Internal and External Hardware Components in a Computer

Internal and External Hardware Components in a Computer

INTERNAL COMPONENTS

1) THE MOTHERBOARD

The motherboard is a printed circuit board that houses most, if not all of the internal components. These include the Central Processor and the Memory cards as well as sound cards, graphics cards, video cards, any ports such as USB 2.0 or Firewire and the DVI port which handles the Monitor.

 

2) THE PROCESSOR

The processor is a computer chip that carries out instructions given by computer programs and handles all the day to day tasks that a PC has to do. They used to use up an entire circuit board, but nowadays, microprocessors like this one handle everything from just one chip. 

 

3) RAM

RAM is a type of temporary computer data storage. It deals with temporary data requests such as keeping windows open on a desktop or just viewing a file. RAM can often be overloaded which is what happens if a window freezes during shutdown or stops working.

 

The more RAM you have (8GB is the biggest), more windows and processes can be open than if you only have little Ram (e.g. 1GB). 

 

4) HARD DISK  DRIVE (HDD)

The Hard Disk drive is a type of permanent computer data storage. Data is retrieved by using a series of rapidly spinning magnetic disks that store the data. The spindle physically writes the data to the magnetic disk and is a very delicate piece of hardware that must be handled carefully.

 

Unlike RAM, hard drives retain data even if the machine is powered off or cut off unexpectedly because of a power cut.  Data can be lost if the hard drive breaks or becomes corrupt.   

 

5) CD-ROM DRIVE

A CD Rom drive is a drive that reads compact discs only, but now expands to DVDs as well. These use laser beams to read the data on the disc. Drives like this one connect to the motherboard via SATA cables usually on internal drives, external drives connect via USB.

 

The laser inside can move around to scan the CD from any angle. Constant reading by laser can cause scratches to the disc and the laser won’t read it properly as the scratches affect this process.

 

6) POWER SUPPLY

The Power Supply unit is a switch operated unit that converts mains AC electricity into DC electricity that powers all the internal components. These units have many cooling systems to them so that they do not overheat. Also, a fan on the front makes sure that power constantly flows to the PSU and cools the system so it does not break down. 

 

7) POWER CABLE

 These cables are connected to the Power Supply Unit and cables that look like this power the motherboard and is the largest connector found on a PC’s motherboard. Without these, the computer would not work, so are an essential internal component.

 

8) FAN

A fan inside a computer is a fan that sucks cool air into the PC case and blows hot air out of the case and stops any key components overheating. This is an essential part of a computer’s cooling system. Fans can stop working if they become clogged by dust or any foreign bodies, so require regular cleaning.

 

9) GRAPHICS CARD

The graphics card is a type of expansion card that processes and produces outputs for displays. These are a crucial component that monitors rely on. They also handle output of video (such as S-Video) to projectors. They also have their own fans as this type of card gets hot quickly and needs instant cooling.

 

10) SOLID STATE DRIVES (SSD)

Solid State Drives are drives that have no actual mechanical parts and are a form of computer data storage. There construction resembles that of a giant memory card found in digital cameras. These drives boot up faster than traditional hard disks, but they have less storage than their magnetic disks counterparts. They are also less susceptible to shock than regular hard disks, reducing damage to the drive itself.

 

EXTERNAL COMPONENTS

 

1) MONITOR

The monitor is the display for a PC. This is where anything you can see is displayed. Monitors vary in size and use LCD screens for better quality. They connect to your PC through a DVI or HDMI cable attached to the graphics card. Newer monitors use OLED rather than LCD because they produce more high quality visuals, but do cost more than LCD screens.

 

2) KEYBOARD

The keyboard is the main way of typing on a PC. When typed, each key produces a letter on the screen. Keyboards vary depending on what they are used for, some are basic and used for normal activity or specialist keyboards that control computer functions are also used in specialist industries. Keyboards connect to a PC wirelessly or use USB cables.

 

3) MOUSE

The mouse is the primary way of navigating a computer. The mouse used to have a ball that could move in any direction. Now, infra red lasers have replaced the ball and are more efficient than the ball mice. Currently, touch controlled mice with no physical buttons are being tested but are not as good as the laser or ball mice currently used on many PCs. 

 

4) PRINTER

The printer is computer hardware that will print anything written or created on a PC onto paper, whether it be text or photos. Printers on the market today use either inkjet (liquid ink) or laser (toner) technology. They also have other functions besides printing, this includes copying, faxing and scanning making it a useful piece of hardware.   

 

5) COMPUTER CASING

The computer casing is the housing for all the internal components of the PC. These are usually made from steel because they need to be durable. These are often quite bulky, but are the best for enthusiasts because there is plenty of room to work inside and all the components are easy to remove whereas laptops are harder to work on due to the enclosed space.