A computer is an integral part of the life of a modern person. Internet surfing, remote work, fast communication with relatives and friends in seconds - all this gives us a computer. A few decades ago, people could not imagine that they could watch their favorite movie, order food or buy a book without getting up from their chairs. Now it’s not just habitual for us, it has entered and is rooted in our lives. Let's see what the computer consists of. And it consists of many components and parts, the main of which are RAM, a central processor and a video card. Of course, there are a number of things in the computer that it cannot function without: a power supply unit, a hard drive, a motherboard, and headset elements. Let's move on to a more detailed consideration.
CPU device
A processor is a kind of computer brain. In fact, more than a processor, it does not perform any tasks on a computer. Hundreds of threads per second pass through the central processor. It processes information and distributes it among other components. No wonder it is called the heart of the computer. All information and all processes pass through it. What is the CPU in the computer, figured out, let's move on to its device.
The upper part of the processor is a mechanical cover. It is necessary for heat dissipation and in case of shock or fall it will protect the processor. Immediately under this cover is a kind of crystal, responsible for all the processors in the computer. The basis of the crystal is silicon. In case of the slightest damage, the operation of the central processor will be disrupted. Under the crystal there is a special gasket, to which on the back of the processor are attached a kind of "legs" of the processor. They are in contact with the motherboard and transmit all the information. As in the case of the crystal, if there is not even one leg, then the computer will be disrupted.
CPU Features
As already mentioned, the processor performs a very important function in the computer. The processor power determines how well the other components will perform. If the processor power is not enough to stably load the application or game, then the video card will also not be able to prove itself. Let's see what the central processor does:
- selection (reading) of executed commands;
- input (reading) of data from a memory or input / output device;
- output (write) data to memory or to input / output devices;
- processing data (operands), including arithmetic operations on them;
- memory addressing, that is, specifying the memory address with which the exchange will be made;
- handling interrupts and direct access mode.
These are the main functions of the CPU. He performs all these functions every second of his work, ensuring the stable operation of the computer.
Central processor and its characteristic
Each processor has its own structural features. The characteristic of the central processor allows you to understand what tasks it is created for. Different architecture, clock frequency. All this is different in each processor:
type of architecture or series (CISC, Intel x86, RISC);
system of supported commands (x86, IA-32, IA 64);
expansion of the command system (MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3Dnow!);
design (Slot I, Slot 2, Socket 340, Socket 478, Slot A, Socket A);
clock frequency (MHz, GHz);
system bus frequency.
It is also worth paying attention to the concept of CPU blocks. They are needed for temporary storage of control information. These blocks are necessary so that, if necessary, the processor can instantly get and use the information it needs. Usually this is just over 10 MB, but the speed of such a memory is much higher than that of RAM.
Video card
Discussing the central processing unit CPU and other components of the computer, one cannot but devote time to such an important part of each device as a video adapter. A video card is a device that converts an image stored in the form of information into a full-fledged and familiar picture. That is, the processor receives, processes and transmits information to the video card, and it, in turn, converts it into a graphic image. The power of the video adapter determines what picture quality you get, resolution and number of frames. The CPU is also a component on which the frames on the screen depend. The number of frames per second means the number of updates that occur on the screen for a given unit of time. Acceptable is 25 frames or more, but at least 30 frames are taken as the standard. Interestingly, the image refresh rate of more than 60 times per second does not make sense, since our eye no longer sees such a small difference. Video cards are conventionally divided into 3 types:
- For 3D work.
- For games.
- For home computers.
Let's analyze each type of video card. Type 1 includes video adapters tailored specifically for simulation. Such video cards are quite expensive, since they are much more complicated and demanding than other types. The second type is the most widespread and widespread, it includes all video cards from Nvidia with the name GTX and from AMD with the pointer "x" at the end (for example, R7 275x). These video cards are geared specifically for games, but they also prove to be excellent for normal, quiet work. Well, type 3 includes video cards for Internet surfing or for office work that do not require high performance indicators.
Narrow neck effect
It must be said that the combination of the processor and the video card must be correctly selected. Otherwise, you may encounter a phenomenon such as bottleneck. Translated from English, this means "narrow neck". Let's see what it is and why it arises. The CPU is an important module of the computer, and if it is fully loaded, and the video card is not yet, then this is called the narrow neck effect, when the performance of the computer depends on the processor power, and not the video card. In order to avoid such situations, it is necessary to choose a processor more powerful than the one that fits the video card.
