Computer Hardware Basics

Hardware Components

• CPU (Central Processing Unit):
  • Executes instructions and performs calculations
  • Consists of:
    • Control Unit: retrieves and decodes instructions
    • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): performs arithmetic and logical operations
• Memory:
  • RAM (Random Access Memory):
    • Temporary storage for data and program instructions
    • Volatile (loses data when power is off)
  • ROM (Read-Only Memory):
    • Permanent storage for firmware and BIOS
    • Non-volatile (retains data when power is off)
• Motherboard:
  • Main circuit board of a computer
  • Connects and supports various hardware components

Input/Output Devices

• Input Devices:
  • Keyboard: enters text and commands
  • Mouse: navigates and selects items
  • Scanner: digitizes physical documents and images
  • Webcam: captures video and images
• Output Devices:
  • Monitor: displays text and images
  • Printer: prints physical documents and images
  • Speakers: produces audio

Storage Devices

• Primary Storage:
  • RAM (Random Access Memory): temporary storage for data and program instructions
• Secondary Storage:
  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD): stores large amounts of data magnetically
  • Solid-State Drive (SSD): stores data electronically, faster than HDD
  • Optical Discs: stores data optically (CD, DVD, Blu-ray)
  • Flash Drives: portable, rewritable storage
  • External Hard Drives: portable, external storage for large amounts of data

Hardware Components

• CPU (Central Processing Unit):
  • Executes instructions and performs calculations
  • Comprises Control Unit and Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
  • Control Unit retrieves and decodes instructions
  • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) performs arithmetic and logical operations

Memory

• RAM (Random Access Memory):
  • Temporary storage for data and program instructions
  • Volatile, losing data when power is off
  • Data is accessed and written in a random order
• ROM (Read-Only Memory):
  • Permanent storage for firmware and BIOS
  • Non-volatile, retaining data when power is off
  • Data is written during manufacturing and cannot be changed

Motherboard

• Main Circuit Board:
  • Connects and supports various hardware components
  • Acts as a communication pathway for components

Input/Output Devices

• Input Devices:
  • Keyboard: enters text, commands, and data
  • Mouse: navigates, selects, and interacts with graphical elements
  • Scanner: digitizes physical documents and images into digital format
  • Webcam: captures video and images

Output Devices

• Output Devices:
  • Monitor: displays text, images, and videos
  • Printer: prints physical documents and images
  • Speakers: produces audio output

Storage Devices

• Primary Storage:
  • RAM (Random Access Memory): temporary storage for data and program instructions
• Secondary Storage:
  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD): stores large amounts of data magnetically
  • Solid-State Drive (SSD): stores data electronically, faster than HDD
  • Optical Discs: stores data optically (CD, DVD, Blu-ray)
  • Flash Drives: portable, rewritable storage for small amounts of data
  • External Hard Drives: portable, external storage for large amounts of data