply - it is desirable that, firstly, it should be at least 300 W, and secondly, it should have a small margin.

Network card and modem. LAN access requires a special expansion card that plugs into one of the computer's expansion slots and is called a Network Interface Card (NIC). In many modern motherboards, this device is built-in.

Along with network cards, the network card uses modems to connect to the network. A modem is a device installed between a computer and a communication line. To be able to transfer data using a modem, you must purchase the modem itself, software, and connect to a communication line. The main function of a modem is to provide signal transmission over communication lines between computers located at a considerable distance. Depending on the communication lines used (wired, cable, fiber optic, etc.) and the method of data transmission, modems are divided into cable, digital and analog. The modem and telephone line are still the main means of accessing the Internet. The very first modems were external devices that connected to serial portslocated on the back of the system unit. Modern modems are internal devices that plug into standard expansion slots on the motherboard.

The system unit is intended for use as part of a personal computer and a monitor, input devices and peripheral devices are already connected to it. The architecture of the system unit is modular, which allows, if necessary, to reconfigure the computer to add or strengthen components. Outwardly, all system units are similar, the main difference is their design and filling.

A case with a power supply installed in it.

On the front panel of the case is the "Power" button, which is designed to turn the computer on and off. This button does not disconnect the system unit from AC power, but only sends a signal to the motherboard. Software errors can cause the computer to stop responding to a single press of the "Power" button, that is, "freeze". In this case, press and hold this button for more than 4s. When this button is pressed once, when the operating system is running, active applications are closed and the work is completed.
Most units have a "Reset" button, which also serves to restart the computer in the event of an operating system freeze. In addition, the front panel has a power indicator (lits when power is applied), a hard disk access indicator (lits when accessing the HDD or optical drive), as well as the front panels of the FDD (floppy disk drive) and optical drive.
The installed power supply unit provides the conversion of the alternating current of the 220V power supply network into the direct current necessary to power all the components of the computer. Power supplies installed in computers may have different power ratings (300, 350, 400W or more), depending on the configuration of the computer. In any case, the power reserve should be enough not only to power the devices included with the purchase, but also for those that you can add later. When installing components with increased power consumption, you should consult with specialists.
In order to avoid damage to the system unit or its parts due to unstable power supply, it is recommended to connect the computer through a surge protector that suppresses short-term power surges, or through a power source. uninterruptible power supply, which keeps the computer running for some time even when complete shutdown from the electrical network.

Motherboard.

The most important part of the system unit is the motherboard. It is used to install and combine various components into one. On the system board are microcircuits that form the so-called "chipset". It is he who determines its main characteristics. There are many special connectors on the motherboard in which components are installed. Very often, manufacturers immediately integrate such devices as a video adapter, network adapter, sound adapter, FireWire adapter, WiFi, etc. on the motherboard.

CPU.

It is no secret that the performance of a computer depends on many factors and the correct selection of components, but first of all it depends on the processing power of the installed processor. Computers are most often equipped with Intel® or AMD® processors.
Modern processors have increased heat dissipation and are always supplied with a cooling system (radiator + fan). By using software tools you can control the CPU temperature and change the fan speed.

RAM.

RAM or RAM is designed to store program code and intermediate results of calculations. It is volatile, that is, when the power is turned off, all information contained in it disappears. Depending on the model of the motherboard, a completely different amount of modules can be installed. To increase the amount of RAM, most motherboards have additional slots. The type of installed modules depends on the model of the motherboard. Installing modules of an incompatible type can damage your computer. To avoid this, we recommend that you increase the RAM in service centers that provide computer assistance and computer repair services.

Video adapter.

The video adapter is used to display the image on the monitor. In addition, it is he who is engaged in the processing of three-dimensional graphics. The performance of 3D applications (first of all, games) depends mainly on the type of video adapter installed. Depending on the computer model, it can be integrated (installed directly on the system board) or made as a separate board installed in slots with an interface PCI Express. Some computer models are equipped with both types of video adapters.

Sound adapter.

Serves to form an audio signal and output sound to acoustic systems (speakers or headphones). Depending on the computer model, it is possible to connect different sets of acoustics: from a simple stereo system consisting of two speakers to multi-channel sets (5.1 or 7.1) used to create a home theater.

