What Are the Main Components of a Computer System?

We all know that computers are complex devices, machines made out of an amalgam of electronic parts and components. But which computer components are essential for a computer to run? Modern PCs can still function fully without Bluetooth or a floppy disk drive. Here is a list of computer components that a computer system cannot do without.

* Motherboard

Computer

The motherboard is a very basic unit in any computer system. This is the computer component to which all other internal computer components are attached. It links all the other main components of a computer system together. Consequently, motherboards are sometimes referred to as the "heart" of a computer system.

What Are the Main Components of a Computer System?

* CPU

The central processing unit or CPU is the computer component responsible for running programs and applications on the computer. Without a CPU in your computer, you will not be able to do any tasks -- you cannot boot to an operating system, you cannot play music, videos and games, and you cannot do any word processing. For a computer to function, it has to have a CPU.

* RAM

Random Access Memory or RAM is another vital computer component. It is the storage media where a computer temporarily stores files and information that it can pull at random when running programs and applications. Together with the CPU, RAM determines the computer's speed. A computer with a large RAM and a mediocre CPU can actually run faster than a computer with a powerful CPU but low RAM.

* HDD

As opposed to the RAM, the hard disk drive or HDD stores computer files and data long-term. Even without power, the hard drive still retains the files stored inside it. The hard drive can store important system files like the operating system, program files and other data. It can also be used to store mp3s and videos. If the computer runs out of RAM, it will temporarily use the hard drive as a virtual memory bank.

* Video Card

A video card allows a computer to display images on the computer monitor. It helps speed up the rendering of images onscreen and contributes to clearer and detailed pictures. PC gamers and multimedia software users will find a high-end dedicated graphics card helpful in running graphics-intensive programs smoothly.

* PSU

The power supply unit or PSU supplies all computer components with power. It converts the high voltages from an AC power outlet to lower voltages that are safe for internal computer components. Without a PSU, a computer and its components will not be able to power up.

A computer can also benefit from an optical drive to read and play CDs and DVDs, a network card and router for connecting to the Internet, and peripheral devices such as printers and scanners. The motherboard, CPU, RAM, HDD, video card and PSU are, however, the main components that make up a computer system.

What Are the Main Components of a Computer System?

Article written by Jeffrey Frasco. For More Information on Computer Components take a look at Computer Knowledge For You.

Examples of Computer Hardware - Understanding Computer Components

It is easy to get confused when you are researching computers. Many newcomers get frustrated and it seems like the salesman at the local big box electronic store is speaking a foreign language. Many terms and words apply to the computer industry that does not apply to any other aspect of living. What is software? What is hardware? What is the CPU? ROM? RAM? Let's take a moment to look at some examples of computer hardware.

Computer hardware is just that, the "hard" surfaces you can touch. Hardware is what the computer is made of. Software is the programs running on the hardware that tell your computer what to do when you use the computer to balance your checkbook, look at email or surf the internet. Examples of computer hardware include:

Hardware

o The Monitor - what you view the results on, like a television.
o The CPU - central processing unit is where all the complicated math and computing happen.
o CD or DVD ROM - This is the drive that "reads" cd's or dvd's. ROM's are NOT burners the "read only."
o CD or DVD RW - This is the drives that "burn" or "make" cd's and dvd's. Typically they can read and write to a cd or dvd.
o Memory - This is just as it reads; the more memory your computer has, the better it will function.
o Printer - This allows you to print documents (your resume,) pictures, and many times printers have more than one function. Many printers can double up as scanners, fax machines and copiers.
o Wireless or Hardwired Routers - These are the devices that allow you to connect to other computers in your "network." They can work singly or in conjunction with "modems" which are the devices that allow you to connect to the internet.

Although the list above is quite extensive, it does not include all the examples of computer hardware you might run into. Lot's of devices are considered hardware (remember, you can touch hardware.) The list of devices not mentioned include cd's and dvd's, flash drives, floppy drives and disks, the mouse and keyboard, and the hard drives that store the operating systems and software on.

