Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Track

Information and Communication Technology

Computer System Servicing
Lesson 3: Computer Hardware

Computer Hardware
Hardware - The
Computer hardware is a collective term used to describe term hardware
any of the physical components of an analog or distinguishes the tangible
digital computer. aspects of a computing
device from software,
Computer hardware can be categorized as being either which consists of
internal or external components. Generally, internal written, machine-
hardware components are those necessary for the proper readable instructions
functioning of the computer, while external hardware or programs that tell
components are attached to the computer to add or physical components
enhance functionality. what to do and when to
execute the instructions.

Internal Computer Hardware

Internal components collectively process or store the instructions delivered by the

program or operating system (OS). These include the following:

Motherboard
This is a printed circuit board that holds the
central processing unit (CPU) and other
essential internal hardware and functions
as the central hub that all other hardware
components run through.

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CPU
The CPU is the brain of the computer that
processes and executes digital instructions
from various programs; its clock
speed determines the computer's
performance and efficiency in processing
data.

Computer RAM (Random-access

memory)
RAM -- or dynamic RAM -- is
temporary memory storage that makes
information immediately accessible to
programs; RAM is volatile memory, so
stored data is cleared when the computer
powers off.

Hard drive
Hard disk drives are physical storage
devices that store both permanent and
temporary data in different formats,
including programs, OSes, device files,
photos, etc.

Solid-state drive
SSDs are solid-state storage devices based
on NAND flash memory technology; SSDs
are non-volatile, so they can safely store
data even when the computer is powered
down.

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 Optical drive
Optical drives typically reside in an on-
device drive bay; they enable the computer
to read and interact with nonmagnetic
external media, such as compact disc read-
only memory or digital video discs.

Heat sink
This is a passive piece of hardware that
draws heat away from components to
regulate/reduce their temperature to help
ensure they continue to function properly.
Typically, a heat sink is installed directly
atop the CPU, which produces the most
heat among internal components.
Graphics processing unit
This chip-based device processes graphical
data and often functions as an extension
to the main CPU.

Network interface card

A NIC is a circuit board or chip that
enables the computer to connect to a
network; also known as a network
adapter or local area network adapter, it
typically supports connection to an
Ethernet network.

Other computing components, such as USB ports, power supplies, transistors and chips,
are also types of internal hardware.

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External hardware components

External hardware components, also called peripheral components, are those items that
are often externally connected to the computer to control either input or output
functions. These hardware devices are designed to either provide instructions to the
software (input) or render results from its execution (output). Common input hardware
components include the following:

Mouse
A mouse is a hand-held pointing device that
moves a cursor around a computer screen
and enables interaction with objects on the
screen. It may be wired or wireless.

Keyboard
A keyboard is an input device featuring a
standard QWERTY keyset that enables users
to input text, numbers or special characters.

Microphone
A microphone is a device that translates
sound waves into electrical signals and
supports computer-based audio
communications.

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Camera
A camera captures visual images and streams
them to the computer or through a
computer to a network device.

Touchpad
A touchpad is an input device, external or
built into a laptop, used to control the
pointer on a display screen. It is typically an
alternative to an external mouse.

USB flash drive

A USB flash drive is an external, removable
storage device that uses flash memory and
interfaces with a computer through a USB
port.

Memory Card
A memory card is a type of portable external
storage media, such as a CompactFlash card,
used to store media or data files.

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Other input hardware components include joysticks, styluses and scanners.
Examples of output hardware components include the following:

Monitor
A monitor is an output device similar to a
TV screen that displays information,
documents or images generated by the
computing device.

Printer
Printers render electronic data from a
computer into printed material.

Speaker
A speaker is an external audio output
device that connects to a computer to
generate a sound output.

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 Headphones, earphones, earbuds
Similar to speakers, these devices provide
audio output that's audible only to a
single listener.

Sources:

https://www.crucial.com/articles/pc-builders/what-is-computer-hardware
https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/hardware