Week 3: CPUs, Memory (RAM) and Firmware

I was extremely surprised to learn about the variety of manufacturers that build computer components in this week topics regarding: Central Processing Unit (CUP), Random Access Memory (RAM) and Firmware. In between personal activities such as work, and the taken two classes and assignments are due by the end of work week, I was able to accumulate as must info and understanding regarding each of the components (CUPs, RAM, and Firmware) being discussed. I am looking forward to spending much of my personal time reading and learning about these manufacturers and just about ever other components that makeup a computer because it is a must to become a successful computer tech.

Known as Microprocessor also, the Central Processing Unit “is a single silicon-based electronic chip that make” a computer work. Many considered the CPU (a very powerful intelligent calculating machine) as the brain of a computer, responsible for collecting and executing users input throughout every component in a computer. Just like we human a computer will not function accordingly with a bad CPU. With its ability to generate lots of heat, CPUs are always recommended to have a cooling fan and not just any handpicked fan.

Like the one shown here, RAM is a form of computer memory that its purpose is to execute one critical operation that involve, storing electronic data and machine code for a later used. For example, programs and data’s can be store on various of devices such as, Universal Serial Bus (USB) thumb drive, Solid State Driver (SSD) and Optical Drive. When you run program from either one or more storage drive connected to your computer, the computer will process a copy of that program from the storage drive (which by the way also have flash memories for data storage) to the RAM in your computer before running the program. To under the important role that RAM played in computer, do what I once did, open and remove the memory card in your computer, close and try running the computer, were you able to?

The answer should be no, however, the computer will power up, but will not run Windows. You may ask yourself why’s that, and the answer is simple, instructions! Computer run on instructions, therefore, those instructions it need must and should be store somewhere on a memory. Another way to simplify this that, the hard drive need something/somewhere to copy (send for execution) those instructions and without memory, the hard drive have no other means.