Hardware

A computer is made up of multiple physical components of computer hardware, upon which can be installed a system software called operating system and a multitude of software applications to perform the operator's desired functions.

Though a PC comes in many different forms, a typical personal computer consists of a case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop), containing components such as a motherboard.

Motherboard
The motherboard is the main component inside the case. It is a large rectangular board with integrated circuitry that connects the rest of the parts of the computer including the CPU, the RAM, the disk drives (CD, DVD, hard disk, or any others) as well as any peripherals connected via the ports or the expansion slots.
Components directly attached to the motherboard include:

  • The central processing unit (CPU) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan.
  • The chip set mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.
  • RAM (Random Access Memory) stores resident part of the current running OS (OS core and so on) and all running processes (applications parts, using CPU or input/output (I/O) channels or waiting for CPU or I/O channels).
  • The BIOS includes boot firmware and power management. The Basic Input Output System tasks are handled by operating systemdrivers.

Internal Buses connect the CPU to various internal components and to expansion cards for graphics and sound.
Current

  • The north bridge memory controller, for RAM and PCI Express
  • PCI Express, for expansion cards such as graphics and physics processors, and high-end network interfaces
  • PCI, for other expansion cards
  • SATA, for disk drives

Obsolete

  • ATA (superseded by SATA)
  • AGP (superseded by PCI Express)
  • VLB VESA Local Bus (superseded by AGP)
  • ISA (expansion card slot format obsolete in PCs, but still used in industrial computers)

External Bus Controllers support ports for external peripherals. These ports may be controlled directly by the south bridge I/O controller or based on expansion cards attached to the motherboard through the PCI bus.

  • USB
  • FireWire
  • eSATA
  • SCSI

Power supply
A power supply unit (PSU) converts alternating current (AC) electric power to low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer. Some power supplies have a switch to change between 230 V and 115 V. Other models have automatic sensors that switch input voltage automatically, or are able to accept any voltage between those limits. Power supply units used in computers are nearly always switch mode power supplies (SMPS). The SMPS provides regulated direct current power at the several voltages required by the motherboard and accessories such as disk drives and cooling fans.

Removable media devices
  • CD (compact disc) - the most common type of removable media, suitable for music and data.
  • CD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a CD.
  • CD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a CD.
  • DVD (digital versatile disc) - a popular type of removable media that is the same dimensions as a CD but stores up to 12 times as much information. It is the most common way of transferring digital video, and is popular for data storage.
  • DVD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a DVD.
  • DVD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a DVD.
  • DVD-RAM Drive - a device used for rapid writing and reading of data from a special type of DVD.
  • Blu-ray Disc - a high-density optical disc format for data and high-definition video. Can store 70 times as much information as a CD.
  • BD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a Blu-ray disc.
  • BD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a Blu-ray disc.
  • HD DVD - a discontinued competitor to the Blu-ray format.
  • Floppy disk - an outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible magnetic storage medium. Used today mainly for loading RAID drivers.
  • Iomega Zip drive - an outdated medium-capacity removable disk storage system, first introduced by Iomega in 1994.
  • USB flash drive - a flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB interface, typically small, lightweight, removable, and rewritable. Capacities vary, from hundreds of megabytes (in the same ballpark as CDs) to tens of gigabytes (surpassing, at great expense, Blu-ray discs).
  • Tape drive - a device that reads and writes data on a magnetic tape, used for long term storage and backups.

Secondary storage
Hardware that keeps data inside the computer for later use and remains persistent even when the computer has no power.
  • Hard disk - for medium-term storage of data.
  • Solid-state drive - a device similar to hard disk, but containing no moving parts and stores data in a digital format.
  • RAID array controller - a device to manage several internal or external hard disks and optionally some peripherals in order to achieve performance or reliability improvement in what is called a RAID array.

Sound card
Enables the computer to output sound to audio devices, as well as accept input from a microphone. Most modern computers have sound cards built-in to the motherboard, though it is common for a user to install a separate sound card as an upgrade. Most sound cards, either built-in or added, have surround sound capabilities.

Input and output peripherals
Input and output devices are typically housed externally to the main computer chassis. The following are either standard or very common to many computer systems.

Input Devices
Text input devices
  • Keyboard - a device to input text and characters by depressing buttons (referred to as keys or buttons).
  • Pointing devices
  • Mouse - a pointing device that detects two dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface.
  • Optical Mouse - uses light to determine mouse motion.
  • Trackball - a pointing device consisting of an exposed protruding ball housed in a socket that detects rotation about two axes.
  • Touchscreen - senses the user pressing directly on the display
Gaming devices
  • Joystick - a control device that consists of a handheld stick that pivots around one end, to detect angles in two or three dimensions.
  • Game pad - a hand held game controller that relies on the digits (especially thumbs) to provide input.
  • Game controller - a specific type of controller specialized for certain gaming purposes.
Image, Video input devices
  • Image scanner - a device that provides input by analyzing images, printed text, handwriting, or an object.
  • Web cam - a video camera used to provide visual input that can be easily transferred over the internet.
Audio input devices
  • Microphone - an acoustic sensor that provides input by converting sound into electrical signals.
Output Devices
  • Printer - a device that produces a permanent human-readable text of graphic document.
  • Speakers - typically a pair of devices (2 channels) which convert electrical signals into audio.
  • Headphones - for a single user hearing the audio.
  • Monitor - an electronic visual display with textual and graphical information from the computer.
    1. CRT - (Cathode Ray Tube) display. (Currently Obsolete)
    2. LCD - (Liquid Crystal Display) as of 2010, it is the primary visual display for personal computers.
    3. LED - (light-emitting diode) display.
    4. OLED - Organic Light-Emitting Diode
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