HARDWARE COMPONENTS

CONTENT
What is Computer Hardware?
Processing Hardware?
Processor?
Memory?
Input devices?
Output devices?
Storage Devices?
 WHAT IS HARDWARE?
Hardware is the physical component of a computer
system

It refers to the electrical parts and devices that make up a

computer
Generally, hardware is categorized according to the five basic
operation it performs:

Input Devices ( we used to send the data to computer

processor/memory)
Processors ( fetch, decode and execute data into
information)
Memory ( it holds data/ instructions that CPU needs)
Output Devices( display information/results)
Secondary storage Devices ( Store data/ information for
later use)
WHAT IS PROCESSING AND PROCESSING HARDWARE?

The procedure that transforms raw data into useful information is

called processing.
The processor and the main memory devices are the processing
hardware.
The processor also known as the CPU (Central Processing Unit)
interprets and executes instructions.
The basic function of CPU is to fetch, decode and executes
instructions held in ROM or RAM
 WHAT IS THE PROCESSOR?

Device that interprets and executes instructions, also

called microprocessor.
It is called the brain of the computer.
The faster the speed of the processor, the faster the
execution of instructions.
 WHAT IS THE PROCESSOR?
A central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry
that carries out the instructions of a computer program by
performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and
input/output ( I/O) operations.
Microprocessors must perform the following activities:
Provide temporary storage for addresses and data
Provide arithmetic and logic operations
Control and schedule all operations.
 WHAT IS MEMORY?
In computing, memory refers to the physical devices
used to store programs (sequences of instructions) or
data i.e. text, images, and videos etc.
computer memory is the storage space in computer
where data is to be processed and instructions required
for processing are stored.
Memory consist of three types:
Cache Memory
Primary Memory/ Main Memory
Secondary Memory
 CACHE MEMORY
The cache is a smaller, faster memory which stores copies of
the data from frequently used main memory locations
(RAM).
It acts as a buffer between the CPU and main memory.
It is used to hold those parts of data and program which are
most frequently used by CPU.
Computer microprocessor can access cache memory more
quickly than it can access regular RAM.
 PRIMARY MEMORY (MAIN MEMORY)
It is divided into two subcategories ROM and RAM.
The computer has a ROM (Read only memory) which is
used to store the boot program and other low-level
information that enable the computer to start up and to
recognize its hardware parts.
ROM permanently store its data even if the computer is
turn off.
ROM is called non-volatile memory.
 READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)
The other major function of the BIOS is to identify
the boot device (CD-ROM, Floppy disk or hard disk)
and transfer the operating system code to RAM.
It contains information about its hardware devices.
It is faster then Secondary memory.
 RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
These are in a computer in which data is stored for quick
access by the processor (CPU).

Data is held in the RAM is erased when the computer is

reset or the power is turned off.
RAM is also called read/write memory or auxilliary
memory
Computer cannot run without primary memory
(RAM/ROM).
 RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
RAM is a volatile memory, where stored information is
lost if computer is turn off.
 WHAT ARE INPUT DEVICES?
Input hardware are used to enter data into a
computer by encoding via a keyboard. Direct
reading through scanners and pointing devices like
the mouse.

input hardware converts data, e.g.. text, image,

drawings into a form of that computer can
understand and use.
 WHAT ARE OUTPUT DEVICES?
Hardware used to display/produce the output of the
computer system after processing data.

The output of computer processing is the usable

information that the user requires.
This information can be presented to the user in a
variety of forms, depending on the output device.
 WHAT ARE STORAGE DEVICES?
A data storage device is a device for recording
(storing) information/data.

The hardware used to store data for future use are

called storage devices.
 HARD DISK

The hard disk is the mass storage device for

software applications and data files.

It provides a semi-permanent storage place for

data.
For the PC user, hard disks ranging from 80GB to
1TB or 1PB of storage space.
 WHAT ARE CD-ROMs?
CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) are
optical storage devices. They read and write data
with the help of lasers.

CD-ROM can store up 650MB to 700MB data.

 DVD AND REWRITABLE DVD
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc); are optical discs share the
same overall dimensions of a CD, but have
significantly higher capacities.

DVD+RW. allow data storage and recording digital

video onto 4.7 GB.

However rewritable DVD is still in its infancy stage.

 QUIZ TIME!
1. It is a device that interprets and executes instructions,
also called microprocessor.
2. It is optical discs share the same overall dimensions of a
CD, but have significantly higher capacities.
3. It is a physical component of a computer system
4. What is RAM?
5. It is a smaller, faster memory which stores copies of the
data from frequently used main memory locations
(RAM).
 QUIZ TIME!
6-7 Give at least two types of hardware devices

8. It is the mass storage device for software applications

and data files.

9. It is a device for recording (storing) information/data.

10. It used to display/produce the output of the

computer system after processing data.
 ANSWER KEY:
1. Processor
2. DVD or Digital Versatile Disc
3. Hardware
4. Random Access Memory
5. Cache Memory
6-7 Keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, speaker and etc.
8. Hard Disk
9. Storage Devices
10. Output Devices