Could someone explain to me GBs, RAM and other things that have to do with the CPU and hard drive?

Question

When shopping for a PC I usually see all these tips that include looking for a specific number of RAMS, a level of a processor and just thngs I don't really understand. Without shelling money out for a thick manual book I'll never read, could someone just ive me an over view of what's important?
If there is a website that explains it, could you link me?

When shopping for a PC I usually see all these tips that include looking for a specific number of RAMS, a level of a processor and just things I don't really understand. Without shelling money out for a thick manual book I'll never read, could someone just give me an over view of what's important?
If there is a website that explains it, could you link me?

Answer 1

Typically with all these numbers the higher the better.

RAM refers to where your computer temporally stores the programs it is currently running, this is faster then constantly going to the hard drive so the larger the more information can be access quickly.

Hard Drive is where all programs and files are stored until they are deleted by you. Depending on the number of programs such as windows the more Hard Drive or HD space will be needed. For basic users I would go with around 100GB; this will give you room to grow as you learn your computer.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

A GB is a Gigabyte. Its a measurement of the size of a storage device to hold data. In terms of a Hard Drive (this is the device that stores the data on your computer ... like a file cabinet holding files) you'll typically see sizes of 200gb, 320gb, 500gb, etc. Consider that a DVD movie is about 4 gigabytes of data (video, sound, extras) and a typical MP3 is about 4 mb (.04gb).

Ram on the other hand (also measured in gigabytes) is basically the working space of the computer. Its like your desk at work ... you store files in the file cabinet, but the amount of space on your desk is your RAM where you have open files. Typically the more RAM you get in a computer, the more programs you can have open at the same time.

The CPU is how fast and how much data you can play with at any one time. Things are much more complicated now a days due what is called 'multi-core' CPUs. A good rule of thumb is to look for the bigger number and the more 'cores'. This means a faster computer.

Oh and as a side comment if you are a Mac user you really don't need to know any of this, just get what you can afford.

If you are a PC user the rule is pretty much the same if you buy from a 'big box' supplier like Dell or HP.

Answer 3

RAM = Random Access Memory
Provides temporary storage for data and program instructions of what's happening in your computer right now. When your computer is shut down this information is lost. The more RAM you have the faster your computer runs because it can do/hold a lot more things at once.
A good amount of RAM to have is 2GB. 1GB minimum.

GB = Gigabyte
Approximately one billion bytes. Bytes is a measurement of storage.
In terms of the hard disk...a good amount would be 320GB if you like having pictures, music, games on your computer.

CPU = Central Processing Unit
Generally the faster (the higher the GHz number) the better....but it comes down to the small details.
I am totally clueless when it comes to the details of a CPU....like the cache and FSB or whatever. So I give you: http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/processor-basics.htm
Here is a ranking of today's CPUs: http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html
A good CPU to look for is an Intel Core 2 Duo.

Graphics Card:
This is exactly what it says....it determines your graphics on the computer. Basically any card will do if you don't intend to do much with your computer. If you're looking into playing games, the NVIDIA 8800GT is the best for your money card out right now.


Those are the basics of buying a computer. Hope it made some sense ^__^

Answer 4

GB stands for gigabytes and is just a unit of measurement. RAM stands for Read Ahead Memory, which allows your computer to process information within it's memory. The more RAM you have, the faster your PC can process several programs at once. For a new computer, I would recommend at least 1 GB of RAM.

The processor is measured in gigahertz, or Ghz. That is the speed in which your pc processes information. Most PCs are up around 2.4 Ghz now and I wouldn't recommend anything less or your PC may be really slow.

The hard drive storage area is also measured in GBs (gigabytes). The more GBs you have, the more information you can store on your PC. Nowadays it really doesn't matter how big your hard drive is, you will probably never fill it in your PCs lifetime unless you have tons of media files like movies. I recommend at least a 30GB hard drive.

