IT HELP DESK

THE PORTS
Ports are connection points that we can connect the devices to
that extend that functionality of our computer.

The Monitor Connector / Keyboard and Mouse

Network Connection
CPU and RAM
The CPU is the brain of the computer, it does all the
calculations and data processing. CPU is being covered by the fan
or heat sink because it produces huge amount of heat due to its
high speed performance. Without the fan, the CPU will get burned
and collapse and computer will be ruined.

The CPU communicates pretty heavily with the RAM or Random Access
Memory. This is a short term memory. Pieces of data like message
in a chat box or words typed in a word processor are being stored
in RAM. The CPU is constantly at work. She constantly executing
program instructions. A program is being stored into the hard
drive, and from the hard drive, step by step program instructions
are being transported to the RAM, and from the RAM down to the
CPU. These instructions are written into a form that the computer
can understand – binary (1 & 0). This is how the data are being
delivered to the CPU because the CPU cannot communicate directly
with the hard drive.
External Data Bus (EDB)
This is a row of wires that interconnects the parts of the
computer, kind of veins in our body. If one of the wires doesn’t
have voltage flowing through it, then the state is 0. But if
there is a voltage flowing through the wire, then its 1. This is
how 1’s and 0’s (binary) are being transported throughout the
computer, especially to the CPU. EDB comes in different sizes, 8
bit, 16 bit, 32 bit and 64 bit. 64 bit EDB can transport a lot of
data all throughout the computer.
Let say for example, an 8 bit EDB transports 1 byte of data to
the CPU at a time. Inside the CPU rests some components called
Registers. The Registers store the data that our CPU is working
with. It’s just like small bowls where all the ingredients are
being prepared before it put on the cooking pan.
Bits of data are not just actually transported from RAM to the
CPU through the EDB, there are still a lot of process. The RAM
holds millions of data, and each data can be transported through
the EDB one at a time, therefore we need some help. In this case,
the RAM needs Memory Controller Chip or MCC. The MCC is the
bridge between the CPU and the RAM. The CPU will send the data
address (not the data) to the MCC through the Address Bus, then
the MCC will locate the data from the RAM using the address it
received. Once the data has been located, the MCC will deliver it
to the CPU through the EDB.
Cache
Cache are small storage within the CPU, smaller than the RAM.
There are some data that our CPU is always using with, and these
data are being stored in cache for faster reference than the RAM.

Clock Wire
Clock wire is a wire where CPU’s built-in clock is being
connected. The clock wire tells the CPU when should the process
of data will start and end. One tickling of the clock wire means
one cycle of operation happened in the CPU. 3.4ghz in a CPU
indicates its clock speed. Clock speed is the maximum count of
clock cycle (or sending of voltage: as for every voltage one data
is being sent to the CPU) that can happen in the clock wire in a
certain period of time. 3.4ghz is 3.4 billion cycles per second.
It doesn’t mean that it does, but it just means that it can’t
exceed that number.
Overclocking means more clock cycles and faster clock wire
tickling. This is more common when the user is a gamer to prevent
system lag.

Hard Drive
Opposite of RAM, here’s the Hard Drive, where long term data can
be stored. It holds data such as music, pictures, and
applications.
Motherboard
Motherboard is the body of circulatory system of the computer
that connects all the pieces together.

The Power Supply

Power supply is the device that converts electricity from the
power outlet onto a format that the computer can use.
Storage

Figure 1 (Data Conversion Table)

How much does a 500GB means? Let’s take a look at a size of an

average music file, which is about 3MB. For a 500GB machine, that
means that we can have 165,000 music files.
HDD’s are the largest storage in our computer. This is where
music, pictures, files and even applications. Hard disks are
writing and reading the files using the platter and its
mechanical arm, this process is called RPM or revolution per
minute. The higher the RPM, the faster is the hard drive.
However, HDD’s are more prone to being damaged because of the
moving components inside. In this case, we have a new type of
storage can be purchased in the market, the SSD or Solid State
Drive.

SSD has no moving parts unlike the HDD. Instead, it has a very
similar process with the USB, where data are being stored in the
microchips, and faster than the HDD. SSD’s are less prone to
damage and faster than but it’s much expensive.
HDD’s are using an interface to connect with the computer and
move the data through it, called sATA (serial advanced technology
attachment / serial ATA). This is the de facto interface of all
HDD’s.

But eSATA cannot coup up

with the faster SSD
performance, therefore
newest type of interface has been created called NVM Express or
NVMe.

Instead of connecting drive to the machine, the drive was added

as an expansion slot which allows greater throughput of data and
increase efficiency.