What Does a power supply,RAM and a processor do(plz note in detail)?

Question

Im buying a graphics card sooon(geforce 8800gts320mb) and i was wandering do you actually need a power supply and what does it do Thnks?

Answer 1

Your power supply is what converts the A/C power from the wall to the DC current used by everything in your computer case. Typically that includes a central power going to the motherboard which will distribute power to items plugged into the motherboard including your graphics card. It also distributes power to hard drives, cooling fans, and CD/DVD drives.

RAM comes in several forms. Most commonly it refers to the RAM on your motherboard which is where your computer temporarily stores information while it is on. Graphics cards also will have RAM (the 320mb in the model you referenced) and this is used to store textures, shapes, colors, and other graphic information so it can be quickly referenced and converted into what you see on your computer. Usually the more RAM on your graphics card, the faster and more realistic your game graphics will be.

Processor also comes in several forms, but it most commonly refers to the CPU or central processor that is on your motherboard. That is the "brains" of your computer and everything goes through it. The graphics card you referenced also has a processor, which is a GPU or graphics processor. This is a subsystem that figures out how to convert the program information into what is seen on the screen. In other words, your game will tell the graphics processor to "make a square that is reflective like water, green-colored, textured like sand, and 300 pixels across and is spinning at 100 degrees per second." The graphics processor converts that into information for each individual dot that you will see on your screen to create the illusion of a real 3D item.

Back to the power supply - you need one for any computer. As far as how that becomes important is that a higher-wattage power supply will be able to support more subsystems and accessories as well as ones that are more power hungry. The latest and greatest graphics cards will work most efficiently if they are getting the power they need. Most systems have enough power built into them to get a new graphics card - but if you've done several upgrades since you bought your computer, it might be time to re-consider your needs. Determining the right one will require more information about your system. You can consult with a technician that should offer free advice if they are the ones selling and installing the power supply. Best Buy's Geek Squad is one place to go, and CompUSA also has people to help with that.

Answer 2

Right now, the component of your PC that draws the most power on the +12V rail of power supply could be the processor (65-130 watts depending on make model). Then you will be adding the 8800GTS that draws about 103 watts, also on the +12V rail. Power draw on the +12V rail could suddenly exceed 20 amperes. If your current power supply can deliver 25 or more amps on +12V rail, then you do not need a new power supply. Otherwise, you will just get a black screen on a new 8800GTS.

Answer 3

Graphic card is part of the system. Better performances of the graphic card means and more consumption of the current. Strong graphic card means and higher amount of RAM and CPU wich can serve possibilities of this graphic card. Simple, power supply stronger than 450 W, RAM of 1 Gb or higher and CPU higher than 2.66 GHz. Capissi? Or in english: Understand? Veradisca & Best Regards, Neven.