COMPONENTS OF

COMPUTER HARDWARE
C O M P U T E R H A R D WA R E I N C L U D E S T H E P H Y S I C A L C O M P O N E N T S O F A C O M P U T E R .
P E R S O N A L C O M P U T E R S ( P C S ) A R E E L E C T R O N I C D E V I C E S T H AT U S E M I C R O C H I P S
T O P R O C E S S I N F O R M AT I O N A N D M AY I N C L U D E D E S K T O P C O M P U T E R S , L A P T O P S O R
TA B L E T S . S I N C E A C O M P U T E R C O M P R I S E S M A N Y H A R D WA R E C O M P O N E N T S , T H E Y
W O R K T O G E T H E R A N D D E P E N D O N E A C H O T H E R T O F U N C T I O N P R O P E R LY.
 What are basic components of computer hardware?
There are several basic components of computer hardware including:

1. Central processing unit (CPU)

The CPU controls the computer processes and communicates with the other
components of a personal computer. A computer's CPU may be one of the most
complicated parts of the computer because of its intricacies.
2. Motherboard
The motherboard provides the structure for all other components and connects
them, while also providing a way to distribute power, deliver information and
connect to devices such as a printer or mouse. It controls how data transfers and
what type of monitor or screen device to use, for example. It houses the CPU,
memory and secondary storage devices such as hard drives.
3. Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is where data lives temporarily while it's being actively used by programs,
such as when a user launches a computer application. A technician may know
how to identify the type of RAM in a computer, how to replace it if it's defective
and how to diagnose problems with copying data from one location in memory to
another.
4. Video graphics array port
A video graphics array (VGA) port is a video input that is primarily used on PC
monitors. Troubleshooting a VGA port could include verifying there isn't a loose
connection, faulty cable or a broken monitor.
5. Power supply
A power supply provides electricity to all components of a computer system.
Typically, it's a power cord connected from the back of a PC tower into an
electricity socket.
6. Cooling fan
Cooling fans are a computer's system to decrease overheating. Many computers
have more than one cooling fan to help users who run their computer heavily,
such as video streaming or gaming.
7. Hard drive
Hard drives are data storage devices used to store files, programs or other
information on a computer system. They use magnetically coated discs called
hard disks that store digital representations of information.
8. System Unit
A system unit is the part of a computer that houses the primary devices that
perform operations and produce results for complex calculations.
9. Optical Disk Drive
An optical drive is an internal or external computer disk drive that uses laser
beam technology to read and write data.