Throughout this blog, I will outline the components involved in building a PC system explaining there various functions and the technical relationship between them. I will also look at various operating systems and their differed purposes.
The Bare Essentials
- CPU
- Heatsink and fan
- RAM (memory)
- Motherboard
- Graphics card
- Monitor
- Hard Drive
- Keyboard
- CD/DVD-Drive
- Case
- IDE cable's (normally with motherboard)
- Power cable (normally with case)
These are the bare essentials in which to build a functional PC system, now I will describe what each of the components contribute to the system.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU or processor is basically the ‘brain’ of a computer, it executes instructions for the system and transports data. It is regarded as the most important element of a computer, as without it there would be no communication between hardware components, and no list of sequenced instructions for the system to follow, and therefore function.
The CPU is located on the motherboard inside a small chip known as a microprocessor. It plugs directly into a CPU socket that is located on the motherboard. Certain motherboards only support certain CPU’s, so when installing/upgrading it is essential to check the manufacturer specifications of both pieces of hardware.
There are two main components of the CPU:
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) – This performs basic arithmetic and logical operations (calculations).
The Control Unit (CU) – This extracts instructions from memory (RAM), decodes and then executes them. It can interact with the ALU when necessary.
Modern CPU’s sometimes have a small fan and heat sink that are attached, this is to try to aid heat dissipation to keep the CPU running efficiently.
The CPU interacts with the system via the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) which is where it can execute its set language instructions for each component in the system. It receives these instructions from the device driver that is installed in order to allow communication between a device and a computer system. The CPU chipset has a two north and south bridges. The north bridge controller interacts with the Hard disk, and the south bridge performs lower speed tasks like interacting with USB and I/O components.
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| This is an example of a standard CPU chipset. |
Heat sink & Fan
A heat sink is a component used in which to transfer heat from within a solid state to an air or liquid state in an attempt to reduce the heat that is being applied directly to the solid component. These are often found on a motherboard attached to a modern CPU to keep it running in a cool and efficient manner. They often come with a fan also, which extracts cool air from outside the computer case and circulates around the PC in an additional attempt to aid cooling.
How to install/upgrade the CPU, heat sink & fan
1.) Locate the CPU socket that is on the motherboard, it will appear a small square socket with numerous pinholes in it. Lift the safety catch to the side of the socket to allow the CPU to be plugged into it.
2.) To mount the CPU, align the CPU pins to the CPU pinholes and apply pressure until the CPU clicks into place. Then push the safety catch lever back down to lock the CPU into place.
3.) Often it is recommended to use some form of thermal compound when installing the CPU, this is applied between the CPU and the heat sink in an effort to reduce the CPU’s temperature. A thermal paste can be used for this, and is available to purchase from most computing stores.
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| This is a standard heatsink & fan. |
4.) Before installing a heat sink it is important to check whether or not a cooling fan has to be attached to the heat sink before the heat sink is attached to the CPU, you will be notified of this in the manufacturer booklet. When you’re ready to mount the heat sink, most come with small levers in which to clamp the heat sink directly above the CPU, although some require a screw fitting. You will be instructed of the exact installation procedure in the manufacturer booklet.
5.) Once your CPU, heat sink and fan are mounted you need to locate the CPU fan header on the motherboard, and connect the heat sink power cable to the header. Again it is essential that you read your manufacturer documentation to ensure the correct fitting.
6.)
RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM is the most commonly used form of computer data storage. The concept of ‘random access memory’ is that any data can be accessed when requested and all data storage locations are equally accessible. The speed at which this happens depends on the RAM’s performance, the more RAM you have, the quicker the computer will load from memory.
How to install RAM
1.) On your motherboard, locate the RAM slots and ensure that the RAM you are installing is compatible with your system. This should be detailed in the manufacturer documentation.
2.) Put on an anti-static wristband and remove the RAM from the anti-static bag so you don’t damage it.
3.) You then want to locate the lowest numbered RAM slot, or the slot that is nearest to the rest of your filled slots. Then line up the notches on your RAM to the keys in the RAM slot, lift the retainer clips and apply pressure until the RAM clicks into place.
4.) Then re-lock the retainer clips to fasten the RAM in place.
5.) This is the installation complete, now boot your computer to check that everything works accordingly.
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This is a standard stick of RAM, and standard RAM slots. |
Motherboard
A motherboard is the central circuit board for the crucial components within a computer, it also provides the connectors for the other PC peripherals. Components like the CPU, RAM and Graphics are all directly mounted on the motherboard, and other peripherals around the motherboard contain connector cables that connect to the motherboard connector slots.
