Learning the parts of a computer - 1 

Here is the first step to build computer. Get the discount computer parts from wholesale computer parts distributors and start the computer assembly.

Learning the parts of a computer is very easy. You can build your own computer using cheap computer parts. Let us go through the various computer parts one by one. It is very easy once you understand the various computer parts.

List of computer parts 

•  CPU
•  RAM
•  Motherboard
•  Case with Power Supply

Types Of  Drive

• Floppy disk drive
• Hard disk drive
• CD ROM R/W drive

Input Output Devices

• Keyboard & Mouse
• Monitor
• Video card
• Sound Card

Communication Devices

• Internal Modem
• Ethernet card

Learning the parts of a computer will be fun. You will enjoy it. That's my promise.

Now we have to decide what kind of system we want.
We will go for ATX type case. Usually ATX case consists of power supply. The ATX has a very light switch to turn it on and the operating system itself can turn the computer off and on.

1) CPU ( Central Processing Unit ) also known as processor. This is the most important cheap computer part. The CPU is the brain of your computer.

I recommend you get at least a 2.0 Ghz either a Celeron for a lower price, or for better performance a Pentium 4.

Celeron - For simple applications like word processing, Internet Browsing etc.
Pentium 4 - For gaming and Multimedia applications.

If you are tight on budget, you can go for AMD processor but I will recommend Intel as it is widely used processor with major market share in processor market. Processor speed is confusing. Go with the fastest possible. I recommend 2.0 GHZ Intel processor as this is the most important part.


Here is the Intel CPU Retail Box. Intel retail box comes with CPU cooling fan.

2) RAM ( Random Access memory ) Generally three types of memories are popular. They are DDR SDRAM, SDRAM & RD RAM. Now a days memories are in the megabyte range. Again, the Computer motherboard determines what kind of and how much memory you will be able to put in your computer. Decide what kind of software you want to run on your computer. This will help you to decide about the RAM capacity.RAM is the fast access storage area of your computer. The RAM holds the information your computer needs to run. It is the information which CPU requires to execute the program. The more RAM helps CPU to process more data effectively. The more RAM you have, the faster and more things your cheapest computer can do at once. Your computer speed depends on this computer part. Especially gamers should not neglect this cheap computer part. For gaming applciation, go for minimum 512 MB RAM.

I recommend getting at least 256MB of RAM for your cheapest computer.

You must make sure you to get the right kind of RAM for the Computer motherboard you choose. The motherboard manual will list the type of RAM it uses, either DDR or SD-RAM.
Celeron CPU ( socket 370 Computer motherboard ) requires SD RAM. Pentium 4 CPU ( socket 478 Computer motherboard ) requires DDR SDRAM or RD RAM. You will have to check motherboard manual.

Note : For gaming/multimedia application, go for 256/512 MB memory. A large quantity of RAM benefits a gamer more than other types of systems.

3) Motherboard - Let me give you some details about the Computer Motherboard. CPU is mounted into the socket soldered on Computer motherboard. Also slots are provided for RAM. There are different slots for PCI cards.

a. If you are going for AMD processor ( AMD Athlon / Duron ) you will require Socket A motherboard. Presently we will limit ourselves to Intel based system.
b. For Intel Celeron processor, go for socket 370 motherboard.
c. For High speed applications, select socket 478 motherboard with Pentium 4 processor.

Photo - Pentium 4 Computer motherboard














If you check motherboard reviews, you will come to know that ASUS, ABIT, Intel, and AMD seem to be stability leaders in Computer motherboard market.The higher the bus speed, better the performance. Bus speed decides system speed. Computer motherboards and chipsets tie every piece of hardware together - a fast front side bus allows you to use that super fast processor instead of it sitting idle while it waits for data.

4) Case with Power Supply - Now a days Black colored or transparent cabinets are more popular. However depending on your choice you can select the cabinet color.There are basically 2 types of cabinets.1) AT cabinet - AT cases represent the old style of computers.2) ATX cabinet - ATX systems are the more modern ones.

