// HARDWARE MODULE 01

Internal Components Overview

CYBERGRIND.ORG
HW-001
v1.0 // 2026

System Components

⚡ CPU — Processor

The brain of the computer. Fetches, decodes, and executes all program instructions. Controls every other component.

Runs the fetch-execute cycle billions of times per second
Speed measured in GHz; width measured in bits

🗄 RAM — Memory

Volatile short-term memory. Stores active program instructions and data for fast CPU access. Lost on power off.

Much faster than storage drives
Directly addressable by the CPU

🔌 Motherboard

Central hub connecting all components via the system bus. Houses BIOS/UEFI chip, expansion slots, and power connectors.

Runs POST at startup to verify components
Distributes power and clock signals

⚡ PSU — Power Supply

Converts AC wall power to regulated DC. Distributes 3.3V, 5V, and 12V rails to all system components.

Sends "power good" signal before boot
Failure causes random reboots or no-POST

🖥 GPU — Graphics Unit

Dedicated processor for rendering images, video, and 3D graphics. Offloads visual compute from the CPU.

Connected via PCIe x16 slot
Has its own VRAM and cooling

🌐 NIC — Network Card

Enables wired (RJ-45) or wireless network connectivity. May be integrated on motherboard or added via PCIe slot.

Handles all inbound/outbound network traffic
Assigned a unique MAC address

❄ Cooling System

Heat sinks, fans, and/or liquid loops that regulate component temperatures and prevent thermal throttling or damage.

Air and liquid cooling are most common
Thermal paste required between CPU and cooler

💾 Storage — SSD / HDD

Non-volatile long-term data storage. SSDs use NAND flash; HDDs use spinning magnetic platters.

Connected via SATA or NVMe (M.2)
Persists data through power cycles

Four Functions of Computing

📥 INPUT→

⚙ PROCESSING→

💾 STORAGE→

📤 OUTPUT

      Peripherals feed data into RAM. The CPU (and GPU for graphics) processes it.
      Results go to storage or output devices like displays and network interfaces.
    