Ultimate Guide to Hardware Component and More

How Exactly do Computers Work?

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I won’t go into too many details on how computers were created because I focus more on the technical details but if you are interested in the whole story here is a Wikipedia link to the story from A to Z.

Click Here

Internal Structure of Computers and Binary…

In the most simple terms, computers are millions of on-off switch. Each of these switch can either be 1 or 0, Yes or No. At the most basic level, computers work with binary numbers. If you add a bunch of those numbers together you can make them mean something like for example the character ‘A’ in binary code would be : 01000001. With all this you can create a programming language that can then be learned by human to interact with the machine and create programs, applications, drivers* and more.

Convert Text To Binary

*Drivers : A computer driver is a specialized software component that enables communication between an operating system or application and hardware or peripheral devices. It acts as a bridge between the different components of a computer, allowing them to interact with each other. In simple words, a driver is a program that controls electronic parts in your computer.

Understanding the Electronic Components of a Computer

CPU (Central processing unit)

The CPU for short or Central processing unit is the brain of the computer. It is a chip that control the computer and do all the mathematical operation that is required to make the computer function, without a CPU your computer is basically dead.

All CPUs have cores, frequency and cache.

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The CPU cache is a small, superfast memory that stores frequently used data to speed up the processing by the CPU.

The CPU frequency is the speed at which a CPU can process instructions, measured in gigahertz (GHz), indicating how many billions of cycles it can perform per second.

The CPU core is an individual processing unit within the CPU that executes instructions, with each core capable of running tasks independently or working together for better performance.

When buying a CPU, you will encounter these details in the specifications section, and it’s important to understand the differences between each one.

Picture of the underside of an amd cpu — Underside of an AMD CPU

Picture of an amd processor — Underside of an AMD CPU

All CPU will have the name and model written on them, knowing the model and make of the CPU can help you find if it’s compatible with your motherboard and socket.

For example, if you look at the specifications of this CPU, you will see that it has an AM4 socket ,and it is a GEN4 based on AMD’s Zen 3 architecture. To find a compatible motherboard, we need to ensure that it also has a GEN4 AM4 socket. Like this motherboard. To help you find which component is compatible with each other, you can use the website Pc Part Picker or Newegg. You can also ask ChatGPT or research the generation using Google.

Notice the Difference Between AMD CPU & INTEL CPU?

The intel CPU doesn’t have any pins under its body. The pins are located directly on the motherboard socket. The AMD CPU has pins under its body, and the motherboard has a hole in its socket so that they can connect together.

Learn How to Install a CPU Here

Motherboard

The motherboard is the skeleton and the nervous system of the computer, it is where everything links together to form a machine. Each of the electronic components will connect onto this board. If the board fails, the computer will never boot(start) even if all the other part are in working order.

Motherboard connections :

PCI x1
PCI Express x16
SATA Connector
CPU socket
RAM socket
Power for CPU & Motherboard
Model
Case connections
Rear connections(HDMI, Audio, USB and more)
CMOS Battery

RAM (Random Access Memory)

The RAM (Random Access Memory) is an electronic part that temporarily store data for your programs, The more RAM you have the more programs you can open, In some cases, having more RAM can make your computer faster. Not having enough RAM can cause your computer to become slow or can cause some program to completely freeze or shut down.

RAM has multiple versions and speed has shown below :

What Is DDR?

DDR stands for Double Data Rate, a type of memory technology that increases the speed of data transfer in computers. DDR is also known as DDR SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). Generations DDR was released in 2000, DDR2 was released in 2003, DDR3 was released in 2007, DDR4 was released in 2014, and DDR5 was released in 2020.

What Does MHZ Mean?

RAM speed is often specified with the type of RAM, such as DDR4 or DDR5. For example, DDR4-3200 RAM has a speed of 3200 MHz

The first version of DDR memory.
Faster than older types like SDRAM but slower than newer versions.
Mostly obsolete now.

Image source

By Ryse93 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109161302

DDR2

Faster and more efficient than DDR.Uses less power.Found in older computers (mid-2000s).

Image source

by By An-d – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27224495

DDR3

Offers higher speed and uses less power than DDR2.Common in many computers from the 2010s.Still used in some systems today but is being phased out.

Image source

By Kjerish – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56400990

DDR4

Faster, more efficient, and uses even less power than DDR3.Supports larger memory sizes.Standard in most modern computers.

