Major Hardware Components of a Computer System

The following list represents a basic set of hardware found in most PC’s.

1. System Unit - The system unit, also known as a "tower" or "chassis," is the main part
of a desktop computer. It includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and other
components. The system unit also includes the case that houses the internal
components of the computer.

2. Motherboard / Mainboard / System Board - The motherboard is the main circuit

board of microcomputer. it is also known as main board or system board.

3. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The CPU is the central electronic chip that
determines the processing power of the computer.

4. Primary Memory - Primary storage or memory is also known as the main memory,
which is the part of the computer that stores current data, programs, and instructions.
Primary storage is stored in the motherboard which results in the data from and to
primary storage can be read and written at a very good pace.
 Two (2) Types of Memory

a. ROM – (Read Only Memory) ROM is non-volatile, meaning it holds data even when
the power is ON or OFF.

b. RAM – (Random Access Memory) RAM is volatile, meaning it holds data only
when the power is on. When the power is off, RAM’s contents are lost.

5. Secondary Memory - is a type of computer memory that is used to store data and
programs that can be accessed or retrieved even after the computer is turned off.
Unlike primary memory, which is volatile and temporary, secondary memory is non-
volatile and can store data and programs for extended periods of time.

6. Expansion Bus - An expansion bus provides an input/output pathway for transferring

information between internal hardware, such as RAM or the CPU, and expansion
devices such as a graphics card or sound card.

7. Adapters - A device that allows one system to connect to and work with another. An
adapter may be a simple circuit that converts one set of signals to another; however,
the term often refers to devices which are more accurately called "controllers." For
 example, display adapters (graphics cards) and network adapters (NICs) perform
extensive processing.

8. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - is an electrical device that offers electric power to an
electrical load such as laptop computer, server, or other electronic devices. The main
function of a power supply is to convert electric current from a source to the correct
voltage, current, and frequency to power the load.

9. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) - A hard disk drive (HDD) is an internal or external
computer component that stores data, such as the operating system, applications, and
user files. HDDs are “non-volatile” storage devices, meaning they retain stored data
even when power isn't being supplied.

10.Optical Disk Drive (ODD) - also called optical drive in a computer allows you to use
CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs to listen to music or watch a movie. Most drives also
allow you to write data to a disc, so you can create your own music CDs, video DVDs
or even create of back-up copy of your important data files.

11.Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) - is an optical disc storage medium similar to a compact
disc, but with enhanced data storage capacities as well as with higher quality of video
and audio formats. Codeveloped by Sony, Panasonic, Philips and Toshiba in 1995, the
DVD is widely used for video formats, audio formats as well software and computer
files.
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
 A computer is a device that accepts information (in the form of digitalized data)
and manipulates it for some result based on a program, software, or sequence of instructions
on how the data is to be processed.
Input Devices - is a piece of hardware used to provide data and control signals to a computer
or other electronic systems. These devices allow users to interact with and input information
into the computer. Common examples of input devices include:

Keyboard - an input device used to enter characters and functions into the computer
system by pressing buttons, or keys.

Mouse - a small device that a computer user pushes across a desk surface in order to
point to a place on a display screen and to select one or more actions to take from that
position.

Microphone - It is used to convert sound waves into electrical waves or to input

sound into computers.

Scanner - computer input device that uses a light beam to scan codes, text, or graphic
images directly into a computer or computer system.
 Digital Camera - a device that captures and stores images in digital format. It uses a
sensor to convert light into electronic signals, which are then processed into a digital
image.

PC Video Camera - A digital camera that can be linked to a personal computer and
used to transmit live video in real-time.

Output Devices - is any piece of computer hardware that converts information or data into a
human-perceptible form or, historically, into a physical machine-readable form for use with
other non-computerized equipment. It can be text, graphics, tactile, audio, or video.

Computer Display Monitor - an output device that displays information being

processed in a computer.

CRT Monitors - A cathode-ray tube (CRT) is a specialized vacuum tube in which

images are produced when an electron beam strikes a phosphorescent surface.
LCD Monitors - An LCD monitor (Liquid Crystal Display monitor) is a flat-panel
display that uses liquid crystals to produce images. It's thin, lightweight, energy-
efficient, and offers high-resolution displays with accurate colors, making it ideal for
most modern computer screens and televisions.

LED Monitors - is a type of LCD monitor that uses Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for
backlighting instead of the traditional cold cathode fluorescent lights (CCFLs). This
results in better brightness, contrast, energy efficiency, and often thinner designs. LED
monitors are popular for their superior color accuracy and longer lifespan compared to
standard LCD monitors.

LCD Projectors - is a type of video projector for displaying video, images or

computer data on a screen or other flat surface. It is a modern equivalent of the slide
projector or overhead projector.

Smart Board - is an interactive display used by educators to whiteboard, project

lesson materials, play videos, and give presentations. Rather than a simple digital
 whiteboard, a smart board is more like a large tablet that teachers and students alike
can intuitively interact with.

Printer - is a device that prints documents and images onto paper or other materials. It is
usually connected to a computer, allowing you to use your word processor, spreadsheets, and
other programs to create documents and images that are printed out on the printer.

Types of Printers

Ink-Jet or Bubble-Jet-Printer - is a type of inkjet printer, primarily developed and

manufactured by Canon. It functions by rapidly heating ink droplets, causing them to form
bubbles that expand and propel the ink onto the paper surface. This printing method delivers
high-quality images and text with precision and speed.
Laser Printer - is a type of printer that uses a laser beam to produce high-quality text and
graphics on paper. It works by using a combination of electrostatically charged toner and a
heated fuser to transfer the toner onto the paper.

Why Computers are Powerful

Computers are powerful for a variety of reasons. They work with remarkable
speed, reliability, accuracy and communication. Computers can store large amounts of
data and information. Also, computer allow users to communicate with other users or
computers. A user is anyone who communicates and interacts with a computer or makes use
of the information that generates.