The Anatomy of a PC - What's inside, and what does each part do?

The popularity of building PCs has come a long way. Many years ago, it was considered a daunting task, and only the so-called “PC experts” were the only ones who could build systems with confidence. These days, this is no longer the case, thanks to the technological advancements in recent years, like the CORSAIR iCUE LINK Ecosystem, where cable management only takes minutes to complete as opposed to hours.

Building your own PC is a fun and exciting experience that allows you to pick and choose every part of your computer and make it look exactly how you want it to. To build a PC efficiently, the first step is determining its purpose. Will you use it for gaming, work, browsing, or streaming? Once you know what you want to use your PC for, you can choose the parts accordingly and build your dream machine.

Before we get into all the hardware that goes into your PC, let’s quickly touch on the advantages of building your PC.

PERSONALIZATION

When building a PC, you have the freedom to choose the colors, styles, and functionalities that best suit your needs and preferences. This allows you to fully customize your computer for specific uses such as gaming, work, or everyday tasks. So, you can design your PC exactly the way you want it to look and perform.

UPGRADE PATH

Essentially, it will give you an easy upgrade path for more demanding games and software in the future. You can easily swap out or upgrade individual components, such as RAM, storage, and graphics cards, as technology evolves or your needs change, extending the lifespan of your system.

EXPERIENCE

Building your own PC can be an enjoyable experience that offers many benefits. Not only will it provide you with valuable knowledge about the inner workings of a computer, but it will also make troubleshooting any future issues much easier. The process of building a PC is an excellent learning opportunity, and once you have mastered it, you can share your knowledge with friends and family. So, consider building your own PC as an exciting project that can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of technology.

Here's a quick reference for a standard PC build. Each component is labeled for easy identification.

Each component in a PC serves a purpose. It is vital that you have a good understanding of how each component functions, as they play a critical role in making sure your PC build is working as one system.

CPU or Central Processing Unit. When you hear that the CPU is the “Brain” of the PC, that is actually true (not literally, of course). But yes, the CPU is the brain of the PC, which is responsible for all the instructions and commands that need to be executed to complete a task. It is one of the main PC components that will have a significant impact on the PC’s overall performance.

There are two well-known CPU manufacturers for general consumers: Intel and AMD.

A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), also known as a Video Card or Graphics Card, is responsible for handling intensive graphics rendering such as those found in video games. It directly impacts the quality, performance, and overall gaming experience by processing the video signal that is projected onto the monitor. The GPU influences frame rates, resolution, visual effects, and more, thereby playing a crucial role in enhancing the gaming experience.

Like the CPUs, there are also two major chip manufacturers for GPUs - AMD and NVIDIA.

The PC Case, also known as Chassis, Enclosure, PC Tower, or Cabinet, is where all your PC hardware is installed. It's the most visible component of your build, so if you want to showcase your build in the best way possible, you should go for a case that has good-looking aesthetics and is capable of accommodating lighting and fans. The CORSAIR 5000 and 7000 series are great examples of such cases. For a few more lessons about PC cases, check our PC Cases 101, 102, and 103.

There are currently three common PC case sizes:

• Full-Tower
• Mid-Tower
• Small Form Factor

So, depending on how much space you have allocated for your PC, choose the one that fits your setup. We offer a plethora of PC cases for all types of builds, ranging from Small Form Factor all the way up to Full Tower sizes. (link)

The motherboard is the backbone that ties the computer components all together in one circuit board. Technically, the motherboard is the means for all the hardware to communicate with each other, like the CPU, Memory, and GPU.

Similar to the PC case, motherboards have different form factors or sizes as well. The four most common consumer motherboards currently in the market are:

• EATX (Extended ATX)
• ATX (Standard)
• Micro-ATX
• Mini-ATX

DRAM gives applications a place to store and access data on a short-term basis. It stores the information your computer is actively using so that it can be accessed quickly. Think of it as an office desk in an office setting. The more desk space you have, the more paper or document you can work on simultaneously.

