Frequently Asked Questions-Lingo

Q: What are the different components of the computer called?
A: This is a very broad question, so I will name and explain the functions of the basic components in a computer.

Monitor- projects the images created by the computer

Keyboard- a set of alphanumeric and command keys used to input information to a computer

Mouse-is a point device that functions by detecting two dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface

Speakers- a device that projects the sound being played on the computer

Computer Case/Tower- the casing or "box"  where the computer's hardware resides (also commonly referred to as a CPU). Think of it like the bones and skin in your body that hold and protect your vital organs.  

Motherboard- This component connects all the components of the computer together. Everything is connected to the motherboard: the monitor, the hard drive, the video card, the processor, everything. 

Hard Drive- Think of this component as the long term memory in our brain. The hard drive stores everything from your pictures and documents, to your video games and internet cookies. 

RAM/Memory- This component is best describes as the short term memory in our brain. If you have ever seen that movie 50 First Dates you will recall that Drew Barrymore's character lost everything in her short term memory every time she went to bed. Well RAM works much of the same way, every time you shut off your computer, RAM looses everything it was saving. RAM is by far the hardest component to define so I will give you another example to try and define this piece of hardware. When you are working in Microsoft Word and you are typing a document you have the ability to undo a command and retrieve something you erased, that is because that is stored in the RAM, but if you turn off the computer (or even the program) you will not be able to move back and retrieve what was deleted. Are you still confused what RAM is? Don't worry so is most of the world.  

Video Card- This component's function is to generate and output images to a display. Pretty much every motherboard (manufactured in the past 5 years) has decent onboard video, but to play higher end video games (e.g. WoW, Call of Duty 4, Bioshock, Crysis) you will need a video card. I think of video cards like glasses and if you have ever tried to play a game that needs a video card better than the one you have you will understand this concept. When I first bought TES: Oblivion I need not have a video card that could handle the game so therefore the game looked distorted and unclear, but when I got the proper video card everything cleared up and looked fantastic (and that is why I think of video cards as glasses)  

Processor/CPU- The processor simply does what the name implies, it processes. It interrupts your commands and forwards that command to the proper component to be executed.  

CD/DVD/Blu-Ray Drive- The drive you put CDs or DVDs in to be read by the computer. There are several types of drives such as: CD-ROM (can only play CDs), CD-RW (is able to read and create CDs), DVD-ROM (is only able to read DVDs), DVD-RW (is able to read and create DVDs)

Power Supply-Power supply, simply supplies power. This is where the power is sent and then distributed through out the computer to power everything from the motherboard to the cooling fans. 

 

Have a lingo questions you want to ask?
e-mail it to bob@rpccomputers.com 

Last Edited: 08/04/2009 11:49