Well, if you start writing the list of computer parts, right from the miniature components, the list will get very long. So, why not explain the computer parts list, grouping them, depending on the purpose they solve. This list of all computer parts, will also help you in designing, or at least selecting, the configuration for your computer. Let us start with the basic list of parts in a computer, which you need to have, irrespective of the purpose for which you want to use your computer.
Monitor
It is not required to mention that it is one of the most important peripherals of your computer. The computer monitor is your computers display device and in most of the cases, the only source of output from your computer. TFT computer monitors are the trend now. They provide you with better visual effects and better graphics and display. Large size TFT computer screens are manufactured by various vendors. However, if you are a bit tight on the budget, you can always choose a CRT monitor, which comes at a much cheaper cost.
Keyboard
Most people wonder, how can keyboards differ? But computer keyboards manufactured by different vendors have different facilities. There are some that provide keys for internet access, while some provide keys for games. Some have keys for increasing or decreasing the volume, though this has been integrated in almost all keyboards, that are manufactured nowadays.
Mouse
This is the device, because of which, we don't have to remember the keyboards shortcuts anymore. A computer mouse can broadly be classified into two categories, namely the optical mouse and the roller mouse. An optical mouse is generally preferred over a roller mouse and it is always advisable, whatever the purpose of your computer, to get an optical mouse along with it.
With the three basic peripherals explained, let us now try to understand the detailed computer parts list, as per our requirement.
CD-ROM
Here, there is a wide range of variation. You can get a CD-ROM, which simply does the work of reading your CDs or you can get a DVD-ROM, which can read both CDs and DVDs. You can also get a combo drive, which can read and write CDs, and can read but not write DVDs. A DVD-ROM R/W, can read and write both CDs and DVDs. Writing large number of CDs and DVDs on a regular basis can spoil your DVD writing lens. You can consider getting a DVD-ROM R/W and a simple DVD ROM just to read DVDs and CDs. This way, you can avoid excessive use of the same lens, for both reading and writing CDs and DVDs, and hence increase the longevity of your DVD ROM.
USB Ports
This is the age of USB devices. The storage capacities of USB storage devices have also increased a lot. Check that you have got more than two USB ports in your computer, for almost all components, like a mouse and USB flash drives will need a USB port. Computer mouse, monitor, keyboard, printer etc. all come along with the USB connection facility. You can add an external hard disk to your computer too, using a USB port.
Printers/Scanners
These are the computer peripherals, which you can get as per your requirement. If you have a job of desktop publishing, then printers and scanners are among the parts that will be an integral part of your infrastructure.
What I have listed above, can more accurately be termed as computer peripherials rather than computer parts. Now, lets take a look at the advanced list of computer parts, which are inside the CPU (Central Processing Unit).
Motherboard
This is perhaps the most important part of your computer. This is where all your computer peripherals and components are connected to and most importantly, the CPU is mounted on the computer motherboard. It is nothing but a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), which holds and provides connections to different components. When selecting a motherboard, you should take into consideration, the processor which you are going to use. Not all processors are compatible to all motherboards. For example, socket A motherboards are compatible with AMD Athlons, whereas socket 478 motherboards are compatible with Pentium 4 processors.
CPU
This is what controls everything in your computer. Be it the processes, the components or even the minutest operation like the volume, it handles everything. So take due care when selecting this component during your computer buying process. There are 32 bits and 64 bits processors available in the market. Get a proper review of the 32 bits vs. 64 bits processors, before selecting the computer processor you want. AMD and Intel are the two major players in this field. Take a review of the AMD vs Intel chips comparison as well, before selecting the CPU for your computer. The other most important factor that you need to take care of is the processor speed. The unit of processor speed is Ghz/sec.
RAM
It is generally assumed that the more the storage capacity of the RAM, the faster the computer. This is because the RAM is the primary storage device in a computer. Your RAM also needs to be compatible with the computer processor you are using. DDR SDRAM is the most used RAM nowadays. It is compatible with socket A as well as socket 478 motherboards.
Storage Devices
The most important storage devices within any CPU, is the hard disk. The storage space in your computer again depends upon its use. If you are a movie freak and want to make a collection, then you will require high storage capacity. The hard disk space is generally measured in Gigabytes. Since hard disks generally come very cheap nowadays, it is always better to use a hard disk with a high storage capacity. There are also, high memory portable storage devices available in the market, which can be connected to your computer using the USB port. There are two different types of hard disks that are available in the market, namely the serial and the parallel. The SATA hard disks are serial devices and have high data transfer rates. The parallel hard disks are known as PATA. You can take a review of the different types of hard drives too, before selecting the one which best suits your purpose.
Graphics Card
Now, suppose you want to configure a computer that is compatible with almost all types of pc games. The gaming computer parts list, will include almost all the components and peripherals that have been mentioned above, but with, what I would term as 'higher values'. You will require a processor with a greater speed, a larger storage hard disk, s RAM with a larger capacity and a TFT screen for better display. In addition to all these, you will require a graphics card. If you want to play the latest multimedia games, then a graphics card is the utmost necessity. Many computers come along with built in graphics card, while many of them just provide the graphics card slot. If the graphics card provided by your computer manufacturer does not solve your purpose, then you can replace the graphics card with another one of your choice. The Nvidia Gforce and ATI Radeon are among the top competitors in this field.
Sound Card
Most computer motherboard manufacturers provide integrated sound cards. However, you may have to install the drivers for the sound card, depending on the operating system you will be using. Linux operating system, for example, does not require the installation of any driver. Hence, if you are planning to use a Linux operating system, then installing the sound card drivers is not required.
