Computers may be more than the sum of their parts but their parts are important too. After all, computers rely on their components to be able to do what they do. Throughout computer history, certain components have been developed that were signs of all the impressive things to come. These are the 10 most important computer components.
Intel Pentium 90
This processor worked wonders for computers everywhere. It was much faster than those that came before and helped Intel to reign over the computer market for a good five years.
AMD DX4-100 486
This was the answer to Intel’s 486. It was able to work at faster speeds and was sold for less too which made it a real contender and an important computer component.
Quantum Fireball ST3.2A
This was the premier drive to make use of the UltraATA/33 interface. It was supposed to be able to achieve speeds off 33MB/s. Also, it had up to 6.4 GB at the time.
Diamond Monster Sound
The Diamond Monster Sound was a soundcard that was the first of its kind to support the DirectSound 3D API. This was the ideal component to make use of the new 3D sound technology for games and the like and was the hallmark of a new age in 3D sound.
Canopus Pure3D
The Canopus Pure3D was the world’s introduction to vastly improved 3D graphics. While once 2D graphics were the only option for gamers, the coming of this component allowed you to experience more visual quality than ever before. This component improved the quality of graphics by leaps and bounds and was an important step in the progression of computer visuals.
Pentium II 400 MHz
The Pentium II 400 MHz was another step in the right direction. It was able to do the same job at nearly twice the speed as its predecessor, the Klamath.
Obsidian X24
The Obsidian X24 gave users to nearly double the visual capabilities that they were used to. This component allowed for two slave cards to be paired up to achieve amazing performance gains. This component was so good it was actually used in 3D arcade games.
Intel 440BX Chipset
The Intel 440BX Chipset was the cutting edge of chipsets for many years. It boasted 1GB of SDRAM support which was very impressive at the time. It laid the groundwork for chipsets to come.
AMD K6-2
This was an inexpensive upgrade for those with Super Socket 7 motherboards. It was a new development in running 3D applications.
Apsus P2B
The Apsus P2B cemented Intel’s reputation for putting out quality motherboards. This component was so well made that 10 years after it was introduced many are still in use.
These 10 most important computer components each offered up their own contribution to the development of computers. Some offered greater speed, others better sound, and others clearer visual quality. These 10 components are so important because they were essential to the evolution of computer technology into what it is today. Without them, computers could not be what they are now.
Tom Rheinecker writes about searching for a master of computer science.
