Running head: Building a PC 1

Building a PC

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BUILDING A PC

INTRODUCTION

Turing’s central ideas about the concept of a universal machine laid down the foundation of

modern machines, where the focal point is the computational capabilities of machines. It

symbolized the digital revolution advancements in both computer hardware and software.

A group of scientists at Bell Labs invented the UNIX operating system, which was programmed

in C and was portable across multiple platforms (Zakary et al., 2019). Innovations made

computers portable, fast, power-efficient, affordable therefore within the reach of the normal

consumer.

MODERN COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware means all parts of a computer that is not software. This includes processors, memories,

buses that connect devices, and other peripheral devices (Clements, 2006). Computer hardware is

classified into three distinct categories. These are input devices, output devices, and processing.

Input devices

An input device is a piece of hardware equipment that sends data and control signals to a

computer. Examples are keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, joysticks, and microphones.

Output devices

These are devices that transform digital signals and information into a form that can be

understood by humans. The information could be text, video, audio, or graphics. Examples of

such devices are computer monitors, printers, speakers, etc.

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BUILDING A PC

Processing Unit

These are the “brains” of the computer. They take data and transform it into information. An

example is a processor.

Some devices can be both input and output devices. Devices like the hard drive and modems can

both send input and receive output.

Assembling the Computer

Identifying Hardware Requirements

 Different hardware has different capabilities, and different users have different

requirements. The first step of assembling computer hardware is by carefully filling a

checklist of needs which will guide in selecting the components to be used and the

overall budget. This checklist will contain responses to questions like;

 Primary use–What will be the PC be running most of the time. What application is a

must-have? Will the application run as a standalone or will it require resources like other

applications, internet to run;

 Secondary function–What will the computer be running when not being used for the

primary purpose? Will it be used for playing games, bitcoin mining, entertainment

(Chambers, et al. 2011).

Choosing the Hardware

Motherboard

The motherboard is the central component of any PC assembly. Motherboards determine the

kinds of hardware that the computer will contain.

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BUILDING A PC

CPU

The CPU, or processor, is the computer’s brain, and it handles the arithmetic and logic functions

of the computer. It is one of the most important factors in determining the system’s strength.

RAM

Another important component that determines the efficiency of the PC to a large extent is RAM.

Computer memory comprises silicon chips and is the computer’s working area. This is where

software instructions and data are stored.

Storage Device

The hard dish is the permanent storage for all data. They are of two types of technologies used in

hard disks, hard drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD). A hard disk drive (HDD) is a type of

storage device that accesses data using mechanical platters and a moving read/write head. A

solid-state drive (SSD) is a newer, faster form of storage system that stores data on memory

chips that are instantly available

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

This is a hardware component in a computer that supplies power to all devices. The choice of the

wattage of the PSU is determined by the power requirements of the components in the computer.

Chassis

This is the housing unit that encloses components of a computer. The chassis determines the

form factor is simply a specification that provides the physical measurements for the size of

components and where mounting devices for them are located

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Fans

These are the cooling elements in the PC that help with thermal regulations. CPU fans cool the

CPU and case fans are used to facilitate the flow of air in and out of the computer.

CONCLUSION

The lowering of prices in computer parts has given rise to a niche of hobbyists and enthusiasts

who build their PC. The major advantage that comes with building a PC is the ability to choose

which components to use, allowing PC customized and tailored for specific objectives. Building

a personal computer is cheaper compared to the price of obtaining a branded one with similar

specs.
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References

Clements, A. (2006). Principles of computer hardware. Oxford University Press.

Zakari, Ishaq & Yar, Umaru. (2019). History of computer and its generations.

Chambers, M. L. (2011). Building a PC for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.