Throttling
Throttling is the process of protecting the processor from mechanical damage during overheating. Because of this, the processor frequency and the power of the computer as a whole drop significantly. The phenomenon is unpleasant and occurs infrequently, only with a significant overheating of the central processor. A CPU is a very fragile and important component of a computer that protects itself in the event of a breakdown threat. For example, a processor with 4 cores and 8 threads in case of overheating due to high load increases the load on the first two cores, since they are the main default for almost all processors. While the rest of the cores are cooling, the first two are working at full capacity, and if the load only increases, then they soon overheat and throttling starts, thereby actually turning off these cores, transferring the load to the other two cores, which soon also overheat and the processor frequency drops significantly. In order not to get into this situation, you need to monitor the cooling of the processor. Be sure to clean the computer from dust, including a cooler that cools the CPU. It is also necessary to replace the thermal paste for better heat conductivity. The computer must be at least 50 cm from the wall for free air circulation, otherwise not only the processor, but the entire computer as a whole will undergo overheating. To lower the temperature of the processor, it is scalped. This is a replacement for PCB, which is located under the processor cover, transferring heat from the crystal to its cover and to the cooler.
RAM
Also, one of the most important components of a computer is random access memory, or as it is also called RAM (random access memory). Unlike a hard disk, the RAM contains temporary information. That is, when the game starts, the game itself is on the hard drive, and the actions that occur in the game at the moment on the screen are stored on the random access memory. Why exactly, and not on the hard drive? Since RAM has a bandwidth speed of ten times faster than the main disk of a computer, intermediate data is stored in it. When loading locations in the game, you need to quickly upload files, and for this you need to pass them through the RAM or hard drive. Since the pass through the hard drive will be several times longer, RAM is used.
Overclocking PC components
Often users are unhappy with the power and performance of their computer. For this, the developers of video cards, processors and so on have provided an independent increase in computer power at home. Overclocking of each computer module is different and requires caution.
CPU overclocking
CPU is the most important part in a computer. Its overclocking most increases the PC power. As already mentioned, if the computer rests on the processor power, then all performance suffers. What needs to be done to disperse?
- First, determine if you do not know which processor you have.
- Try to find information on overclocking your processor model from users on forums on the Internet. It will indicate the maximum possible frequency to which other users could bring the processor.
- Start the computer with the BIOS.
- Each motherboard has a different BIOS device, so look on the Internet how to enter the processor overclocking menu.
- After getting into the menu, you can choose the types of acceleration: automatic or manual. Also often there are already prepared overclocking parameters, but higher than 10% they do not overclock the processor. Therefore, it is recommended to select manual mode.
- Try to increase the multiplier of your processor by 10-15% (let's say it will be 220, and you put 330).
- Start the computer and observe its work.
- If the computer does not start, or the blue screen of death pops up during operation, you must have overdone it.
Why do different users have different overclocking rates of the processor of the same model?
Each user has a different cooling and motherboard model. Each board is designed for specific needs. One for office work, another for active home use of a computer, and a third just for overclocking and games. Someone has a more powerful motherboard, so the possibility of overclocking is higher. Also, of course, affects the level of cooling the processor. By increasing the frequency of the processor, we increase its heat transfer. Each cooler has a limit on the cooling temperature, one has 90 TDF, the other has 120 TDF, and so on. Accordingly, if the heat transfer from the processor is higher than the cooler can cool, then the system will no longer work stably. That is, the two main components in overclocking the processor are the motherboard and the cooling system.
Overclocking a video card
The video card, like the processor, is subject to overclocking. By increasing the power, you can improve the quality of the picture and increase the number of frames in games. To do this, you need to do a couple of simple actions:
- Download the application for overclocking a video card.
- Again, find out on the forums to what frequencies your video card can be overclocked.
- Set the desired indicators.
- Watch the computer, if the screen of death pops up, then you have overdone it, just lower the indicators.
Overclocking RAM
Increasing the power of RAM is carried out in the same way as overclocking the processor. You also go into BIOS, find an acceleration point and gradually increase indicators. Why do we need overclocking RAM? By accelerating it, you increase the speed of data transfer, thereby speeding up the work of applications and games on your computer. It is also worth saying that overclocking the RAM is the most dangerous, as it can lead to irreparable consequences, up to the breakdown of the motherboard.
Conclusion
The article fully considered the device of the central processor and other components. Everyone can independently disperse and improve their computer at home. But it is imperative to remember that in the event of a breakdown, no one will repair your computer for free, since overclocking it takes you on yourself.