Brain and Desk
Storage Solutions
Graphics and Connections
Power and Cooling
Build a Computer
100

This component is called the "brain" or "boss" of the computer

CPU or Central Processing unit

100

This component acts like a computer's file cabinet, keeping files and apps for long-term use.


Storage or Hard Drive

100

This component is known as the artist of the computer because it draws everything you see on screen.


GPU or Graphics Processing Unit

100

This component is often called the heart of the computer.


PSU or Power Supply Unit

100

This component houses and protects the computer's internal parts.


The case

200

This component provides temporary workspace for the CPU while the computer is running.

RAM

200

These are the two main types of storage drives discussed in class.


HDDs and SSDs

200

This component is like the office where all the computer parts connect.


Motherboard or PCB

200

The PSU converts this type of energy into usable amounts for each component


electricity

200

While it may not be the most exciting part of the computer, it is possibly the most important one to choose when building anew computer.

The PSU

300

The CPU has multiple workers called these, which allow it to work on several tasks at once.


cores

300

This storage device uses a spinning platter and a moving arm to find data.


HDD or Hard Disk Drive

300

Video games and video editing rely heavily on this component to draw images quickly.


GPU

300

This type of cooling uses fans or pumps to cool computer parts.


Active cooling

300

A computer needs to save a file for tomorrow. Should it use RAM, an SSD, or the CPU?



an SSD

400

This measurement tells you how fast each CPU worker operates.


clock speed

400

This storage device has no moving parts and can access data almost instantly.


SSD or Solid State Drive

400

When building a computer, you should choose this component first to ensure all other parts are compatible.


Motherboard

400

Vents and heatsinks are examples of this type of cooling that does not actively do work.



Passive Cooling

400

Which computer part acts like a filing cabinet for all the computers files 

Storage

500

A computer has a powerful CPU, but it slows down when too many apps are open. Which component might need more capacity?


RAM or Random Access Memory

500

You need lots of storage for a low price and don't mind slower access. Which type of drive would you choose?


HDD

500

GPUs work like thousands of small workers that paint these small points of light on your screen to render an image


pixels

500

A computer will use thermal throttling to slow down the computer when what is happening


When the components get too hot.

500

This part is often called the heart of the computer

the PSU

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