Computer Hardware Dictionary
This article describes the main components of a modern computer, describes the characteristics and the most important data that you should definitely pay attention to when buying a computer, as well as the influence of these characteristics on each other. I hope the material is helpful.
It is worth noting that this article, like all materials on the site, is based on my personal experience and is not the ultimate truth. I could well indicate not all the characteristics that may matter. These are only the most common. If you are going to buy a new computer, do not limit yourself to just this article. Choosing PC components is not easy!
You can pick up components and get information on the portal of the Meijin.ru online store – everything is convenient and clear there, there are services for the selection of components and if anything, users and employees will always help.
chipset
A chipset that determines the capabilities of the motherboard. It can be represented by one or two large microcircuits soldered into the board body. If there are two microcircuits, they are usually called the north and south bridges. Based on different chipsets, you can implement a different number of USB ports, they can provide different data transfer speeds, etc.
Read about the chipsets and choose a motherboard based on the one whose data you are most comfortable with. In the description of the motherboard, the chipset is always indicated. So before choosing a motherboard, decide on the choice of chipset. In the latest Intel processors, video is integrated into the chip. Some chipsets may support the processor itself, but not support video output from it. So carefully examine the capabilities of the chipsets – do they support all the capabilities of the same processor? Maybe the best option would be to look at a similar configuration of the motherboard you like, but made on a different chipset.
Socket (socket under the processor) Socket (socket)
Socket for installing the processor. It depends on this detail – from which line of processors you can choose the brain for your future computer. Multiple chipsets can support one socket (for example, socket 1155 is supported by Z77, P67, Z68 and other chipsets), but you can install a processor from one specific lineup on each socket. In fact, you can say this: Choose a socket – choose a processor.
I remember, about 10 years ago there were adapters for old sockets, thanks to which it was possible to put the processor on a non-native socket, but now it has completely lost its relevance. The last adapter was released in 2009 and was intended to install 478 socket processors on new 775th motherboards.
Central Processing Unit CPU
The processor is the brain of your future system. Processors for user machines are produced by two companies: Intel and AMD. The former are more reliable, the latter are cheaper, but not so much lately. Of the latest technologies, a video is built into the processor. Intel has HD Graphics, AMD has Radeon HD. I recommend choosing Intel. When choosing, you should pay attention to the following:
Processor Clock (GHz)
The size of the second level cache (L2 cache).
Bus Frequency (Mhz)
Socket
Power consumption (W)
The presence and version of the video embedded in the processor.
The clock frequency affects the overall speed of tasks, the second level cache affects the speed of processing internal operations (the larger the cache, the better), the bus frequency affects the speed of data exchange with the motherboard and devices connected to it (for example, with memory) .
It is important that the motherboard supports a similar or higher bus frequency, it makes no sense to put a processor with a fast bus on a slower motherboard bus. I already wrote about the socket above – different processor lines have different capabilities and prices. So you need to choose the best option, and not where there are a lot. On Intel processors, embedded video is currently available in the following versions: HD2000, HD3000, HD4000 and HD5000.
If you want to get by with the internal video and not buy an external card, then it is better to take a processor with a video (with a larger number). And as a fallback, the HD2000 will do. Power affects the processor’s consumption of power supply resources and processor heating during operation. For a powerful (70W or more) processor, you have to buy a high-quality cooling system.
Motherboard motherboard (motherboard, mainboard)
A motherboard is a combination of all of the above (except for the processor), as well as capacitors, diodes, transistors plus the engineering and design idea of the manufacturer. The motherboard provides the interaction of all parts of the computer, monitors the status of all these parts, also through the motherboard, most devices receive power. Therefore, it is very important to choose a balanced motherboard for your specific tasks. There’s a saying: Quickly, cheaply, efficiently – choose any two points.