Hard disk ("hard drive").

A hard drive or hard disk drive is a device for storing programs and data. Depending on the model of the purchased computer, they may differ in volume and connection interface. The volume of the drive can be from 80 to 500 or more GB. The controller interface can be Parallel ATA (ATA100/133) and/or Serial ATA (I or II).

Optical drive.

An optical drive is used to read and write optical discs. Depending on the computer model, CD-ROM (for reading CDs), DVD-ROM (for reading CDs and DVDs), Combo DVD/CD-RW (for reading CDs and DVD discs and write CD), DVD-RW (For reading and writing all types of discs).

Floppy Disk Drive (FDD).

In some computer models, if necessary, a 3.5 "FDD drive is installed. However, recently it has been used less and less and in many models it may be missing or replaced with a card reader - a device for reading information from flash cards of various types.

TV tuner.

Some models of multimedia computers may be equipped with a TV tuner, a device designed to receive a television broadcast signal and display a video image on a monitor. Details on its connection and use can be found in the user manual for the TV tuner.

Other devices.

Depending on the model of the purchased computer, in addition to the above required devices, the system unit may include other devices. These include the IEEE-1394 (FireWire) interface, designed to connect high-speed external devices ( external devices storage, DV camcorder, etc.). Some computer models may have a modem installed - a device designed to exchange information between remote computers via telephone lines.

So, in order to study the computer device and see the composition of the system unit, you need to remove the side cover.

1. Body

3. Power supply

3. CPU

4. Case fan (cooler)

5. RAM modules

6. Video card (video adapter, video processor)

7-8. PCI devices

9-10. CD/DVD drives

11. Hard drive

12. Motherboard

Before you start choosing and buying a new computer or start upgrading and upgrading an old one, you need to know the device of the computer, i.e. what does the system unit consist of and how is it arranged. In other words, you need to know what we are going to buy or upgrade.

Today, computer technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, and, for example, a PC can become completely outdated in a few years. And on outdated equipment many modern programs will run slowly or not run at all. Someone will offer to buy and someone - to upgrade. In both cases, you need to know the structure of the computer system unit.

General information

What are the main parts of your PC? In general, the structure of the computer assumes the presence of the following elements:

• Internal devices of the system unit.
• (usually a keyboard and mouse, but can be supplemented by many others, such as a drawing tablet).
• Information output devices (monitor, headphones).
• Additional (card readers, TV tuners, network adapters, USB modems).

The structure of the computer system unit must be considered in detail, because it includes many important components that directly or indirectly affect the performance of the system as a whole. These components include:

• Motherboard.
• CPU.
• RAM.
• Hard drive or solid state drive.
• Video card.
• Sound card.
• PCI devices.

The structure of the computer processor

It is believed that the central processing unit is the most complex digital device in the computer. It is made in the form of a silicon wafer in a package with many pins that are connected to a special socket on the motherboard. A substance is sprayed onto silicon that reproduces a complex, but very small electrical circuit.

Several million elements (transistors, resistors) are included in the structure of a computer processor. All parts are a few nanometers in size. After the device is manufactured, a radiator is installed on it to remove heat and a blowing fan. With the simultaneous operation of a large number of transistors, this cannot be dispensed with.

The structure of the computer processor is so high-tech that only two companies in the world compete in this market segment (Intel and AMD).

Main characteristics of the CPU

The main characteristics of the CPU are the cache size, the number of cores. Accordingly, the higher these parameters, the faster the device performs calculations. From clock frequency depends on how many logical and arithmetic operations can be performed per second by one core, respectively, if there are two cores in a computer, then twice as many operations per second are performed.

The cache is designed to store instructions that programs send to the central processor. Information is exchanged with the cache at the highest speed. If its size is too small, then you will not be able to use the full speed of the processor.

The structure of the motherboard

Of course, it is necessary to consider the structure of the computer motherboard. The motherboard is a complex device with a multilayer circuit. It contains the main sockets for connecting all other computer devices, sets of logic for all components to work interconnectedly, controllers for the main interfaces (sound card, I / O devices). Often, the motherboard may have slots for additional devices (PSI-e, PCI, USB).