Most motherboards include:
- Microprocessor (CPU) slots.
- Ram memory slots.
- A chipset interface between the CPU’s busses.
- Flash ROM memory for BIOS and firmware.
- Expansion card slots.
- Power connectors.
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| This is a standard labelled motherboard. |
How to install a Motherboard
1.) Firstly, remove the case and make sure all components, connector cables, expansion cards and drives are disconnected from the existing motherboard (if there is one).
2.) Ensure that you are wearing an anti-static wristband to protect your motherboard and other internal components.
3.) Slot the new motherboard into the case, following the manufacturer documentation and screw-fit into place.
4.) Next re-connect all your components onto your new motherboard, following the steps I have shown for each component, or preferably by following the manufacturer steps.
5.) Finally plug in any data and power cables that need to plugged in, and make sure that they are all correct.
6.) Finally boot up your PC and install the motherboard drivers that should have been included with your motherboard on a CD. If everything is correct, your system should recognise the motherboard and all associated components.
Graphics Card
A graphics card is a motherboard-integrated expansion card which generates graphical images for display on a monitor. A graphics card usually contains a small amount of embedded memory which can affect the systems RAM. Therefore the better the graphics card is, the more RAM it needs to run efficiently.
How to install a graphics card
1.) Firstly, ensure that all current your current graphic card’s drivers are successfully uninstalled so that the new and old driver’s don’t conflict each other. Do this by going to My Computer and selecting Properties. Then under the Hardware tab, locate the Device Manager and scroll to the Display Adapter heading. Double click your graphics card and in the Properties window under the Driver tab, click Uninstall.
2.) Then turn of your PC, and remove the case. Locate the brown AGP slot on the motherboard, usually found above the white PCI slots. Equip yourself with an anti-static wristband and un-screw the current graphics card (if there is one) from the back plate.
3.) Next take your new graphics card and slide it into your motherboard’s AGP slot, push down firmly, screw to the back plate, and close up the case.
4.) Finally, boot up your PC and follow the installation wizard to install the new graphic card’s drivers.
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This is a high-spec graphics card, capable of outputting a HD display. |
Monitor
A monitor is a visual display unit for computing. It receives graphical image data from the graphics cards and converts it into visually perceivable images. Modern monitors use an LCD display, whereas older monitors tend to use a large cathode ray tube.
How to install a monitor
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| This is a standard LCD monitor. |
1.) Firstly, power down your PC and unplug all power cables.
2.) Then, connect the new monitor to the PC, standard monitors tend to use a 15-pin VGA connector which is located on the back of the PC.
3.) Plug in all power-cables and boot the PC.
4.) The hardware should be automatically recognized, and the driver installation wizard will start and successfully install your monitor for use.
Hard Disk Drive
A hard disk drive is a random access, non-volatile PC storage device capable of holding terabytes worth of data. It works by continuously reading and writing data to a magnetic film located on a spinning platter within the hard drive. It reads it by decoding the magnetic transitions that are located on the platter.
How to install a Hard Disk Drive
1.) Firstly, before starting installation you have to ensure that you have set the jumpers on the drive to coincide with what the hardware needs to function, this only applies if you are using an IDE drive. Check the manufacturer documentation for jumper settings.
2.) Now you are ready to begin installation so remove the case of the back of the PC.
3.) Now locate and gently remove the old hard drive (if there is one), and disconnect the power cable and small ribbon cable (SATA cable) from the motherboard and slide the drive out.
4.) If you are replacing an old drive, just slot the new drive (wearing an anti-static wristband) into the same place. If you are adding a second drive, just slot the drive into a vacant drive bay.
5.) Now re-connect the drive’s power cable and ribbon cable to the motherboard, and any IDE controller card’s if necessary.
6.) Finally, boot up your PC and check to see that the drive has been recognized in the BIOS.
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This is a labelled image of a typical hard disk drive. |
Keyboard
A keyboard is the main interactive input device needed for a PC, it has a range of buttons which all represent a different number/symbol/function, when they are pressed the number/symbol/function is represented on screen. They are most commonly used for word-processing, but can used to navigate around your system with the use of function keys such as Tab, Ctrl, Esc etc.
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This is the standard QWERTY keyboard layout commonly used in the US and UK, although both are slightly varied. |
How to install a Keyboard
1.) Firstly plug your new keyboard into the appropriate port, this could be a PS/2 port or a USB port for example.
2.) Then boot your PC, and let the installation wizard detect the hardware and locate the keyboard’s driver. This could be from disk, or another specified location.
