Research On Selected Computer Parts: Workbook Assignment 3 Questions Answers

Part 1:

1. What part do you have? (CPU/RAM/ Hard Drive/ Graphics Card etc)?

Answer – The computer part, I selected for research is Random Access Memory or RAM.

2. What does it do and why is it necessary in a computer?

Answer – RAM is a type of volatile memory, it is a super-fast storage device used to store data for a short period of time so that the processor can quickly access the data. If we speak about early computer days we have magnetic tapes in reels that are used to store data when and we have to rewind the whole reel from the beginning for searching purposes. In contrast, RAM has ability to retrieve data from specific locations without searching from the whole thing, which increases speed and performance of the computer while saving a lot of time and energy. RAM is therefore an integral part of computer ("What is R.A.M. and Why Do You Need It? - PC Matic TechTalk", 2020).

3. What are the key characteristics of the part e.g. speed, size etc.? Investigate any sub-parts it has e.g. controller board, bus, chips etc.

Answer – RAM carries all the necessary data required to launch a particular application and transfer it to the processor, so we can say that it is basically responsible for the processing speed of the computer. It holds the data of applications such as browsers, music players, video players, etc. running and allows computers to perform several tasks at the same time. For eg, if we open a new application and minimize it instead of closing, the application will open instantly whenever we restart it because it is much easier to load an application from RAM than to load it from the parent directory ("What is RAM and Why is it Important?", 2020).

4. How does the part connect to other components (where does it go on the motherboard)?

Answer – Inserting RAM is one of the easiest upgrade one can do with its pc. Computers and Laptops contain dedicated slots for holding RAM which are located on the motherboard. There are various generations of ram available today so we have to identify the generation supported by our motherboard and purchase it according to preferences ("What is RAM and Why is it Important?", 2020). 

Part 2:

1. What part do you have? (CPU/RAM/ Hard Drive/ Graphics Card etc)?

Answer – The computer part, I selected for research is Central processing unit or CPU.

2. What does it do and why is it necessary in a computer?

Answer – The Processor performs all kinds of data processing, algorithmic, and calculation-based functions. It is called the machine's Brain, and it contains instructions for all the actions performed by a computer. Computers do not understand human language, they are only programmed to understand binary language the CPU decodes the given command into binary language and processes it to provide the required output. Thus, we can say that there is no existence of a computer without a CPU ("CPU Definition & Meaning | What is a Central Processing Unit?", 2020).

3. What are the key characteristics of the part e.g. speed, size etc.? Investigate any sub-parts it has e.g. controller board, bus, chips etc.

Answer – a CPU is an important part in a computer which manage, control and run almost all of the components of the computer system. A CPU has so many characteristics to run a typical system. A primary characteristic is the model and make of processor. There are two major rivals, intel and AMD, who build CPUs and mostly used by most of the computer users. A CPU has a socket design to be fit in to a specific motherboard and different types of CPUs. The clock speed of a CPU is used to define its performance. It is measured in MHz and aligned with all type of CPUs. Higher the clock speed means higher the performance. Bus speed (FSB) is also an important feature to define it speed and it is aligned with the type of socket on which the CPU is build on. Size of cache (L1 and L2) determine the performance and speed of processor. The cache size may vary between few KBs to 16 KB max. Beside these characteristics, a CPU may be built on 64-bit or 32-bit version, power reduction techniques, dual or multi-core support, etc. ("Computer Processor Characteristics", 2020). 

4. How does the part connect to other components (where does it go on the motherboard)?

Answer – a CPU is placed on the CPU socket provided on the motherboard. A motherboard is advanced type of PCB which connect all the components of the system to each other. As we know the CPU is the core component of a computer, so all other components are connected to CPU via built-in circuit. The processor packet containing a small chip with many socket pins that are placed in to the socket on motherboard. CPU is dropped in to this socket, firmly, and locked by the locking assembly provided on the motherboard. A processor fan is placed on it and connected with the power supply port nearby the CPU socket. This fan and a thermal paste filled between the processor and fan helps the CPU to be cool when it run on high speed (Both, 2020). 

Part 3:

1. What part do you have? (CPU/RAM/ Hard Drive/ Graphics Card etc)?

Answer – The computer part, I selected for research is hard disk drive or HDD. 

2. What does it do and why is it necessary in a computer?

Answer – a hard disk is a storage device, installed in a computer, which store all the data of user system files and operating system. A file system is written on the hard disk to store data, before the system starts working and a operating system is written on it. Hard disk can be partitioned in to several partitions to keep the data separated. It is a main component of a computer to install an operating system, store data and to perform boot from the installed operating system (2020). 

3. What are the key characteristics of the part e.g. speed, size etc.? Investigate any sub-parts it has e.g. controller board, bus, chips etc.

Answer – as we know, the hard disk drive id used to store data in a small to huge amount, in an electronic form. A hard disk can be many types such as SSD, SATA, PATA, etc. with different storage capacity and performance. It is also known as a mass storage device which can store data permanently in a huge amount. The data read write speed or performance depend up on the type and technology of the hard disk is built up on. Mostly it is built by mechanical platters placed one on one and a head is work to access the address space where particular data is stored and located. The SSD drive is latest type od hard disk which has no mechanical assembly like disk platters. Due to this feature, it is far faster than a normal hard disk that is mostly used where I/O speed is most important like in booting process to install operating system ("What Are Characteristics of a Hard Drive?", 2020). 

4. How does the part connect to other components (where does it go on the motherboard)?

Answer – a hard disk is first need to place in the cabinet in a specific area called drive bays and tighten with screws. Then, it is connected with two types of connecting cables, one is power cable and another is data cable. Both cable and connector type are depending up on the type of hard disk is being used such as IDE, SCSI ATA or SATA. When it is connected by both data and power supply cable, we can access it to install an operating system and to store data on it. A single system can have multiple hard disk drive attached that can be of different types like SSD or SATA (Definitions & Hope, 2020).