Image source

By Bretwa – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68978363

DDR5

The latest version of DDR memory.
Much faster and more efficient than DDR4.
Supports even larger memory sizes for advanced tasks like gaming, video editing, and AI.
Image source
By Jacek Halicki – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129591909

Notice the Difference Between the DDR Versions?

If you look closely at the pictures, you will see that the notch changes places in the RAM lower part. This is done so that you cannot install an older ram version or newer in your motherboard. Think of it as a protection.

View exemple

If you look at the sticker you will also see something like PC2-xxxx. In simple terms, PC2 and PC3 on RAM sticks indicate the type and speed of the memory, based on its DDR (Double Data Rate) generation:

PC2 refers to DDR2 RAM.

PC3 refers to DDR3 RAM.

The numbers after PC2 or PC3 (like PC2-6400 or PC3-12800) specify the maximum data transfer rate in megabytes per second (MB/s). For example:
PC2-6400: DDR2 RAM with a transfer rate of 6400 MB/s.
PC3-12800: DDR3 RAM with a transfer rate of 12,800 MB/s.

Desktop RAM (tall)

There’s 2 type of desktop RAM, the normal sized and low profiles one. Taller RAM: Often includes large heat spreaders or RGB lighting, which make the modules physically taller. These are usually high-performance RAM designed for better cooling or aesthetics.
Smaller RAM (Low-Profile): Designed to be compact, making them ideal for systems with limited space, like small form factor PCs.
Image source
By Bretwa – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68978363

Laptop RAM

These RAM modules are made for laptops and notebooks or Mini-PC. Do not confuse them with desktop RAM. You will notice that they are significantly smaller.
Image source
By Tobias b köhler – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18720269

Desktop RAM (small)

Here is an image of a low profile RAM.
Image source

Want to Know Even More About RAM?

If you are curious about the history behind of RAM, check the article below.

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

Graphic Card Or GPU

GPU or Graphic Processing Unit, Is the hardware that generate every image that is displayed on your computer, The stronger the GPU the faster the processing. Faster GPU will have better performance for graphic intensives programs such as video games or video editing programs. Like RAM there are multiple generations of the memory such as : GDDR GDDR2 3, 4 and 5.

Graphic Cards Connections :

HDMI Connection

An HDMI connection is a single cable that transfers high-quality video and audio between devices, simplifying setup.
Image source
By D-Kuru – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 at, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2598573

A VGA connection is an older cable type that transmits video only, mainly used to connect computers to monitors or projectors.
Image source
By Duncan Lithgow – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=807260

A DisplayPort connection is a modern cable that transmits high-quality video and audio, designed for computers and high-resolution displays.
Image source
By Jud McCranie – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93639289

A DVI-I connection is a cable that transmits both analog and digital video, commonly used for monitors and projectors.
Image source
By smial – Own work, FAL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15078247

A DVI-D connection is a cable that transmits digital video only, used for high-quality displays and monitors.
Image source
By Dmitry Makeev – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77939765

Backside connections of a GPU or Graphic card

Here is an image to show you what it look like behind the GPU. The first one is DVI the second one is VGA and the third one is HDMI.
Image source
By © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147839144

Where to Connect It?

Graphics cards are connected on the PCI X16 slot. Check the image in the motherboard section.

Hard Drive, or its Short Name HDD

The Hard Drive is the electronic component that store all your DATA. There are various type and speed of hard drives.

If you open a hard drive, like the one shown in the image above, you will notice that it looks like a CD. All the data is stored on a magnetic disk. Inside, there’s a needle-like component that moves to read and write the data.

3.5″ Hard drive on the left, 2.5″ on the right.

Image source

By Jacek Halicki – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78631497

Other Types of HardDrive :

SSD

Image source
By Jacek Halicki – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=133700064

Image source
By D-Kuru – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116485452

Traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs):

Speed Range: 5,400 RPM to 15,000 RPM.
Common Speeds:
- 5,400 RPM: Standard for energy-efficient, low-cost HDDs; around 80–100 MB/s.
- 7,200 RPM: Mid-range performance, typical for desktops; around 120–150 MB/s.
- 10,000+ RPM: High-performance HDDs, rare today; up to 200 MB/s.
Use Cases: Data storage, backup, or low-cost systems.

