Computer Hardware Components

Learn to identify PC Computer parts

This page will provide you first hand knowledge major Computer hardware components. I have selected standard graphics, but the actual PC computer parts can be slightly different.

Also a specific computer hardware component can have various types and models. For an example a Computer Processor has different brands such as Intel and AMD. Within Intel there are generations such as Pentium, Celeron etc.

Today, due to the rapid development of Computer technology, assembling computer hardware components and building a computer has become a very easy task. Operating systems such as Windows XP can easily identify new PC Computer parts and configured itself. This is called Plug & Play.

Ok here we go. Below are major Computer hardware components inside a Computer.

The Processor

This is the "brain" of your Computer. An extremely sophisticated piece of miniaturized electronics, the processor (often called the CPU or Central Processing Unit) is at the bottom of all tasks the PC performs. The processor reads instructions (commands) from memory that tell it what it needs to do to accomplish the work that the user wants, and then executes them. Intel is one of the major manufacturers of Computer processors.

Ex: Intel Pentium III 400GhzIn this example Intel is the manufacturer. Pentium is their product type (Intel manufacture Celeron range as well). "III 400Ghz" is the processor speed. So Pentium "IV 200 Ghz" is faster than "III 400Ghz".

Memory or RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) holds all of the "active" information that the computer is using. Memory is empty when your PC is switched off Then each program or data file used grab part of the system memory. When you close a program the memory grabed by that program is freed up. Generally, the more memory your system has, the more things you can do with it simultaneously. Increasing the amount of memory in the system also improves performance in most cases.

Even though it is a Computer hardware component, RAM is also like humen memory. Imagine you are reading a book. When you start reading a book the content of the book remains in your memory. But it goes away when your attention goes to somewhere else.

Hard Disk

Hard Disk is the computer's permanent storage capacity. Size of the Hard Disk determines how many files pr programs can be saved in your computer. Unlike RAM, you can store your files permanently in the Hard Disk until you remove them.

Ex: Take the example under above Memory section. Hard Disk is similar to the book, because the items written in the book are permanent.

MotherBoard

BotherBoard is the main circuit board inside your computer. All other PC computer parts are connected to specific slots on the Mother Board. Sometimes it is called as the Main Board. Motherboard has in-built chips. One of it holds the computer time. Motherboard also has a battery, which will enable it to function some tasks such as maintaining the system time even when the PC is switched off.

In addition to above there are other computer hardware components known as add-on cards.

These PC computer parts are commonly known as PCI cards. They are using software called “drivers” to communicate with the operating system. Operating Systems such as Windows XP maintains a driver database to configure these computer hardware component cards. However, you will get the manufacturers driver CDs at the time of purchasing these cards.

Add-on cards are fixed to specific slots on the Motherboard. Windows can immediately identify when you fix a new card and search its driver database to install a suitable driver for the new card. It will ask you to insert the manufacturer's CD if there is no suitable driver found in the database.

Graphics Card (VGA card)

This is the device that sends the output to your monitor. You fix the monitor cable to the back of the VGA card (VGA port) in order to get the display. Please note that some of the computers have the VGA card built-in with the motherboard. You won't see a separate card for VGA in these computers.There are slots on the Mother Board to fix the graphics card.

VGA card has its own memory to hold graphics and videos. It is important to have a VGA card with high memory if you want to play latest PC games.

Sound Card

This computer hardware component is used to send the sound to your speakers. This is the card that you plug speaker cables. Sound card also built-in to the Mother Board in some PCs.

Having a quality sound card is a must for latest games and especially if you are using your PC to watch movies and listen to music.

LAN Card

LAN card (Network card) is used to connect your PC to a Network. Some broadband modems also can be connected to the PC using LAN cards.

Most of the new LAN cards are using a port called “Ethernet port” which is in the back of the card. Network cables are required to connect a PC with a LAN card to rest of the computers or to a broadband modem.

Internal Modem

Internal Modem is used to connect your computer to the Internet. They are using the dial-up method. There are two types of dial-up Modems known as Internal and External. Internal Modem is fixed inside the PC and you fix the phone cable to the backside of it. These modem cards are disappearing fast with the introduction of high-speed broadband technology.

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