What does what in your computer? Computer parts Explained

Summary

This video script offers a beginner-friendly overview of a desktop computer's essential components: the case, power supply, motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, and graphics card. It simplifies the understanding of these parts by categorizing them into simple and complex components. The CPU, likened to the brain of the computer, processes data, while RAM provides quick data access and the hard drive stores it. The graphics card, a specialized component, manages the visual output on the monitor. The script aims to demystify computer internals for those new to the subject.

Takeaways

• 💻 The fundamental parts of a desktop computer include the case, power supply, motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, and graphics card.
• 🏠 The case serves as a protective housing for all the internal components.
• 🔌 The power supply unit converts AC power from the wall to the DC power needed by the computer's components.
• 🔄 The motherboard acts as the central hub, allowing all components to communicate and transfer data.
• 🧠 The CPU (Central Processing Unit or processor) is responsible for executing instructions and processing data.
• 💾 The hard drive is where all data, such as videos, pictures, and documents, is stored long-term.
• 🚀 RAM (Random Access Memory) provides temporary storage for data that is actively being used by the CPU for quick access.
• 🎮 The graphics card (GPU) processes visual information to display on the monitor, enhancing the visual output of games and applications.
• 🔗 The relationship between RAM and the hard drive is crucial; RAM stores data for quick CPU access, while the hard drive stores larger amounts of data.
• 📊 RAM capacity affects the ability to run intensive programs, whereas hard drive space determines how much data and programs can be stored.
• 🛠️ Additional components like cooling systems and internal wireless cards are important for the computer's performance and connectivity but are considered extras.

Q & A

What are the seven essential parts of a typical desktop computer?

The seven essential parts of a typical desktop computer are the case, power supply, motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, and graphics card.

What is the primary function of the computer case?

The primary function of the computer case is to house and protect all the other components inside it, providing an enclosed system for everything else.

How does the power supply contribute to the functioning of a computer?

The power supply plugs into the wall and provides electricity to all the other components, acting as an advanced AC adapter.

Why is the motherboard considered the most important component in a computer?

The motherboard is considered the most important because it allows all the other components to send electrical currents and data between each other, and without it, there would be nowhere to connect these components.

What does CPU stand for and what is its role in a computer?

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, also known as the processor. It is responsible for performing most of the calculations and processing needed to run programs, often referred to as the brain of the computer.

How does RAM differ from a hard drive in terms of data storage and access?

RAM, or Random Access Memory, stores data for quick access and is much faster than a hard drive but has less storage capacity. A hard drive, on the other hand, has a larger storage capacity but is slower in accessing data.

What happens when a program is run on a computer?

When a program is run, the CPU identifies the necessary data, pulls it from the hard drive, and stores it in RAM for quick accessibility, allowing the program to run efficiently.

What is the role of the graphics card in a computer?

The graphics card is responsible for determining what pixels need to light up on the screen in what color and at what time, effectively translating the data processed by the CPU into visual output on the monitor.

Why is the relationship between RAM and the hard drive considered unique?

The relationship is unique because the hard drive stores large amounts of data, but accesses it slowly, while RAM sacrifices storage space for nearly instant data accessibility, complementing the hard drive by providing quick access to data needed by the CPU.

What is the significance of the term 'loading' in the context of computer programs?

In the context of computer programs, 'loading' refers to the process of transferring data from the hard drive into RAM, which is necessary for the program to run efficiently.

What additional components are mentioned in the script that are not part of the seven essential parts?

The script mentions cooling systems and internal wireless cards as additional components that are not part of the seven essential parts of a typical desktop computer.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Understanding the Basic Components of a Computer

This paragraph introduces the fundamental parts of a desktop computer, which include the case, power supply, motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, and graphics card. It categorizes these components into simple ones (case, power supply, motherboard) and more complex ones (CPU, RAM, hard drive, graphics card). The case is described as a protective housing, the power supply as the electricity provider, and the motherboard as the central circuit board facilitating data exchange among components. The paragraph sets the stage for a deeper dive into each component's function.

05:02

🧠 CPU, RAM, Hard Drive, and Graphics Card: The Core of Computer Operations

This paragraph delves into the roles of the CPU, RAM, hard drive, and graphics card. The CPU, or central processing unit, is likened to the brain of the computer, responsible for processing data. RAM, or random access memory, is where frequently used data is stored for quick access, contrasting with the hard drive, which stores all data but accesses it more slowly. The graphics card, or GPU, is described as a dedicated unit for rendering visuals on the monitor, turning computational data into visual output. The paragraph also clarifies common terminology and emphasizes the interplay between these components in running programs and games, highlighting the importance of each in the computer's overall performance.

Keywords

💡RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is often referred to as just 'memory' in the context of computers. It is a form of computer memory that can be read and changed in any order, typically used to store data that the computer is actively processing. In the video, RAM is described as having a unique relationship with the hard drive, where it stores data that is needed for quick access, allowing the CPU to perform tasks efficiently. The video uses the analogy of a storage unit to explain how RAM, despite having less capacity, provides faster access to data than a hard drive.

