The Power of Processing!

 As I mentioned in my post regarding financing your future gaming computer, I mentioned that hardware is one of the most important and expensive parts of your computer. Without it, you won't be able to run any games or run a computer at all. There are a ton of components that go into a computer but in this article, I will mainly be focusing on what a GPU, CPU, and Power Supply is regarding your computer. Memory is also a crucial detail as well but that will be in a future article.

What is a CPU?

A CPU or Central Processing Unit is the main processor of the computer. It is responsible for executing the instructions that are required to run even the most basic computer programs. Imagine it kind of being the brain of the computer. Like the brain, it needs other parts to actually be useful, otherwise it kinda just thinks. They are able to convert all the calculations performed by a computer and then that information is transported throughout the entire computer. Most CPUs today contain microprocessors to process information even faster. Some notable companies that produce quality CPUs are Intel and AMD as they often have CPUs designed for gaming. Usually, these are reasonably priced as they usually cost around $150.

What is a GPU?

A GPU or Graphics Processing Unit is responsible for converting all the information the computer creates into an image we can see on our monitor. This is the most expensive part when building a gaming pc as new GPUs can easily cost up to a thousand or more dollars. Often not usually the graphics card is about half the price of the PC. It sort of makes sense why this is the most expensive though since if we want to enjoy a game, we have to be able to see it. GPUs have evolved a lot since around 30+ years ago it was common to see nothing but pixels, now GPUs are able to create spectacular 3D environments not only through our monitor but can simulate those 3D environments in a way we can engage with thanks to VR technology. The best brands to get GPUs from are Nvidia and AMD as often than not are pioneers in what graphics cards can do.

What is a Power Supply?

A power supply or a Power Supply Unit (PSU) is a unit that converts AC (Alternating current) volts into a stable DC (Direct Current). This way it's able to get the recommended amount of power depending on what the computer is processing. It's obviously important to have a power supply since it's not only necessary to transfer the power from an outlet to our computer so it could run efficiently, but to prevent our computer from taking more power than is needed. There are plenty of Power Supplies to choose from but some of the best brands are Corsair and Seasonic.

So those make up the main processing units of a computer! These are often some of the most sought-after parts since recently due to the use of GPUs being used for bitcoin miners and the recent chip shortage that affected almost everything that could compute something. Types of memory that your computer uses will be present in a future article. Feel free to leave a comment about anything that crosses your mind when reading this article and remember to game on with great gear!

PC Pete