Computer Specifications: Some Analogies..

Hire Intelligence offer for rent a broad selection of hardware, with a wide range of specs and capabilities. When describing the options for computer hardware it’s sometimes useful to use analogies…

These imperfect analogies I hope help to explain the differing roles of different parts of computers:

- The CPU (Main Processor),

- GPU (Graphics card),

- RAM (Active Memory),

- Hard Drive (Storage Memory):

Transport Analogy:

In this instance the computer is represented by a transport company …with various vehicles and resources available:

- The CPU is represented by a courier motorbike…This vehicle is great for getting any whole journey done : it can handle all routes…but can’t carry lots of goods at once.

- GPU : A haulage truck….this can handle lots of things at once…but only operates on the right type of road (i.e. when given specific tasks) and can’t manage all types of jobs.

- RAM : This is the size of the wall planner/map/diary – how many journeys can be handled by the company at once.

- Hard Drive : Combined warehouse & vehicle storage space.

Kitchen Analogy:

In this instance the computer is a commercial kitchen:

Technical Support:

- CPU : Represented by the main chef at the cooking hobs – getting main part of cooking done.

- GPU : Specialised blender, or a multi-armed pastry-chef – which can get special and complex tasks done well and in parallel…but not prepare the whole meal.

- RAM : Counter Top space – how many meals can get worked on at once.

- Hard Drive Memory : Cupboard/Fridge space

Office Analogy:

In this instance the computer is a project office:

- CPU : represented by the project manager – working with lots of different bits of information, in order, and moving the project along.

- GPU : Specialist mathematician or consultant asked to do lost of specific ‘number crunching/complex tasks’ simultaneously.

- RAM : Desk space available for the staff for the tasks they are working on.

- Hard Drive Memory : Draws for files and plans of the project.

I hope the above proves a useful reference document for hardware considerations.