Ever wonder what's inside your PC? This guide will take you step-by-step through identifying all the standard parts of a computer.
If you've ever wanted to repair or upgrade your PC, knowing how to identify the basic components inside your system is a must. In fact, getting to know what components look like, where they're located, and how they connect to one another can be an excellent, in-depth introduction to the world of PC hardware.
Fortunately, PCs have been getting easier to work on over the past few years, since most major manufacturers have designed their systems so that the hardware components can be easily accessed and removed. In addition, you can save yourself a lot of time and money if you become comfortable enough with your computer to be able to perform simple repairs and upgrades yourself. Even if you're not ready to go that far, let me help you gain a substantial understanding of what kinds of hardware upgrades your system can handle.
So without further ado, let me introduce you to the various hardware components in a basic desktop PC. After reading this primer, you should be able to open your PC case with confidence, and identify all of the standard pieces that make up a modern computer. Hopefully, the next time you want to add some RAM or the latest recordable DVD drive to your system, you'll consider doing it yourself.
Case and mainboard
The box outside and the big board inside--know what they do.
RAM and expansion boards
Learning to expand your RAM or add expansion cards could save you time and money.
Power supply, hard drives
Hard drives store your data and the power supply keeps everything humming with electricity.
Interfaces
USb 1.1, IDE, USB 2.0, SCSI and FireWire: What goes in and out of your PC.
Safety issues
Before you crack open your PC, you have to make sure you're doing it safely.
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