Components are the pieces of your computer, quite simply!
Each part hidden inside the case of your computer, whether fixed, but also portable, Netbook, or hybrid ... The essential components are more or less the same for other devices.
The processor is thus present on smartphones or tablets.
RAM?
In digital cameras, among others.
The graphics card is essential for game consoles, while the hard drive can be fitted with a Bluray player.
Why pay attention to it?
Because these components are the prime contractors of your computer.
Indispensable to its operation, they also condition its performance: responsiveness, fluidity, possibilities… Does your software need ten minutes to start?
The fault is too low RAM, or too full a hard drive.
Components determine your computer's ability to multitask, let you play an HD video game or work for hours without overheating.
A manipulation within everyone's reach
Don't be fooled by the tangles of cables!
If you have a scalable computer, it is designed for you to change its components.
In addition, in most cases, you will only change the most common components.
In which case it is all a matter of compatibility: think of your computer as a puzzle, part of which you want to replace.
You need a new part, but similar in shape.
The rest is only a matter of connections!
The processor, king of components
What is that ?
The processor is the brain of a computer: it carries out orders.
Start software, that's it.
Apply a filter within a program, again him.
Play music with one program, while letting you work on another while a copy is being made, always him!
The selection criteria
A processor is made up of two to eight cores, also called "cores": multicore, dual-core (two cores), quad-core (four cores) or hexa-core (six cores) processors.
The more of them, the more your computer is able to perform heavy tasks simultaneously, without slowing down.
Frequency is measured in GigaHertz (GHz).
It corresponds to the computational power of the component, in other words, to its speed of execution.
To be preferred for what use?
Office use requires only moderate power: a standard two-core processor with integrated graphics chip is sufficient.
If, on the other hand, you edit your photos or make video montages, multiply the hearts!
Graphics software requires complex calculations and manages large files.
Go for four to six cores, associated with a high frequency.
Are you a fan of the latest generation of video games?
Count a processor of four to eight cores, for 2.6 GHz of frequency at least.
Random access memory or RAM, a major component
What is that ?
When you ask your computer to do something, it uses all kinds of data to process the command.
This temporary data is stored in random access memory, or RAM memory.
Why live?
Because it doesn't last: as soon as you turn off your computer, all that data is erased.
The selection criteria
RAM is contained in components called memory modules.
They are installed or changed, generally, in pairs.
Pay attention to compatibility!
First of all, with the slots available on the motherboard.
Then, with your operating system, in 32 or 64 bits.
Finally, the capacity of the memory modules extends from 512 MB to 32 GB: if your computer has two slots (slots) for the modules, you can insert 2 x 2 GB. If it offers four, why not 4 x 16 Go?
To be preferred for what use?
Graphics software, HD video and 3D video games are, again, the most demanding uses.
Office use is easily content with 2 GB of RAM memory.
Do you juggle photo editing, Blu-ray and the latest video games?
Opt for the maximum memory tolerated by the motherboard!
The higher it is, the more fluid and responsive your computer is: the power of the memory supports and supplements that of the processor.
The components: the case of the graphics card
What is that ?
Sometimes called a video card, the graphics card is a component entirely dedicated to the image.
Video games, HD, 3D: it incorporates a processor specializing in the processing of 2D and 3D calculations, as well as memory.
Without it, your computer is unable to process this extremely heavy video data… or if it does, it is with a jerky and slow picture!
The selection criteria
Compatibility is the first step: Not all computers have the slot to accommodate a graphics card.
A high-end card, moreover, only makes sense with a suitable processor, memory and screen… find out about the display resolution offered by the card, as well as the power of its processor.
Passionate gamer?
Opt for a graphics card with dedicated memory: the memory it embeds, or a part, is exclusively allocated to the display.
To be preferred for what use?
The image !
A graphics card is not useful for word processing or surfing the internet.
Consider it if you are working on the image, professionally or as an amateur.
Occasional editing, HD movies, classic video games… an entry-level graphics card provides this.
3D movies and video games or extensive graphics editing, on the other hand, require a high-end graphics card.
The hard drive, a component that changes everything
What is that ?
The internal hard drive stores the operating system or your software.
When your device needs information, it will take it there.
As a result, an overloaded or mechanically aging hard drive slows down the system.