The best way to identify the two systems is by the way they are turned off and on. The ATX has a very light switch to turn it on and the operating system itself can turn the computer off and on. The AT system has a heavier switch that the operating system cannot operate and you must turn it off yourself after Windows 98, for example prompts you, "It is now safe to turn off your computer."

I recommend ATX case. Besides the physical size of the case and its cooling characteristics, another important factor is whether or not the case has sufficient bays. Cases will come with bays sized at both 3.5", for floppy drive sized devices, and 5", for CD-ROM sized devices. Each bay, regardless of size, may be "open", meaning you can access the media inside without opening the case, or "closed", meaning you cannot. A closed bay may provide a LED indicator regarding the bay. Any case should have at least one open 3.5" bay for the floppy drive, and at least two open 5" bays to accommodate CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD-ROM usage. It's not uncommon for most of the 3.5" bays to be closed since they are primarily used to store hard drives. The case should include at least two LEDs, one for indicating the computer has power and one for indicating activity on the boot hard drive. Cooling fans are very important so that it will maintain proper temperature inside the cabinet. Even one case fan installed as the exhaust fan makes a huge difference in the system temperature.
Please note that higher temperature inside the cabinet may lead in hanging of the computer/ malfunction of the hard disk and other similar problems.
Please don't neglect this cheap computer part. Dust and temperature are two enemies of computer. It may be tempting to pack every bay and slot with one thing or another to squeeze out as much capability as possible, but the more you pack the more heat that gets generated and the less air space there is for cooling! A reasonable case fan configuration that I've used myself is two case fans total: one for intake and one for exhaust. Select power supply with exhaust fan and cabinet with one inlet fan. This will balance the temperature inside the cabinet within the safe range.

Power supply: If not supplied with the case, be sure you buy the correct type for your motherboard (see above) Be aware that certain newer CPU's will require a higher wattage power supply. Try to find a power supply with a high power rating - 400W for example. Power supply is the most important part of the computer. As it is part of cabinet, I recommend to go for standard make( Intel / AMD certified). Please note that your computer's reliability is totally dependent on power supply. These are SMPS ( switched mode power supply ) type. Hence it can take some variation in the input voltage. I recommend minimum 300 watts power supply. I repeat, please don't compromise on power supply wattage, as this is the most important part of the computer. Pay attention to the amount of stuff you have plugged into your computer. Don't overload the circuit. Don't plug things with high wattage requirements, such as electric heaters, into the same circuit with your computer. Please note that cost of the power supply is negligible compared to your total computer cost. Hence go for best as per recommendation. Make sure you consider this when you shop for a new case and power supply.

Criteria for the recommendations of cheap computer parts

• Technically suitable
• Cost competitive
• Maximum cost to benefit ratio

Please note that we have not compromised the quality while selecting these cheapcomputer parts.

Again I am repeating the recommendations for cheap computer parts foryour ready reference.

Recommendation forCheap computer part 1 - CPU - This is the master brain of your cheapcomputer.

Get at least a 2.0 Ghz Intel CPU, either a Celeron for a lower price, or for better performance a Pentium 4.

Recommendation for Cheap computerpart 2 - RAM - This is the immediate memory of your cheapcomputer.

I recommend getting at least 256MB of RAM for your cheapest computer.

Recommendation for Cheap computerpart 3 - Motherboard - This holds the master brain of your cheap computer.

For High speed applications, select socket 478 motherboard with Pentium 4 processor.

Recommendationfor Cheap computer part 4 - Case with PowerSupply- This is the body of cheap computer. Hence don't neglect thischeap computer part.

I recommend ATX case with minimum 300 w standard make ( Intel / AMD certified) power supply.

Did you like the learning the parts of a computer, Let us study Cheap computer parts 2 section

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