Inside a Computer System

RAM

What is a RAM?

RAM stands for ‘Random Access Memory’. The RAM’s job is to store the current data and programs. It is also used to run multiple programs on your computer, the more programs open, the slower your RAM would be. RAM is volatile, which means that once the computer shuts down, everything on the RAM will be erased.  To have more RAM, means that your computer will respond quicker and open up programs and applications faster.

Different Brands:

Some companies that make RAMs are:

  • G.Skill
  • Kingston
  • Hyperx
  • Samsung
  • AData
Prince Range:

RAMs range from high to low: the lowest price can be under $50 (CDN) and the highest price can be up to $3000

Specification:

RAMs come in a variety of memory storage capacities. The most common amounts are:

  • 512 MB
  • 1 GB
  • 2 GB
  • 3 GB
  • etc.

The larger the RAM, the faster the computer will operate. RAMs are typically measured in MB and its response time is measured in nanoseconds (NS). 


Below is a video about hard drives and RAMs.
Skip to 2:36 to start learning about the two components.

POWER SUPPLY 

What is a power supply?

Sometimes called a 'Power Supply Unit' or simply, a 'PSU', they power supply's job is to convert power provided from the outlet into power for the rest of the computer.

Different Brands:

Some brands that make power supplies are:

  • Be Quiet!
  • Enermax
  • Gigabyte
  • Ocz
  • Zalman
Price Range:
The prices for a power supply range from about $30 to over $1000.

Specifications:

Power supplies are rated by the number of watts that are produced. The more powerful the computer, the more watts it is able to supply.

Most power supplies have the same basic parts. Some are:

  • A fan
  • A voltage selector switch
  • And connecting wires


MONITOR

What is a monitor?

A monitor is an electronic device that displays pictures. Monitors have a similar resemblance to TV screens. Monitors have a high resolution and its screen is much better than a TV's. There are two main types of monitors: LCD and CRT.

LCD monitors are the newer, and slimmer than CRT which are old-fashioned and bulkier. Nowadays, people use LCD monitors more than CRT. Recently, LED monitors (which are still LCDs but use a different back light) have become popular because of its brighter and clearer images.

Different Brands:

  • Samsung
  • LG
  • Acer
  • Dell
  • HP
  • Asus
Price Range:

The price range for (LCD) monitors are from about $50 to $3000 and up.

Specification:

  • LCD or CRT
  • Screen size (i.e. 27")
  • Resolution (i.e. 1920 x 1080)

Bibliography
RAM:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/270088-30-companies-produce
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Computers-PCs/Computer-Memory/abcat0506000.c?id=abcat0506000&searchresults=1&searchterm=ram
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_ram_measured_in
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_memory_storage_capacity_of_RAM

POWER SUPPLY:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_ps.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com/power-supply.htm
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913.html
http://www.pcworld.com/product/pg/directory.html?partnerCategory.pageId=354
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/power_supply.html
http://www.freewebs.com/bedtech/compst/Power%20supply-parts.JPG

MONITOR:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/componentprofiles/p/p_monitor.htm

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/specs.htm