Computer Hardware Basics

Hardware vs Software

• Hardware refers to the physical, tangible parts of a computer system
• Software executes or runs programs and data

Power Supply

• Supplies power to all components in the computer system
• Contains a transformer, voltage control, and fan
• Transformer converts alternating current from the outlet to direct current needed by hardware components

Motherboard

• Central circuit board in a computer system
• Provides electrical connections for all components to communicate
• Has ports and slots to connect peripheral components, expanding the computer's capabilities
• May have built-in components such as CPU, graphics cards, RAM, and hard drive

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• Executes all computer programs using a four-step process: fetch, decode, execute, and writeback
• Fetch: retrieves an instruction from computer memory to run a program
• Decode: breaks down instructions into smaller parts
• Execute: performs desired operations using broken-down instructions
• Writeback: outputs results of executed instructions

Processor Registers

• Quickly accessible locations available to the computer's processor
• Measured by the number of bits they can hold (e.g., 8-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit)
• Provide the fastest way to access data
• Types of registers include data registers, address registers, and general-purpose registers

Memory

• A memory address is a reference to a specific memory location in a computing system
• Addresses are sequences of numbers, with each memory location having a unique physical address
• RAM (Random Access Memory) is a form of computer memory stored in an integrated circuit chip
• RAM stores data in bits, with memory cells made up of transistors and capacitors
• Data can be accessed at random using the "row" and "column" of a cell
• Motherboard slots determine the capacity and number of RAM storage

Bus

• A communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer
• Also called a data highway