The key component of a motherboard is the chipset. This is a chip that connects device controllers to the CPU for their joint operation. The internal structure of the computer is entirely determined by the chipset. For example, you can't install 3rd generation memory on the motherboard if the logic only supports 2nd generation, same with all other devices.

RAM

RAM (RAM) - random access memory. Describing the internal structure of a computer, this element cannot be ignored. RAM stores temporary data and processor instructions for which there is not enough cache space. Most important characteristics memory - frequency, volume, generation and timings. At the same time, a DDR2 or DDR generation memory bar cannot be installed in a DDR3 slot, because the sets of software logic for all these generations are different.

Frequency and timings are the most important indicators for determining the speed of information exchange with RAM. There are two reciprocal rules at work here. If the frequency is higher, the speed is higher. The opposite law applies to timings, so their lower values ​​are preferable.

video card

The structure of a personal computer modern world necessarily requires the presence of a video card. If to speak plain language, then this device prepares and forms graphic information, which is subsequently displayed on the screen.

The video adapter can be built into the computer motherboard or connected to the PCI-e connector. Adapters of the first type are almost always called budget adapters, they allow you to work comfortably in office software packages, but do not form complex three-dimensional images. Even if graphics output to such video cards is tough, it is unlikely that their power will be enough to confidently maintain an acceptable FPS level (number of frames per second).

If we consider a video adapter connected to the PSI-e connector, we can say that this additional computer installed inside the system unit. Its structure also includes a processor (but not a CPU, but a GPU) with a cooling system, video memory (GDDR), a controller, a DAC and an ADC (digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters).

The fact that such a complex apparatus is included in the structure of a computer is due to the increased resource requirements for rendering realistic three-dimensional graphics. Otherwise, you will have to forget about the beauty of modern video games.

You can study the main characteristics of the video card based on the most important parameters of the rest constituent parts included in the structure of the computer. Here you need to include the frequency of the video processor, the volume, frequency and bandwidth of the video memory. It is impossible not to say about SLI and CrossFire technologies. They allow you to combine several video adapters to increase the power of the video system.

HDD

Disk Drive) is used to store data. It is on it that OS, games, programs are installed, it is on it that music, videos, photos are stored. The structure of the computer is such that any device can be replaced with a similar one without problems, however, after changing the HDD, all user data is lost, therefore, the highest reliability requirements are imposed on devices of this type.

HDD Main Features

Capacity (measured in bytes), the larger this value, the more data can be written to the drive. In modern conditions, it makes sense to give preference only to those members of the family whose capacity is above 500 GB.

Spindle speed (measured in revolutions per second) determines average speed data access. The higher this characteristic, the faster the reading and writing of information. Remember that high turnover creates high level noise.

Interface (type of connector for connecting to the system board). The structure of a personal computer in the modern world is such that it is almost impossible to choose a motherboard and a hard drive so that they do not fit together.

Cache is like RAM. Its purpose is to smooth out the difference in read and write speeds. When choosing a device, this parameter can be ignored.

Keyboard

Everything is moving forward, everything is developing, the computing power of processors is increasing, teaching aids and lectures are changing, according to which computer science is taught. The structure of the computer, however, has one component that remains unchanged - the keyboard. It can be with membrane keys, semi-mechanical, mechanical or use a scissor mechanism.

The structure with a membrane mechanism includes plastic cones and three layers of film on which the contacts are located. When the key is pressed, the cone contracts, shorting the top and bottom contacts. These keyboards are the cheapest and lightest.

In semi-mechanical keyboards, instead of short-lived sputtered contacts, metal contacts are installed, which are mounted on but the return of the key to its original position and the closing of the contacts is still performed by a plastic cone.

Mechanical keyboards use a spring as the return mechanism. They are considered the most durable and reliable. Their normal service life is from 50 to 100 years. The weight is much higher than any other.