Computers have different configurations of hardware. Some offer more memory, storage, or optional drives. The type of computer you purchase will depend on what you do with it. There are different configurations available for virtually every application and desire. Whether you are going to play games, just email and surf the net, or plot the distances between the planets and stars, there is a computer set up and ready for you to purchase. Each will be configured a little differently based upon what demands your applications will place upon the hardware.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the different examples of computer hardware and can make an informed decision when making your next computer purchase.

Examples of Computer Hardware - Understanding Computer Components

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Functions of Device Drivers For the Hardware and Software Components

However, device drivers are coded differently for conforming to the requests of the application and the features of the hardware component.

Device drivers act as programs tasked to translate application or user requests into a form comprehensible to the hardware. Despite the diversity of features coded directly into an application, it does not contain the necessary procedures that can allow it to directly relay its requests to a hardware device.

Hardware

They are programmed to receive related software requests for using the features and functions of the corresponding hardware device. These requests usually take the form of high-level codes from a programming language used in the creation of the software.

Device drivers subsequently convert such related application or user requests into machine language or codes comprehensible to the hardware component after it receives the requests. The result would be the implementation by the hardware device of the related application or user requests.

A programming language called Assembly has the capability to directly tap into the functionality of a device. However, it is not compatible with the design and complexity required by user's for high-end applications.

A simple example of such device driver activity is when a user tries to view a music file using a third-party application such as Windows Media Player. The media application then relays the user's instructions to the sound device through the use of the audio device driver. The user can subsequently view the audio data contained in the music file through the speakers or headphones attached to the sound card of the machine.

Hardware devices also require the capability of device drivers to provide users with the ability to directly manipulate its functionality. Aside from using a third-party program to achieve this, a user may change the settings and configurations of a hardware device using its respective drivers. This is usually the case of display and sound devices installed in the computer.

Functions of Device Drivers For the Hardware and Software Components

However, the correct device drivers need to be installed before a related application or a user can manipulate a hardware device and use its bundled functions or features. One should always consider these factors when installing the correct drivers for a particular hardware device: the version of the operating system used; manufacturer of the device and the model or make of the hardware component.

For more related technical articles, one can visit online hubpages too.

Inside a Computer - Computer Components

Computer the best machine that helps to solve the longest calculations and has automated the most tire some processes is build up of the basic components such as a central processing unit, disk drives, keyboard, monitor, mother board and other such important components that functions parallel with each other. The functions of each of these basic components are different and are very important for proper functioning of the computer that ultimately proves useful to us. Computer system consists of input and output devices, however he basic components of a computer system are:

Central Processing Unit - Concisely known and understood as the CPU, this unit is the brain of any computer system. A computer system cannot exist without the CPU and this is because it contains all the sub basic units such as the arithmetic unit and others that performs all the mathematical and other operations.

Computer

Motherboard - This is the part of the computer to which all the hardware is connected to. It consists of processors and other sub processors that perform very important memory related operations. There are various kinds of motherboard available depending on the configuration of computer system required.

Random Access Memory - This part of the computer system also widely known as RAM is connected to the motherboard. As quite obvious from the name itself, RAM stores the data temporarily and the data stored also can be accessed from RAM. Data from here can be moved to a permanent storage such as compact disks and hard disks.

Monitor - This is also considered as the most versatile and important part of a computer system and is one of the output devices. This is the part where user can see and input the desired results and data to the computer. The various operations that are desired and the result of any mathematical calculation can be viewed on the monitor. In short, this is the user interface through which the user and the computer can communicate to each other.

Keyboard - Keyboard is an input device component through which a user can input the data and this data can be of any type depending on the type of input. The use of keyboard can be varied depending upon the type of use. For example it can also be used as a gaming device while playing games etc.
Hard Drive - The data that was stored temporarily in the RAM can be moved and stored in the hard disk drives. The size of the hard disk drives can be varied depending upon the use and the requirement of the user.

Disk Drives - These can be considered to be an optional component of a computer system. If a user needs to read a data from a floppy drive, USB drive or a compact disk drive then disk drives can be installed, again depending upon the use and requirement of the user.
The above mentioned components when assembled properly forms a computer system that can be used for various purposes such as basic office record keeping, surfing internet, communication, automation of works etc.

Inside a Computer - Computer Components

Article Written by Jeffrey Frasco. For more information about Computer Components visit BuyComputerComponents.com.