💡Hard Drive

A hard drive, also known as a disk drive or storage, is a non-volatile storage device that stores and retrieves digital information using magnetic, solid-state (SSD), or optical storage technology. In the video, it is explained as the component where all data such as videos, pictures, documents, and game files are stored. The video highlights that while hard drives can store large amounts of data, they are relatively slow at accessing this data compared to RAM.

💡CPU

The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, also known as the processor, is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing inside the computer. It is often referred to as the 'brain' of the computer. The video explains that the CPU is responsible for reading, arranging, and performing quick and massive calculations with data, and that most programs are run from it. It is central to the computer's operations, with all activities in the computer eventually going through the CPU.

💡Motherboard

The motherboard is a printed circuit board (PCB) that allows other components of a computer to communicate with each other. It is described in the video as a wide and flat circuit board that all other components plug into, allowing them to send electrical currents and data between each other. It is considered the most important component as it provides the platform for all other parts to function together.

💡Power Supply

The power supply unit (PSU) is the component that converts mains AC electricity into low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer. In the video, it is likened to an extremely advanced AC adapter, providing electricity to all other parts of the computer. It is crucial for the operation of the computer as it ensures that all components receive the necessary power to function.

💡Graphics Card

A graphics card, also known as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), is a component that generates images for a display. In the video, it is described as an entire computer dedicated to the task of determining what pixels need to light up on the screen in what color and at what time. It is essential for rendering complex 3D worlds and high-resolution graphics, transforming numerical data into visual output on the monitor.

💡Case

The case is the outer covering of a computer, typically made of metal or plastic, which houses all the internal components. In the video, it is described as a 'big hunk of plastic' that provides an enclosed system for all other components. It serves a protective and organizational role, ensuring that the components are safely contained and easily accessible for maintenance or upgrades.

💡Data

Data in the context of the video refers to the digital information that is processed, stored, and manipulated by a computer. It includes everything from user files like documents and pictures to the underlying code and assets that make up software applications and games. The video explains how data is stored on the hard drive and accessed quickly by the CPU through RAM for processing.

💡Electricity

Electricity is the flow of electrons that powers electronic devices, including computers. In the video, it is mentioned in relation to the power supply, which provides the necessary electricity for all components of the computer to function. Without electricity, the computer's components would be unable to perform their tasks and the computer would not operate.

💡Storage

Storage in a computer refers to the capacity to save data for later use. The video distinguishes between the storage provided by the hard drive, which is large but slower, and RAM, which offers less storage but much faster access. Storage is essential for saving user data and the files needed to run applications and games.

💡Loading

Loading in the context of the video refers to the process of transferring data from the hard drive into RAM so that it can be accessed quickly by the CPU. This is a common operation when starting a new level in a game or opening a large file, and it is represented by the 'loading' screen that users often see. The video uses this term to illustrate how data moves from storage to active memory for processing.

Highlights

A typical desktop computer consists of seven essential parts: case, power supply, motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, and graphics card.

The case is a plastic enclosure that houses all the computer components.

The power supply unit converts wall power into electricity for the computer's components.

The motherboard is a circuit board that allows all components to connect and communicate.

CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the brain of the computer, processing data and running programs.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, stores data temporarily for quick access by the CPU.

Hard drives are for long-term data storage, holding large amounts of information.

Graphics cards, or GPUs, process visual data to display images on the monitor.

The CPU is responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations.

RAM's speed allows it to be used for frequently accessed data, unlike hard drives.

Hard drives are slower but have a larger capacity for storing data.

The relationship between RAM and hard drive is crucial for program execution.

When a program is run, the CPU pulls necessary data from the hard drive into RAM.

Graphics cards are dedicated to rendering images and managing display outputs.

The CPU creates the 3D world in a game, while the GPU determines its visual appearance.

Fast Inverse Square Root is a mathematical operation related to 3D perspective calculations.

Additional components like cooling systems and wireless cards are considered extras.

The video aims to simplify the understanding of complex computer components for viewers.

