Computer Information Essentials

Author: Sasha-Kay Campbell-Baxter

ID: 20251380

Date of Completion: February 27, 2025

Institution: University of the Commonwealth Caribbean

Computer hardware refers to the physical, tangible components that make up a computer

system (Cage, 1986). It encompasses both internal and external elements, with internal

components being essential for the computer's operation, while external hardware includes

peripherals and other devices connected externally (Denomme & Zandbergen, 2024). The

following are the five key components of a computer:

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the key component responsible for executing the essential instructions that enable a

computer to function (Martindale, 2024). It essentially acts as the brain of the computer, utilizing

tiny electrical circuits to create logic gates that provide the computational power necessary for

processing tasks and carrying out the Fetch, Decode, Execute, and Store cycle. The CPU

operates in tandem with the motherboard, which serves as the computer's nervous system (Silvia,

2024). This means that the motherboard facilitates the transmission of instructions from the CPU

to other components, guiding their operation, while also acting as the conduit for power from the

power supply unit (PSU) to the CPU.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a type of volatile memory that offers short-term storage for

applications running on a computer (Crucial, 2024). The data stored in RAM is temporary,

functioning as a means for rapid storage and retrieval of information. Unlike SSDs or HDDs,

RAM is situated much closer to the CPU, allowing for significantly quicker access to the data it

holds. This proximity greatly enhances the overall performance of the computer (Crucial, 2024).

RAM is crucial for a computer's operation, acting as a resource for the CPU by providing swift

access to the data necessary for executing tasks efficiently. This highlights the cooperative

relationship between the CPU and RAM, both working together to meet the user's needs

effectively.
 Storage Medium - SSD (Solid State Drive)

Similar to its predecessor, a Solid State Drive (SSD) is a nonvolatile storage medium that stores

and retrieves digital data (Education, 2022). The key difference between an SSD and a traditional

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is that an SSD does not rely on a physical spinning disk. Instead, it

utilizes digital sectors to store data, enhancing both the speed and reliability of the storage

medium due to the absence of moving parts (Kingston, 2021). The SSD, like any storage

medium, is essential for computer operation because of its nonvolatile nature. This means that all

user data is retained on the storage medium, serving as a permanent repository for the user’s

information and, more critically, the operating system that facilitates user interactions (Pavlovic,

2024). As mentioned previously, the storage medium works in tandem with the RAM to retrieve

user data swiftly and supply it to the CPU. To visualize this process, information is first stored on

the storage medium, then transferred to the RAM, and finally processed by the CPU for

execution (Horowitz, 2024).

A motherboard functions as the central hub of a computer, serving as a circuit board that

distributes power from the Power Supply Unit to all other connected components (Lenovo,

2025). In essence, the motherboard acts as the backbone of the computer system, interlinking

various components and facilitating their interaction. This interconnectedness is crucial for

ensuring the operational integrity of any computer build (Knerl, 2019), highlighting the

motherboard's vital role in the overall functionality of the system.

A Power Supply Unit (PSU) serves as the lifeblood of a computer, converting the wall's AC

(Alternating Current) power into DC (Direct Current) power. This conversion ensures that the

system receives clean, stable, and voltage-regulated power (Intel, 2025). Fluctuating AC power

can hinder the performance of computer components, which is why the PSU is essential for

transforming these electrical signals into a form that computer components can safely utilize,

thus protecting the integrity of the hardware (Gaming, 2024). As mentioned earlier, the PSU is

responsible for supplying power to the components on the motherboard, establishing a crucial

symbiotic relationship with it.

A computer network constitutes a cohesive integration of hardware and software components

designed to interconnect devices, thereby enabling the efficient transportation of data within a

designated area (Singh, 2024). The following delineates three primary networking devices:

Router

A router functions like a traffic officer, managing the flow of data packets between various

networks and determining the most efficient routes for their transmission (Cloudflare, 2025).

Equipped with antennae, routers connect to devices and utilize established protocols to ensure

seamless communication among the connected devices while granting access to the internet. In

practical terms, routers are commonly employed in home networks to alleviate the burden placed

on an Internet Service Provider's modem/router combination device, thereby facilitating longer-

range and faster communication between devices and, ultimately, access to the internet (Houston,

2025).
 Network Switch

A network switch serves as a pivotal component within the infrastructure of local area networks

(LANs), acting as a central hub that facilitates communication between various IT devices

connected to it (Akamai, 2025). Similar to a router, which manages the flow of internet traffic,

the switch operates as a traffic warden, directing data packets to their appropriate destinations.

However, it is essential to distinguish that the network switch specifically manages local device

connectivity, rather than solely focusing on the routing of external internet traffic (Akamai,

2025). Switches are predominantly utilized in environments with storage servers, functioning as

the authoritative intermediary that regulates access and directs IT devices to the requisite data

housed within the server. This role underscores the switch's critical importance in ensuring

efficient data transfer and operational cohesion among networked devices.

A modem functions as a critical intermediary device that facilitates communication between a

home network and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Its primary role is to convert digital data

into analog signals suitable for transmission over various communication mediums, including

Fiber, Coaxial, or DSL cables (Cunningham, 2018). This conversion process is essential for

establishing and maintaining internet connectivity. The significance of the modem in

contemporary networking infrastructure cannot be overstated, as it is the sole entity responsible

for granting the network access to the internet directly via the ISP (Knerl, 2024). This

foundational role enables users to connect to the vast global network that comprises the World

Wide Web. A pertinent illustration of this functionality can be observed in any network equipped

with internet access; without the modem, the connection to the ISP—and by extension, the

extensive undersea cable systems that constitute the internet—would be unattainable. Thus, the

modem serves as a vital component in the delivery of internet services, underpinning the entire

operational framework of home networking.

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