Whether you are building a PC from scratch or upgrading an existing one, hardware parts play an important role in the overall performance of your machine. There are a number of different components that make up your PC, including input and output devices, processors, and storage devices. Getting to know these components can help you determine the best parts to use.
Processors
Often called the central processing unit, a CPU is a hardware component that processes digital instructions received from various programs. It performs arithmetic and logic operations, including calculations, and interprets most computer commands.
Processors are usually found in PCs, other computers, and smartphones. The graphics processing unit, also known as the GPU, is another example of a processor. It enables a computer to perform graphics operations, such as rendering video or 3D graphics.
In early computers, only a single CPU was installed. The CPU performed one task at a time, so the system operator had to wait for the program to finish before starting the next. Today, most processors have multiple cores. Each core can perform two lines of execution at a time.
Input devices
Typically, input devices are used for entering text, numbers, and other data into a computer. They are also used for feeding images and audiovisual recordings.
The most common input devices include keyboards and mice. These devices are plugged into the back of a computer. The mouse is a pointing device that moves the cursor around a screen. Its buttons can be used for clicking or drawing.
The keyboard is used for input of text, numbers, and special characters. It can also be used to enter the location of the cursor on a screen. It comes in different form factors, such as with different keys for letters and numbers. It is also categorized by its number of keys.
Other input devices include scanners and joysticks. Scanners are used for transferring paper information into a computer. They can also be used to read printed text. OCR (optical character recognition) converts characters into machine readable code.
Output devices
Whether you’re new to computers or you’re just trying to get a handle on what’s going on behind the screen, it’s important to understand the hardware parts of your machine. These parts help your computer perform tasks related to data.
The most common input device on a computer is the keyboard. This device enables you to enter text, numbers, and other special characters. The keyboard also lets you use a mouse to input data into the computer. You can also use a mouse to navigate your way around the screen.
A monitor is another common input device. The monitor’s resolution is measured in pixels per inch. The monitor’s main purpose is to display information. This information can be in the form of text, images, or other user interface elements.
Storage devices
Generally, computer hardware refers to physical devices that make up a computer. It includes both internal and external components. A computer can store data in a temporary or permanent manner.
Storage devices include hard disk drives, flash drives, and solid state drives. Flash drives are faster and more power efficient than hard disk drives. Solid state drives are smaller, but perform as well or better than a traditional hard disk drive.
The main purpose of a hard disk drive is to store and retrieve data. The disk is made up of magnetic platters encased in a protective airtight package. The platters are arranged in concentric circles, and the surface is divided into sectors. The data stored on the platter is written into binary form on the magnetic surface.
Motherboard
Typically, a motherboard contains the CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and other components. It also has a number of ports that allow users to connect external devices to the computer. Some motherboards also come with built-in batteries that provide power to the computer when it’s not in use.
The motherboard also has a system chip called the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) which identifies and configures the hardware in the computer. It controls all of the other hardware components and gives the user control over the fan speed and the hard drive configuration.
In addition, motherboards have USB ports that allow users to connect and plug in compatible devices. Some ports may have sleep-charge features, which prevent the board from powering up when the computer is not in use.
