Entry #2: The Building Blocks of PC Building

    So even though I am going to talk about how to build a PC, I have a confession to make: I do not have a PC myself. I was going to build my own, but when I decided on that, I picked the worst time to do it, which is when GPU prices skyrocketed and they were selling for more than their MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). I gave up on that endeavor and just got myself a Xbox Series X. Even though that happened, I did read up on what parts a PC needs and how to build it, so for this post I will explain some of the parts that seem more complex.

1. The CPU (Central Process Unit) 

    Think of the CPU as the brain of the PC. When it is given an action to complete, it tries to decode it, and after that it executes it. It's kind of like how when you want to do an action, like move your hand, your brain sends messages to the nervous system, which then execute that movement. Basically, the CPU is the head honcho of all the programs of a PC, including graphics, calculations and memory. 

2. The GPU (Graphic Processing Unit)

    The GPU is one of the powerhouses of the PC (along with the CPU). GPUs help render graphics and can help with video rendering. This part is very important if you are gaming on a PC or if you are a content creator, but it can also be used for more artistic endeavors like 3D modeling. Depending on how powerful it is, the graphics might look better and run better with features like ray-tracing or increased FPS (frames per second). 

3. Motherboard

      I compared the CPU to the brain earlier and how it commands the other parts of the PC to do their job. The thing is that a human brain needs a nervous system to transfer those messages to other parts of the body. What is the PC's equivalent to the nervous system? Introducing the motherboard. The motherboard is a circuit board that connects every single piece of hardware that you are using in a PC. It also helps to determine what parts can be connected to your PC. 

4. Memory (RAM)

    
      You might think that when I mention memory, you think of the kind where it stores applications or files like pictures, but that's not the case. This type of memory, most often called RAM (Random Access Memory) stores the short term data that PCs need to operate. Programs are loaded into the RAM temporarily when it is being used.  What's interesting is that every time you turn off your PC, the RAM is reset. The purpose of RAM is to give computers quick access to temporary data so that it can run programs and process tasks. 

 There are other parts that you need, which include the PSU (Power Supply Unit), storage, system cooling, and an OS (Operating System like Windows or Mac), but these are a little bit more straightforward than the parts I talked about above. Even though this applies for PC, these parts also apply for other technology like phones, game consoles, and even smart TVs. I hope you learned a little bit about how to build PCs, so that maybe you can build your own PC someday. Anyways, I'll see you guys on the next blogpost!