Chapter 1 : Introduction
Introduction
RAM
The RAM or
Random Access
Memory of a PC
is where data is
primarily stored after
being retrieved by the system hard
drive. In the human brain analogy,
RAM can be compared to short
term memory, allowing data to be
accessed and read quickly. Most
modern Operating Systems,
including Microsoft Windows 8,
recommend at least 4GB of RAM,
although high performance systems
may use 8GB, 16GB or more.
Two key factors influence system
performance and have a direct
relationship with the CPU; bandwidth and clock speed. In this
proportional relationship, faster
CPU clock speeds and higher
memory bandwidth channels
equate to greater data transfer
rates, which in turn lead to
improved performance. Memory
standards are continually evolving
to keep up with the demands of
modern CPUs. Today’s most
common memory standard is DDR3
SDRAM (Double Data Rate 3,
Synchronous Dynamic Random
Access Memory).
The memory type, clock speed and
size supported by the motherboard
is essentially determined by the
5
How to Build Your Own PC
integrated memory controller in the
CPU. To further increase the memory
bandwidth, a dual-channel memory
architecture was developed which
allows you to run the memory in two
channels or pairs. Dual channel memory facilitates
improved performance although you will need to install
your memory modules in pairs to take advantage of
this feature. In fact the latest high performance Intel
X79 platform actually uses a quad channel memory
architecture. This allows the CPU to reach the high
clock speeds required for these extreme performance
components.
Graphics Card
The role of the graphics card has evolved in the last ten
years or so, with first the chipset, and then more
recently, the CPU itself taking a more important role in
2D and 3D graphics processing and video playback, the
traditional role of the graphics card. Today, however,
we find that graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD are a
crucial element in modern PCs that are designed
specifically for 3D gaming, adding a powerful GPU or
Graphics Processing Unit that allows far faster framerates and vastly more life-like graphics rendering at far
higher screen resolutions.
Almost all modern graphics cards interface
with the other components on the
board via a PCI Express slot on
the board. Most motherboards
will offer at least one PCIe x16
or a PCIe x8 lane specifically
for connecting a graphics card.
Some enthusiast motherboards