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Computer hardware is the physical part of a Computer , including the Digital Circuit ry, as distinguished from the Computer Software that executes within the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and data, which are "soft" in the sense that they are readily created, modified or erased on the computer. Firmware is a special type of software that rarely, if ever, needs to be changed and so is stored on hardware devices such as Read-only Memory (ROM) where it is not readily changed (and is, therefore, "firm" rather than just "soft"). Most computer hardware is not seen by normal users. It is in Embedded Systems in automobiles, microwave ovens, Electrocardiograph machines, Compact Disc players, and other devices. Personal Computer s, the computer hardware familiar to most people, form only a small minority of computers (about 0.2% of all new computers produced in 2003). See Market Statistics . TYPICAL PC HARDWARE A typical Personal Computer consists of a Case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop) and the following parts: Motherboard The motherboard is the "heart" of the computer, through which all other components interface.
Power Supply A case that holds a transformer, voltage control, and (usually) a cooling fan, and supplies power to the rest of the computer. Storage controllers of IDE Control Hard Disk , Floppy Disk , CD-ROM and other drives; the controllers sit directly on the motherboard (on-board) or on expansion cards, such as a Disk Array Controller . Video Display Controller Produces the output for the Computer Display . This will either be built into the motherboard or attached in its own separate slot (PCI, PCI-E or AGP), in the form of a Graphics Card . Removable Media writer
Internal storage Hardware that keeps data inside the computer for later use and remains persistent even when the computer has no power.
Sound Card Enables the computer to output sound to audio devices, as well as accept input from a Microphone . Most modern computers have sound cards built-in to the motherboard, though it is common for a user to install a separate sound card as an upgrade. Networking Connects the computer to the Internet and/or other computers.
Other Peripheral s In addition, hardware can include external components of a computer system. The following are either standard or very common. Includes various Input and Output devices, usually external to the computer system Input
Output
SEE ALSO
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