3.) Once installed, your keyboard should be ready for use.
CD/DVD Drive
Although not essential, a CD/DVD Drive is needed when installing software from CD and reading and writing to CD’s and DVD’s. It works by using laser light or electromagnetic waves to read and write to and from optical disks.
How to install a CD/DVD Drive
1.) Equip yourself with an anti-static wristband, and unplug the PC’s power cord.
2.) Next remove the PC case, and locate the uppermost drive bay.
3.) If you are installing a single CD drive then ensure that the drive’s jumper settings are set to Master, but double-check the manufacturer documentation first.
4.) Once you have your jumper settings in place, slide the CD/DVD drive into the front of the case and lock into place.
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This is an example of a CD/DVD Drive with re-write capabilities. |
5.) Then locate the power cable and ribbon cable on the back of the drive and connect these to the motherboard. The ribbon cable will have 3 connectors, connect one of the end connectors to the highest IDE slot on the motherboard. Do not connect the middle ‘slave’ connector, as it is for additional CD drives.
6.) Finally, boot up your PC and let the installation wizard recognise the drive and complete installation.
Case
A PC case is just used to protect all the internal components of a PC, it is commonly screw fitted together and should provide detailed builder instructions in its manufacturer documentation.
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This is an example of PC case designed for gaming. |
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This is an example of an IDE cable. |
IDE Cables
An IDE cable is used to connect a PC storage device from the device itself to a motherboard.
Power Cables
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This is an example of a 3-pin power cable. |
A PC power cable is a 3-pin connector to plug, that runs from the PC to a wall power socket. Its only function is to provide electric power for the PC.
Operating Systems
An operating system is software that contains data and programs that are designed to deal with hardware management and also provide a platform for application data and software to run on. Not only this, but it provides the interaction between software and hardware, to allow a user to request a hardware component to function in a specific manner through the use of software.
They are found on virtually any computing device, including phones, game consoles, Apple MAC’s, Web servers etc. Common operating systems include Windows, Mac OS, Linux and new cloud computing OS’s such Google Chrome OS.
They are relatively easy to install, and can be done so from disk or via download.
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Here you can see the Mac OS Leopard above, and Windows 7 below. You can see that they both have a similar visual display and layout, to provide a user-friendly interface. |
The Different Features & Functions Of Operating Systems (M1)
Although there are many operating systems available today, the four main operating systems in use are DOS, Windows, Mac OS and Linux.
DOS
DOS (Disk Operating System) was introduced as a basic 'command-run' operating system. It then gained a reputation by supporting IBM and Windows operating systems. Though it's not as sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing as modern systems, it can still offer a wide variety of functionality for the user. Firstly, due to it's simplicity it rarely crashes and is known as a reliable system. It can also display information on an arcade monitor, and through the use of batch files can offer the user a high degree of customisation. The only downside to the operating system is that it is know quite dated and unused, so there is a low level of support offered for DOS users.
Windows
Windows is the most popular operating system on the market today, and has a stronghold over the market. The latest version of Windows, known as Windows 7 offers a feature-rich, highly compatible system that can run more software applications than any other, although unlike Linux Kernel software, Windows software does tend to be more expensive.
In recent years, Windows has earnt a reputation as being 'insecure' and any developer will tell you to ensure that if you are using Windows, then to install good anti-virus software as it is often exposed to malicious hackers. Although many argue that the reason it is the most-targeted system, is because it has the biggest user population and that it is not worthwhile for hackers to target the other systems.
Mac OS
Mac OS is an operating system developed by Apple, strictly for their line of Macintosh computers. It gained it's popularity for requiring a low level of maintenance, and being immune to a lot more computer worms, spyware, viruses than what Windows is. The only real disadvantages to the Mac OS is that it is not as compatible as other operating systems, and it is also quite expensive.
Linux
Linux is one of the most secure operating systems on the market today, although many view it as the most complex. It was first developed through an open-source project, with the aim in mind for developers to be able to access the source code and write new software to it. It requires very little hardware, so offers excellent performance even on a relatively small hard disk. The only disadvantage to Linux is that the server-based concept of it has resulted in less home users and a lack of multimedia support for the system.
Conclusion
To conclude, I feel have outlined all the essential components involved in a typical PC system, and have shown how to upgrade and install each component. Not only this but I have discussed the various operating systems available on the market, comparing their different features and functions. Remember when dealing with sensitive PC hardware to always wear an anti-static wristband, turn off the power supply and double-check the manufacturer documentation.
