The IC and computers

According to BusinessDictionary.com, the integrated circuit is a miniature (typically 5 millimeter square, 1 millimeter thick)electronic device containing a few to millions of solid-statecomponents etched or printed on a silicon or othersemiconductor chip (called silicon chip or microchip). A four megabit memory chip, for example, contains four million two-paired transistors (called 'sandwiches') plus components for control circuitry. Depending on the number of components, ICs are classified (in the ascending order) as 'small scale integration' (SSI), 'medium scale integration' (MSI), 'large scale integration' (LSI), 'very large scale integration' (VLSI), and 'ultra large scale integration' (ULSI). ICs consume very little current, generate comparatively little heat, and are far more shock-proof and reliable than the older discrete-component circuits. They are encased in ceramic or plastic material, and are connected to other ICs via external pins that fit into a socket of a circuit board. Invented in 1958 independently by Jack Kilby (born 1923) and Robert Noyce (1927-1990).

These are Important for computers because they maximize the potential of a computer's capabilities. By adding circuits to enhance processing power, memory, or other vital aspects of modern computers, one can get the most out of the computer without changing much electronically. In fact, as stated above, since circuits consume little to no current, they will not draw energy away from the machine or make it any less efficient from an electricity standpoint.