Transcripts

if you work with computers you've likely

heard terms like ram hard drive and

processor mentioned by tech support or

others who are more interested in what

goes on inside of a computer's case

if you've always wondered what the

various components of your computer are

for but have never really had the time

to look into it then this video is just

for you while each one of these

components is complex enough to spend a

lifetime learning about i'm gonna give a

very broad and general overview

a typical desktop computer comes down to

these seven essential parts

case power supply motherboard cpu

ram hard drive and graphics cards

these are the fundamental parts of any

desktop computer it may seem daunting at

first so let's separate these into two

categories

simple ones and the more complex ones

for starters let's look at the case

the case is nothing more than a big hunk

of plastic that houses everything else

some of them have more or less physical

space some of them have different parts

where you can put screws in or this or

that but at the end of the day all the

case really does is provide a nice

enclosed system for everything else

next up we have the power supply this

part of your computer almost always

located on the bottom is the part that

plugs into the wall and provides all of

the other parts with the electricity

needed to do their thing

you can think of it as an extremely

advanced ac adapter

the last of the simple parts to mention

is the motherboard the motherboard is a

wide and flat circuit board that all of

the other components plug into it's the

part that lets all of these components

send electrical currents composing data

between each other

while not particularly expensive the

motherboard is arguably the most

important component because without it

you'd have nowhere to put anything else

so that's it for the simple components

now let's move on to the more complex

parts the ones that deal with data

the four main components to keep in mind

here are cpu ram hard drive and graphics

card

now first things first i'm going to

establish some terminology

keep in mind that cpu is also known as

the central processing unit or processor

these terms all refer to the same thing

they are completely interchangeable

ram stands for random access memory and

is often referred to as just memory a

hard drive is often referred to as a

disk drive or storage

and a graphics card is also known as a

gpu or graphics processing unit

for this explanation i'll be using the

terms cpu ram hard drive and graphics

card

so let's start with the cpu the cpu is

where your computer does things it isn't

really capable of storing very much data

at all but it's very good at doing

things with data quickly reading it

arranging it doing the type of quick and

massive calculations needed to run your

programs

this is where most of your programs are

essentially run from

it's often referred to as the brain of

the computer i personally don't like

this description because really your

entire computer is just a brain it's

just the center part of your computer's

brain basically everything that happens

in your computer goes through your cpu

at some point

now let's talk about ram and hard drive

at the same time because they have a

very unique relationship which is

probably why people often confuse the

two

your hard drive is where all of your

data is stored when your computer tells

you you're running low on space it's

because your hard drive is almost full

all of the data that makes up your

videos pictures documents project files

or the 3d worlds and models that make up

a game are all stored here

while hard drives can store lots of data

they're relatively bad at accessing that

data quickly

everything is accessed through a tiny

little wire here and because most hard

drives are made up of spinning disks

your hard drive isn't going to be able

to constantly give your cpu the

information it needs to run certain

programs that's where ram comes in

ram is another form of storage it stores

the exact same kind of data as your hard

drive but ram sacrifices storage space

for nearly instant accessibility

unlike your hard drive which sends all

of its data through a tiny little thin

wire your ram is arranged in these long

thin sticks that insert into your

motherboard think about a storage unit

if you have a massive warehouse with

only a thin doorway it's going to be

difficult to get in find what you need

and get out if it's kind of spread all

over the place you'll have to go through

a tiny door

but if you have a long wide storage shed

that's got a big massive garage

composing an entire side of it you won't

be able to store as much but things are

significantly easier to get to typically

if your computer has a thousand

gigabytes of storage space in your hard

drive it's likely got about 16 gigabytes

worth of ram here's where you put the

stuff you own but you aren't currently

using and this smaller one is where you

put the stuff that you are using and

need to be able to get in and out of

quickly

when you run a program or a project file

your cpu identifies what parts of data

are needed for that program to run

it pulls them from your hard drive and

then it stores them in your ram sticks

for quick accessibility this is why when

you start a new level of a game for

instance it has to load anytime you see

loading it's loading the data that

composes that level from your bulky hard

drive into your ram from a user's

perspective just follow this rule of

thumb

ram allows you to run intensive programs

while disk space allows you to have more

of these in programs installed

it also allows you to have more of the

data they're referencing whether it be

pictures videos or mods

and finally we get to the graphics card

with all of the calculations going on in

your computer to turn a bunch of numbers

that basically come down to ones and

zeros into a constantly updated

three-dimensional world

the final and most important and

arguably most difficult step is to

display that on your monitor

it's possible for your motherboard to do

this alone but it's not going to look

good and it's certainly not going to be

able to do much

your graphics card is essentially an

entire computer in and of itself

dedicated to the sole task of figuring

out what pixels need to light up on your

screen in what color and at what time if

you were playing a game that had a very

busy and high texture world with lots of

models and different angles and colors

your cpu is the thing that creates that

world it knows where the stuff is and it

does so with data that's been stored in

your ram which was loaded out of your

hard drive but it's your graphics card

that figures out what it's supposed to

look like based on where you're standing

in the world without getting too off

topic here if you're somebody who likes

math i highly recommend you look up fast

inverse square root which is directly

related to how three-dimensional worlds

calculate perspectives

so that pretty much sums it up there are

other components worth mentioning such

as cooling systems or internal wireless

cards but really those are extras

so to summarize what i talked about so

far the case stores everything in a

physical box the power supply gives

electricity to what needs it the

motherboard is the body that everything

plugs into the cpu does everything

ram stores data that is needed for quick

access

hard drives store everything that you

have installed and the data that goes

along with those programs

well the graphics card figures out how

it's all supposed to look on your

monitor well thank you very much for

watching i hope i helped and if you have

any questions feel free to leave a

comment and i'll do my best to answer

them liking and subscribing is always a

big help and i plan to put out many more

videos explaining technical concepts

such as this one