What is Computer Hardware?

Computer Hardware includes all the physical parts from which your computer is built. It is Computer equipment such as your case, power supply, motherboard, memory, CPU, disk drives, disks, keyboards, mice, printers and monitors.

This Hardware is made to work along with your computer programs - Software. The Hardware consists of:

• Case
• Power Supply Unit
• Motherboard
• CPU (Micprocessor)
• Memory (RAM)
• Storage Devices - Hard drive, optical storage such as CD/RW and DVD/RW drives
• Input Devices - Keyboards and Mice, Multimedia Devices
• Output Devices - Monitors, Printers

There are other computer hardware but those listed above are the main components.

Case:
This is the 'slave' of your computer system. It just does its job day-after-day without requiring any attention or maintenance.

It protects the inner components of the system, keeps them cool and prevents them from causing radio frequency interference (RFI). These are important functions that are oftentimes overlooked. Learn more about the computer case here. The power supply usually comes with the case.

Power Supply Unit:
Depending on what your system will be required to do, you will need to obtain a power supply unit (PSU) that is capable of safely supplying the total power requirements of your system plus reserve power for future upgrading.

Ensure that there is adequate cooling for your PSU with minimum noise. Some PSUs provide modular wiring - you only use the cables required thus eliminating that "mess" of wiring which clutters the innards of your system, preventing proper cooling.

Motherboard:
The most important computer hardware is the Motherboard (system board/mainboard). All components of your system are connected to the Motherboard. Click here to learn more about the Motherboard.

CPU:
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) also known as the Microprocessor is the 'brain' that controls the internal activities of your computer.

Just like the human brain processes information and directs the body to perform certain actions, this computer hardware processes instructions and directs the operations of the computer. Click here to learn more about the CPU.

Memory (RAM):
Memory (RAM) Random Access Memory is mounted on the motherboard and is a very important part of your computer. Computers use RAM to keep temporary instructions and data in order to complete its tasks.

Whenever a computer application is worked on, it is loaded into memory. This then allows your computer's CPU to quickly get instructions and data which are stored into memory. There are different types of memory such as 'flash BIOS' and 'cache' memory. Click here to read about Computer Memory.

Storage Devices:

• Hard Drive - This computer hardware is usually referred to as Drive 'C' and it provides permanent storage for your computer.

  The storage of your information on your hard drive is measured in bytes. It is best to purchase as large a hard drive as you possibly can afford since your applications along with your other files can take up a lot of space. Click here to read about Computer Hard Drives.

Storage Devices also consist of other drives such as:

• Floppy Drive - This computer hardware is a small storage devices with a capacity of 1.4 megabytes of memory.

  These are usually used to store backup copies of your files or to transfer data from one computer to another. I would not recommend using a floppy disk as a permanent storage for your data. Click here to read about Floppy Disk Drives.

• CD-R/RW Drive - This drive allows you to record and rewrite data. A 700MB CD-R/RW holds approximately 486 times the amount of data on a floppy disk. Music CDs can be played on your CD-R/RW Drive.

  Due to their large storage capacity, you will be able to transfer software applications and multimedia presentations to other computers.

  Click here to read about CD Drives.

• DVD-R/RW Drive - A DVD-R/RW disk holds approximately 6 times the amount of data on a CD-R/RW disk. It can be used to store a full-length movie.

  Click here to read about DVD drives.

• Zip Drive - This is a removable storage device that is usually used for data backup.

• Tape Drive - This has an extremely large storage capacity and is usually used for data backup.

Input Devices:

• Keyboards and Mice - Your computer keyboard and mouse (input devices) are the basic parts of your computer system. The keyboard is used to enter text commands into your system and the mouse is used to point and click. Click here to learn more about the keyboard and mouse.

• Multimedia Devices - These devices include DVD players, MP3s, projectors and various other media devices.

Output Devices:

• Monitors - The monitor is an output device which consists of a screen from which you can view information from your computer. Click here to read more about monitors.

• Printers - The printer is another output device. Its function is to deliver (print) whatever the computer sends (output) out on paper. Click here to read more about printers.

The amount of memory and disk storage space that your computer has will determine how much work your computer will be able to do for you.

The amount of work that you will require your computer to perform will determine its hardware requirement.

Conclusion

Click here to learn how to build your own cheap computer using cheap computer parts.

Return from Computer Hardware to Cheap Computer Home Page