[zyrrahXD]

Hi. I need your help to fully understand computer parts.
These 3 components of a pc is really important.
1. Random Access Memory (RAM)
For most user, the higher memory of RAM the better performance of your pc.
But, what is the specific function of RAM in your pc?
I mean, what does it do to your pc to get the better performance.

2. Graphics Card
How do I know if the motherboard supports a DDR2/3/5 of RAM?
What is this "64bit/128bit/256bit" on graphic cards?
Since there is no DDR5 in RAM, I can say that DDR5 Graphics Card
is compatible with a DDR3 RAM, can't I?

3. Hard Disk
In a specification of hard disk, for example, Seagate 500GB,
why when it is installed in our pc, the capacity is less (465GB)?
Where is the 35GB? Or truly, it is only 465GB? Why they have to tell
the user that they will have a 500GB?
Its the same case as in flash disk.

Just wanted a bit knowledge with these pc parts.

A man may fulfill the object of his existence by asking a question he cannot answer, and attempting a task he cannot achieve. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

[coastie65]

zyrrahXD, on 06 November 2011 - 04:26 AM, said:

Hi. I need your help to fully understand computer parts.
These 3 components of a pc is really important.
1. Random Access Memory (RAM)
For most user, the higher memory of RAM the better performance of your pc.
But, what is the specific function of RAM in your pc?
I mean, what does it do to your pc to get the better performance.

2. Graphics Card
How do I know if the motherboard supports a DDR2/3/5 of RAM?
What is this "64bit/128bit/256bit" on graphic cards?
Since there is no DDR5 in RAM, I can say that DDR5 Graphics Card
is compatible with a DDR3 RAM, can't I?

3. Hard Disk
In a specification of hard disk, for example, Seagate 500GB,
why when it is installed in our pc, the capacity is less (465GB)?
Where is the 35GB? Or truly, it is only 465GB? Why they have to tell
the user that they will have a 500GB?
Its the same case as in flash disk.

Just wanted a bit knowledge with these pc parts.

A man may fulfill the object of his existence by asking a question he cannot answer, and attempting a task he cannot achieve. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Hi Zyrrah, I will go through this as you did:

1.) MEMORY : The more memory you have the better for your computer. The RAM ( Random Access Memory ) is where the information is that your computer uses to do it's work. When you are dine and save it, it is saved to the Hard Drive or wherever you chose to save it as you canot save it to RAM. Once you shut your computer down the RAM is cleared and nothing is left until you restart your computer.

2.) GRAPHICS CARD: You will find few DDR2 Graphics cards out there today. DDR2. DDR3, & DDR5 specify the different bandwidths of the memory. The higher the number, the wider the Bandwidth and the more information that can be Transferred. Yes, a Video gard with DDR5 is compatible with a computer running DDR3 Ram ( Both of mine are like that as are most desktops with dedicated video cards. ). If you are a gamer, you want to stay away from any card that is 64 bit. Again, that is another measurement of the transfer rate of information ( the higher the better, although 128 bit is fine for games ).

3) HARD DRIVE: That question gets asked a lot. If you notice, 1 Gb of RAM is shown as 1024 Mbs which would translate to 1.024 Gb. Using that as an example, if you installed a 500 Gb Hard Drive, it would show up as 488 Gb. It is in the way that they are measured. Once you install the Operation system and drivers, it will shrink some more.

[waldojim]

To clarify, your PC's ram has absolutely no bearing on the video cards ram. The ram on a video card talks directly to the processor on that card, never to the system itself.

Also understand that while more ram is generally better, there is also the point of diminishing returns. Meaning after a set value, you gain very little in terms of performance, or usability. For MOST users 4GB is that number. However, 8GB kits are dirt cheap, there is no reason not to get them. Buying 32GB of ram or more though, is an exercise in wasteful spending for most people. This is the current scenario, and will change. In a few years, 8GB will be the norm, and be required for day to day computing, and 16GB will be that point of diminishing returns.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 06 November 2011 - 08:54 AM

[LiveBrianD]

I upgraded to 8GB and didn't notice much difference (Windows 7 64-bit). However, it comes in handy for virtualization. My spare machine (an AMD E350 netbook) has 4GB, 384MB of which is taken by the integrated graphics.