Have you ever wondered what's really going on inside your computer? Your computer something like a big box with a keyboard and mouse. But what really lies inside that box? Well, in this article we will see what's inside. You will find that the PC contains many components which you can buy off-the-shelf and this knowledge is critical for those looking to build their own PC.

The inside of a computer can look pretty messy

1. Let's Peek Inside ...

The typical computer has the following core components: processor, memory, input/output (I/O), disk, display, and power supply.

The processor executes the instructions to make the computer to certain tasks. Memory is used to hold bits of information for later retrieval. I/O is used to read in information from say disk drives and out through say the monitor. The power supply supplies juice to all components in the PC.
 

2. How The Components Work Together

How do these various components work together? Well, very simple. Everything is centered around the processor. The processor repeatedly receives instructions from memory (e.g. a software program), and decides what to do. It may read from the hard disk, write information back to the disk or display an image on the monitor.

The processor communicates with each computer component (e.g. hard disk or video card) through the system bus (think of that as an information 'subway' in the computer).

The processor does this basic cycle billions of times every second it’s turned on. Little besides turning the computer off stops the repetitive sequence.
 

3. The Clock Signal

There is an important timer signal inside the computer called the clock signal. This clock signal synchronizes all the components in the computer to make sure everything is running in step.
 

Conclusion

Well, you now understand what's going on inside that computer of yours. In future, I'll cover specific details of how the processor and other computer components work. So do come back and visit often — until then, happy computing!