Each different part in a
computer has a different task to perform, just as each part in an
automobile has a job to do.  Each part works differently in order
to get it’s job done.  There are many misconceptions about what
parts do what job, and here, we will set out to correct them. 
Knowing what function each part has is very rewarding.  If one
knows what part does one, they can easily narrow down problems in a
computer.

The Processor
"CPU"
The processor is known as the brain of the computer.  In fact,
it’s not.  If anything, the computer as a whole serves as a
brain.  The processor is just a really fast calculator.  It
adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides a multitude of numbers. 
There are two parts of the Processor that do the math.  The first
part is called the Integer unit.  It’s job is to take care of the
"easy" numbers, like -5, 13, 1/2, etc.  It’s mainly
used in business applications, like word processors, spreadsheets, and
the Windows Desktop.  The other half is called the Floating Point
Unit.  It’s job is to take care of the really hard numbers, like
the square root of 3, pi, "e.", and logarithms.  This
part of the CPU is mainly used in 3D games, to calculate the position
of pixels, and images.  For years, Intel’s processor have had the
best Floating Point around, but as of late, AMD’s Athlon Processor has
stolen the crown away from Intel.  That is why were are seeing
the race for 1GHz speed up so dramatically today.

The Hard Drive
"HD"
The Hard Drive is simply a multitude of metal disks that spin
around inside your computer, with heads that move around those
disks.  Those heads read and write data to the metallic
disks.  The reason for using a Hard drive is because the hard
drive is the only part inside a computer that stores data while the
computer is off. (Besides removable media of course.)  Your Hard
Drive is what stores all of your settings, programs, and the operating
system while your computer is off.  The only draw back to the
hard drive, is that it is mechanical.  That means it has a tendency
to break down every once in a while for no reason, and it is slower
than electronic means of data storage.

Random Access Memory
"RAM"
RAM is easily confused with Hard Drive, because both store
data.  The two are actually very different.  The RAM is a
chip that holds data, only as electricity flows though it.  It is
very fast compared to the Hard Drive, but is also expensive, which is
why we don’t use it for our primary data storage.  RAM is used as
a interface between the Hard Drive and the Processor.  If the
Processor needs some data that’s on the hard drive, the chipset (well
get to the chipset later) will retrieve the data from the hard drive
and put it into memory, so the processor can access it faster. 
If the computer runs out of room in the RAM, it will make a file on
your hard drive, called "Virtual RAM."  "Virtual
RAM" is just an extension of real RAM on your Hard Drive. 
As said above, the Hard drive is much slower than the RAM, so when the
computer gets the data strait from the Hard Drive, your computer will
also seem like it freezes, because it will be running so slowly. Once
you shut your computer off, there is nothing stored in the RAM,
because there is no electricity flowing though it.

Cache
"L1,and L2"
The Cache is high speed RAM.  It stores commonly used data
and instructions from the processor so that it doesn’t have to go to
the slower RAM to get it.  This is why the modern day computer is
so fast.  Without cache, most processors would be limited in
speed by the RAM.  Without it, your computer would be running
terribly slow.  The Cache is split up into 2 different
Levels.  The first level, L1, ranges in size from 32KB to 128KB.  It is split in half and resides with in the CPU core, next
to the Integer and Floating Point Unit.  The first half stores
commonly used data, and the second half stores common instructions
that the processor carries out on the data.  The second level of
cache, called L2, is for data only.  Some L2 Caches are on the
motherboard.  Others are on a special cartridge with the
CPU.  Newer L2 Caches are in the CPU core, with the L1 cache.

The Chipset
The chipset is the boss inside the computer.  It controls
communication between the components.  The chipset is split up
into two basic chips.  The first chip, called the North Bridge,
handles communication between the AGP bus, (if it exists), RAM,
processor, and the South Bridge of the chipset.  The South Bridge
handles all the Input and output of the computer, including the PCI
and ISA Bus.  The Processor, Memory, Cache, and Chipset all work
together to function as a logical brain.

That covers all the major
parts of a computer.  If you have a part you want covered here, e-mail
us, and we’ll put it in here for you.