Solid State Drives (SSDs):

Speed Range: 500 MB/s to over 7,000 MB/s.
Types:
- SATA SSDs: Limited by SATA interface (up to 550 MB/s).
- NVMe SSDs (PCIe): Exploits PCIe lanes; speeds from 1,000 MB/s to 7,500+ MB/s, depending on PCIe generation (e.g., Gen 3, Gen 4, Gen 5).
Use Cases: Fast boot times, gaming, and demanding applications.

Enterprise Drives:

Speeds:
- HDDs: 10,000–15,000 RPM for server applications.
- SSDs: NVMe drives with enterprise optimizations, often exceeding 7,000 MB/s.
Use Cases: Data centers, virtualization, and intensive workloads.

SSD

SATA SSDs:

Speed Range: Up to 550 MB/s (limited by SATA III interface).
Details: Use the same interface as traditional hard drives, making them widely compatible but slower than NVMe drives.
Use Cases: Affordable option for upgrading older systems or for general use.

M.2 SATA SSDs:

Speed Range: Similar to SATA SSDs (up to 550 MB/s).
Details: Use the M.2 form factor but rely on the SATA interface, making them compact but slower than NVMe drives.
Use Cases: Suitable for space-constrained builds requiring moderate speeds.

Enterprise SSDs:

Speed Range: Comparable to high-performance consumer SSDs but with optimizations for reliability and longevity.
Details: Designed for intensive workloads with features like power-loss protection and enhanced endurance.
Use Cases: Mission-critical tasks, servers, and high-demand applications.

Type of Hard Drive / SSD Connections

IDE

Data and Power Connection: IDE uses a 40-pin ribbon cable to transfer data and a separate power cable for electricity.

Built-in Controller: The hard drive has its own controller, making communication with the motherboard easier.

Sequential Data Transfer: IDE supports only two devices per channel and transfers data sequentially, limiting speed compared to modern interfaces.

When using one or more drives on an IDE connection, set jumpers on the drives to designate one as “Master” and the others as “Slave” to ensure proper communication.

IDE/ATA Cable (This is the cable used to connect the HDD)

Image source cable

Image source drives

SATA

Data and Power Cables: SATA (Serial ATA) uses separate, slim cables for data and power connections between the drive and the motherboard.

Faster than IDE: SATA transfers data in a faster, serial stream compared to IDE’s parallel method.

Hot-Swappable: SATA drives can be added or removed while the system is running, making them more convenient.

M.2

Compact and Fast: M.2 is a small, high-speed connection standard for modern SSDs, designed to fit directly on the motherboard.

Multiple Interfaces: M.2 supports both SATA and PCIe (including NVMe) interfaces for versatile data transfer speeds.

No Cables Needed: The M.2 drive plugs directly into the motherboard slot, eliminating the need for data or power cables.

Image Source

PSU (Power supply)

The power supply like his name says, supply power for your computer, All electronics component are connected more or less to this big black box. On laptops the powersupply is in the charging cord.

Watts is that?

When you are building a computer, you need to know how much wattage it will consume, to know how many watts you need for your computer refer to this website. To find the wattage of a power supply, you can look at the sticker on the side of the PSU. If you need to buy another cable for a laptop, the same information can be found on the charger (voltage, amps and more).

PSU Ratings

80 PLUS

Basic certification ensuring 80% energy efficiency at 20%, 50%, and 100% load.
Image source
By Ecos Consulting – https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86178383

80 PLUS Bronze

Slightly better efficiency (82–85%), suitable for budget builds with moderate energy needs.
Image source
By Ecos Consulting – https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86178325

80 PLUS Silver

Higher efficiency (85–88%) for better performance and lower heat.
Image source
By Ecos Consulting – https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86178418

80 PLUS Gold

Popular choice with 87–90% efficiency, balancing cost and performance.
Image source
By Ecos Consulting – https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86178352

80 PLUS Platinum

Excellent efficiency (90–92%), ideal for high-performance and energy-conscious setups.
Image source
By Ecos Consulting – https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86178372

80 PLUS Titanium

Top-tier efficiency (92–94%), designed for premium systems with maximum energy savings.
Image source
By Ecos Consulting – https://www.clearesult.com/80plus/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86178396

Powersupply Connections

Motherboard Connections

24-pin ATX Connector: Powers the motherboard (main connector).

