Welcome to the Computer Section @ Chiro.Org! This section contains information about new and slightly older computer parts that can vastly improve the function of your office computers. This section is updated frequently.

COMPUTERS

Jump to:    The Parts of Your Computer        How Fast is Fast?

                     Some Cost-effective CPU/Mother Board Combination Packages

                     Build Your Own Box ~ How To Do It Yourself

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The Parts of Your Computer

	Central Processing Unit (CPU):   is the "brain" of your computer. It is that portion of a computer that controls and performs the execution of instructions and manages the flow of information through a computer system. CPUs are rated by their speed, the newest rated in gigahertz (GHz, 109, or 1 billion cycles per second). For most office functions, speeds above 1 GHz are more than sufficient. The only real choices for Central Processing Units (CPUs) are those manufactured by AMD and Intel. Refer here for more information about CPUs
	Mother Board:   is the heart of the computer; it is the docking space for most of the components of your computer, and it allows all the parts of your computer to receive power and to communicate with one another. Todays mother boards come with built in features like sound cards and USB and network outlets. Once you've selected your CPU you will select a board that fits that CPU. Refer here for more information about Mother Boards. The newest features are SATA compatible boards, which greatly increase transmission speeds to the hard drive.
	Hard Drive(s):   is where the computer stores your data. If you install 2 hard drives, one to control the “operating system” (OS), and the second dedicated to data storage, you may never lose data after a “crash” again, especially if you do periodic backups of your data. SATA compatible mother boards (ASUS) make it easy to save to both hard drives at the same time.
	System Memory (RAM):   is the place where the computer holds current programs and data that are in current use. The amount and type of system memory you have is an important contributing factor to overall performance. In many ways, it is more important than the processor, because insufficient memory can cause a processor to work at 50% below it's performance potential. Some programs are well-known “resource hogs”, so providing more RAM is preferrable. 1 Gig is ideal in newer systems.
	Video Card:   a.k.a graphics card is an “expansion card” that contains the circuitry necessary to create a video signal that can be processed by your computer monitor. Remember that every image you are looking at is actually made up of zillions of tiny dots called “pixils”. High-end video cards have dedicated memory to represent 3-D imaging more quickly and accurately.
	Sound Card:   Mother boards typically come with sound circuitry already built in, so an upgrade is not required. If you want surround sound for your DVDs and CDs, or 3-D sound for games, or the ability to mix your own Midis and music, an add-on soundcard may be just the thing for you.
	CD-Rewritable:   can record on one-time use (CD-R) or multiple-reuse (CD-RW) discs. You can make copies of existing information (music CDs, MP3s, computer programs, or data discs) or you can create “backups” of information already stored in your computer quickly and cheaply. CDs hold 750 MB (750 million bits) worth of data. That's about 500 - 3.5" floppy diskettes !
	DVD-Rewritable:   are now so inexpensive, it's almost pointless to add a CD-burner to your box! Blank DVD discs are now as cheap as 10 cents each. You can record on one-time use (DVD-R+ or -) or multiple-reuse (DVD-RW) discs. DVDs hold 4.7 Gigs (4700 million bits). That's 6 CDs worth of data, all in one place !
	Computer Case:   holds all parts of the computer. You select a box suitable to hold the mother board you have selected. On the front you see expansion bays for CD-RWs and DVDs, and on the back look for at least 5 expansion slots for adding things like modems, firewire ports, and extra USB ports. For your convenience, make sure your new case has front-side outlets for USBs, headsets with microphones (for SkyPe), and perhaps even Firewire inputs.
	Power Supply:   distributes electricity from the wall outlet to the mother board and case fans via the wiring and sockets that come with the unit. Although many computer cases come with existing power supplies, gamers often upgrade to more reliable high-end power supplies.
	3.5inch 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive:   is an old, reliable, and easy way to copy up to 1.4 million bits of information onto a convenient, portable and low-cost media. CD-RW has all but replaced the need for floppies, but nothing is more convenient for carrying that last-minute Word file home in a hurry! The most recent popular method to carry files home are portable USB storage devices.
	Modems:   connect your fax software directly to phone lines. This also used to be our primary access to the internet, until DSL became cost-effective and widely distributed. A modem still a necessary tool for any business office that faxes through the computer.
	Keyboards:   are the way to input your data into the computer. Do you know about Keyboard Shortcuts?
	Mouse:   The new “optical” mice rule! There used to be a little rubber ball inside old-style mice, and they had a tendency to drag dust inside the working parts of the mouse. Eventually this made the mouse work erratically. The new mice don't usually need a mouse pad either.
	Processor Cooling Fan:   Keep your hard-working processor running cool with a fan/heatsink combination designed especially for your CPU. The heatsink features ultra-thin fins and an extra-large heat-spreader to efficiently direct heat away from your CPU's sensitive die area. A high-performance ball-bearing fan blows cool(er) air down onto the heatsink and out over your motherboard for extra cooling.
	ATA/IDE Round Cable:   I like the round IDE and Floppy cables, because they look cooler than the old flat “ribbon” cables, and because they permit much better air flow across parts that tend to overheat. This connects your hard drive or floppy to the mother board. The newest advance in design also includes increased speeds of transmission. The SATA (Serial ATA) cable transmits at 150Mbps. This is huge improvement over the older ribbon or round cables which were rated at 100 or 133Mbps maximum.   NOTE:   You will need a mother board and hard drive designed with the new 7-Pin Serial ATA sockets.

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Since 1-20-2006

Updated 4-23-2007