Basic Pc Hardware
PCs are made of what is called hardware and software. PC hardware is all the physical components that make up a personal computer. Software is the program that works with the hardware. Software includes all the data and information that goes into your computer so you can execute different operational system activities. The basic PC hardware components are: the Motherboard, Processor, Memory or RAM (Random Access Memory), Power Supply, Hard Drive, CD and or DVD drive, maybe a Floppy Drive, Video Card, Sound Card and Modem. The basic peripheral PC hardware components are the Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse and sometimes speakers. Other peripheral PC hardware may include Printers, Scanners and Web Cameras. The motherboard in pcs is also known as the mainboard, baseboard or system board. In Mac’s it is known as the logic board. The motherboard ties all pc hardware electrically together by providing electrical power and logical connections between the components so they can communicate with one another. The first IBM motherboards were very simple in comparison to today’s motherboards. Today’s motherboards have many features and upgrade capacities that it did not have in the past. The main job the motherboard has is to hold microprocessor chip and let everything else connect to it. Every aspect of the computer that runs or enhances its running is connected to the motherboard. If a component is not an actual part of the motherboard then it plugs into it via slot or port. Next we have the computer processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU is like the brain of the computer. Basically what the processor does is interprets computer program instructions and processes data. Also referred to a microprocessor, the CPU is a self-contained engine in one chip. It is a self-contained piece with an integrated circuit system. The memory or RAM is the pcs system memory. This is the pcs main memory that holds all the data and programs that is given by the processor. It is called RAM or Random Access Memory because you can access the memory cell physically to remove it if you know where it is located in the motherboard. It is similar to the microprocessor in that it is a self-contained chip with an integrated circuit system. The power supply feeds the pc with electrical power. Every part of the pc is feed electricity voltage from the power supply. This pc hardware part is vital for your pc to work. The power supply looks like a box with a fan. It can be removed from the pc case or chassis. Your computer turns on from the push of a little button connected to this box and turns off with a menu option. The hard drive/hard drive disk is the storage system for all the data and programs on the pc. It is the storage for all the pc memory. It looks like a square box with a disk in the middle. Sometimes when you run out or hard drive space an external hard drive can be added to your pc to extend your hard drive disk storage space. The external hard drive connects to the pc via a USB port. The sound card is a small device that looks like a card. It enables the computer to generate sound. The video card is a small card-like device that enables your monitor to be viewed. These two devices can be upgraded in most pcs. Gamers in particular go for frequent sound and video cards to enhance their gaming experience. Modems can be internal or external devices that enable connectivity to the Internet. CD/DVD are removable media devices. Today’s pc has combined CD-RW/DVD-ROM drives. This enables you to burn CD’s and DVDs. Floppy disk drives aren’t as popular now days. These are in a nutshell the components of pc hardware. The peripheral hardware like the keyboard and mouse are used us humans to execute commands and input information into our computer. The monitor enables us to see all the information visually in our system and enables us view the World Wide Web. There are so many pcs to choose from that there is virtually a pc to meet the most inexperienced to the professional computer users needs. |
