| The
physical part of a computer is called the computer hardware as
differentiated from a software which is the computer programs
and data that run within the hardware. The hardware is rarely
changed compared with the software and data which are soft meaning
that they are promptly created, changed or deleted on the computer.
A special software that is hardly ever changed and is kept on
hardware devices like read-only memory(ROM) where it is not quickly
modified(Thus the term firm). Most
computer hardware is not visible to normal users because they
are implanted as enclosed systems in cars, microwave ovens,
ECG machines, CD players and other household items.
Personal computer
hardware
A common
personal computer contains a case or chassis in desktop or tower
sizes and the parts enumerated below :
Motherboard or system board consisting of slots for expansion
cards and holding parts which includes :
Central processing unit (CPU)
o Random Access Memory (RAM) for execution of the program
and short term storage of data, so that no time will be wasted
in accessing the hard drive to locate something. The higher
the RAM the faster the PC.
Power supply a case that encloses the transformer, voltage
control and the fan
Storage controllers which are responsible for controlling
hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM and other drives; the controllers
are directly placed on the motherboard or on expansion cards.
Video display controller creates the output for the display
of the computer
Computer bus controllers connects the computer to outside
tangible devices like printers or scanners
Some type of removable media writer:
CD the most used type of removable media which may be cheap
yet fragile
Floppy disk
Zip drive
USB Flash Drive
Tape drive used for backing-up and long-term storage
Internal storage stores data within the computer for future
use
Hard disk used for medium-term data storage
o Disk array controller
Sound card converts signals from the system board into analog
voltage levels, consisting of terminals to attach speakers
Networking allows connection to the Internet and other computers
o Modem used for dial-up connections
o Network card used for DSL/Cable internet and other computers
Other connecting devices
Likewise, hardware can also consist of external parts of a computer
system. The following are either typical or very ordinary
Input or Input devices
Pointing devices
Gaming devices like joystick or gamepad
Image, Video input devices such as scanner or webcam
Audio input devices like the microphone
Output or Output devices like printers, monitors |