Considered a type of membrane. These are most often installed in laptops. Under the key, in addition to the membrane, there are two rectangular cross bars that provide a smooth stroke, and this, in turn, protects against jamming.

power unit

When describing the anatomy of a computer (or the structure of a computer), information about that component is often left out. But in vain, the stability of the entire system depends on the power supply.

Its main characteristic is power. The modern market offers a choice of devices from 300 to 1600 watts. Four hundred is enough for an office computer, and the latest gaming system will require at least a kilowatt.

Keep in mind that the PB must not only provide all the components with the necessary power, but also have excess power that exceeds the nominal values ​​​​by 20%. This is the case because over time, the characteristics of power supplies "sag", and peak loads can disable the device.

As computer science says, the structure of a computer is absolutely independent of the selected power supply. They are versatile and suitable for any configuration. However, more powerful power supplies have a larger size and an increased number of the same type of connectors. In the vast majority of cases, the number of connectors is redundant even on the lowest power supplies.

It is better not to use cheap PBs that are produced by manufacturers without a name. Low voltage is supplied to PC devices (from 3 to 12 volts), and even a slight fluctuation in this indicator can disable some piece of hardware. In addition, in practice, such power supplies give out power a quarter less than the data in the passport.

Instead of an afterword

The educational program on the topic "building a computer for dummies" is completed. It describes not absolutely exhaustive information. In such descriptions, you can delve endlessly, describing the technical details, however, for a simple user, the information provided in this article is enough. Understanding already at this level, you can not call yourself a teapot or a beginner.

Hello, computer device- the system unit, what it consists of, today we will talk in detail on this topic. In the last issue of the blog, I told and showed.

Within the framework of this article, I will tell in detail and show the device of a computer, what our personal computers consist of, additional devices computer and much more. The material is quite extensive, so I will divide it into two parts. In the first we will talk about the device of the system unit, and in the second about.

Parts box

Two weeks ago, my parents asked me to buy and assemble a personal computer for them. About a week I studied the market and selected the necessary components. The total amount came out to about $1300.

When the choice was made, we went to the right computer store, bought all the spare parts, and that very evening I put everything together (the system unit and everything else). I downloaded the necessary software, showed and told everything, and also explained a little to my parents how to use it.

Many of you who are reading this material now understand and understand a little about the computer device, but there are also those who understand almost nothing about it. So, especially for you, I published this material. If you know everything and you are not interested, then you can safely close this page and do any other business.

A computer is made up of many parts, but for the most part they can be divided into two classes:

The system unit is a computer case (it is called differently the processor, black box, computer and other options), which is crammed with a lot of spare parts. It is usually located under the table or on it, all peripheral devices are connected to it.

Peripherals- these include all the things that are connected to the system unit, including a monitor, speakers or headphones, a mouse and keyboard, a printer, a modem, a scanner, a webcam, and others.

System unit

Here I will tell you in detail what the system unit consists of - a computer device. If you're curious, you can take a screwdriver and carefully unscrew the two small screws that are located on the back of your computer, then remove one of the side covers and look inside.

A little warning. If you recently took your computer, it is under warranty and there are warranty stickers located at the attachment points of the side covers, then it is better not to break these seals. IN otherwise you may void your warranty.

I will try to describe all its components in a language accessible to all:

1. Frame
2. Motherboard
3. Microprocessor
4. Computer memory - RAM, ROM
5. video card
6. power unit
7. HDD hard drive
8. Optical drive - CD, DVD ROM
9. Flopik - floppy disk drive (floppy disk) FDD
10. Card reader - there are both internal and external
11. Connectors and ports of peripheral devices

There may also be other devices in the system unit, for example, a PCI modem; LAN card; sound card; various expansion cards and more. I don't have a floppy and a card reader, so they are not shown in the photos. Let's take a closer look at each of the above components.

Frame

Case - acts as a box where all the components are assembled.

They are different in both color and appearance.

Motherboard

System board - it is more often called the motherboard or "mother". It performs many functions and contains many important components.

A microprocessor (processor), RAM, video card and other PCI cards are inserted into it. A hard drive, an optical drive, a power supply, as well as peripheral devices are also connected to the motherboard, which we will talk about a little later.

