So you want to buy a new computer? Let me first help you understand what the components of a computer are. I want you to be better informed before you make your purchase. I will do my best to turn you into a geek by the time you finish this article. My goal is to take the everyday computer user and give them the knowledge and fundamental understandings of your computer. I hope that the lessons you learn below will make you feel more confident and comfortable when using your PC. This information will come in very useful as well if your computer has problems or people you know have questions about their own PC. Well let’s get started.

Motherboard

The main board of a computer, usually containing the circuitry for the CPU (central processing unit), keyboard, mouse, and monitor and often having slots for accepting additional circuitry such as video cards, audio cards, TV cards etc. Better known as the big flat thing with all the gadgets on it, inside your computer case. I could go more in-depth but I’m not here to bore you to death so I think we will move to to better things at this point.

CPU

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) or the processor is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, and is the primary element carrying out the computer's functions. This term has been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. The form, design and implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest examples, but their fundamental operation remains much the same.

Early CPUs were custom-designed as a part of a larger, sometimes one-of-a-kind, computer. However, this costly method of designing custom CPUs for a particular application has largely given way to the development of mass-produced processors that are made for one or many purposes. This standardization trend generally began in the era of discrete transistor mainframes and minicomputers and has rapidly accelerated with the popularization of the integrated circuit (IC). The IC has allowed increasingly complex CPUs to be designed and manufactured to tolerances on the order of nanometers. Both the miniaturization and standardization of CPUs have increased the presence of these digital devices in modern life far beyond the limited application of dedicated computing machines. Modern microprocessors appear in everything from automobiles to cell phones and children's toys.

Today's modern processors come in two major brands AMD and Pentium. Both brands offer allot of the same qualities, so choosing whether one is better than the other does not matter. What does matter is the speed and number of cores. The market is a full of different PC's with different processors, the higher the number cores the better the processor. The cores are like lanes on a highway, the more lanes the more traffic can move along with out becoming congested. So take your time when shopping and choose what will work best for you.

RAM

A memory device in which information can be accessed in any order. Random Access Memory is where we derive the term RAM.  RAM actually serves a huge role in the ability of your PC to process large numbers of tasks at one time. RAM is commonly broken into GIG’s (Gigabytes) of RAM, when buying a PC the higher the number of “GIG’s of RAM” results in improved performance. Do not get confused though, the hard drive is broken down in the same fashion but we will cover that a little later in this article. The amount of RAM for a PC can be limited by the operating system. You will find the detailed information by following this link -> CLICK HERE

Hard Drive

A hard disk drive (hard disk, hard drive, HDD) is a non-volatile storage device for digital data. It features one or more rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a metal case. Data is encoded magnetically by read/write heads that float on a cushion of air above the platters, with modern storage capacity measured in gigabytes and terabytes.

The first HDD was invented by IBM in 1956. They have fallen in size and cost over the years, displacing floppy disks in the late 1980s as the preferred long-term storage mechanism for personal computers. Most desktop systems today have standardized on the 3.5" form factor, and though mobile systems most often use 2.5" drives, both sizes operate on similar high-speed serial interfaces.

You most commonly find these in increments of Gigabytes or the more common term is GIG’s. Once again the higher the number, the better for storage capacity especially if you will be storing large files such as Audio, Video, or image files or need additional room for software installs. Remember that the HDD is where the Operating system software and all other software will reside.

Disk Drives

A device that reads data stored on a magnetic or optical disk and writes data onto the disk for storage. These are typically referred to as DVD, or CD drives. This is a must for today's computers, you will make use of these for the installation of software, audio files, etc. as well as the ability to burn (write) software, audio files, or backing up files. When choosing a new computer in today's market almost every PC manufacturer will provide you with a comparable drive that can read, and write files but it never hurts to ask. On a side note, don't be overwhelmed if you are asked about read or write speeds.. In most cases the current technology is just fine for your needs and the speed of the drive is just fine.

Graphics cards

A video card, video adapter, graphics-accelerator card, display adapter or graphics card is an expansion card whose function is to generate and output images to a display. Many video cards offer added functions, such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, video capture, TV-tuner adapter, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, FireWire, light pen, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors (multi-monitor). Other modern high performance video cards are used for more graphically demanding purposes, such as PC games.

Video hardware can be integrated on the motherboard, often occurring with early machines. In this configuration it is sometimes referred to as a video controller or graphics controller. Modern low-end to mid-range motherboards often include a graphics chip set developed by the manufacturer of the northbridge (i.e. an nForce chipset with nVidia graphics or an Intel chip set with Intel graphics) on the motherboard. This graphics chip usually has a small quantity of embedded memory and takes some of the system's main RAM, reducing the total RAM available. This is usually called integrated graphics or on-board graphics, and is low-performance and undesirable for those wishing to run 3D applications. Almost all of these motherboards allow the disabling of the integrated graphics chip in BIOS, and have an AGP or PCI Express slot for adding a higher-performance graphics card in its stead.

Computer Case

A computer case (also known as a computer chassis, cabinet, box, tower, enclosure, housing, '"system unit'" or simply case) is the enclosure that contains the main components of a computer. A computer case is sometimes incorrectly referred to metonymously as a CPU or hard drive referring to components housed within the case. CPU was a more common term in the earlier days of home computers, when peripherals other than the motherboard were usually housed in their own separate cases.

Choosing the correct PC for you

Now that you have had a quick run down of the basic devices in your PC, lets move forward to choosing one to suite your needs. Making your choice based on Manufacturer is ok but not 100% fail safe. Lets look at it from a new point of view; the NASA space shuttle is always built by the lowest bidder and with that said there are certain risks, scary huh? PC manufacturers work in the same fashion, for instance they will purchase their parts from whom ever offers them the best deal with a fair quality of materials. Several computer manufacturers will use the same suppliers as others to stay competitive in the market. What I am trying to put across is do not be afraid to purchase lesser brand name PC's. I have been using a low dollar PC now for years and feel that it has suited my needs quite well. 

Before you head out to buy your PC consider what you plan to use it for and how extensive your needs are. Based on current statistics, 80% of PC users just need web access and a writing program, and nothing more then that. The other 20% need the best that money can buy; so where do you fall? That is the question!!! Never buy more than you need... Never, it's a waist. Take some time and write down the specs of five different PC's, compare them, then make your choice. I promise you that you will find huge price variations but not very much variation in equipment.

Another helpful step is to get on the web and see what others are saying about the PC you are wanting to buy. You will get a little bit of a mixed bag but for the most part you will be able to see patterns in either quality or problems for that matter. I just want you to take your time, do the footwork now, before you make the investment.

Many thanks to Wikipedia.org for their resources in creating this article.