| Case - Perhaps the most obvious part of the | | | | processes. How fast your processor is will |
| computer is the bit you'll see while using it. The | | | | determine how quickly your computer is capable |
| computer's case is what holds everything | | | | of running, how well it copes with running multiple |
| together and is where you can really give it a | | | | programmes, and whether or not you can play |
| unique look. Cases come in a variety of colours | | | | the top end computer games. Today you should |
| and with various patterns so you can use this to | | | | look at around 2GHZ or above for your |
| really personalise your PC and help it make a | | | | processor to make sure it's capable of running all |
| statement. | | | | the latest software and games. |
| Power cable - You will need a power supply to | | | | Cooling System - CPUs unfortunately have a bad |
| actually power the components you're using. While | | | | habit of getting very hot which means you'll need |
| it may seem an obvious choice, that's what | | | | to find a method to keep the temperature inside |
| makes it so easily overlooked among CPUs and | | | | your tower down. There are various options here, |
| RAM. | | | | but a fan or liquid cooling system are the two |
| Monitor - Obviously without a monitor you won't | | | | most common. |
| be able to see what your computer is doing which | | | | RAM (memory) - RAM, or 'Random Access |
| makes using it a bit tricky. These are external and | | | | Memory', is additional memory that your |
| there are various aspects to consider when | | | | computer uses in order store bits of information |
| picking one including size and resolution. The best | | | | while it does calculations etc. In this way it is the |
| monitors are flat screen and HD though you may | | | | equivalent of your brain's short term memory. |
| also want to look into projectors or set ups | | | | Here you can make do with 1 Gigabyte but it is |
| utilising multiple monitors. | | | | advisable to look into at least 4, particularly if you |
| Speakers - For hearing your computer. You may | | | | are going to be running Windows Vista. |
| wish to look into surround sound set ups etc. | | | | Hard Drive - The hard drive is another crucial |
| Keyboard & Mouse - These are necessary | | | | component for any PC as it is what stores all |
| for input and are easily changeable. Again there | | | | your long term data. Programmes will utilise it to |
| are various options for the keyboard and mouse | | | | store installation files, and you'll need it yourself to |
| and you may wish to play with wireless and | | | | save documents and media files. Today anything |
| ergonomic options. | | | | around 250 gigabytes is acceptable, though if you |
| CD/DVD-Drive - Most likely you will now want a | | | | want a truly high performance machine then hard |
| writeable DVD drive but should also look into the | | | | drives over a terabyte (1024 gigabytes) are |
| speed of the drive for programmes that are | | | | available. |
| required to run from the disk and copy speed. | | | | Graphics card - The graphics card handles your |
| Motherboard - The motherboard is what ties your | | | | computer's graphics and without one you won't |
| computer together and connects all the other | | | | be able to display the crisp images your desktop |
| components which will be fastened to the board. | | | | would otherwise be capable of. For those who |
| They are distinct from a backplane in that they | | | | intend the computer for casual/business use |
| normally house the CPU. | | | | 256-512mb is serviceable, but for those who are |
| IDE cables - These thick cables can be used to | | | | interested in high end gaming you should look into |
| connect components not mounted onto the | | | | 2-4GB graphics cards. |
| motherboard. | | | | Sound card - The equivalent of your graphics |
| CPU - The CPU, or 'Central Processing Unit', could | | | | card... but for sound. |
| be described as the CEO of your computer and is | | | | Modem - The best PCs today have in-built |
| used to perform most of the computational | | | | wireless modems. |