Jonathan Polanco

2/16/26

ENGL 21007

 

Technical Description of a Computer/PC

Table of Contents 

Introduction……………………………………………………………3

Components……………………………………………………………4

How does it work/Advantages………………………………………………………6

Conclusion……………………………………………………………8

References……………………………………………………………9

 

Introduction

Computers are used by millions around the world for different tasks, mostly used at work, home or school.  Although it may look complicated it is not very hard to build your own computer or learn how they are made.  There are many components needed to build a computer, making sure each component is compatible with one another.  The most popular companies that produce well designed computer parts are ASUS, Intel, AMD, etc.

It is important to learn how to build a computer as it could help you understand how you can fix one if you ever needed to.  This can save a lot of money but also computers are needed daily in life so it’s always more convenient to learn what you are using and the way it works.  New parts are always being invented that are better than the last, many tiny circuits and processes are used to create these parts.  The most prime example of a process needed to create these parts would be soldering.  The first electronic computers were built in the 1940s and since then we have innovated and upgraded them to the computers we know currently.  One of the hardest hurdles mankind had to go through in order to make the modern computer was gaining the ability to create smaller components and combine all transistors into a single integrated circuit.  Another hurdle that was difficult to get passed was providing enough power needed into the system that could support all the new components that are faster and denser.  

Components

There are about 6 main parts required in order to build your own personal computer (PC).  A PC works by processing data through a cycle of input, storage, processing, and output.  The parts I will be describing are the Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Motherboard, Random Access Memory (RAM), Storage, Power Supply.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is like the brain of your PC, it will be the part that runs everything you will be doing on your computer.  It is responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations.  It consists of two main components: the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and the Control Unit (CU). The ALU handles mathematical and logical operations, while the CU manages the flow of data and instructions within the CPU.  

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

The GPU, also called Graphics card, is the part that is responsible for rendering game frames and accelerating creative apps such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.  The better your Graphics card, the better the images you will see on your screen.  The CPU works with the GPU by handing off graphically intensive work such as the maths involved in rotating 3D shapes or rendering moving images quickly.

Motherboard

The Motherboard is the piece that connects all other parts together, it is like the nervous system of your whole computer.  Parts like the CPU and GPU connect to the motherboard or can also be built into them.  Allowing all other parts to communicate with each other the motherboard is another very important part in any computer.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

As the name suggests this component is the computer’s short-term memory.  Temporary data is stored in the RAM, allowing the CPU to have quick access to this data.  RAM only stores data that you won’t be needing for a long time, if you needed your CPU  to do a calculation, the numbers would be stored in the RAM while the calculation takes place.  This is also where the result of the calculation would be stored.

Storage (HDD/SSD)

Unlike the RAM the storage is used as a long term memory for the computer.  There are two types of storage you can get, the first being a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) which is a traditional storage device offering large capacity at lower costs.  The second is SATA Solid State Drives (SSD), these are faster and more reliable than HDDs.  These drivers store anything that is meant to be stored long term, such as your photos and documents.

Power Supply (PSU)

The Power Supply Unit (PSU) is what will give your computer power.  Using AC power from the wall it is able to convert it into DC power that is used to power computer components.  During this conversion process, some energy is lost as heat, meaning the computer will get hotter if more power is needed.  This leads me to another important component for a computer, which is the cooling system that helps cool down your PC and won’t let it heat up as much.

How does it work/Advantages

A computer system has an input process, processing, storage, and an output process. When a human presses the keyboard keys, the mouse button, or opens an application, it is converted to input data, which is sent to the CPU. The CPU gets instructions from the memory (RAM), decodes them, and executes them by switching on and off billions of microscopic transistors to decode the binary code, which is a mix of 1s and 0s. As quoted in Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software by Charles Petzold, “computers are built from simple on-off switches,” which switch on and off together to execute complex tasks. This implies that even the most complex software is made up of extremely fast electrical impulses switching through circuits.  Likewise, The Pattern on the Stone highlights that the “power of the computer resides in a small number of simple ideas,” such as logic, algorithms, and abstraction. Once processed, the computer either stores the processed information in theRAM for easy access or in storage devices such as SSDs or hard drives. Finally, the processed information is output in the form of text, images, sound, or video on other devices.

The advantages of using computers include their speed, calculation accuracy, automation, and data storage capabilities. Computers can perform an astonishingly high number of mathematical operations every second which allows them to be utilized for many different functions including simple tasks like entering text in a document all the way to performing very complex calculations. Using computers to do calculations greatly decreases the number of errors that find their way into the overall operation of any system. Additionally, computers can assist you to do several things at one time by providing you with a means of storing a considerable amount of data.  In addition to productivity benefits, computers provide a means for people all over the world to communicate through the internet, allow scientists to conduct research in their areas of expertise with advanced modeling and analysis capabilities, provide artists with tools and resources to create new and innovative works such as graphic design and music composition, and help business operations by automating many tasks and assisting with data management.  As a result of their ability to combine logical processing capabilities, programmability, and rapid execution, computers have become a true necessity for individuals as well as businesses and are critical to fields such as education, engineering, medicine, and finance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the primary function of computers/PCs is what makes them important, their ability to facilitate innovation/change in society is what makes computers most significant in society today. Computers have also transformed virtually every industry/field by providing the means to instantly connect with one another globally; facilitating engineering innovation, medical research, artificial intelligence, and scientific exploration; their ability to process large amounts of data at very high speeds, has accelerated innovation and increased productivity while creating new professions/studying opportunities. As computer technology continues to evolve and continue facilitating new ways for us to create, evaluate and achieve as a species. In the end, the computer serves as an enabling technology that drives development/progress/creation of tomorrow through its many capabilities beyond just a nail, screw, etc.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pattern_on_the_Stone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code%3A_The_Hidden_Language_of_Computer_Ha

https://hardwaredecoded.com/blogs/beginners-guide-to-pc-parts.html

https://buildology.io/understanding-pc-components