Components of a Computer’s Hardware

The Case

The case is the box that all the parts are stored in, except for the monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer. This would apply to all computers unless you have a laptop computer.

The Mother Board

The mother board is the main printed circuit board in the computer. The computer wouldn’t be able to run without it.

CPU

The CPU, or Central Processing Unit does the calculations, the reading of data, and the reading(interpreting) of computer codes.

RAM

The RAM, also known as the Random Access Memory are like pieces of scratch paper, while that information is temporarily stored only while you’re working on the computer.

Disk Controller

The disk controller allows your computer to interact with your disk drive storage devices. A controller is required whether they are hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, CD-ROMS, or Tape devices.

Hard Disk Drive

The hard disk drive is a storage device, but it’s not for memory. With this retrieval is faster, and things are usually easier to find. Drives like this one gives you a place to store all of your data.

Floppy Disk Drive

Floppy disk drives provide you with an easier way to save, transport, and backup data, and programs that are small. Eventually, they will be replaced by rewriteable optical drives because CD’s are becoming the preferred object for programming and data distribution.

Video Display Adapter

The video display adapter can only output the computer information in the form of a video that humans would be able to read (via the monitor). It also decodes the computer data and sends it to the monitor.

Monitor

The monitor is the actual display where you can see words, pictures, and data on. There are two main types analog, and digital.

Input Device

The input device is any device that, once connected to the outside of the computer can directly add or change data in the computer. These devices include the keyboard, mouse, digitizer, scanner, pen, and digital camera.

Modem

The modem is a device which hooks your computer up to the telephone line, and allows you to connect to the internet. With this device you would be able to connect to computers in different states, countries, and cities.

Printer

The printer allows you to print paper, transparencies, film, and t-shirts. The things you are able to print depend on what type of printer you have.

Now hopefully, you know the names and functions of the components of a computer!

Resources

http://www.helpus.com/text/components/compbrk.htm