Microprocessor

The microprocessor is the computer's central processing unit or "stone". It performs the role of the brain, if we compare it with human organs. To date, there are two common companies that produce them - these are Intel and AMD.

The more cores and higher the bitness of your processor, the faster and more operations per second it can perform. The CPU breaks very rarely, but it does happen, so be prepared for it.

computer memory

Computer memory is divided into external and internal. In internal memory includes such storage devices (memory) ROM, RAM, ROM, RAM and CASH. In external memory includes FDD, HDD, CD, DVD-ROM, USB (flash drives, hard drives) and solid state storage devices SSD.

RAM(Random Access Memory) has a high speed, which uses the central processing unit to store short-term information while you are working at the computer. For normal operation of the computer, it is recommended to use from 1 to 4 GB of RAM and above. I have 6 gigabytes installed on my computer.

There are times when memory sticks with bad sectors come across, while your computer may not work correctly, freeze, reboot or issue blue screen of death. In order to check the RAM, you can download the Memtest program and check it for bad and bad sectors.

ROM(read-only memory) - it stores permanent reference and program information. This type of information includes the settings of your computer in BIOS.

Bios is the basic input/output system (computer cerebellum). The first program that turns on when you start your computer and checks all its components for functionality is BIOS.

If everything is good, then it emits one "peak" signal, if something is not in order, it can emit different signals or be completely silent. Some computers do not have a speaker that notifies the user about his work (a small squeaker). If you are interested in this program, you can read a little about it in the article.

CMOS is a type of memory that stores all the configuration settings for your computer. As soon as you turn on the computer, it checks all previously saved settings. In order to change something, you need to go to the BIOS Setup tab and change the necessary settings, for example, set boot from CD-ROM, HDD or USB.

Cache- ultra-high-speed operational and intermediate type of memory.

video card

The video card converts the image received on the motherboard and displays it on the monitor (TV). The more powerful your video card, the more games and different programs you can run on your computer. If your external video card breaks down, you can replace it at any time.

But if your internal video card burns out, you will have to change the entire motherboard. I don't have an internal graphics card on my motherboard, so I use an external one. Most motherboards have an internal (integrated) video adapter.

power unit

A voltage of about 220 volts is supplied to the power supply, which is converted to a lower voltage and after that it is distributed and feeds all the necessary components of the system unit.

If your power supply has burned out, then you can buy it in the region of $ 40-60.

HDD

On the hard HDD all physical memory, which you fill your computer with music, movies, programs, various documents, operating systems and so on. There are two types of hard drives that connect to the motherboard and exchange IDE and SATA information with it.

IDE is one of the first standards, an example of which, you can take a hard drive and see little yellow needles on the back of it. Now new computers use the SATA standard. It has a faster data transfer rate compared to its predecessor. In terms of data capacity, they are different from 8 -16 Gigabytes to 8 - 16 Terabytes. One terabyte contains 1024 gigabytes.

optical drive

Using the optical drive, you can write and read discs with information.

Drives are CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and BD-ROM.

flopik

It is a floppy disk FDD. Flopik reads and writes floppy disks. Now almost no one uses them, perhaps only some banks. One such floppy disk holds 1.44 megabytes.

card reader

A card reader is an auxiliary device with which you can view or write data on small Compact Flash, Memory Stick, SD Card, Micro SD, SDXC, SDHC flash drives from cell phones, cameras and similar equipment. They are both internal in the system unit, and external, which can be connected to a computer via USB.

Peripheral Connectors

You can connect various peripheral devices to our computer, such as a keyboard, mouse, webcam, USB flash drive, printer, and so on. There are the following types of connectors LPT, COM and USB.

To date, almost all such devices are connected to a computer via a multifunctional USB connector, which can be found on the back and front of the system unit.

Cooling and ventilation systems

A computer can have two or more fans (coolers). It all depends on the case and components of your computer.

The first cooler is located above the central processor and cools it as it heats up.

The second fan is located in the power supply, depending on its power, the cooler can be located both at the back of a small one and at the bottom a little more.

In some cases, native coolers are installed at the factory, they can be found on the rear wall of the case. If not, then you can buy at any computer store, they are inexpensive.