The selection criteria
There are two types of hard drives.
SATA hard drives, the most common, incorporate mechanical parts.
SSD hard drives, on the other hand, use flash memory, without mechanical components: they are faster, more resistant and less noisy.
While they are replacing conventional components more and more frequently, they are, however, top-of-the-range models.
To be preferred for what use?
An SSD hard drive offers total convenience for all types of use.
Rather, your choice will depend on your data: SSDs offer limited storage capacity at high prices.
Their capacity peaks at 1 TB, against 6 TB for SATA!
The ideal configuration?
An SSD hard drive for your operating system and favorite programs ... supplemented by a large capacity hard drive, for your personal data and other software.
The motherboard, home of components
What is that ?
The motherboard reigns over your entire computer: it houses all the other components, from memory modules to the hard drive.
How? 'Or' What ?
Thanks to a vast card populated with circuits, slots, connectors, socket (the location of the processor)… It also ensures communication between the various elements, thanks to a firmware called BIOS.
In short ?
To change a component, it is better to check its compatibility with the motherboard.
The selection criteria
Choosing a motherboard is done as part of a set: it is the starting point of the computer.
Its choice therefore depends on the other components.
An entry-level motherboard includes the basic locations: hard drive, processor, RAM memory, standard ports.
A high-end motherboard, for its part, accommodates at least four memory slots, additional connectors or more connectors.
To be preferred for what use?
Do you want to change the motherboard of a computer in your possession?
Take into account the compatibility with the elements you have!
Are you building your future computer yourself?
List the ports, connectors, and slots you need.
Prefer a motherboard including additional slots: they will allow you to upgrade your computer over time.
Well-framed components: the case and the power supply
What is that ?
The shell of your computer, nothing more.
The case contains and protects all the components of your computer.
The motherboard and its components, but not only: it must also include the power supply or the cooling systems.
In other words, this is the chassis of your racing car!
The selection criteria
The most common case standard is the ATX standard, available in Mini, Micro, Flex… It is essential that it corresponds to that of your motherboard.
There are also two types of formats: desktop format, or desktop, intended for a horizontal position on a table.
The tower format, or tower, is the most common, designed for horizontal placement on the ground.
To be preferred for what use?
The rule is simple: it all depends on your content!
A flat case reduces the footprint on the ground, but offers smaller possibilities for upgrading.
A tall case allows more space… and therefore more slots.
Think about your future use.
Also consider ventilation: the more powerful your computer, the more space its cooling system requires.
Ventilate components with ventilation
What is that ?
The components, while working, give off heat.
The longer you use your computer, the more it heats up, risking damage to the same components!
The solution ?
Cool.
Every computer contains a cooling system.
This is integrated into the case, mainly targeting the power supply, as well as the processor.
The selection criteria
A large majority of computers have an air cooling system: a fan for the processor, another for the power supply.
Consider the size of the ventilation, not to mention its noise level!
Some thermoregulated fans adapt their speed to the temperature.
Watercooling, meanwhile, is gradually spreading: an internal exchanger, or waterblock, recovers the heat.
A pump circulates it in liquid, while an external exchanger evacuates it.
In summary ?
Liquid pipes installed in the housing cool its components.
To be preferred for what use?
The more powerful your computer, the more efficient its cooling system must be.
But fans have their limits ... just like you, their noise can annoy!
Watercooling systems exist for this purpose: to supplement insufficient ventilation, or to replace it.
They are available in kits to install yourself, internally or externally, depending on the space available.
What to do after choosing a component?
Have you made your choice ?
It remains to install the component within your system.
Unplug the power, open your computer and locate the correct location.
Help yourself with a tutorial if necessary.
Insert the component, check its stability, then close!
If you are replacing a component in your computer, the process is even easier.
Reconnect power to your computer case, then turn it on.
Here again, the principle is simple.
If your computer crashes or does not turn on, the component is incorrectly installed… reopen your computer and try the operation again.
Always nothing ?
Check the compatibility of your component with the existing system.
The components are as sensitive to heat as they are to dust.
To avoid any risk of overheating, clean your computer!
Dust it regularly with a microfiber cloth.
Once a year, do the same with the internal components, using a can of compressed air.
Finally, build a cohesive system, in which each component supports the others.
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