The Central Processing Unit
Often seen as the computer's brain, the CPU performs instructions from software. Surprisingly, the first CPU, Intel 4004, only processed 92,600 instructions per second. Today's CPUs handle over a hundred billion.
Motherboard: The System's Backbone
The motherboard connects all components, hosting the CPU, memory, and more. Notably, it's not just a rigid board; advancements now include flexible, foldable designs for compact and wearable tech applications.
RAM: Temporary Data Storage
Random Access Memory is volatile, meaning it loses data when power is off. Interestingly, the world's first RAM was a magnetic-core memory, invented in the 1950s, and it used tiny metal rings.
Hard Drives and SSDs
Magnetic hard drives were once kings of storage. Solid State Drives (SSDs) have taken over due to their speed. Astonishingly, SSDs can operate at speeds up to 25 times faster than traditional HDDs.
GPUs: Beyond Graphics
Graphics Processing Units accelerate rendering in systems. Originally for gaming, GPUs now power machine learning and AI. Fun fact: the largest GPU manufacturers, Nvidia and AMD, started as rivals in the 90s.
Power Supply Units
PSUs convert AC to DC power, but they also regulate voltage to prevent overheating. It's fascinating that some of the most efficient PSUs recycle up to 90% of the electrical energy they consume.
Expansion Cards Expansion
These cards allow you to add new features or ports to your computer. Notably, the earliest expansion cards from the 1980s provided things like game ports and serial connectors, vastly different from today's USB and PCIe cards.
What was the first CPU called?
Intel Pentium
Intel 4004
AMD Ryzen
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