COMPUTER HARDWARE:COMPONENTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Introduction
What is a computer hardware?
Computer Hardware is the physical part of a computer, as distinguished from the computer
software that executes or runs on the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently
changed, while software and data are modified frequently. The term soft refers to readily
created, modified, or erased. These are unlike the physical components within the computer
which are hard.
When you think of the term computer hardware you probably think of the guts inside your
personal computer at home or the one in your classroom. However, computer hardware does
not specifically refer to personal computers. Instead, it is all types of computer systems.
Computer hardware is in embedded systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, CD players,
DVD players, and many more devices. In 2003, only 0.2% of all microprocessors sold were
for personal computers. How many other things in your house or your classroom use computer
hardware?
Hardware Inside a Computer
Let us look at the various hardware parts inside a computer’s system unit shown above
, Motherboard
The motherboard is the body or mainframe of the computer, through which all other
components interface. It is the central circuit board making up a complex electronic system. A
motherboard provides the electrical connections by which the other components of the system
communicate. The mother board includes many components such as: central processing unit
(CPU), random access memory (RAM), firmware, and internal and external buses.
Motherboard
Central Processing Unit
The Central Processing Unit (CPU; sometimes just called processor) is a machine that can
execute computer programs. It is sometimes referred to as the brain of the computer.
Introduction
What is a computer hardware?
Computer Hardware is the physical part of a computer, as distinguished from the computer
software that executes or runs on the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently
changed, while software and data are modified frequently. The term soft refers to readily
created, modified, or erased. These are unlike the physical components within the computer
which are hard.
When you think of the term computer hardware you probably think of the guts inside your
personal computer at home or the one in your classroom. However, computer hardware does
not specifically refer to personal computers. Instead, it is all types of computer systems.
Computer hardware is in embedded systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, CD players,
DVD players, and many more devices. In 2003, only 0.2% of all microprocessors sold were
for personal computers. How many other things in your house or your classroom use computer
hardware?
Hardware Inside a Computer
Let us look at the various hardware parts inside a computer’s system unit shown above
, Motherboard
The motherboard is the body or mainframe of the computer, through which all other
components interface. It is the central circuit board making up a complex electronic system. A
motherboard provides the electrical connections by which the other components of the system
communicate. The mother board includes many components such as: central processing unit
(CPU), random access memory (RAM), firmware, and internal and external buses.
Motherboard
Central Processing Unit
The Central Processing Unit (CPU; sometimes just called processor) is a machine that can
execute computer programs. It is sometimes referred to as the brain of the computer.
