What is a computer

What is a computer?

Well... You already know, right? that device you use to access the internet, play games, and send emails. However, how did it come to be? How does it function? What exactly is a computer defined to be? 

A computer is an electronic device that combines several electrical components to form a functional system. Each component plays an important role in making a computer work correctly. i.e., have you ever seen a video where somebody takes out RAM from a computer while it is running? if not, watch this video to see how each component plays a role in keeping a computer system running healthy.

The following 8 internal parts (and acronyms!) are required for a computer system to operate:

• 1    Power Supply: Referred to as PSU (Power Supply Unit)
• 2    Processor: Referred to as CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• 3    Motherboard: Referred to as Mobo (Motherboard)
• 4    Cooling: Referred to as Heatsinks/AIO (All in One) Coolers/Fans
• 5    Memory: Referred to as RAM
• 6    Storage: Referred to as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive)
• 7    Specialised Cards: Referred to as a GPU (Graphics Card), or NIC (Network Interface Card) or sound card
• 8    Chassis: Referred to as the PC Case, or Case

The cliché is every computer studies topic, starts with either the CPU or the motherboard. Internal components, however, are being pushed to their boundaries and providing great performance quality better than ever before due to how swiftly technology is evolving. Which is why we're starting with what is quickly emerging as the internal element that must never be skimped on. The Power Supply Unit. 

1) Power Supply Unit

1.1     Overview

The PSU is the component that, as you can imagine... delivers the power to all the other components across the mainboard, it has several different power connectors that connect to various devices across the system. Using SATA cables, PCIe and other connectors.

Two PCIe power connector cables in the shape of 6+2 pin connectors are included with any respectable modern power supply, allowing you to connect to either the 8 or 6 pin connections on a GPU. Connect any PCIe power cords that are required for your specific video card now.

This wasn't always such a concern when learning about a new system, however comparing an old 1990s computer to browse the web with a maximum of 500W to a modern 2022 high end build that sits at 850-1250W, you can imagine the same 500W from 1990 would not be a suitable fit for your new high end gaming system, in fact. This will only damage your other components and cause more issues. 

Since, within forums where users compare benchmarks and flex their ultimate RGB flashing custom build, as well as what are called crypto miners (we'll take about that another time) power supplies have never been a requirement or as popular as they are now. No longer are generic cheap PSU's going into units, the consequence of having a weak PSU is too costly for potential damaging it could cause towards other components, especially £2000 RTX graphics cards.

The risks that can happen on having a cheap PSU are:

• Potential damage to other components lifespan 
• Random program crashes
• Unexpected shutdown & restarts
• System freezes
• Video Errors
• Complete Shutdown

There also cool connector cables that range from £50 a cable such as the Lian Li Strimmer to give that extra aesthetic touch to your build. 

Oh I wish I had this type of material to look at when I learnt about Power Supply's. Here's a generic type of image I was given to learn about mine! And I'll explain exactly the importance on why we should know are in's and out's around a PSU! 

2) Processor or Central Processing Unit (CPU) is what makes the magic happen, this is what performs them high intensive 11010101 binary gibberish and gives us the output that us humans can understand. 

The 8 components required to make a PC work

• 1 - CPU

The processor that performs the computing instructions. (the brain!)

• 2 - Motherboard

The base circuit board of the PC where all components interact.

• 3 - CPU cooling

this can be with fans or liquid cooling. (Keep the CPU from overheating)

• 4 - RAM Memory

Stores and almost instantaneously reads memory, makes live programs run. Volatile memory meaning data is lost on power off.

• 5 - Fans

Keeps the components cool and the system from overheating. 

• 6 - Storage Drives - HDD, SSD, NVMe 

To store the OS, data and applications/programs. Non-volatile memory, data is preserved on power off.

• 7 - Power Supply Unit and Power cables

Powers the System, connects components together.

• 8 - PC Case

The chassis for the components, keeps components safe.

• 9 - Optional - Specialised Cards

Note: There are 8 components required to make up a computer system. However this is on the basis that you are using integrated graphics from the processor for display, for new/budget computer systems this would usually be the case, for gaming users a dedicated graphics card would be considered a key component.

Here is a 2022 standard gaming PC with the PC Components labelled below, note on #3 the CPU cooler, you can see see this is a liquid based cooler with 3 additional fans attached to a radiator at the top for cooling, as compared to a stock cooler which sits on the CPU with no radiator/fans.

Here are the same labels on a much older system. Notice how there #5 is not displayed, this is because as computers as well as CPU/GPU processing power has evolved therefore generating much higher temperatures.

External Components

A computer system also needs both internal and external components to function. You could build a computer, but you couldn't see your output without a monitor. Similarly, you could buy a monitor, but not have a working system unit. But even without a monitor, you might still consider what you built to be a computer! Here are some examples of external outputs