In this article, we will be covering most of the hardware in regardless of the form size (physical size of the computer casing)

Essential Computer Hardware consists of

Mainboard

CPU

RAM

Hard Disk Drive

Graphic Card

Power Supply / Casing

Keyboard / Mouse

Monitor

DVD Writer

Mainboard (Motherboard)

This is the biggest piece of hardware in the system. This is where various other essential components connect onto it, such as CPU, Ram, Hard Disk drive, etc, to it. Modern mid-range mainboard usually comes with add-on component such LAN port, sound card and graphics card.

As other hardware connects to the mainboard, it is important to ensure that the mainboard purchased is of high caliber and has at least the add-on component as stated in the paragraph above.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

This is one of the computer hardware that determines the speed of the whole system. The other determining hardware are the RAM and Hard Disk Drive. Single Core CPUs are almost obsolete and are much slower compared to their Dual Core / Quad Core counterparts.

Usually a numeric figure is stated and that is the clock frequency, commonly known as the speed of the CPU. Usually the higher the clock frequency, the faster your data can be processed.

Ram

Known as Random Access Memory, are memory chips where data are temporary stored. By storing the data on RAMs, the CPU is able to process the data in a shorter period which leads faster execution of the instructions and tasks assigned to the computer.

Usually a numeric figure (in Gb) is stated and that is the physical size of data the RAM is able to store.

Hard Disk Drive

This computer hardware keeps all data permanently, unlike the RAM which will erase data if the computer is shut down. Comes in sizes of 2.5″ (for laptop) and 3.5″ (for Desktop)

Usually a numeric figure (in Gb) is stated and comes in various capacity.

A rough calculation

Assuming a 4 min long music song is stored in mp3 format and takes up 4mb worth of space in the hard disk. 160Gb will be able to store around 40,000 songs!

Graphic Card

As stated, this card is initially responsible for displaying images onto the monitor. However, due to the high rendering first-person-shooter games being produced, gamers will demand their graphics card to be better than the CPU. This is due to the fact that the graphic card will handle all taxing gaming images which the CPU was unable to process. To meet up the demands, even graphics cards are going dual core!

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

The life of the computer! This computer hardware sends power to various devices, such as the mainboard, hard disk drives, etc.

This is often the most overlooked hardware and is frequently compromised due to budget constraints. However, by cutting down on getting a good PSU, risks such as electric shock and under-current may occurs which could instantly destroy the mainboard and other hardware by providing the wrong current or voltage!!

Computer Casing / Chasis

Computer case is the tough armor to protect the dedicated various computer hardware.

Casing are important as they ventilate and regulate air flow to prevent overheating of the essential computer hardware.

Optical Drives

Commonly known as CD-ROM / DVD-ROM or DVD Writers, this allows reading of various CDs/DVDs. ROM hardware are only able to read from CD / DVD, while DVD Writers enables writing (copying of data) to the discs.

The latest technology for Optical Drive is currently Blu-Ray ROM will allows reading of Blu-ray disc. Due to the high cost, it is not widely included in systems.

Monitor

Is a visual display unit that shows images generated by the graphic card. CRT monitors that are working today are using older technology which consumes more power. Mainstream monitor manufactured are now mostly LCD due to their compact size and cheaper cost to manufacture.

LCD monitors come in various sizes, ranging from a minimum of 15″ to up to 70″!

Keyboard and Mouse

Is the hardware to input data and commands into the computer.

I hope that the above computer guide will assist you in having a further understanding of computer hardware.

For more information about computer, do visit S-Mall Computer Article Section.

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Details about PC Hardware can be easily accessed in Device Manager of a personal computer. All the PC Hardware devices are listed on the device manager installed of the computer. The device manager, in a computer, can be used to change the properties of any device. Each device is listed under the hardware to which it is connected. The hardware devices, which are installed in the computer and are connected, are grouped as type of resources- Direct Memory Access (DMA), Input/output (I/O), Interrupt Request (IRQ) and Memory.

The Hardware in the device manager can be seen as how they are connected to the computer. PC Hardware profiles provide a way to set up and store different hardware configurations. Hardware Profiles suggest which driver to load when the available PC Hardware changes. PC hardware requires resources to properly operate with the computer and the software installed in the computer. Hardware compatibility tests implement the combination of a device, a software driver, and an operating system under controlled conditions to verify that all components operate properly.

Drivers are the group of files, which make possible for the PC Hardware device to communicate with the operating system of the computer. Every PC Hardware devices have particular driver files, with particular version and made for a particular Hardware model, without which the Hardware devices can not work with the computer. The drivers are required to be updated, which enable PC Hardware to function properly. New or different operating systems always ask for new versions of Hardware drivers. Updating the driver version not only makes the PC Hardware compatible with the latest operating systems, it also advances the stability of the computer and increases reliability of the PC Hardware.

PC support services are necessary for PC Hardware to work properly and efficiently. Sometimes, PC system may have incompatibilities with hardware that is already installed in the computer. The need of PC Support is hence very vital in the world of computers. Basically, PC supports are provided by Manufacturers & Hardware and Software Professionals. PC Support services depend on the kind of issues a computer is having. PC support works around PC hardware issues and software issues and it may exist with the hardware device or the software component. On location care is taken by the service providers in case of complicated PC hardware issues.

Today, PC Hardware maintenance has become more cost effective and with coming up of remote PC Support services, it has become more convenient and cogitative, since these services are free policies. Customers do not have to pay if the issue is not resolved.