Expensive motherboards have small fans that cool the north or south bridge motherboards. These are large chips (microchips) on the motherboard, on top of which you can sometimes find a small iron cooling radiator.

There are no additional coolers on my motherboard, but my northbridge sometimes gets very hot. To keep it cool, I bought a small fan and attached it to the heatsink of my northbridge.

All more or less normal video cards should have at least one cooling cooler. If you have a good video card, then there may be several or even three such fans. I have an average video card with one cooler.

Cooling HDD

Hard drive cooling systems are the least common. What are they for, you ask me. If your hard drive heats up, then all the processes that take place inside it slow down, which can lead to a freeze or malfunction of your computer.

The optimum operating temperature of the HDD is 25 - 35 degrees Celsius. If the temperature rises higher, the life of the disk will decrease. Special mounts are sold with one or two small fans. Screw them to your hard drive and voila.

High temperature problems are mainly experienced by hard drives that are located in laptops. Due to insufficient space for air ventilation and cooling system, the temperature rises, which negatively affects its service life. In order to avoid this, I recommend doing dust prevention at least once a year, not only for a laptop, but also for a personal computer.

Computer device inside, system unit in 3D | website

Well, that's basically all short review computer device, namely the system unit.

Results

Today we talked in detail about computer device system block. I hope you were interested. In the next part, I will talk about the computer device - peripheral devices. Not to be missed important information subscribe to my newsletters.

Perhaps you have or have questions related to the device of the computer of the system unit, you can ask them below in the comments to this article, as well as use the form with me.

Thank you for reading me

Sometimes, when discussing computer topics, people often call a computer a system unit, which raises many questions regarding the composition and main characteristics of all the devices in it. Many users do not know anything about the functionality and structure of a computer device, so the reader is invited to fill in knowledge gaps. An article on the topic: "System unit: composition and main characteristics" will allow the user to always be savvy in matters of computer topics.

Metal box with light bulbs

The totality of all computer components responsible for the operation of a personal computer is called a system. Accordingly, the union of all elements on one platform, acting as one independent unit, is called a system unit. If to speak in plain language, then everything that is in a metal or plastic case, including the frame itself, is called a system. The composition of the system unit of a personal computer is known to almost any user: processor, motherboard, memory, video card, power supply and other components.

The basic functionality of the case is not only the unification of all elements of the computer, but also the provision of free interaction - that is, the physical access of all components to each other. In the market, it is customary to distinguish cases by form factor, which determines the size of the device (height, width and depth). Form factor examples: ETX, Barabone, Notebook, Server and more.

The heart of the system

Many users consider the processor to be the most important component, which is a mandatory part of the PC system unit. This opinion is wrong. The task of the central processor is data processing, i.e. complex mathematical calculations: addition, division, subtraction, multiplication. The role of the heart in personal computer the power supply unit plays, which not only supplies electricity to all elements of the platform, but also guarantees the quality of its supply (voltage and current strength).

When buying a computer, the user must correctly calculate the energy consumption of all components of the system unit and select the required power supply unit that will cope with the task. Ignoring this recommendation and purchasing a low-quality power supply can render all elements of the computer unusable. Naturally, the cost of one PSU is incommensurable with the losses in case of failure of all computer parts.

Basic I/O system

It is impossible to assemble a computer without a motherboard, which is also included in the system unit. This device is designed to combine all elements of the platform, as well as to manage the health of installed components. The motherboard has built-in software called BIOS. It is he who provides the operating environment with information about the elements included in the system unit. Compound, serial number devices, name and many other data can be found in this software.

In addition to all kinds of controllers and interfaces, all kinds of sensors are integrated into the motherboard that monitor the system's performance. In case of any problems, the device is able to notify the user with sound signals, however, this is solved at the level of special sounds that only IT specialists can decipher (we are talking about POST codes). Like the chassis of the device, the motherboard has a form factor and is defined by the same dimensions and markings.

Motherboard Features

In the computer market, there is a segmentation of components by cost and application. So, a user who chooses an inexpensive computer for himself will find a decent device in the budget class, and fans of resource-intensive games need to choose spare parts for a PC in an expensive one. The basic difference between the existing segments for all computer equipment that is part of the computer's system unit is performance and compatibility.

