Computer Hardware Introduction to Hardware

Computer Hardware

Introduction to Hardware



The term hardware refers to the various components that make up a PC. This term is used generally to indicate any part of the PC that can be physically touched. This section explains the functions of the basic hardware components in the PC.
The System Unit
The system unit is the main component of the PC to which other components are connected. The system unit contains:

• 
  Motherboard
  
• 
  Microprocessor or Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  
• 
  Memory (RAM and ROM)
  
• 
  Power supply unit
  
• 
  Disk drives
  

The Motherboard

The motherboard holds the microprocessor, memory chips (RAM and ROM), expansion slots, power connectors and any other microchips required for the PC to function. It is the actual heart of the PC as it determines the computational power of the computer. The main components of a motherboard are the following:

Photo of a typical motherboard