Components
PC accessories are physical parts of the system unit. With their help, the full-fledged work of any computer is carried out. These parts allow you to process and store information in the form of files and programs. In this case, components can be external and internal, as well as peripheral. Internal elements are processors, motherboards, hard drives, video cards, RAM, cooling systems, and power supplies, and external ones are portable hard drives, tuners, and more. As for the peripheral parts, these are mice, keyboards, gamepads, and so on.
Motherboard
It is the motherboard that is the platform on which the entire computer is based. The main elements are installed on this board, and peripherals are also connected. The main task of the board is to ensure the perfectly coordinated and harmonious operation of all components. This modern part supports Intel or AMD platforms as well as the popular 1150/1151, FM2 +, and AM3/AM3 + sockets. The boards differ not only in socket support and a set of logic but also in size. If you need a motherboard for a spacious case, it will be ATX, and for compact system units – microATX, Mini-ITX.
The most popular brands are brands:
- ASRock;
- ASUS;
- MSI;
- GIGABYTE.
CPU
The central processing unit is responsible for the computing functions of the PC. This is a full-fledged “brain” of absolutely every electronic device. Desktop models are produced by two well-known companies – AMD and Intel. For a gaming computer, it is necessary to select a processor with a high clock frequency (3-4 GHz) and a large number of cores (4-8) to ensure proper performance in, especially complex tasks. If you buy a “stone” for standard tasks and work, then the dual-core version will be enough.
RAM
What components besides the processor affect the system performance? Of course, this is RAM, which is the hardware store for temporary information supplied by the chip. The more RAM you have, the better and faster the system will function. Choose SDRAM for a PC and SODIMM for a laptop. The performance is also affected by the memory frequency, which should be as high as possible. Up to 32GB of RAM can be purchased, and each bundle comes with 1 or 2 (sometimes 4) strips. Among the main brands are KINGSTON, GOODRAM, and Team.
HDD and SSD
Each system unit must have a hard disk at its disposal, which is a storage device for digital information. It is on it that all files and programs are saved. Moreover, such a hard drive can be internal or external, which determines not only its connection option but also the placement itself (inside or outside the case). Storage capacities range from 80GB to 10TB. An important role is played not only by the buffer size (fast memory) but also by the spindle speed (performance). The largest manufacturers of HDD drives are Seagate, Western Digital, and Hitachi. But SSD-drives seem to be a more advanced solution, since they have better performance, but they are quite expensive. HDD reliability is still somewhat ahead. SSDs are made by a wide variety of companies, but the most famous of them are Samsung, KINGSTON, and Transcend.
Power supplies
Thanks to the power supply unit, the computer receives the necessary electricity for normal operation. This rather heavy device fits inside the case. The power supply distributes power to all components, converting the mains voltage to specific values. Particular attention should be paid to its power, which is extremely important for gaming PCs. The higher the power, the better. It is extremely useful to have connectors for additional power supply for video cards because many GPUs require increased power consumption. The efficiency (energy efficiency) of the power supplies is expressed in the corresponding certificates – 80 PLUS. This certification guarantees good performance in terms of energy and power consumption. Well-known BP brands are Chieftec, FSP, and Thermaltake.
Cases
Popular case makers Thermaltake, Aerocool, and GAMEMAX use special durable steel that not only effectively cools internal components but also protects parts from physical damage. When choosing a case, you should carefully look at the form factor of the motherboard (ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX, and so on) so as not to be mistaken with the dimensions. Some models have a built-in power supply unit of different capacities. This eliminates the need to separately purchase a power supply unit.
Cooling systems
Cooling systems aren’t just for cooling the case. They can be produced specifically for the processor, hard disk, video card, and chipset. For example, a cooler acts as an active cooling system, while a heatsink for a processor acts as a passive one. This additional cooling helps to efficiently remove heat to avoid possible overheating. These systems are divided into the following types – liquid or air. Liquid cooling involves the use of water and air cooling – air flows. Thermal grease is used to cool some components.