Also, motherboards can be basic and integrated. In the latter case, special controllers are installed on the basis of the motherboard, which are capable of emulating peripheral devices (video adapter, Wi-Fi module, etc.). The integration of components significantly reduces the cost of the system unit as a whole, but is not welcomed by buyers, since the built-in components use the production capacity of the processor, slowing it down.

Computer brains

Considering the basic devices that are part of the system unit, the user will certainly get acquainted with the RAM modules. This component in a computer is an assistant to the processor. Working synchronously, both devices in the system perform calculations and fully manage all data, including operating system And running applications. The more memory, the faster the computer will be.

They themselves differ in production technology (DDR4, DDR3, DDR2), as well as the data exchange rate (measured in frequencies: 1333 MHz, 2133 MHz, and so on). The higher the score, the faster the speed, but there are some limitations. For best performance, it is recommended that the memory and processor run at the same frequency (synchronously).

Warehouse of ready information

After processing, the data needs to be stored somewhere, so the hard drive is included in the system unit of the computer. Drives are magnetic and solid-state and differ among themselves in the amount of data they can hold and in the speed of operation. It so happened that solid state drives have great speed, but their production technology is too expensive, so the volume of such drives leaves much to be desired. Magnetic disks are cheaper to manufacture, however, they have serious speed limitations. It is this limitation that is the weak link in the operation of the entire system unit.

Many professionals recommend combining the two types of drives. Use the fast SSD drive for the operating system, and use the slow HDD as such. This solution is rated positively by many users.

Feedback from the computer owner

Finding out which devices are part of the system unit, do not forget about the connecting link that allows the user to control the computer, as well as see the results of their actions. We are talking about a video adapter that is installed on the base board and allows you to transfer video in real time to an information display (monitor, TV). Video cards are discrete and integrated and differ in performance and functionality.

Naturally, the integrated adapter is limited in its capabilities and is used in a computer only to display an image on the screen. But the discrete device is of greater interest to the user. Having its own GPU and RAM, the device is able to perform its own calculations, which are needed in all games.

global world network

The composition of the system unit without fail includes and network adapter, which can also be integrated into the motherboard or be an independent device that is installed in a computer in a special slot. The market trend is such that an integrated solution costs a penny, so many owners have already gotten used to the idea that it simply has to be on the motherboard.

The controllers themselves differ in data transfer speed and functionality. There are three speed standards: 10, 100 and 1024 megabits per second. But the functionality is only additional features: network download, providing information about network load and remote control adapter.

Sound accompaniment

Discussing what is included in the system unit, many users forget about the sound card, which is peripheral device, not an element of the motherboard. The adapter responsible for sound, like a discrete video adapter, is equipped with its own processor, memory and processing controllers sound signal. remotely reminiscent of miniature amplifier from a home theater that has both a receiver and a digital converter on board.

When choosing a system unit on the market, the composition of which includes a discrete audio adapter, you need to be prepared for disproportionately high cost computer as a whole. You always have to pay for quality. Many manufacturers have integrated a sound adapter on the motherboard. This solution the majority of users received it positively, since it is impossible to notice the difference in sound, when compared with an expensive device, without having an ear for music.

Expansion boards and their functionality

You can judge the purpose of the computer by its insides, for this you need to remove the case cover and determine which devices are included in the system unit. So, in a database server, you can find many hard drives and a RAID controller. This device is able to organize connected drives and create backup storage based on them.

In the editor's computer, you can find a video capture card or a professional television tuner. Such a device allows you to convert the received signal into data and store them on hard drives. Game lovers can see several discrete graphics cards, and System Administrator prefers to install an optical drive and many network cards in the system unit.

Finally

As practice shows, there is nothing complicated in a computer - it is an ordinary constructor, consisting of basic parts (mandatory elements) and peripherals. You just need to know what the end result (purpose) should be, and then it will not be difficult for anyone to assemble the system unit with their own hands. The composition, however, will have to be determined based on financial capabilities, because the computer market requires considerable investments from buyers.