Inside A Computer

1. Locate the RAM chip(s). How do you know how much RAM there is? How do you remove and replace them? Would you be comfortable doing this on your own computer?
It basically says how much is on, via a little sticker or two on the RAM chips. They're easy to take out if you just gently pull the chips out. I might be comfortable replacing RAM on my own computer, but maybe not other components. I'm not sure yet.
2. Locate the Hard Drive. How is it connected to the motherboard? What kind of cable does it use? How do you know how large the Hard Drive is?
3. Locate the Power Supply. How many watts does it use? What do you think the advantages of having a low watt power supply or a high watt power supply are?
4. Locate the CPU. What is on top of it? How hard is it to access? Why do you think it is set up this way?
A large fan/heat sync is on top of it. It's fairly hard to access. It's set up this way to disperse the heat that the CPU generates so that it doesn't fry itself. It's also probably a good idea to have the heart of the computer under a decent amount of protection.
5. Locate the optical drive. Is it a CD Drive, DVD Drive or Blu-Ray Drive? How do you know?
6. How many fans are there inside the computer tower? What are some reasons why you would need to add more fans?
I have found two fans in total. Heat is a dangerous issue in a computer, so I would think that you would need a decent amount of fans to maintain heat suppression.
7. Is there a video card? Is it a dedicated video card or integrated video?
I think so.
8. Is there a sound card? How do you know?
9. What are some possible hardware upgrades for this computer? Give three examples.
10. What are some advantages to upgrading an old computer over buying a brand new computer (give three)? What are some disadvantages (give at least one)?