What I have listed above is the most common computer parts list, which you have to take into consideration before getting a computer or upgrading your existing one. Ensure that you have studied the reviews of all the components in the list of computer parts mentioned above, before configuring your computer. There are various other details like the type of cabinet and UPS, which you will also need to take into consideration.
Monitor
It is not required to mention that it is one of the most important peripherals of your computer. The computer monitor is your computers display device and in most of the cases, the only source of output from your computer. TFT computer monitors are the trend now. They provide you with better visual effects and better graphics and display. Large size TFT computer screens are manufactured by various vendors. However, if you are a bit tight on the budget, you can always choose a CRT monitor, which comes at a much cheaper cost.
Keyboard
Most people wonder, how can keyboards differ? But computer keyboards manufactured by different vendors have different facilities. There are some that provide keys for internet access, while some provide keys for games. Some have keys for increasing or decreasing the volume, though this has been integrated in almost all keyboards, that are manufactured nowadays.
Mouse
This is the device, because of which, we don't have to remember the keyboards shortcuts anymore. A computer mouse can broadly be classified into two categories, namely the optical mouse and the roller mouse. An optical mouse is generally preferred over a roller mouse and it is always advisable, whatever the purpose of your computer, to get an optical mouse along with it.
With the three basic peripherals explained, let us now try to understand the detailed computer parts list, as per our requirement.
CD-ROM
Here, there is a wide range of variation. You can get a CD-ROM, which simply does the work of reading your CDs or you can get a DVD-ROM, which can read both CDs and DVDs. You can also get a combo drive, which can read and write CDs, and can read but not write DVDs. A DVD-ROM R/W, can read and write both CDs and DVDs. Writing large number of CDs and DVDs on a regular basis can spoil your DVD writing lens. You can consider getting a DVD-ROM R/W and a simple DVD ROM just to read DVDs and CDs. This way, you can avoid excessive use of the same lens, for both reading and writing CDs and DVDs, and hence increase the longevity of your DVD ROM.
USB Ports
This is the age of USB devices. The storage capacities of USB storage devices have also increased a lot. Check that you have got more than two USB ports in your computer, for almost all components, like a mouse and USB flash drives will need a USB port. Computer mouse, monitor, keyboard, printer etc. all come along with the USB connection facility. You can add an external hard disk to your computer too, using a USB port.
Printers/Scanners
These are the computer peripherals, which you can get as per your requirement. If you have a job of desktop publishing, then printers and scanners are among the parts that will be an integral part of your infrastructure.
What I have listed above, can more accurately be termed as computer peripherials rather than computer parts. Now, lets take a look at the advanced list of computer parts, which are inside the CPU (Central Processing Unit).
Motherboard
This is perhaps the most important part of your computer. This is where all your computer peripherals and components are connected to and most importantly, the CPU is mounted on the computer motherboard. It is nothing but a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), which holds and provides connections to different components. When selecting a motherboard, you should take into consideration, the processor which you are going to use. Not all processors are compatible to all motherboards. For example, socket A motherboards are compatible with AMD Athlons, whereas socket 478 motherboards are compatible with Pentium 4 processors.
CPU
This is what controls everything in your computer. Be it the processes, the components or even the minutest operation like the volume, it handles everything. So take due care when selecting this component during your computer buying process. There are 32 bits and 64 bits processors available in the market. Get a proper review of the 32 bits vs. 64 bits processors, before selecting the computer processor you want. AMD and Intel are the two major players in this field. Take a review of the AMD vs Intel chips comparison as well, before selecting the CPU for your computer. The other most important factor that you need to take care of is the processor speed. The unit of processor speed is Ghz/sec.
RAM
It is generally assumed that the more the storage capacity of the RAM, the faster the computer. This is because the RAM is the primary storage device in a computer. Your RAM also needs to be compatible with the computer processor you are using. DDR SDRAM is the most used RAM nowadays. It is compatible with socket A as well as socket 478 motherboards.
Storage Devices
The most important storage devices within any CPU, is the hard disk. The storage space in your computer again depends upon its use. If you are a movie freak and want to make a collection, then you will require high storage capacity. The hard disk space is generally measured in Gigabytes. Since hard disks generally come very cheap nowadays, it is always better to use a hard disk with a high storage capacity. There are also, high memory portable storage devices available in the market, which can be connected to your computer using the USB port. There are two different types of hard disks that are available in the market, namely the serial and the parallel. The SATA hard disks are serial devices and have high data transfer rates. The parallel hard disks are known as PATA. You can take a review of the different types of hard drives too, before selecting the one which best suits your purpose.
Graphics Card
Now, suppose you want to configure a computer that is compatible with almost all types of pc games. The gaming computer parts list, will include almost all the components and peripherals that have been mentioned above, but with, what I would term as 'higher values'. You will require a processor with a greater speed, a larger storage hard disk, s RAM with a larger capacity and a TFT screen for better display. In addition to all these, you will require a graphics card. If you want to play the latest multimedia games, then a graphics card is the utmost necessity. Many computers come along with built in graphics card, while many of them just provide the graphics card slot. If the graphics card provided by your computer manufacturer does not solve your purpose, then you can replace the graphics card with another one of your choice. The Nvidia Gforce and ATI Radeon are among the top competitors in this field.
Sound Card
Most computer motherboard manufacturers provide integrated sound cards. However, you may have to install the drivers for the sound card, depending on the operating system you will be using. Linux operating system, for example, does not require the installation of any driver. Hence, if you are planning to use a Linux operating system, then installing the sound card drivers is not required.
What I have listed above is the most common computer parts list, which you have to take into consideration before getting a computer or upgrading your existing one. Ensure that you have studied the reviews of all the components in the list of computer parts mentioned above, before configuring your computer. There are various other details like the type of cabinet and UPS, which you will also need to take into consideration.
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