Parts of Computer

 

PARTS OF COMPUTER

What are the Parts of the Computer?

computer

The physical components required to set up a computer system to function are referred to as parts of the computer. These physical parts are commonly called computer hardware.

Each part has an important role and helps to process/perform a specific task when we operate the computer. For a computer system to operate, some basic parts are required such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, power cord, and computer case as well as its internal components.



How many parts of computers are there?

A computer is made up of different parts, whether it is small or large. Some parts can be easily recognized and physically touched. However, there are many different parts that cannot be touched until the computer system is completely disassembled. Based on the touch and viewing characteristics, computer parts are generally divided into internal and external.

• Internal: Internal parts of computers refer to the built-in components and are placed inside the computer case. For example: Motherboard, CPU, RAM, PSU, etc.

• External: External parts of computers refer to components that are attached to the computer by using one of the ports linked to the motherboard. For example: Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers, Webcam, etc.



Computer Parts


Monitor
Monitor, also called visual display unit, is one of the essential parts of a computer system. It's made of glass, circuitry, adjustment buttons, power supplies, and more, all enclosed within a casing. The monitor is connected to a computer so that we can display output like text, image, or video on the screen. Despite this, the adjustment buttons help control brightness, contrast, and other display settings.

Monitor

Previously, computers had CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) displays/monitors, which were larger and heavier. Currently, newer monitors are available with lighter weight and thinner sizes and are often referred to as flat-panel displays. There are many types of monitors available in the market. However, LED (light-emitting diode) and LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors are the most common these days.





Keyboard

The keyboard is one of the primary input devices which helps us to interact with the computer system. The keyboard's layout is similar to a traditional typewriter with additional keys. When we press a key on the keyboard, a small portion of data is given to the computer to tell which key was pressed.

Keyword

The computer receives input from the keyboard and uses it in various ways. For example, we can enter a single character or a command or a set of instructions into the computer for processing.

Although there are many types of keyboards, they all work in the same way. Keyboards are generally classified as mechanical and membrane types. A typical keyboard has a set of keys, including alphabetical keys, character keys, function keys, number keys, arrow keys, and control keys.



Mouse

The mouse is another input device and plays an important role as one of the essential computer parts. It also helps us to communicate with the computer system. Since it uses a 'point-and-click' approach, it is commonly referred to as a pointing device.
Mouse mainly enables us to move a pointer on the screen of the computer and select/open the object using the mouse button. A typical mouse usually has three buttons, such as the left, right, and middle roller buttons. However, advanced mice (such as a gaming mouse) may have more than three buttons to help perform specific tasks.

Mouse

The mouse is generally classified as a mechanical and optical mouse. The optical mouse uses laser technology to track the movements of the cursor, while the mechanical one uses a ball and roller. Optical mice (plural form of the mouse) are more precise and give a smoother experience while interacting with the computer.



Speakers

Speakers are one of the optional parts of the computer. They can be connected to a computer to get audio output while watching movies, listening to the audio, listening to game music or dialogue, etc. The speakers are attached to the sound card and convert the sound card's recovered electromagnetic waves into audible audio waves. These speakers also have amplifiers that enable us to adjust the volume level of the sound output.

Speakers

Many monitors and laptop computers come with built-in speakers. However, they can also be connected externally to a computer using a computer port (such as an audio jack or USB). By using external speakers, we can get enough loud sound output from the computer.

Mic

The mic, or microphone, is another optional part of the computer. It allows us to give voice input to the computer system. It comes in various shapes and sizes. We can connect a mic to a computer when we need to insert audio into our presentation, do voice conferencing, recording, broadcasting, giving voice commands to the computer, etc.

Mic

The mics are designed to read sounds from the surroundings and convert this sound (analog waves) into electrical signals. The signals are further converted into digital forms to be stored on the computer. Some common mics are dynamic mic, ribbon mic, condenser mic, etc.



Computer Case

A computer case is a special box, usually made of metal or plastic, and contains many of the computer's internal parts. Some such essential parts include a motherboard, central processing unit, power supply, drives, memory, and wiring. It comes in various shapes and sizes. In most cases, the desktop case is tower-style, tall, and sits next to the monitor.

Computer case

The front of the computer case usually provides access to the power on/off button, CD/DVD drives, and some ports such as USB, audio jack, etc. On the back, there are sockets for connecting a monitor, a power cord, and many external peripherals. Not all computers use a computer case. All-in-one computers and laptops come separately with all components enclosed in a thin case.



Motherboard

A motherboard is a printed circuit board that is assembled inside a computer case. All basic and high-end chipsets are integrated on the motherboard. It is one of the main parts of the computer system and is present in all types of computers. It is also called the mainboard.

Motherboard

The motherboard is where all the electronic components and peripherals of a computer system are connected in order to communicate together towards the functioning of the computer. It consists of CPU, RAM, ROM, sound card, video card, network card, ports for input, output and storage devices, etc.


CPU

CPU, short for Central Processing Unit, is commonly referred to as the brain of a computer. It is one of the main components of a computer system and includes the Control Unit (CU) and the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). It processes instructions and handles calculations and other logical operations of the computer. In short, all the processes run by the computer are taken care of by the CPU. CPU is also known as processor, central processor, microprocessor, and chip.

CPU

Modern computers come with multi-core processors where there are multiple CPUs in a single chip to accelerate the processing power of the computer. It mainly helps in multitasking on the computer system. Intel and AMD are currently the two popular manufacturers of computer CPUs these days.



Memory

Memory is one of the basic parts for the proper functioning of the computer system. Memory units typically store data and instructions for core system files and configuration. Memory is designed for fast access. Therefore, it also participates in storing the currently running programs for faster processing. The internal memory of a computer is mainly of two types, namely RAM and ROM:


• RAM: RAM, short for Random Access Memory, is one of the basic computer parts and serves as a computer's primary memory for temporarily storing current data (or ongoing data). It has a fast read/write speed and can be accessed quickly by the computer. It is a volatile memory and the data stored in it is lost when the power supply is cut off.

RAM OR ROM

• ROM: ROM, short for Read-Only Memory, is a non-volatile storage medium that stores essential computer data such as firmware. The data stored in ROM can only be read and is almost impossible to modify by the user. It keeps the stored data even after the power is turned off. It gives read-access to the computer's processor to write/load boot-up data and system files into primary memory.



Printer

A printer is an output device that can be connected to a computer system to make a hard copy of any document, image, or information on paper. The printer takes electronic data from the computer and creates an exact copy of it in monochrome (black & white in this reference) or colors, depending on the type of printer.

Printer

Printers are optional but an important part of a computer system. They come as both wired and wireless. There are mainly two types of printers, namely impact, and non-impact printers.



UPS

UPS, short for Uninterruptible Power Supply, is a hardware device used as a power backup for a computer. It consists of a battery inside a metal box that enables users to keep the computer running for a short time after the primary power source has been lost, such as an outage or a power surge.

UPS

The main advantage of using a UPS is that we can get enough time to save our unsaved data and shut down the computer system appropriately. When computers are not shut down properly, it can lead to loss of data and sometimes even damage to the internal parts of the computer.