Computer Basics: Inside a Computer
By LearnFree
Summary
## Key takeaways - **Motherboard: The Computer's Foundation**: The motherboard is a large circuit board found in every computer, whether desktop or laptop, that houses many of the system's most critical components. [00:17], [00:21] - **CPU: The Brain of the Operation**: The CPU, or central processing unit, acts as the computer's brain, processing information and executing commands. It requires a heatsink to manage the heat it generates. [00:24], [00:31] - **RAM vs. Hard Drive: Memory Types**: RAM is the computer's short-term memory used for active calculations and is cleared when the computer shuts off, while the hard drive provides long-term storage for files and data. [00:46], [01:02] - **Expansion Slots: Upgrading Desktops**: Desktop motherboards often feature expansion slots that allow users to add components like video or wireless cards for enhanced performance, a feature typically absent in laptops. [01:21], [01:37] - **Power Supply Unit: Delivering Electricity**: The power supply unit is essential for taking electricity from a wall outlet and distributing it to all the necessary components within the computer. [01:41], [01:45]
Topics Covered
- The motherboard: The silent orchestrator of your PC.
- What makes your computer think and process?
- Short-term vs. long-term memory: What's the difference?
- Are solid-state drives worth the upgrade cost?
- Why aren't all computers easily upgradeable?
Full Transcript
you may already know that there are many
important parts inside a computer
but what exactly do they do let's take a
look inside and learn about the various
components that make a computer work
whether it's a desktop computer or a
laptop every computer has a large
circuit board
called a motherboard this contains some
of the most important parts of the
computer
such as the cpu also known as the
central processing unit
or processor the cpu can be considered
the brain
of the computer because it processes
information and carries out commands
since it tends to get hot it's covered
by a piece of metal called a heat sink
which draws heat away from the processor
the motherboard also contains the
computer's ram or random access memory
this is the short term memory that the
computer uses whenever it's performing
calculations
however you cannot store your files
there because the ram is cleared when
you shut off the computer
the hard drive provides long term
storage keeping
all of the computers data even when it's
turned off
many hard drives use a magnetic platter
to store data
but many newer computers have solid
state drives
which are faster and more durable but
also more expensive
on many desktop computers the
motherboard has expansion slots that
allow you to upgrade by adding expansion
cards
you can add a video card to get better
graphics performance
or you can add a wireless card to
connect to your wireless home network
most laptops however don't have
expansion slots
of course the computer's components need
electricity to run
the power supply unit is designed to
take power from the wall outlet
and send it to all of the different
components that need power
laptops also contain a built-in battery
that lets you use them anywhere
a computer is a pretty complex machine
but now that you've seen what goes on
inside
it should be a little less mysterious
gcf global creating opportunities for a
better life
Loading video analysis...