Image Source

By Dsimic at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31269900

4+4-pin EPS Connector: Provides power to the CPU.

Graphics Card (GPU) Connections

6-pin PCIe Connector: Powers smaller GPUs.

Image source

8-pin PCIe Connector (or 6+2-pin): Powers high-performance GPUs.

Image Source

Storage and Optical Drives

SATA Power Connector: Powers SSDs, HDDs, and optical drives.

Image source

By No machine-readable author provided. FEXX assumed (based on copyright claims). – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43402

Not part of the PSU but useful to know , SATA Data connector.

Image source

CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135185

Molex Connector (4-pin): Powers older devices like fans and legacy drives.

Image Source

Peripheral and Special Purpose

Floppy Drive Connector (Berg): Powers legacy floppy drives (rarely used).

Image Source

Usually on the side of these connectors is written what it must connect to, for example “PCI” or “CPU”.

The Link Between the Different Electronics Components

So… What’s the Big Deal?

Computer electronic parts work together to perform tasks. The CPU processes data, the RAM temporarily stores data for quick access, and the motherboard connects all components. The power supply provides energy, while storage devices (like HDDs or SSDs) save your files and programs.

Computers Ports

Image taken from : https://recompute.co.zw/buying-guides/a-complete-guide-of-every-type-of-computer-port/ You can read more on computer ports on this website.

Where to Buy Computer Components And Hardware

Detailed image of the American flag showcasing the stars and stripes symbolizing USA's patriotism and pride.

United States

Newegg – A leading online retailer for computer parts, electronics, and tech gadgets.
Visit Newegg
Amazon – Offers a vast selection of computer components and peripherals.
Visit Amazon
B&H Photo Video – Known for professional-grade equipment and computer hardware.
Visit B&H

Canadian flag waving atop a scenic mountain view with blue skies and lush greenery.

Canada

Canada Computers – A Canadian retailer specializing in computer parts and accessories.
Visit Canada Computers
Newegg Canada – Newegg’s Canadian version, offering computer components.
Visit Newegg Canada
Amazon Canada – Amazon’s Canadian platform with a wide selection of computer parts.
Visit Amazon Canada

Detailed close-up of the Mexican flag showcasing its vibrant colors and emblem.

Mexico

Mercado Libre Mexico – A popular platform for buying computer parts and tech products.
Visit Mercado Libre Mexico
Amazon Mexico – Offers a wide range of computer components with delivery options across the country.
Visit Amazon Mexico
Linio – An online store in Mexico that sells computer hardware and electronics.
Visit Linio

China

JD.com – Major online retailer offering a variety of computer components.
Visit JD.com

Taobao – Alibaba-owned e-commerce platform with many local sellers offering computer parts.
Visit Taobao

Tmall – Alibaba’s premium e-commerce site, featuring trusted sellers with high-quality computer parts.
Visit Tmall

India

Flipkart – Popular e-commerce platform selling computer components and accessories.
Visit Flipkart
Amazon India – Amazon’s India version, offering a wide range of computer hardware.
Visit Amazon India
PrimeABGB – Online store specializing in high-quality computer parts and accessories.
Visit PrimeABGB

Indonesia

Tokopedia – A leading Indonesian e-commerce platform that sells computer components.
Visit Tokopedia
Bukalapak – Another popular e-commerce website in Indonesia for tech and computer parts.
Visit Bukalapak
Blibli – Offers a range of computer hardware products and accessories.
Visit Blibli

Brazil

Kabum! – A popular Brazilian e-commerce website for buying computer parts and tech gadgets.
Visit Kabum!

Mercado Livre – South America’s largest e-commerce site with a wide selection of computer parts.
Visit Mercado Livre

Americanas – Another major e-commerce platform in Brazil that sells tech products, including PC components.
Visit Americanas

Nigeria

Jumia – One of the largest e-commerce platforms in Africa, offering computer parts.
Visit Jumia

Konga – Nigerian e-commerce site where you can find computer components.
Visit Konga

Slot – Popular for electronics, including computer parts in Nigeria.
Visit Slot

Bangladesh

Daraz Bangladesh – Offers a variety of computer hardware and tech products.
Visit Daraz Bangladesh
Star Tech – A leading Bangladeshi store specializing in computer parts and accessories.
Visit Star Tech
Computer Source – Provides a wide range of computer components and peripherals.
Visit Computer Source

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