Computer hardware simplified
Computer Hardware is a comprehensive term which refers to all the physical parts of a computer including the digital circuitry. The software installed in the computer provides instructions for the hardware to perform necessary tasks. Unlike software and data, which are readily created, modified, or deleted, the hardware of a computer is rarely changed. The interaction between the hardware and the software, or more clearly, the boundary between the computer hardware and software, is a special type of software, known as firmware.
Most computer hardware is not seen by common people as it is usually comes in embedded systems in compact disc players, electrocardiograph machines, microwave ovens, automobiles, and other devices. The computer hardware familiar to normal users is the personal computers which form only a small portion of the computers out there in the market.
Personal Computer Hardware
Generally a personal computer consists of a chassis or a case in desktop and comprises of the following parts.
Motherboard – Motherboard or system board comes with slots for expansion cards and holding parts including:
Central Processing Unit (CPU) – one of the main parts of a computer which interprets and executes instructions.
Random Access Memory (RAM) – the primary storage for program execution and short data storage.
Buses - Also known as data bus or computer bus, a bus is a subsystem which helps to transfer data or power between computer components in a computer or between computers.
PCI bus
PCI-E or AGP bus
ISA bus (outdated)
USB
Power Supply Unit (PSU) – a system or a device which helps to supply power to every other component inside or attached to the computer. The power system contains a voltage control, transformer, and fan.
Storage Controllers – IDE, SATA, SCSI or any other type which controls storage mediums such as hard disk, floppy disk or CD-ROM drives. The controls are installed directly on the mother board or on expansion cards.
Video Display Controller –helps to generate the output for the computer display.
Computer Bus Controllers (FireWire, USB, serial, parallel) - used to connect the computer to an external peripheral devices such as scanners or printers.
Sound Card –a plug-in card which helps to record and play back sound.
Internal Storage –devices used to store data inside the computer for later use.
Hard Disk - the most popular storage device used to store data.
Disk Array Controller
Removable media writers:
Floppy Disk
CD: the most widely used removable media. CD is cheap but fragile.
CD-ROM Drive
CD Writer
DVD
DVD-ROM Drive
DVD Writer
DVD-RAM Drive
Zip Drive
USB Flash Drive
Tape Drive
Networking: - devices which allows a computer to connect to the internet or with other computers.
Modem: used for dial-up connections.
Network Card: used to connect a computer with other computers or with DSL/Cable internet.
Computer Hardware can also include other external components of a computer system such as:
Input Devices
Text Input devices
Keyboard
Pointing Devices
Mouse
Trackball
Video or Image Input Devices
Webcam
Image Scanner
Audio Input Device
Microphone
Gaming Devices
Gamepad
Joystick
Output Devices
Video or Image Output Devices:
Monitor
Printer
Audio Output Device:
Speakers
Headset
http://www.cctvspecialty.com/ CCTV Specialty specializes in the supply and distribution of http://www.cctvspecialty.com/ CCTV Cameras. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Free Internet Security Software from Google
Selecting the internet security software for your computer can be a daunting task for most home user - Home Key Logger - Track Computer Activity
What goes through your mind when you think about a home key logger? Do you think about a rogue progr - Computers and Electronics Have Changed The Way We Live
You push the on button and your monitor screen springs to life. Next, you use your mouse to bring up - What PacketShaper Can Do For You?
What is PacketShaper?It is an application-intelligent traffic management system which delivers predi - Key Logger Software for Your Computer
One thing that many of us are concerned about is the safety of our children and what happens when th - Keep Your PC Healthy With Computer Tips & Tricks
Everybody just has to have a computer these days. Life without a computer is unimaginable. I am sure - Your Children And The Internet - 5 Tips To Keep Your Children Safe While They Are Online
If your children are on the Internet you may be concerned about their safety. We hear stories regula - Gibberish Spam Email - Why Do Spammers Send It?
We have all seen many spam emails that just make no sense. They contain pure gibberish in the subjec - Antivirus - What is a Computer Virus?
Before understanding what a computer virus is, it is necessary to understand what a virus in when it - How to Recover External Hard Drive?
You can store your computer data in several different ways. Data can be stored on removable disks,
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Experience the new Microsoft Zune and Future Technology with Bill Gates at CES Keynote
After the demonstration of Windows Vista by Bill Gates at the CES keynote, Robbie Bach, President of - Internet Connection Sharing in Windows XP
This articles explains in detail how to set up a small network at home so you can share your Interne - Nortel VPN Client Overview
The Nortel VPN Client creates the secure connection for VPN users into a private network. Once you l - Computer Phobias
Years ago around the end of January I would develop Chinophobia (fear of snow). Maybe it was becaus - CCTV: the story continues
CCTV – Closed Circuit Television – for some time at least has been used by various gover - iPod Stuff: How To Set Your iPod's Alarm Clock
The good thing about the iPod alarm clock feature is that you can wake up with the tune of your favo - Why Someone Stole My Mobile Phone
Not so long ago my mobile phone was stolen. I kept asking why I was the one who got targeted, especi - Office printers: introduction to technology and types
With every bit of information transfer and manipulation going digital these days, almost the entire - Cordless phone technology: a brief history
Cordless Phones – as the term suggests – is a phone sans any cord. Instead the handset c - A to Z of Mac Parts
The Mac OS: Mac OS runs smoothly. That's what I noticed first off. There's very little waiting, very