PC Memory is one of the components that can impact the overall performance of your PC, especially when you are multitasking. The faster and bigger the capacity DRAM you have in the system, the quicker your PC responds, even if you have multiple applications running asimultaneously

CORSAIR got its start as a renowned manufacturer of high-performance memory. You can check out our wide selection of DRAM solutions, from our flagship lineup DOMINATOR TITANIUM to our Performance low-profile Vengeance series.

CPU cooler’s sole purpose is to dissipate the heat generated by the CPU or processor. There are two types of CPU Coolers: Air Cooling and Liquid Cooling. Currently, All-In-One or AIO Liquid CPU Cooling is the industry standard for the majority of consumer PC builds that you will see in the field.

And like our DRAM category, for many years, we had been at the forefront of innovation (and still are) when it comes to AIO liquid CPU cooling. A great example is our iCUE LINK AIO Liquid CPU Coolers, which are a series of AIO liquid CPU coolers that are compatible with the CORSAIR iCUE LINK Ecosystem.

PC storage devices (or drives) are computer components where digital data is stored. They come in varying storage capacities to retain data that are measured in bytes, kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes (TB). It is where you store all types of files, from images, videos, games, programs, etc. If we consider the office metaphor as we did with DRAM, the storage is the file cabinet in your office, where you keep paperwork indefinitely.

PC storage devices have changed quite a bit over the past few years with the arrival of NVMe M.2 SSDs. CORSAIR adapted throughout the whole transition from one form factor to another, offering consumers a variety of high-performance storage devices over the years

The Power Supply Unit (PSU) may not be the most glamorous piece of hardware in a computer, but it is one of the most critical components in a system. Essentially, the PSU converts alternating current (AC) from a wall power source into a stable direct current (DC), which all PC components run on. Its primary function is to provide clean power to all PC components, ensuring their safe and optimal functioning.

There are three types of PSU cable configurations

• Modular PSUs
  • Fully Modular
  • Semi-Modular
• Non-Modular PSUs

One of the crucial components in keeping a PC running smoothly is the use of fans. It's important to remember that heat is the number one enemy of PC hardware, and inadequate cooling could lead to premature hardware failure. Fans play a vital role in removing the warm air generated by your PC components outside the case. They work by drawing cooler air from outside into the case and exhausting the warm air out of the case.

Not only do fans help make sure all your components are running at optimal performance, but PC fans can also be components that can improve a PC’s overall aesthetics, especially now that they are capable of housing RGB lighting that can be customized to match your build’s color scheme.

CORSAIR offers one of the widest range of PC case fans in the industry, from high-performance, such as the SP ELITE PWM fans, to smart and sophisticated designs, like the iCUE LINK QX RGB fans.

These PC components are not required to have a fully functional PC, but they do add great value, improve aesthetics, and significantly help make PC building so much easier and fun.

iCUE LINK is an ecosystem that simplifies the PC building process, allowing you to spend less time fiddling with cables and more time actually building your next technology centerpiece, gaming PC, or general workhorse.

You can check out the full list of CORSAIR iCUE LINK-compatible products on our official website.

iCUE LC100

The iCUE LC100 case accent lighting panels are among the most versatile PC lighting accessories available on the market. They provide your PC with a layer of customization that allows you to add a personal touch to your build and make it stand out from the rest of the standard PC builds.

iCUE LS100

If you're looking for ambient lighting around your PC setup, iCUE LS100 smart lighting strips are the way to go. One of the coolest features of these strips is the ability to synchronize the lighting effect with your favorite game or have it react when playing music or video, creating a more immersive experience.

Building a personal computer, or PC, can be an incredibly rewarding and empowering experience. It allows you to create a customized and high-performance PC system that meets your specific needs and preferences. https://www.corsair.com/pc-builder/Whether you're a gamer looking to maximize graphics and processing power, a content creator seeking efficiency and speed, or simply someone interested in understanding the inner workings of a computer, building your own PC can be a fulfilling journey.

If you are planning to build your own PC, the CORSAIR PC Builder is an excellent tool that will guide you through the process of selecting the right components. Whether you are concerned about hardware compatibility or want to match color schemes, the CORSAIR PC Builder is a valuable resource that will help you choose the components that best suit your needs. With this tool, you can create a solid game plan for your PC build and ensure that you select all the necessary components.