Answer 5

Ok I’m guessing that since you don’t know what a GB (gigabyte) is you don’t use your computer very hard. It is most important to focus your attention on these things if your main concern is speed. Your processor speed in GHz (gigahertz) ram amount (GB), fsb (front side bus speed) and your L2 cache amount. In general the more of this equals more speed and more prices. Although you don’t hear about it as much FSB and L2 cache are more important because they allow your processor and ram to run faster.processor and ram to run faster. if the numbers arnt on the price ticket ask someone who works there to tell you. hard drives are all pretty much standard speeds unless you want to pay a lot more. Other than that it’s up to you if you want a DVD burner and stuff like that. Here’s a website that most computer enthusiast love. This website not only sells computer hardware but has a very informative solution center for all your computer needs. http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/CategoryIntelligence.asp?Subcategory=10

Answer 6

ram is random access memory. the more the better.
hard drives today 250 is standard the hard drive is where your files programs, music pics video are stored.
IE a digital library.

cpus come is different flavors.
speed in MHz are not all that important. the core or chip is what is important. Intel holds the cpu lead in just plain faster and more able to do work, games ect..... amd is a better price per performance. both are good do not bother holding one over the other.
the other one is video, this makes a huge difference how the system will work. stay away from onboard graphic unless your shopping for a laptop. than is less important.
as for cpu stay away from sempron, celerons are ok but I do not recomend them. go with a low core two duo or a amd x2 truion this is dual core so even a low speed of 1.5 is still very fast and able to perform very good.
two gigs of ram is good one gig will get you buy.
250 hard drive for desktop 160 gig for laptop.
I know its a lot hope this helps.

Answer 7

OK here i go:
when shopping for a computer it all depends on wut kind of xperience you are looking for gaming? media? etc...

but as far as an overview here it is

ram: determines how fast your computer go. (basicaly)Ram determines how fast your computer can acces memory and get rid of it if need be. For gamers i suggest 2-3 gigs ddr2 and for media 2 gigs works fine.
Graphics card: determines what kind of graphics your computer displays and how wel they show up for gamers i suggest the Nvidia GTS 8800 and for normal users i suggest a basic model of ATI (saphire maybe).
Hardrive: OK this is where media people start shelling out there money. Your hardrive is how much space your computer has so basicaly howmuch you can store in it a bascic size is 100 gb (giga bytes which is almost a standard for all computers now) if your a gamer about 120 gb will do maybe even a hundred but if you are a media guy get ready to do some searching because your going to be needing around 140 gb+.
Processor: this is basicaly "big daddy" your procesor determines how fast everything goes. If you are a media guy get a celeron 2.9 Ghz (giga hertz s measure of speed). If you are a gamer core 2 duo

uf you need more help remember to email me or pm me on yahoo messenger

Answer 8

Ram is the speed it will run when you click buttons and such
- you typically want 1 GB (gigabyte) or 2 GB unless your a gamer which then you can have more
hard drive space is how much stuff you can store
- it has become large lately
- as in GB's your looking at 80 to 120 easy these days
- if your a movie picture and music fanatic your going to want more space in your hard drive
when it comes to processors anything recent will do
-processors dictate how fast your computer runs processes and multitasking
- it also works with ram and hard drive space to accomplish everything
- i trust amd processors more but intel also makes good stuff
- if it says duel core your fine

Answer 9

confident its available. now think of of each and all of the downsides to each and all of the subject concerns you will run into: a million. slow (yet jot to slow) 2. little or no ram left replaced into even domicile windows vista common makes use of roughly 80% while pointing out and drops to 60% while up for roughly quarter-hour now thats different than backgrond courses. consequently a million gig isn't enoughf 3. After windws vista has as much as date itself you will in basic terms have approx 5 gig of hd area left, 4. the place is the hard disk area comming on your place of work courses and video games music and %.? inspite of each little thing the loading the place are you going to locate area for the failings you actualy desire to do? you will finally end up throwing the workstation out of the window so get: 3 gig ram (domicile windows vista top rate) a hundred and twenty gig hard disk Gefoce grafics card (no must be an high priced one) a duo prossesser. in my opinion that's available yet no longer useful

Answer 10

Hi there

You could have a look here:http://www.cyberwalker.net/basics/index.html

Hope it helps.