Computer Hardware
Anya Aziz
Hard drive
A Hard drive is a very important componement for keeping information stored in a computer. It stores photos, documents, computer history, music and other computer software. It is quite big and has an arm, and moving parts. This means that you were to drop it then alot of damage would be caused.
SSD
An SSD stands for Solid State Drive, and it has the same sort of function as a hard drive. However, it does not have any moving parts, or an arm. This is a large advantage because it means that it's quite difficult to be broken, or damged. This makes it alot smaller, thinner than a hard drive. It's much more expensive, and is needed for things like ipads, iphones, etc.
Optical Drive
An optical drive is something which uses a lazer to write or read information on a disk. Some examples of optical drives are a CD player, a BD player (blueray disc), and a DVD player. Also, lots of video games use one to read the disk. All of the optical drives have the same function, even if they have to read a different sort of disc.
Monitor
A computer moniter is the screen and what is displayed. It allows the user to interact with the computer normally using a keyboard or mouse. Moniters are also in TVs, and are what display the information.
CPU
A CPU stands for central processing unit. This is almost like the brain of the computer- it does all the calculations and it controls the computer. Without a CPU, a computer wouldn't work, as it is the most important element of the computer system. Other names for it are a processor, microprocessor and central processor. It is put directly into a CPU socket, pin side down, on the motherboard.
RAM
RAM stands for Random access memory, or could just be known as memory. It is accessed directly by CPU (central proccessing unit) and they are the temprary data storage of the computer. It also speeds up the access to the computer. Computers require RAM in order to process data and run programs. Getting information from an RAM is much faster than a hard drive. When a computer shuts down properly, all data in Random Access Memory is committed to permanent storage on the hard drive or flash drive. RAM begins to fill with programs automatically loaded at startup, and with files opened by the user.